Times of Oman - December 29, 2016

THURSDAY December 29, 2016 29 Rabi Al Awal 1438 AH

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FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the 26th National Day, 1996

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ The Omani youth who look forward to glorious horizons are called upon today to take their ancestors an example of diligence, hard work, patience, persistence and sustained effort. They are also called upon to believe, as they believed, that productive work - no matter how small it is - is a key element in the structure of the nation.

MORNING MINUTE

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 254 | 36 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

HOME AT LAST: BIG THUMBS UP FROM BURNS VICTIM GHAZAL

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HM receives thanks cable MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar in reply to His Majesty’s greetings cable on the occasion of the National Day of Qatar.

In his cable, Sheikh Tamim expressed his utmost thanks for His Majesty’s cordial feelings and best wishes. He prayed to Allah the Almighty to grant His Majesty the Sultan good health and wellbeing and the Omani people permanent progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty. -ONA

The little princess hopes to get well soon and wants to join her schoolmates

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

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Mantheri greets HM

TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

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MUSCAT: Giving a big thumbsup in bed as her brother smiles beside her, little car fire burns victim Ghazal is finally out of hospital and home with her family.

Wearing bright pink lipstick and make-up to hide the scars that cover 75 per cent of her tiny body, Ghazal Sulaiman wants just one thing – to recover quickly so she can play with her schoolmates.

Ghazal and her brother Suleiman were pulled from their burning family car at a Sur filling station on August 24 after their father had gone to buy groceries.

Tragically, it was their father’s lighter that sparked the flames inside the vehicle.

His children found the discarded lighter in the back of the car and a seemingly empty plas-

tariqh@timesofoman.com

The State Council Chairman greeted His Majesty on getting Arab Rights Award. >A3

WORLD

Abe visits Pearl Harbour

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Shinzo Abe made a symbolic visit to Pearl Harbour. >A11

MARKET

Orpic job plans

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Orpic has plans to strengthen in-countryvalue and local jobs. >B1

tic bottle that had been used to store fuel.

Injuries The fire inside the car left both children with horrific burn injuries after an Omani hero pulled them from the burning car with his bare hands. >A6

S L O W I N G O F E A R T H ’ S R O TAT I O N

Brace for an extra second of ‘tough’ 2016 SYED HAITHAM HASAN

haitham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman - and the world - will be forced to endure an extra second in 2016 thanks to the gradual slowing of the earth’s rotation.

The International Earth Rotation and Reference System (IERS), which standardises world time, will keep clocks running to 60 seconds, instead of 59 on New

Year’s Eve, before changing to the New Year.

This will provide an extra second to make resolutions, toast the New Year and wave goodbye to the year of austerity.

According to Sulaiman Al Busaidi, curator of the PDO planetarium, the change has to do with the earth’s rotation, which is not perfectly steady and is slowing as time passes.

“The original definition of a day was 86,400 seconds, but due to the slowing rotation it changes every day by 0.002 seconds. After two days it is 0.004 seconds, and so on.

“When the difference amounts to about one second, this is this difference that requires the addition of a leap second,” he said.

‘Leap seconds’ have been added 26 times since rotation based time

LITTLE INTEREST

Flight bookings to Dubai fall as New Year is a working day

TOURISM HOTSPOT: Dubai has long been known as a top global destination for New Year celebrations.

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Airlines’ bookings to Dubai to celebrate New Year are low due to the first day of 2017 falling on a working day, according to airline officials and travel agents in Muscat.

“Mainly, as it’s a working day, people have not shown interest in flying to Dubai and celebrating.

Compared to last year, the bookings are low. It seems everyone will celebrate the New Year here in Oman,” said an official from a Dubai-based airline in Muscat.

Dubai has long been known as a top global destination for New Year eve celebrations.

In 2014, Dubai broke the worldrecord for the largest and longest fireworks display, and plans are underway to make this year’s celebration even more exciting.

According to the Dubai government, more than one million people are expected to attend the New Year celebration in Downtown Dubai and Dubai Water Canal on Saturday.

Of note, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has developed a comprehensive traffic and transport plan to help ease public movement.

This year, the fireworks have been planned on a grander scale, with pyrotechnics designed to be launched along the Dubai Water Canal to Dubai Creek Harbour, where The Tower is under construction. However, Burj Khalifa will remain the centre of the attractions.

Meanwhile, a travel agent in Muscat said that many people are opting for local Oman tourist spots to celebrate New Year.

“People don’t have much mon-

ey, as in the past. And, as it’s a working day, fewer people want to go to Dubai and lose wages,” the travel agent said.

“However, we are getting enquiries about Salalah, Jebel Akdhar and desert camps,” he added.

Rejin Thomas, director of sales at Crowne Plaza in Salalah, said that December 30 and 31 are packed with local and foreign guests.

“This year, we are fully booked.

There is a big German group, too.

We will be having a seaside gala dinner,” Rejin added.

Nithin Raveendran Nair, a senior official with Axiz Events, said there are at least 40 special New Year events occurring in Muscat.

“It seems people love to be in Oman for New Year,” said Nithin, who is organising a live concert with UK-based DJs at the Sheraton on December 31.

adjustments were introduced in 1972, when an extra 10 seconds was added to clocks to compensate for changes.

With so many wars, famines, celebrity deaths and major changes in the world in 2016, most people are eagerly awaiting the new year.

Also, 2016 has been a challenging time for business around the world, as economic uncertainties plagued world markets. >A4

Frankincense is the very essence of Oman

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

THE BRIEFING DISRUPTIONS

INDIA

Fog in Dubai delays flights from Muscat REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Heavy fog in Dubai has delayed flights, including from Muscat, airline officials said.

Officials from flydubai and Air Arabia in Muscat said that fog in Dubai has delayed arrivals there.

Dubai Airport has announced on its official website that heavy fog is disrupting operations this morning resulting in delays of up to an hour.

“Dubai Airport is working with airlines, air traffic control and other authorities to minimise customer inconvenience,” the

Now four-year jail, penalty for holding scrapped notes

LIFESTYLE

Choose the right child restraint

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved promulgation of an ordinance to impose a penalty, including a jail term, for possession of the scrapped 500 and 1,000 rupee notes beyond a cut-off. >A9

announcement added.

Meanwhile, Dubai meteorology department has issued a warning for residents to be careful while driving, as visibility was reduced to less than 50 metres across coastal and internal areas of the country and the highways.

Ninu Mohandas, a Dubai resident, told Times of Oman that a heavy blanket of fog caused major tailbacks on the roads. “It’s shivering cold and the visibility on the roads is too low,” Ninu added.

Dubai media reports say that the heavy blanket of fog caused major tailbacks on roads leaving motorists with little patience by the end of their commute.

PAKISTAN

Sharif inaugurates Chashma-3 nuclear power plant

OMAN

Three budget hotels to open in 2017 In a bid to boost Omani tourism, three new budget hotels will open in Muscat during the first quarter of 2017, officials at the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) announced on Wednesday. Outlining the projects, the MOT said Hisn Al Mussanah Hotel with 40 rooms is set to open in April 2017. Also, Al Salam hotel apartments is opening in Barka in February 2017 with 30 apartments to cater to tourists. Another hotel in Barka is nearing completion. >A6

OMAN

Omani climber scales highest peak in western hemisphere

REGION

Iran warns foreign planes near war game

Sulaiman Al Na’ebi climbed 7,000 metres high Aconcagua in Argentine and hoisted the Sultanate flag and the picture of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. >A7

WORLD

Russia can expect curbs after cyber attacks

OMAN

Oman Air wins Malaysian award National carrier Oman Air won a prestigious airlines award in Malaysia, the airline announced on Wednesday.

Oman Air was awarded the Foreign Airline of the Year by Sector to Middle East award at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Awards 2015.>A6

Power-starved Pakistan on Wednesday received a major boost as a China-backed 340 MW nuclear power plant in its Punjab province was inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who termed it as a milestone in the government’s efforts to end the mence of load shedding. The Chashma-3 plant is located at Chashma in Mianwali district where another plant Chashma-IV is also being built. Sharif described the completion of C-3 as another milestone towards the journey to eliminate the menace of load shedding from the country, Radio Pakistan reported. >A10

Iran has warned off foreign surveillance planes that have tried to approach its forces during air defence exercises, a spokesman said. the warnings were given to US Navy planes and drones that had approached the drills. >A7

Russia and its president Vladimir Putin should expect tough sanctions after cyber attacks during the presidential election won by Donald Trump, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said. Republican and Democratic senators including Graham called for a bipartisan panel to investigate cyber attacks against the United States by foreign countries, with a focus on Russia’s alleged efforts to influence the US presidential election. >A12

Child restraints have proven to reduce the risk of death among infants by approximately 70 per cent, and deaths among small children by between 54 and 80 per cent. According to The World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic accidents accounted for 21 per cent of fatalities of those aged 0-19. >A14

BUSINESS

Oman Arab Bank raises OMR30m in bond issue Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has concluded its issue of Omani rial denominated perpetual bonds, raising OMR30 million as additional tier 1 capital.

The issue will boost the bank’s capital base and increase its capital adequacy ratio. >B1

SPORTS

Golden glory for Omani sailors in Abu Dhabi A group of Oman Sail young athletes concluded a successful participation in the Arab Sailing Championships, bringing home gold medals after a stunning performance in a number of racing classes. >C4

YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

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HISTORIC MOMENT

‘Award to HM recognises his role in promoting dialogue’ MUSCAT: Musallam bin Ali Al Ma’ashani, Member at the State Council, Deputy Chairman of the Arab Parliament said that honouring His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said with Arab Man International Award 2016 by Arab-European Centre of Human Rights and International Law (AECHRIL) is a historic moment as it recognises the role played

by His Majesty the Sultan in promoting dialogue and understating in solving issues of the region and the world.

It is also a recognition of His Majesty the Sultan’s keenness to build strong relations with various countries of the world based on exchanging interests and enhancing tolerance, understanding and dialogue principles.

He said that award by the AECHRIL comes as recognition of His Majesty the Sultan’s lead-

Musallam bin Ali Al Ma’ashani, Member at the State Council, Deputy Chairman of the Arab Parliament. – ONA

ing role in promoting peace in the world.

He affirmed that the Arab Parliament will adopt His Majesty the Sultan’s approach, which de-

pends on using dialogue as a means for solving the pending issues. This approach will create the conducive environment that helps in solving the Arab issues amidst the exceptional circumstances facing the Arab world.

Al Ma’ashani said electing the Sultanate as Deputy Chairman of the Arab Parliament at the second legislative sitting at the extraordinary session held on 10th December in Cairo stresses the status of the Sultanate in the Arab world.

It also renews the trust of the member states in the Omani parliamentary institutions and the role they play in enhancing the joint Arab work.

He said electing the Sultanate will provide an incentive to ensure more contribution in providing Arab parliamentary work with positive visions that enhance its work. -ONA

S TAT E C O U N C I L

Mantheri greets HM on getting Arab Rights Award MUSCAT: State Council Chairman Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri expressed his deepest congratulations and gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the occasion of granting him the International Arab Rights Award for 2016 by the Arab-European Centre of Human Rights and International Law (AECHRIL).

He also praised the process for organising the municipal elections for the second term, which was conducted earlier this week.

The proposal was submitted by the Culture, Media and Tourism Committee, taking into account observations of the honourable members and the formation of a drafting technical committee to incorporate their remarks.

Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Al Meshaikhi, Head of the Culture, Media and Tourism Committee said that the study aims at reaching results and recommendations to serve the tourism sector by reviewing the status of the sector

and to consider the governing laws and regulations of the tourism sector, as well as addressing the challenges and obstacles that hinder the advancement of this sector and to activate its role in the national economy.

The agenda of the meeting included reviewing several topics that included a report on procedural session to elect a Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Arab Parliament where the Sultanate was elected as Deputy Chairman of the Arab Parliament.

The State Council yesterday approved at its third regular session of the 2nd annual sitting of the 6th term, under the chair of the Chairman of the State Council, the proposal “Reality of Tourism in the Sultanate”. -ONA

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

OMAN

2016: An eventful year in focus revamp. Owned by Al Hashar Hotels LLC, under the umbrella of the Al Hashar Group and in association with Twenty14 Holdings, the 230-room hotel has been a landmark in Muscat for more than three decades, ensuring guests can experience more in the heart of the city.

As news goes, 2016 was “newsier” than most in Oman - and ‘Times of Oman’ served up exclusive after exclusive story.

Oman health: Desperate patients ‘buying’ organs March 28

Omanis desperate for kidney MUSCAT: The big news was, of course, people welcoming the return home of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to Oman from Germany after treatment.

Stories like the plan to scrap No-Objection Certificates, and another story about a government online portal for workers to file complaints, were well received by readers. Other stories celebrated heroic acts, such as the Omani man who pulled two children from a burning car in Sur. The year also saw the Omani government chalk out its plans for a non-oil future: lifting the fuel subsidy, initiating Tanfeedh, and allowing 100 per cent ownership for foreign investors in Oman, in response to hard times. We also saw 18 lives lost in a tragic crash in Ibri, and Royal Oman Police introducing new traffic laws with strict rules and hefty fines to keep the roads safe.

ROP also broke up a sex trafficking gang and rescued 21 Thai women, and a gang was arrested for a OMR1.4m gold theft in Oman.

Times of Oman also brought you a story about street sellers peddling girls in Oman, and a story on Dana, the abandoned girl who won Oman’s heart.

On the commerce front, the Sheraton Hotel reopened its doors after a decade, and the Port Sultan Qaboos waterfront project was officially launched.

We also read how a promising Indian nurse’s life was cut short in Salalah, and a Filipina expat was murdered by her own colleague.

We later revealed that GCC expats need an e-visa before visiting the UAE, a story about desperate patients ‘buying’ organs, ROP clarifying rules on family joining visas, new visa rules for some expat females entering Oman, two children who were among five dead in an Indian school bus crash in Nizwa, and countless other exclusive stories.

January 4

tors, who warn they are putting their lives at risk. A shortage of donors and months of waiting for surgery in the Sultanate forces Omani patients to spend a minimum of OMR20,000 to purchase a kidney overseas, say medics, despite it being illegal across the globe.

Some 12,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs are expected to be created after the completion of an OMR500 million project that will transform Port Sultan Qaboos into the region’s primary waterfront destination.

Oman crime: ROP rescues 21 Thai sex workers

Oman announces revised petrol, diesel price January 11

The Oman government on Monday announced revised petrol and diesel prices, which will be effective from January 15, 2016.

The super grade petrol will cost 160 baisas per litre (against the present price of 120 a litre), 140 baisas for regular grade petrol (against 114 baisas a litre) and 160 baisas for diesel per litre (against 146 baisas per litre), according to the Ministry of Oil and Gas official Twitter posting.

100 per cent ownership for foreign investors in Oman January 27

Expatriates will be allowed to start a business without an Omani partner and no minimum capital requirement will be necessary, if a draft law prepared by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) is approved by the government.

GCC expats need to get e-visa before UAE visit: Oman Air People welcome His Majesty’s return to Oman April 13, 2016 Welcoming His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s return to Oman after routine medical checkups in Germany, Ahmed Al Hooti, a member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said may the Almighty Allah grant him good health, happiness and a long life with great joy.

Omani hero pulls two children from burning car August 26 An anonymous Omani man pulled two children from a burning car after it caught fire at a petrol station in Sur last week. The rescue of the two children from the car took place last Wednesday, an official from the fuel company said.

Oman accident: 18 killed, 16 injured in Ibri road crash March 1

Tanfeedh in Oman set to announce 120 proposals November 16

Plan to scrap NOC October 10

No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in Oman “will be removed,” a senior official from the Ministry of Manpower has said. “We will

transplants are travelling abroad Port Sultan Qaboos waterfront to create 12,000 direct to buy black market organs and and 7,000 indirect jobs undergo illegal surgeries, say doc-

remove the NOC option. It will be removed. The plan is being seriously considered,” Said bin Nasser Al Saadi, the advisor to the Minister for Manpower, told Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.

Omanis and expatriates are invited to participate in a national survey when Tanfeedh, the National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification, will unveil more than 120 projects and initiatives in five sectors.

Eighteen people were killed and 16 suffered grave injuries in an early morning accident in Ibri, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) reported on Tuesday. Three vehicles, including a bus, a trailer and an SUV were involved in the accident..

everything in place for Tuesday, 30 days after the new laws were posted in the Sultanate’s official gazette, but would not give details about specific policing numbers on the beat.

Exposed: Street sellers who peddle girls in Oman September 27

Unhappy at work?

Complain online in Oman June 22 Omani and expat workers in Muscat can now submit labour complaints against their employers online to the Ministry of Manpower (MoM), which has opened a web portal on a trial basis. Currently, the service is available to workers registered with companies operating in Muscat, and the portal is in Arabic.

Oman tourism: Sheraton Hotel reopens in Muscat

Pimps were hunting for business on the streets of Muscat, less than 24 hours after news broke of police raids that rescued 21 Thai girls from the sex trade. Expat pimps are operating brazenly from as early as 8am every day, approaching males in the street and asking if they would like a “fresh girl”.

Men who consort with prostitutes should ‘stay away from these women’ and ‘remember their faith’ a police spokesman said, after raids in Muscat rescued a group of Thai women from the sex trade.

Police also asked property owners to remain vigilant. Twenty-one Thai nationals were rescued from two brothels in Muscat, after joint raids by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and Thai policemen.

Royal Oman Police clarifies rule on family joining visa February 4 Expatriates who want to work in the Sultanate can apply for familyjoining visas if they fulfil certain criteria, especially if the expatriate is working as a doctor, engineer or lawyer, or anything fitting that range of work, as well as technical jobs, such as mechanics and electricians, Brigadier Hilal Al Busaidi, Director General of Passport and Residences, said in a statement.

However, the expatriate’s salary must not be less than OMR600.

Abandoned child’s smile wins Oman’s heart April 19

October 13

Blowtorch gang arrested for OMR1.4m gold heist in Oman

Motorists be careful, new rules come into force from tomorrow in Oman September 5 Royal Oman Police traffic officers are gearing up to apply new traffic laws - from September 6. An ROP spokesman said the force has

March 25 Oman’s national carrier has confirmed that GCC expatriates flying to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have to obtain an e-visa before boarding the aircraft from April 29. “The implementation date for the electronic visa required by all UAE airports will be April 29. This will be applicable to all airlines,” said Saleem Amanulla, Vice President, Airport Operations at Oman Air.

September 27

The Sheraton Oman Hotel, a 14-storey tower which dominates the skyline in Muscat, re-opened its doors on Thursday morning, following a multi-million rial

September 20 A gang of robbers who stole gold worth OMR1.4million from jewellers across Muscat have been arrested, according to the Royal Oman Police (ROP). The gang used blowtorches to gain access to stores before raiding them during night-time break-ins.

Phones at the Ministry of Social Development Child Affairs Department have not stopped ringing for the last three days, as hundreds of families have come forward to foster the two-yearold abandoned girl, who is being called Dana (Pearl).

‘LEAP SECOND’

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2016 a year of austerity

Oman, along with its GCC neighbours, saw oil prices fall to record lows at the start of the year, and severe austerity measures put in place. “It was a hard year,” said Maaz Firdous, an engineering consultant, summing up 2016.

“The once flourishing construction markets were hit hard.

Everyone is looking forward to the New Year, new contracts and a better economic outlook. I would have preferred the extra second some other year,” he added.

Oman took unprecedented measures in 2016 to reduce deficits caused by low oil prices by introducing austerity measures that included cuts in fuel subsidies, which increased prices by

up to 50 per cent. “It is just one second, but the significance is so considerable because of the tough time this year brought for us. I have seen company account books suffer, and companies are just praying that 2016 ends and the New Year brings some respite for them,” said Aamir Patel, a chartered accountant.

Outages In the past, the ‘leap second’ has caused outages in popular websites, such as Netflix, Reddit and Foursquare.

In 2012, it forced passengers to check-in by hand, instead of using computer systems, delaying nearly 400 flights, while in 2015,

interruptions of nearly 40 minutes occurred on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Amazon. Although reminiscent of Y2K, the turn of the millennium panic which threatened to send computer systems haywire, the adding of one second is a regular occurrence and major technical glitches are rare.

If the leap second system was not in place, by the year 2100 clocks would be one minute ahead of time. It is expected that there will be many more leap seconds to come in the near future, as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) voted last year to retain the practice until the year 2023, before examining the need for such actions again.

“SAFETY PROCEDURES

Bedsores almost eradicated at Sultanate’s Royal Hospital imminent damage, washing the skin with soap and water and drying well, not leaving the skin, bed or cloths wet, as well as not leaving the skin excessively dry,” the statement added.

Times News Service MUSCAT: The number of patients with bedsores has dropped dramatically at Oman’s Royal Hospital after authorities launched a preventative programme.

Called “safety procedures to avoid bedsore”, the programme achieved a rate of 0.6 bedsores per 100 patients when the global average is 4 in every 100.

“We were able to bring down the number of cases by changing the position of the paralysed patients regularly and skin daily care. This included examination of the skin in order to check any

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Tweet all about it

Safety seats drive launched for children Children First Association is working along with Royal Oman Police to distribute 200 car seats to families RAISING AWARENESS: Omani legal experts and road safety campaigners have been seeking to educate the public on the issue in recent months.

Times News Service MUSCAT: A massive social media campaign on awareness of strapping kids into car seats will be launched next week.

Under the hashtag #Safety_ seats, the Children First Association, along with Royal Oman Police (ROP) has distributed 200 car seats to families with children so far. The hashtag was on Oman;s most trending topics for around 24 hours.

“We are calling upon companies in Oman to help us buy more seats to provide them to families,” Shaker Al Raisi, the association’s spokesperson said.

Twitter users showed a remarkable support to the campaign.

Some of the users shared pictures of their little ones strapped into a car seat. Another twitter user said: “I think the awareness campaign should be followed by traffic fines and reduction of the car seats’ prices,”Oman’s legal experts and road safety campaigners have been raising awareness on the issue in recent months.

Ali Al Barwani, chief executive officer of Oman Road Safety Association, (ORSA) said that a new

Car seats are part of a culture, rather than just a product. We see many cars with baby seats, but the drivers allows kids to sit in the front seat Twitter user law is vital to combat child deaths in car crashes in Oman, the Times of Oman reported last week.

He pointed out that even minor accidents can kill or seriously injure a child.“It is puzzling me that parents can afford OMR7,000 cars but are hesitant to purchase a OMR30 car seat,” he said, explaining that money “was never the problem”. ORSA is working closely with local hospitals to raise awareness among new parents about the importance of pro-

viding newborns with car seats, according to Al Barwani.

Earlier this month, an expatriate father lost his four-month-old baby girl, Rushda Fathima, in a tragic car accident in Sur. “I will never drive a vehicle without having child restraints when travelling with children. I beseech everyone to take all safety measures while travelling with children. I have lost my child. I don’t want others to suffer the same way,” he said.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

OMAN Frankincense is the very essence of Oman

NEW PROJECTS

BOOST TO TOURISM: Travel agents note that these budget hotels will provide a boost in tourism, as there is a shortage of budget hotels in the Sultanate.

3 budget hotels to open next year Times News Service

Readers are invited to take an online journey to the land of frankincense, in a special fivechapter online opus

MUSCAT: Frankincense is the very essence of Oman.

Today, the Times of Oman invites readers to take an online journey to the land of frankincense, in a special five-chapter online opus.

The stunningly rendered pro-

ject traces the origins and history of incense, and its uses through the ages. Today, Chapter 1 tells the story of ‘The Tree and Its Gifts’.

In the coming days, readers can also access new chapters, including ‘The Frankincense Trail’,

‘The Blessed Dhofar Region’, ‘6000 Years of History’ and ‘Incense Burning’.

Frankincense, also called olibanum, is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfume. It is obtained by cutting the tree bark of

the genus Boswellia, which grows in Arabia, Africa and South Asia.

The English word frankincense is derived from the Old French “franc encens”, meaning superior incense.

Caravan routes were established along the Arabian Peninsula when Mediterranean civilisations discovered, and fell in love with, its aroma. Soon, frankincense became even more expensive than gold, and continued to be priced high until petroleum was discovered in Arabia.

Many experts agree that the finest frankincense is produced by those species of trees native to Oman.

And we think you’ll agree that the best way to read all about the frankincense story is to go online at http://timesofoman.com/extra/oman_land_of_frankincense/ index.html

MUSCAT: In a bid to boost Omani tourism, three new budget hotels will open in Muscat during the first quarter of 2017, officials at the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) announced on Wednesday.

Outlining the projects, the MoT said Hisn Al Mussanah Hotel with 40 rooms is set to open in April 2017.

Also, Al Salam hotel apartments is opening in Barka in February 2017 with 30 apartments to cater to tourists.

Another hotel in Barka is nearing completion. “The Orchid Hotel, with 27 apartments, will be opened in the middle of January,” the MOT said.

Travellers Travel agents note that these budget hotels will provide a boost in tourism, as there is a shortage of budget hotels in the Sultanate.

“There are so many travellers who look for budget accommoda-

tions. So, it would be great if we have more hotels that can cater to tourists who don’t look to four or five star accommodations during their visit,” said an official of New Star Travel in Ruwi.

Ministry of Tourism Recently, the Ministry of Tourism announced three more hotels would be opening in Oman in 2017.

The three-star Al Irfan International Hotel in Bausher, the Sundus Rotana in Airport Heights and a three star hotel in Muttrah Corniche with 120 rooms will open next year.

Following that, the five-star Intercontinental Tilal Muscat, with 244 rooms, is expected to open by the end of 2019. “These hotels are designed to cater to all types of travellers visiting the Sultanate. All these hotels are in the city, and will offer modern amenities to facilitate all types of travellers,” travel agents said.

Oman is looking at a growth in tourism of 8 to 12 per cent per year.

HONOUR

Oman Air wins Malaysian foreign airline of year award Times News Service MUSCAT: National carrier Oman Air won a prestigious airlines award in Malaysia, the airline announced on Wednesday.

Oman Air was awarded the Foreign Airline of the Year by Sector to Middle East award at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Awards 2015.

Oman Air was chosen based upon its achievements in 2015, including growth, sales performance, international recognition and service excellence.

This latest recognition is among

an ever- increasing list of awards for Oman Air, which overcame competition from other airlines operating in the Middle East, including last year’s winners.

Gateway of choice The KLIA Awards has been in existence since 2006, in recognition of aviation partners’ contributions in achieving the vision of KLIA becoming the gateway of choice in the region.

This year’s ceremony took place at the Sama Sama Hotel, KLIA, Petang, and the award was accepted

by Oman Air’s Country Manager

in Malaysia, Zainuddin Mohamed.

Also present at the ceremony were Malaysian Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Malaysia Airports Chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah and Civil Aviation Department Director General Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, as well as other key personnel from the aviation industry.

Commenting on the award, CEO of Oman Air Paul Gregorowitsch noted, “Oman Air is undertaking a very ambitious expansion programme, and it is gratifying to have our achievements and contribu-

tion to the industry recognized

by KLIA. We continue to grow in all markets, including South East Asia, and our success is based on our consistently excellent product and on-board experience. Oman Air is always striving to “be the best”, and testament to this is our ever growing list of industry accolades and awards.”

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CAR FIRE VICTIM

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A1 With many skin grafts planned, Ghazal’s battle has just begun Now, sitting up in bed, wearing ear-rings, make-up and looking like a little princess, Ghazal said: “I left the hospital and came home. My dad will treat me. I hope I get better soon so I can see my friends at school.”

Her mum added: “Thank God she is okay. God was testing our patience and I send my gratitude to all who stood by us.”

Ghazal may be home, but her battle is only just beginning, with skin graft operations planned for at least a year. Medical bills for her treatment so far stand at OMR14,000 and her father had no insurance.

In August 2016, Ghazal and her brother Suleiman suffered severe burns in the car fire but three-year-old Suleiman quickly recovered. Ghazal was given a 10 percent chance to live by doctors and she proved them wrong. 75 per cent of her body was burned.

Dad Mohammad said that she had been discharged a few days ago and that she is well and

healthy, but will have to undergo plastic surgery to repair the deformities the burns have caused.

Plastic surgery “She will go through plastic surgery for a year. She also has two deformed fingers which had been split, so she will have to undergo surgery to fix them,” explained Mohammad.

Ghazal has spent the past three and a half months in Khoula Hospital’s burns unit and was discharged a few days ago.

Mohammad explained that she was jubilant to be back home after spending a long time in a hospital bed.

Check-up “We had to take her to the hospital for a check-up a couple of days ago and she was actually afraid to go back thinking that she will spend more time there,” he said.

When asked about the condition of her brother Suleiman, who also had third degree burns,

he said that he is living a normal life again. Mohammad explained that Ghazal’s face and chest have cleared up but scars remain from the burns. Her arms and lower body are severely damaged.

“She was self conscious about how she looked, so her mom applies some make-up to raise her confidence a little,” her dad said.

“I appreciate and thank everyone, from my Omani brothers and sisters, who stood beside us all this time and provided us with moral and financial support,” he added humbly, adding: “PACDA said that the fire was caused by the children playing with the lighter and if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have a lighter in the car, and I advise all parents against leaving them in the car with children.

“Ghazal proved to be the strongest girl in this world. I and my family went through the hardest time in our lives. Our lesson is tough enough for other parents to avoid doing the same as I did,” he added.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

A7

OMAN Oman signs loan pacts for road, water projects

ACONCAGUA

fic accidents and contributing to economic and social development in areas that the two roads pass by.

The second agreement worth 60 million KD (about OMR75 million) to help funding water transport projects from Al Ghubrah station to A’Seeb and lines transferring water from Barka station to the Governorate of A’Dakhiliyah.

The projects aim to develop road transport services, reduce accidents and meet the demand for potable water BRINGS LAURELS: Sulaiman Al Na’ebi climbed 7,000 metres high Aconcagua in Argentine and hoisted the Sultanate flag and the picture of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. – ONA

Omani climber scales highest peak in the western hemisphere MUSCAT: An Omani mountaineer Sulaiman bin Hamoud Al Na’ebi climbed the highest peak in the western hemisphere.

Sulaiman Al Na’ebi climbed 7,000 metres high Aconcagua in Argentine and hoisted the Sultanate flag and the picture of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

He explained that the expedition began on December 7 and lasted 12 days during which he managed to reach the summit on December.

MUSCAT: Two loan agreements were signed yesterday between the Government of the Sultanate and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) to finance several development projects in water and roads sectors.

Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs and Abdul Latif Yousef Al Hamad, AFESD Chairman signed the agreements.

The value of the first agreement is 50 million Kuwaiti Dinars (KD)

AGREEMENTS: Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs and Abdul Latif Yousef Al Hamad, AFESD Chairman signed the agreements. -ONA

“about OMR63 million” to help finance Barka - Nakhal road project (39 kilometres) in the Governorate of South Al Batinah, in addition to 27 kilometres service roads and Taqah - Mirbat road (36 kilome-

M I N I S T RY O F I N F O R M AT I O N

Programme to boost media department skills He added that this is a personal initiative which came to his mind after representing the Sultanate in climbing the fourth highest mountain “Kilimanjaro” in Tanzania. -ONA

MUSCAT: To train and enhance the skills and performance of employees at the public relations and media departments, a two-day function has been organised under the theme “Media Departments at

Public Organisations: Challenges and Aspirations”.

The function organised by the Ministry of Information began yesterday at Grand Hormuz Hotel under the auspices of Sheikh

PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR STORES AND FOOD RESERVE

pace with the development and consistent with the PASFR vision and role.

It will activate its role towards the efforts to promote food secu-

rity in the Sultanate while its own brand will provide high quality product capable to gain consumer confidence.

Dr. Rashid bin Salim Al Masroori, CEO of PASFR expressed his pride to unveil the PASFR vision and its strategy for the upcoming years that have been translated in the new identity “ZAD” which summarises PASFR role in setting up food security system by ensuring the availability of strategic food commodities permanently stored in a hightechnological specification stores and to be valid for domestic use and responsive to needs of rapid

intervention in case of emergency, such adverse climate conditions and others.

He said that the brand “AZAYEM” reflects the PASFR objectives in the promotion of healthy competition in the local market by raising quality standards to ensure the provision of upscale products to consumers across the Sultanate. -ONA

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

THOUGHT-PROVOKING CONTENT

Ithraa launches briefings for investors MUSCAT: Ithraa, the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development, the Sultanate’s inward investment and export development agency, launched Briefings from Oman at an event at Grand Hyatt Hotel, Muscat.

The five briefings aim to inform and encourage debate around Oman’s manufacturing, logistics, tourism, agriculture and fisheries and waste management sectors.

Speaking at the launch, His Highness Sayyid Faisal Al Said, Director General of Investment Promotion explained: “Developed for prospective investors, those

looking to do business in the Sultanate, and anyone interested in learning more about Oman’s evolving economic base, each briefing considers a single sector.

With thought-provoking content, the five briefings offer an instant grounding in core issues. Information-rich, they present key facts and explore emerging trends in a way can be readily understood, that make up each of these important sectors”.

The briefings not only provide sector information, but are also designed to ignite curiosity about manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, logistics and

Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service.

While addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony, Dr. Abdul Monem bin Mansour Al Hasani, Minister of Information

said that the training programme aims at enhancing the skills and performance of employees at the public relations and media departments of various public organisations.” -ONA

NEXT YEAR

New brand for rice products launched MUSCAT: A new identity “ZAD” and exclusive brand “AZAYEM” for rice products was launched yesterday by the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve (PASFR) in a ceremony held under the patronage of Dr. Fu’ad bin Ja’afar Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Chairman of the PASFR Board of Directors.

Dr. Al Sajwani praised the PASFR initiative to launch a new identity that expresses its vision and tasks that it seeks to achieve. He described this move as important due to the presence of a private identity that keeps

tres) in the Governorate of Dhofar, in addition to 18 kilometres service roads.

The two projects aim to develop road transport services, absorbing the increasing traffic, reducing traf-

Current water deficit The two projects aim to tackle the current deficit to meet the demand for potable water and to meet the growing future needs by building a pipeline to transfer part of water from Al Ghubrah station to the Wilayat of A’Seeb, building another pipeline, and strengthening the existing water pipeline to be provided by Barka station to all the wilayats of the Governorate of A’Dakhiliyah.

The project will provide potable water for many industrial, tourist and residential projects and public facilities, whether existing or under construction. The two loans will be paid back in 30 years with 2.5% annual interest. -ONA

the circular economy. In this regard, each Briefing includes a series of thinking points and a guide to inward investment procedures, as well as relevant sector contacts. And to help the reader engage with the content design plays a crucial role with infographics used to help distil complex issues.

“We hope the Briefings from Oman series inspire people to think about the sectors we have covered in a different way. One of our goals was to help paint a contemporary and upbeat picture of these important industries. They are, if you will, an important economic storytelling project. To

make sure as many people as possible are aware of them and their contents we will make full use of social media and also promote them through a series of highprofile events,” added Sajda Al Ghaithiyah, Ithraa’s Media Director.

The briefings will be offered free-of-charge and distributed to Omani embassies, ministries, foreign trade missions, at international trade shows, B2B meetings, as well as to schools, colleges and companies across Oman. They are also available for download from:www.ithraa.om/briefings.

-ONA

e-system for practicing real estate brokerage MUSCAT: Eng. Saif bin Amer Al Shaqsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Housing yesterday approved the e-system for issuing licences for practicing real estate brokerage business early next year (2017) through the Ministry’s website www.housing.gov.om.

The system will allow real estate brokers and developers to practice real estate brokerage profession in an official manner through a licence issued by the Directorate General of Real Estate Development. The move comes in a bid to regularise and legalise the real estate brokerage business.

As per the new system, which will be implemented in Governorate of Muscat at the first stage, real estate brokers currently reg-

istered with the Ministry, can pay fees and get the licence, as well as the real estate brokerage card for individuals through the Ministry’s website.

The Ministry of Housing hopes that approving the real estate brokerage system would ensure stability of the real estate market and identify any violation.

It will also regularise the work of individual real estate brokers and real estate brokerage offices as well.

The initiative is expected to protect the real estate sector against illegal speculations that may lead to manipulating prices to levels that are not matching the supply and demand forces at the real estate market. -ONA

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

REGION ‘Future of two-state solution in Middle East in jeopardy’ US Secretary of State John Kerry defended the US decision to allow the passage of a UN resolution last week demanding an end to Israeli settlements

M I L I TA RY D R I L L

Iran warns off foreign planes near war games DUBAI: Iran has warned off foreign surveillance planes that have tried to approach its forces during air defence exercises, an Iranian military spokesman said on Wednesday.

“In the past three days, more than 12 warnings have been issued to aircraft from outside the region to refrain from approaching the airspace of the manoeuvre area,” said Brigadier-General Abbas Farajpour Alamdari, quoted by the official news agency IRNA. The semi-official news agency Tasnim said the warnings were given to US Navy planes and drones that had approached the annual air drills.

There was no immediate US reaction to the report. . — Reuters 4 0 D AY S O N F O O T

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry warned on Wednesday that the future of a two-state solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict was in jeopardy, and laid out parameters for future peace talks, saying the United States could not stay silent.

In a speech just weeks before the Obama administration hands over power to President-elect Donald Trump, Kerry defended the US decision to allow the passage of a UN resolution last week demanding an end to Israeli settlements, saying it was intended to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution. “Despite our best efforts over the years, the two-state solution is now in serious jeopardy,” Kerry said in a speech at the State Department.

“We cannot, in good conscience, do nothing, and say nothing, when we see the hope of peace slipping away.”

“The truth is that trends on the ground - violence, terrorism, incitement, settlement expansion and the seemingly endless occupation - are destroying hopes for peace on both sides and increasingly cementing an irreversible one-state reality that most people do not actually want.”

MAKING A POINT: US Secretary of State John Kerry delivers a speech on Middle East peace at the US Department of State on Wednesday in Washington, DC. – AFP

Kerry’s parting words are unlikely to change anything on the ground between Israel and the Palestinians or salvage the Obama administration’s record of failed Middle East peace efforts.

His impassioned speech comes less than a week after the United States abstained in the December 23 UN resolution, in what many see as a parting shot by US President Barack Obama who had an acrimonious relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump, who has vowed to pursue more pro-Israeli policies, had urged the United States to veto. Israel approved construction of a multi-storey building for settlers in annexed East Jerusalem on Wednesday, an NGO said, after postponing authorisation of hundreds of other homes.

US President-elect Donald Trump has joined Israeli leaders in attacking the outgoing Obama administration’s move at the UN.

“We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the US, but not anymore,” Trump, a Republican, wrote in a new Twitter posting. “Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!, Trump said, citing the day he takes office.

A Jerusalem municipal committee pulled back from approving 492 new homes for Israelis in occupied East Jerusalem, an area that Israel captured along with the occupied West Bank in the 1967 war.

The chairman of the committee and one of its members said Netanyahu had asked for the vote to be delayed, concerned approval for those projects would add ammunition to anti-settlement arguments.

A spokesman for the Israeli leader declined to make immediate comment. The panel meets regularly and the building projects that were removed from the agenda on Wednesday could come up

for a vote in the future. Ir Amim, a group which opposes Israeli settlement in occupied territory where Palestinians seek to establish a state, said the committee nonetheless permitted construction of a four-storey building for settlers in Silwan, a Palestinian neighbourhood where they have been expanding their enclave.

“Today, while attention has been focused on the removal of... building permits... the committee proceeded to approve a controversial project in one of the most flammable neighbourhoods in occupied East Jerusalem,” Ir Amim said in a statement.

Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, called on Israel “to take the high ground and declare a cessation of settlement activities, including occupied East Jerusalem, so we can give the peace process the chance it deserves by the resumption of meaning-

ful negotiations”. Washington considers the settlement activity illegitimate and most countries view it as an obstacle to peace. Israel cites a historical and political connection to the land - which the Palestinians also claim - as well as security interests.

Some 570,000 Israelis now live in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem amid mounting international concern that a two-state solution to the dispute is in jeopardy, with peace talks stalled since 2014.

Netanyahu’s aides are confident Trump’s incoming administration will likely ignore any Obama principles. Trump has pledged to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem, which Israel claims as its capital - a status that is not recognised internationally.

“Who’s Obama? He’s history,” Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev said on Army Radio on Wednesday. — Reuters

Turkmens flee fighting in Iraq to reach Turkey HATAY (TURKEY): After trudging for 40 days through the bitter cold and sometimes difficult terrain of northern Iraq, Ahmet Ali Bekir reached Turkey, one of 1,500 Turkmens to arrive in the last two days after fleeing deadly fighting near home.

“We came here after walking day and night for 40 days with our children. We came to Turkey by walking under rain and snow,” Bekir told Reuters at a migrant camp in the southern Hatay province, where Turkish authorities had settled the Turkmens.

Tal Afar Ethnic kin of the Turks, the Turkmens were fleeing clashes between IS and militias near the IS-controlled town of Tal Afar in northern Iraq. Iraqi paramilitary forces have launched an offensive to capture Tal Afar and cut supply routes to Mosul, the militants’ last major stronghold in Iraq. — Reuters

WA W I T H I N G NAT I O N

Turkey and Russia have ceasefire plan for Syria: Ankara ANKARA/BEIRUT: Turkey and Russia have prepared an agreement for a ceasefire in Syria, Turkey’s foreign minister said on Wednesday, adding that Ankara would not give up its opposition to President Bashar Al Assad staying on as leader.

The five-year-old Syrian civil war raged on, with heavy casualties reported in the siege of a town held by IS, and the Russian embassy in Damascus shelled.

Turkish minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s comments appeared to signal tentative progress in talks aimed at reaching a truce. While the insistence on Assad’s departure could complicate negotiations with his biggest backer, Russia, another Turkish official did not rule out a transitional role for

the Syrian president. Russia, Iran and Turkey said last week they were ready to help broker a peace deal after adopting a declaration in Moscow setting out principles that any agreement should adhere to.

Russia has said the next talks are set for Astana, the Kazakh capital.

Two texts “There are two texts ready on a solution in Syria. One is about a political resolution and the other is about a ceasefire. They can be implemented any time,” Cavusoglu told reporters in Ankara. He said Syria’s opposition would never back Assad.

“The whole world knows it is not possible for there to be a political transition with Assad, and we also all know that it is impos-

sible for these people to unite around Assad.”

The Kremlin said it could not comment on reports of an agreement. Last week, Russia’s foreign minister said Russia, Iran and Turkey had agreed the priority in Syria was to fight terrorism and not to remove Assad’s government - comments that suggested a shift by Turkey, which has long pushed for Assad to go. Sources told Reuters that, under an outline deal between the three countries, Syria could be divided into informal zones of regional power and Assad would remain president for at least a few years.

A senior Turkish government official said on Wednesday that future discussions would likely hash out Assad’s role.

“We put importance on the es-

tablishment of a transitional government and that it would be one that meets the demands of the Syrian people,” the official said.

“Whether or not Assad will take place in the government will be discussed in the coming period.”

Assad will not be attending the talks in Astana, which are likely to be held at undersecretary level “at most”, the official added.

A senior rebel official said Moscow wanted a key rebel stronghold near the capital to be excluded from the ceasefire, a demand unacceptable to the rebels.

“Discussions are ongoing, with Turkish sponsorship, but the Russian enemy is trying to exclude the Eastern Ghouta (suburb) of Damascus from any attempt towards a comprehensive ceasefire in Syria

that would be accepted by the revolution’s factions,” said Munir Al Sayal of Ahrar Al Sham.

“It’s premature to talk about chances of success. The Russian enemy still has no clear position and repeats the regime’s demands.”

Sayal said it would be futile to hold talks unless the ultimate objective was to end Assad’s rule.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that the Syrian government was consulting with the opposition ahead of possible peace talks, while a Saudi-backed opposition group said it knew nothing of the negotiations but supported a ceasefire.

Russian officials have said invitations to participants for the Astana talks have not been sent

out and the time has yet to be decided. The talks would not include the United States and would be distinct from separate, intermittent UN-brokered negotiations.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura had spoken by phone with Lavrov and supported the efforts to establish a ceasefire and new peace talks.

The Syrian opposition’s main political body on Tuesday urged rebel groups to cooperate with “sincere regional efforts” to reach a ceasefire deal but said it had not been invited to any conference.

The Turkish military said on Wednesday it had “neutralised” 44 IS militants and wounded 117 as part of its operation in the northern Syrian town of Al Bab. — Reuters

RIGHTS ACTIVISTS

Bahraini activist freed and immediately re-arrested DOHA: A leading Bahraini human rights activist who is on trial for tweets alleging rights abuses was to be freed on bail on Wednesday after months in detention, but was immediately re-arrested in a separate case.

Nabeel Rajab, one of the most prominent rights activists, tweeted that he had been released after a court session and would return to court on January 23.

But hours later, Bahrain’s public prosecutors said on Instagram that he would remain in custody while another investigation continued into his publishing “false and malicious that undermine the prestige of the kingdom”. They gave no further details.

Rajab was arrested in June after tweets from his account suggested that security forces had tortured detainees in a Bahraini prison and on a military campaign in Yemen by a Saudi-led coalition that includes Bahrain.

The United States has called for Rajab’s release. He is also under investigation for writing in the

BEHIND THE BAR: Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab and his daughter Malak, left, leaving a court building after attending his appeal hearing in this file photograph. – AFP File

French newspaper Le Monde that Western countries should reconsider their support for Gulf countries because they were fuelling extremism. Bahraini authorities said the article contained “false

rumours” about Gulf countries.

Rajab played a leading role in demonstrations driven by Bahrain’s majority community in 2011 demanding political reforms. — Reuters

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INDIA

Now four-year jail, penalty for holding scrapped notes The penalty for holding old currency in excess of 10 notes may include financial fines and a jail term of up to four years in certain cases

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved promulgation of an ordinance to impose a penalty, including a jail term, for possession of the scrapped 500 and 1,000 rupee notes beyond a cut-off.

The Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also approved an ordinance to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act to extinguish the liability of the government and the central bank on the demonetised high-denomination notes to prevent future litigations.

Official sources said the ordinance has been cleared, but did not say if the penal provisions would apply for holding the junked currency after the 50-day window to deposit them in banks ends as of December 30 or after

ORDINANCE CLEARED: After banning old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes on November 8, the government had allowed all of the cash holdings with any person to be deposited in bank accounts till December 30. - Reuters file photo

March 31, till which time deposit of old currency notes at specified branches of the Reserve Bank after submitting a declaration form is open. The penalty for holding old currency in excess of 10 notes may include financial fines and a jail term of up to four years in certain cases.

While announcing the demonetisation of the old currency on November 8, the government had allowed holders to either exchange them or deposit in bank and post office accounts.

While the facility to exchange the old notes has since been with-

drawn, depositors have time till Friday to deposit the holding in their accounts.

Targeting Meanwhile, targeting the Modi government for taking the ordinance route to impose penalty including jail term for possessing scrapped notes, CPI(M) on Wednesday said it employed the “backdoor” as it was afraid of facing Parliament.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, however, trashed the demand by some opposition parties led by Congress and

Trinamool Congress that Prime Minister Narendra Modi resign over demonetisation and, instead, pitched for directing efforts to see that problems faced by people end soon.

Asked about fissures within opposition after Left parties did not take part in the meet and the press conference addressed by Rahul Gandhi along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other opposition leaders on Tuesday, Yechury insisted that “unity continues to be there”.

The Marxist leader, at the same, stressed on having proper consul-

POSSIBLE FRACTURE ON THE TRACK

PROBE ORDERED: Coaches of the Ajmer-Sealdah express train which derailed near Rura railway station in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday early morning. -PTI

among those injured.

Rescue operations are over with all passengers pulled out of the derailed coaches, Malviya said, adding the cause of the accident was not immediately known.

An inquiry will be conducted

by Commissioner Railway Safety, North zone, Shailesh Kumar.

Though the real reasons behind the derailment would be ascertained after the completion of the inquiry, prime facie it seems a possible fracture on the track caused the mishap, sources in the railways said.

The incident comes a month after over 150 people were killed and more than 200 injured when 14 coaches of the Indore-Patna Express derailed in Kanpur Rural

tations among opposition parties to strengthen their unity.

“It was inevitable for the government to bring the ordinance or else demonetisation move would not be legal...in actual practice, they should have amended the law concerned when Parliament was in session (to validate the December 30 deadline),” Yechury told reporters.

“There is no need for taking ordinance route. But, afraid of law like this facing Parliament during winter session, the backdoor method has been employed by the Modi government,” he added.

On opposition unity over the note ban issue, he said, “Unity was there and will continue to be there. “But the question is how we strengthen that unity? There should be consultations and that we reach common decisions.”

As the 50-day period sought

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for easing of note ban problem ends, Yechury rued that the hardships of people have “only increased”.

“Now we hear new threats that he will make new announcements on December 30. We are now awaiting to know what are these new announcements.

“Based on that, the Left parties will reach out to people through protests. We also urge other opposition parties which are against demonetisation to co-ordinate efforts,” he said. - PTI

C A R E E R B U R E AUC R AT

Anil Baijal appointed new Delhi lieutenant governor NEW DELHI: Career bureaucrat Anil Baijal was on Wednesday appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, a post which has fallen vacant after sudden resignation of Najeeb Jung.

Seventy-year-old Baijal, a 1969 batch Indian Administrative Service officer, had served as Union Home Secretary under the Atal Behari Vajpayee government besides holding key positions in other ministries.

The president accepted the resignation of Jung and also ordered for appointment of Baijal, who will be the 21st Lt Governor of the national capital.

Baijal had retired from service in 2006 as Secretary, Urban Development Ministry. He is a former vice chairman of Delhi Development Authority. Baijal was actively associated with the designing and roll-out of Rs 60 billion Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) launched by the Manmohan Singh government. The former bureaucrat was also on the executive council of the think-tank Vivekananda International Foundation, several of whose former members have been appointed to senior positions by the Modi government including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Jung had submitted his resignation on December 22. - PTI

U T TA R P R A D E S H

62 injured as Sealdah-Ajmer Express derails near Kanpur KANPUR: At least 62 passengers were on Wednesday injured when 15 coaches of the SealdahAjmer Express derailed while it was crossing a bridge near Rura Railway Station in Kanpur Rural district, the second rail accident in the region in two months.

The accident occurred at 5.30am when 13 sleeper coaches and two general compartments of the Ajmer-bound train ‘12987’ from Sealdah in West Bengal jumped the track on the bridge over a dry canal nearly 70km from here, North Central Railways PRO Amit Malviya said.

Two of the coaches fell into the canal but as there was not much water, it prevented a major calamity, he said, adding bogies starting from the sixth one from the engine were affected.

Forty two of the injured were admitted at Mati district hospital in Kanpur (Rural), while 20 seriously injured were undergoing treatment at the Hallet hospital including a six-year-old girl, identified as Shreya, who had suffered head injuries, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ramayan Prasad said.

While soon after the mishap Inspector General (Kanpur range) Zaki Ahmed said two of the seriously injured passengers had died, General Manager, North Central Railway, Arun Saxena as well as the CMO said there has no information of any death.

There were unconfirmed reports that the railway guard was

A9

district on November 20. While the final report about the mishap is yet to be submitted, initial report had suggested rail fracture as possible reason for it.

Both train mishaps involving derailment of several coaches had occurred in the early morning hours near Kanpur. Traffic on Delhi-Howrah route was disrupted after the incident and nearly a dozen trains were diverted. The traffic is expected to be restored by tomorrow morning. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said he was personally monitoring the situation and all assistance was being provided to those injured.

“We are making alternative arrangements for passengers to continue with their onward jour-

ney,” he said in a series of tweets.

The railway minister said all assistance is being provided to those injured and ex-gratia will be paid to them.Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced financial assistance of Rs50,000 to those seriously injured in the mishap and Rs25,000 to those who suffered minor wounds.

Wishing a speedy recovery to the passengers, he directed officials to take adequate measures for their treatment and said there should be no laxity in this regard, an official release said.

The Railways have issued helpline numbers for Kanpur — 05122323015, 2323016, 2323018 and for Allahabad — 0532-2408149, 2408128. - PTI

Mulayam rules out any tie-up for assembly polls LUCKNOW: Prospects of Bihar-type grand coalition in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming assembly polls ended on Wednesday, with Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav ruling out any alliance as he declared candidates for 325 of the 403 seats, giving a snub to his Chief Minister son Akhilesh Yadav.

Akhilesh, away on Bundelkhand tour, was clearly upset with the announcement made by Mulayam, along with his brother and party’s

state unit chief Shivpal, at a hurriedly-convened press conference here and said he will talk to his father regarding the choice of candidates. In the list announced, Mulayam clearly ignored Akhilesh’s objections to certain names, like Sigbatullah Ansari, brother of jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari, and Atiq Ahmed who faces over 40 criminal cases including of murder.

“Samajwadi Party is not forming an alliance with anyone,” Mulayam said. - PTI

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

PAKISTAN O P P O S I T I O N PA R T Y ’ S F OU R D E M A N D S

PML-N heaves sigh of relief as PPP’s deadline fizzles out ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has heaved a sigh of relief after the Pakistan Peoples Party’s muchhyped December 27 deadline fizzled out without creating ripples in the country’s political arena.

Due to this, the ruling party has put on hold the aggressive strategy it had chalked out to counter PPP in case the latter gave the federal government a tough time, The Express Tribune has learnt.

In this context, PML-N has decided to continue a two-pronged strategy – it will not politically engage the PPP over the opposition party’s four demands while continuing the Karachi operation at an intensified pace.

According to informed PML-N quarters, the party leadership led

by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held important meetings with his close confidantes including Khawaja Asif, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Pervaiz Rashid, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and others at the Prime Minister House on Tuesday ahead of PPP Co-Chairman

Asif Ali Zardari’s speech on the ninth death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bukhsh.

The reported meetings discussed different options to respond to Zardari’s speech.

These included mobilising the support of nationalist parties in Sindh against the PPP in case Zardari’s party adopted a confrontational path.

Contrary to expectations that his speech would be marked with direct threats to the prime minister and his government, Zardari adopted what many believe is an implied reconciliatory tone by announcing to ‘move to Punjab and entire Pakistan’ in pursuit of the four demands, and to contest elections along with his son Bilawal.

“Looks like the storm is over.

Good riddance!” a senior PML-N leader remarked.“They kept on rattling the ‘four demands and December 27 deadline mantra’ and that’s all they had come up with,” he said referring to Zardari and his son’s speeches.

The source said the plan to ag-

STRATEGIC MEETING: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held important meetings with his close confidantes to respond to Zardari’s speech on the ninth death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto on Tuesday. - AFP file

gressively counter PPP has been put on hold ‘just in case’.

“In case PPP pose a challenge, the backup options will be exercised,” he said Sources close to Premier Nawaz said the top PMLN leadership was bracing for any ‘unfavourable’ situation arising

out of Zardari’s announcement amidst the likelihood of escalating tension between the federal government and opposition parties.

“Honestly, we were deterred.

The PTI is already at daggers drawn with us on Panamagate. We really could not afford opening up

another front, this time with PPP. And a grand opposition alliance would have simply been a nightmare.Glad, this looks to be over.”

They said the situation in Karachi might have prompted Zardari to ‘bail out’ the prime minister and his government following the arrests of the key aides of Zardari’s frontmen Anwar Majeed and Manzoor Kaka by the Rangers.

The sources said notes were exchanged on the Karachi situation during the meeting between the premier and the interior minister, which followed arrests of terror suspects in Karachi including a key aide of Rehman Bhola, the alleged mastermind of Baldia Town factory fire, on Tuesday.

PPP bigwig and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah dispelled the impression that PPP had bailed out Nawaz’s government.

“Instead of creating hue and cry, our top leaders — Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari— would land in parliament to give a tough time to the government.

340 MW Chashma-3 nuclear power plant inaugurated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif described the completion of Chashma-3 as another milestone towards the journey to eliminate the menace of load shedding from the country

ISLAMABAD: Power-starved Pakistan on Wednesday received a major boost as a China-backed 340 MW nuclear power plant in its Punjab province was inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who termed it as a milestone in the government’s efforts to end the mence of load shedding.

The Chashma-3 plant is located at Chashma in Mianwali district where another plant ChashmaIV is also being built. Sharif described the completion of C-3 as another milestone towards the journey to eliminate the menace of load shedding from the country, Radio Pakistan reported.

Closer cooperation He said the project is reflective of closer cooperation between Pakistan and China in science and technology.

MAKING A POINT: In this handout photograph released by Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office on December 28, 2016, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, speaks during the inaugural ceremony of the Chashma-3 reactor in Chashma, some 250 kilometres (155 miles) southwest of capital Islamabad. - AFP/Pakistan Prime Minister Office handout

“This cooperation is also beginning of a new era of development in the region,” he said.

Sharif expressed confidence that Chashma-IV nuclear power plant would also become operational before its deadline of mid next year. Chashma two and three power plants are the most efficient plants in the country, providing more than 600 MW of electricity to the national grid.

Sharif appreciated Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for its efforts for self reli-

ance in fuel fabrication and said his government would extend every possible assistance to the Commission to help overcome the shortage of electricity in the country.

Referring to the generation target of 8800MW of nuclear energy by 2030, Sharif urged the Commission to accept the challenge of producing more than the target and play its full role in the development of the country.

Noting that there has been a marked reduction in load shed-

ding during the last three years, Sharif pledged that the menace of load shedding would be over in 2018. He said generation of additional 2200 MW of electricity through K-II and K-III would contribute towards this effort.

Sharif urged PAEC to take all possible measures to strengthen safety of existing and future power plants as per international standards. Sharif thanked China for extending cooperation in nuclear field and said the two countries are actively cooperating in

many other areas, including construction of roads, motorways, airports and upgradation of Pakistan Railways.

He said many projects were initiated under China Pakistan Economic Corridor and their impact was now visible.

These projects are being implemented speedily and this would result in overcoming challenges of unemployment, poverty, backwardness and accelerating the pace of socio economic development, besides bringing all regions of the country more closer, he said.

Vice President of China National Nuclear Corporation in his speech said cooperation with Pakistan in nuclear energy was reflective of strategic ties between the two countries. The completion of Chashma-3 will strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, he said, adding that nuclear power plants are playing a vital role in economic development of Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Atomic Energy Commission Muhammad Naeem said the Commission had been given a target of 8800 MW of nuclear power till 2030.

To achieve this target, planning for establishment of more plants have been done and places identified and research work in this regard is going on, Naeem said.

He said three plants have been planned, out of which one will be established in Chashma and two in Muzaffargarh.

Necessary skill has been acquired to prepare fuel for nuclear power plants and in Chashma land has been acquired for fuel fabrication plant, he said, addding that presently fuel for Chashma power plants are being imported from China. - PTI

This is what real opposition is. To follow the democratic norms and challenge the treasury benches in parliament. At the same time, we would also ensure our presence on ground. Zardari has announced that PPP would be in Punjab — and entire Pakistan — to mobilise public support for our four demands.

Time will tell if our decision was right or wrong,” he said.

To a query, Shah said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf launched street agitation against the prime minister but finally returned to parliament to have its voice heard.

“Parliament is supreme. It’s the solution to problems.”

However, PTI leader Zar Gul Khan said PPP’s ‘mild tone’ was tantamount to bailing out the PML-N government.“It‘s a marriage of convenience.”

Khan seconded his leader Imran Khan’s observation that Zardari was the coach of Nawaz Sharif’s ‘corruption eleven cricket team’. “(PPP) created so much hype but in the end, it was much ado about nothing.” - Express Tribune F O R C E D - L E AV E

Court issues stay order against removal of IG Sindh KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday restrained the provincial government from sending Inspector General of Police (IGP) A.D. Khawaja on “forced leave”.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah issued a stay order against the top cop’s removal during the hearing of a petition.

The court issued notices to Khawaja and the Sindh government directing them to file their responses by the next hearing.

The hearing has been adjourned till January 12.

Last week, the Sindh government sent the provincial police chief on “forced leave” due to his reported differences with the Murad Ali Shah administration primarily over postings and transfers in the police department.

IGP Allah Dino Khawaja was sent on leave days before PPP Cochairman Asif Ali Zardari’s homecoming after ‘self-imposed exile’ in London and Dubai.

A notification issued by the Services, General Administration and Coordination Department simply said A.D. Khawaja “is granted 12day casual leave with effect from December 19 to December 30 on private affairs and three-day leave ex-Pakistan to visit the UAE on affairs with effect from December 31.

However, official sources had said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took the decision after differences emerged between his administration and Khawaja over multiple issues related to recruitment, appointments and transfer and postings in the Sindh police.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior police official said that like his predecessor, Iqbal Mehmood, IGP Khawaja initially took the Sindh government into confidence over transfers and postings of police officials. - Express Tribune

M O B I L I S E R E V E N U E G E N E R AT I O N

Government may offer tax amnesty to lure foreign wealth back ISLAMABAD: The government may offer a general tax amnesty scheme to attract money stashed in Pakistan and abroad by its citizens after increasing requirements of disclosures in offshore havens have made it difficult to retain untaxed and hidden assets abroad.

It will be the fourth tax amnesty scheme in the last three years by the incumbent political dispensation.

However, a major difference between the past schemes and the one under discussion will be the concept of carrot and stick, said finance ministry sources.

The government may link the scheme with certain enforcement measures, including changing the definition of a citizen to bring non-resident Pakistanis under the scope of its domestic tax laws, they added. Anyone who has been issued a Pakistani passport or a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number may be treated as a citizen, irrespective of his or her stay in the country.

Currently, if a Pakistani resides

According to the preliminary proposal, the government may offer to disclose hidden wealth stashed in Pakistan by paying a 5 per cent rate during first month, 7.5 per cent in the second month and 10 per cent for third and fourth month abroad for more than 180 days, he is treated as a non-resident Pakistani for taxation purposes.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son exploited the same lacuna in the Panama case, which the Supreme Court is currently adjudicating. The government may also reintroduce the concept of ‘discovery of year’ to force people to disclose their assets, said the sources.

Currently, the Federal Board of Revenue can open up to five-yearold cases of a taxpayer and up to ten-year-old cases in case of nonfilers of income tax returns.

Sources said the Federal Bureau of Revenue on Saturday gave Finance Minister Ishaq Dar the first briefing on the broader contours of the general amnesty scheme.

The bureau shared the model of the Indonesian tax amnesty scheme with Dar – Indonesia is charging different rates for local and offshore assets aimed at attracting wealth stashed abroad.

FBR spokesman Dr Mohammad Iqbal declined to comment.

However, a finance ministry handout said FBR presented different models to mobilise revenue

generation along with the necessary framework.

Comprehensive plan Dar directed the FBR chairman to prepare a comprehensive plan that may be implemented through the next finance bill, it added.

Many countries, including most tax havens, have started adopting principles of transparency and will soon start sharing information under various conventions of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

This will increasingly make it

difficult to hide untaxed assets abroad. If the government approves the scheme, the people whose names have appeared in the Panama and Bahamas leaks will be the main beneficiaries.

According to the preliminary proposal, the government may offer to disclose hidden wealth stashed in Pakistan by paying a 5 per cent rate during first month, 7.5 per cent in the second month and 10 per cent for third and fourth month.

In order to attract foreign assets, the government may set 2.5 per

cent rate for the first month, 4 per centfor second and 5per cent for the last two months, they added.

However, these rates are not final yet. According to some estimates, Pakistanis have about $100 billion to $120 billion worth of assets abroad, although Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has once quoted a $200 billion figure.

Even 5 per cent of this amount would significantly lessen the government’s fiscal woes.

Independent experts argue that the government should ensure confidentiality to those who bring their assets back to Pakistan.

The scheme should preferably run under the finance ministry, as citizens have lost trust in FBR, according to them.

One option to implement the scheme is to reintroduce section 120A in the Income Tax Ordinance 2010. The repealed section had empowered FBR to charge investment tax in respect of undisclosed income, representing any amount or investment made in movable or immovable assets. - Express Tribune

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

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WORLD PLOT FOILED

ONE KILLED IN LONDON CAR PILE-UP Debris and damaged vehicles involved in a multiple car collision on a main road in heavy fog near Witney, northwest of London, on Wednesday. At least one person died and over a dozen were injured in a pile-up involving around 20 vehicles on a major road in Southern England. — AFP

Bangladesh arrests five suspected militants DHAKA: Police in Bangladesh have arrested five suspected militants believed to be plotting to attack New Year celebrations, a counter-terrorism police chief said on Wednesday.

The five were believed to be members of a faction of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) group, which was blamed for an attack on a cafe in Dhaka in July in which 22 people were killed, most of them foreigners. “They planned to attack on New Year’s Eve,” Monirul Islam, head of the counter-terrorism police unit, told a news conference.

Islam declined to elaborate when asked about the militants’ target and how they planned to attack but said police had also seized 60 kg of explosives, when the five were detained in raids in Dhaka.

The five were paraded before the media but did not speak to reporters. Authorities have already banned all outdoor gatherings in Dhaka from dusk on December 31 to dawn on January 1 on security grounds. Militant attacks have increased in Bangladesh, a country of 160 million people, over the past few years with several prominent liberal writers and members of religious minorities killed. — Reuters

SCANDAL

South Korea pension fund chief detained SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors put the chairman of the world’s third-largest pension fund under emergency arrest on Wednesday in a widening influence-peddling scandal that has led to parliament voting to impeach President Park Geun-hye.

The special prosecutor’s office did not provide further details on the arrest of National Pension Service (NPS) Chairman Moon Hyung-pyo. Officers on Monday raided his home on suspicion of abuse of power.

The special prosecutor has been looking into whether Moon pressured the pension fund to support the $8 billion merger last year of two Samsung Group affiliates while he was head of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which runs the NPS. Investigators are also examining whether Samsung’s support for a business and foundations backed by the president’s friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is at the centre of the influence-peddling scandal, may have been connected to NPS support for the merger, a prosecution official told Reuters last week.

Moon said on Tuesday, as he arrived at the prosecutor’s office, he would cooperate and did not comment when asked if he pressured the NPS to vote for the merger.

On December 9, the NPS dismissed as “groundless” a media report that Moon had coerced the NPS to support the merger.

The NPS had 545 trillion won ($451.35 billion) under management at the end of September and was a major shareholder in Samsung Group affiliates Cheil Industries Inc and Samsung C&T Corp when they merged last year.

Some investors criticised the tie-up for strengthening the founding family’s control of Samsung Group, South Korea’s largest “chaebol”, or conglomerate, at the expense of other shareholders.

The NPS voted in favour of the merger without calling in an external committee that sometimes advises it on difficult votes. — Reuters

Japan will never wage war again, Abe vows in Hawaii The visit, just weeks before Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes office, was meant to highlight the strength of the US-Japan alliance

PEARL HARBOR (HAWAII): Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a symbolic visit to Pearl Harbor with President Barack PAYING TRIBUTES: US President Barack Obama, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe place Obama on Tuesday, commemo- wreaths at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. – AFP rating the victims of Japan’s World War II attack and promisThe two leaders stood solemnly briefing. ing that his country would never irked his conservative supporters, Japan hopes to present a strong many of whom say US economic in front of a wall inscribed with wage war again.

The visit, just weeks before Re- sanctions forced Japan to open the names of those who died in the alliance with the United States 1941 attack and took part in a brief amid concerns about China’s expublican President-elect Donald hostilities.

“This visit to Pearl Harbor was wreath-laying ceremony, followed panding military capability.

Trump takes office, was meant to During a meeting ahead of highlight the strength of the US- to console the souls of the war by a moment of silence. “In ReJapan alliance amid concerns that dead, not to apologise,” Chief membrance, Shinzo Abe, Prime the Pearl Harbor visit, Abe and Trump could forge a more compli- Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga Minister of Japan” was written Obama agreed to closely monitold a news conference in Tokyo, on one wreath and “In Remem- tor moves by China’s aircraft carcated relationship with Tokyo.

“I offer my sincere and everlast- adding the trip had showed that brance, Barack Obama, President rier, recently spotted on a routine ing condolences to the souls of the allies would contribute to of the United States” on the other. drill in the Western Pacific for the They then threw flower petals first time, and to strengthen the those who lost their lives here, as world peace and prosperity.

US-Japan alliance, Japan’s Kyodo Obama, who earlier this year into the water. well as to the spirits of all the brave After their remarks, both lead- news agency reported. men and women whose lives were became the first incumbent US The leaders’ get-together taken by a war that commenced in president to visit Hiroshima, ers greeted and Abe embraced US where the United States dropped veterans who survived the Pearl was also meant to reinforce the this very place,” Abe said.

US-Japan partnership ahead of “We must never repeat the hor- an atomic bomb in 1945, called Harbor attack.

In China, which has repeat- the January 20 inauguration of rors of war again. This is the sol- Abe’s visit a “historic gesture” emn vow we, the people of Japan, that was “a reminder that even the edly urged Japan to show greater Trump, whose opposition to the deepest wounds of war can give repentance for World War II and Trans-Pacific Partnership trade have taken.”

Japanese forces attacked Pearl way to friendship and a lasting Japan’s invasion of China, For- pact and campaign threat to force Harbor with torpedo planes, peace.” Abe became the first Japa- eign Ministry spokeswoman Hua allied countries to pay more to bombers and fighter planes on nese prime minister to visit the Chunying said real reflection was host US forces raised concerns among allies such as Japan. the morning of December 7, 1941, USS Arizona Memorial, built over needed, not show.

Obama has sought to provide “Reconciliation between inflicpounding the US fleet moored the remains of the sunken battlethere in the hope of destroying US ship USS Arizona, although three tor and victim must and can only a smooth transition for Trump, others including his grandfather be established on the basis of sin- but he made his opposition to the power in the Pacific.

Abe did not apologise for the had made quiet stops in Pearl Har- cere and deep reflection by the Republican’s policies, including inflictor,” Hua told a daily news his proposal to ban Muslims temattack, a step that would have bor in the 1950s.

porarily from entering the United States, clear during the 2016 campaign.

“It is here that we remember that even when hatred burns hottest, even when the tug of tribalism is at its most primal, we must resist the urge to turn inward,” Obama said at Pearl Harbor. “We must resist the urge to demonise those who are different.

Abe met with Trump in New York in November and called him a “trustworthy leader.”

Obama called for a world without nuclear arms during his visit to Hiroshima. Trump last week called for the United States to “greatly strengthen and expand” its nuclear capability and reportedly welcomed an international arms race.

Some Abe critics noted the Japanese leader’s visit, and the reconciliation with the United States that it symbolised, underscored the stark contrast in its relationship with China and South Korea, where the bitter wartime legacy still plagues ties with Tokyo.

Abe’s cabinet minister for reconstruction of disaster-hit regions, Masahiro Imamura, paid his respects later in the day (Wednesday, Tokyo time) at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine for war dead, seen in China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism, Kyodo news agency said. Abe angered Beijing and Seoul and upset Washington with his own visit to the shrine three years ago this month.

“A symbolic gesture of contrition to your closest ally is easy,” said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University’s Japan campus in Tokyo.

“If he (Abe) really is sincere about reconciliation diplomacy and overcoming lingering enmities he needs to visit similar symbolic sights (in China and Korea)... and make similar remarks of remorse that are more specific about Japan’s responsibility.” — Reuters

DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA

Chinese carrier docks after drill amid tension over Taiwan TAIPEI: China’s sole aircraft carrier has arrived at a naval base on the southern Chinese province of Hainan, a senior Taiwanese military officer said on Wednesday, after drills that took it around self-ruled Taiwan, an island China claims as its own.

Taiwan warned on Tuesday that “the threat of our enemies is growing day by day”, as Chinese warships led by the carrier sailed towards Hainan through the disputed South China Sea.

The Chinese drill comes amid renewed tension over Taiwan, which China says is ineligible for state-to-state relations, following US President-elect Donald Trump’s telephone call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen that upset Beijing.

China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, suspecting she wants to push for the island’s formal independence, a red line for Beijing which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its

control. Tsai says she wants to maintain peace with China.

China has given few details of what the Soviet-built Liaoning is up to, save that it is on a routine exercise and complying with international law. Taiwan has said the aircraft carrier skirted waters outside its air defence identification zone to the east and south and then headed across the top of the South China Sea to Hainan, home to a large Chinese naval base.

“The Liaoning aircraft carrier

has reached the Hainan military base. We will continue to monitor its developments,” a senior Taiwanese military official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

China had been testing the carrier’s systems and coordination with other military equipment, the officer said, and its arrival in Hainan did not mean its mission was over. Chinese state media says the carrier’s likely home base was the northeastern port city of Qingdao.

Speaking at a regular news brief-

ing, An Fengshan, spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said China would exert all its efforts to achieve “peaceful reunification”.

“At the same time, our position on maintaining the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unswerving, and we will never permit Taiwan independence separatist forces to split Taiwan from China in any way or in any name,” he said. China’s air force conducted long-range drills this month above the East and South

China Seas that rattled Japan and Taiwan. China said those exercises were also routine.

China claims most of the South China Sea. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

The Liaoning has taken part in previous exercises, including in the South China Sea, but China is years away from perfecting carrier operations similar to those the United States has practised for decades. — Reuters

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

WORLD Russia can expect sanctions after cyber attacks: Graham Trump. Separately, the Estonian defence minister said the country was increasing its efforts to defend itself against cyber attacks after NATO recognised cyber attacks as an element of warfare, alongside land, sea and air.

Senators called for a bipartisan panel to investigate cyber attacks against the US by foreign countries, with a focus on Russia’s alleged efforts to influence the US presidential election

RIGA/TALLINN: Russia and its president Vladimir Putin should expect tough sanctions after cyber attacks during the presidential election won by Donald Trump, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Republican and Democratic senators including Graham called for a bipartisan panel to investigate cyber attacks against the United States by foreign countries, with a focus on Russia’s alleged efforts to influence the US presidential election.

“There will be bipartisan sanctions coming that will hit Russia hard, particularly Putin as an individual,” Graham said in the Latvian capital.

NATO members Latvia, EsM I L I TA N T G R O U P

Mourabitoun kidnapped French woman: Mali BAMAKO: A Malian state prosecutor said on Wednesday that the militant group Al Mourabitoun is suspected of kidnapping a FrenchSwiss aid worker from the city of Gao in northern Mali.

Sophie Petronin has not been seen publicly since Saturday, when men snatched her and drove off in a pickup truck. She ran a charity for malnourished children and had lived in Gao for 15 years, authorities said. “The first indications show that she was certainly taken hostage by a terrorist group, Al Mourabitoun,” prosecutor Boubacar Sidiki Samake told Reuters.

Al Mourabitoun has not claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

The group is led by Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who has been a prominent figure in insurgencies across North Africa and the Saharan border region.

Mourabitoun, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and Ansar Dine have all conducted attacks in Mali this year from bases in the desert north. Samake said he would start proceedings next week for high-profile attacks last year on the Radisson hotel in Bamako, the Byblos hotel in Sevare and La Terrasse restaurant in the capital. In all, about 38 people were killed. — Reuetrs

BRIEFING: US Senator Lindsey Graham speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia, on Wednes-

day. US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia tried to influence the November 8 election by hacking individuals and institutions, including Democratic Party bodies. – Reuters

tonia and Lithuania, all ruled by Moscow in communist times, have been alarmed by Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula in 2014 and its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

“It is now time for Russia to understand - enough is enough,” Graham said.

He did not elaborate further on what the sanctions could entail.

US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia tried to influence the November 8 election by hacking individuals and institutions, including Democratic Party bodies.

Russian officials have denied accusations of interference in the

election. “Here’s what you can expect in 2017 in the United States - a bipartisan effort in Congress to push back against the Russian interference in our election,” Graham said at a stop on a three-day visit to the Baltics with fellow Republican senator John McCain, seen as a bid to soothe concerns over the policy of President-elect

Wake-up call In what Estonian officials say was a wake-up call, the country was hit by cyber attacks on extensive private and government Internet sites in 2007.

State websites were brought to a crawl and an online banking site was closed.

Lithuania also said last week the Kremlin was responsible for cyber attacks that have hit government computers there over the past two years. Putin’s spokesman dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated.

Lithuanian intelligence services, in their annual report, say cyber attacks have moved from being mainly targeted at financial crimes to more political spying on state institutions.

“We have almost finished the submission for the government to create the new cyber command and it should be up and running within two years”, Estonia’s Defence Minister Margus Tsahkna told Reuters on Wednesday.

NATO leaders agreed earlier this year to deploy military forces to the Baltic states and eastern Poland for the first time and increase air and sea patrols to reassure allies on its eastern border.

Estonia is due to host around 1,000 British, French and Danish troops in 2017. — Reuters

PRESIDENTIAL POWER

France pardons woman who killed her violent husband PARIS: French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday pardoned a woman who had been convicted for the murder of her violent husband, in a rare use of that presidential power in France.

Jacqueline Sauvage had been sentenced to 10 years in jail for shooting dead her husband in 2012 after he beat her up for decades. Her three daughters sought a presidential pardon, in a muchpublicised bid supported by an online petition that attracted over 380,000 signatures.

Hollande had initially granted a sentence reduction in January 2016 and gave his full pardon on Wednesday. “The President of the Republic judged that the place of Madame Sauvage was no longer in prison, but beside her family,” his office said in a statement, adding that she would be freed immediately. Sauvage is one of only two people to have benefited from a presidential pardon from Hollande. In 2013 he granted a sentence reduction to allow Philippe El Shennawy, then France’s longestserving prisoner, to be freed on parole after 38 years in jail.

The French presidential pardon, which does not quash actual convictions that are the responsibility of the courts, has been limited to individual cases since 2008, after in the past being used to waive en masse minor sanctions such as driving fines. One of the most famous cases of presidential pardon under the French Republic was that accorded to Alfred Dreyfus in 1899, after public controversy over the Jewish army officer’s conviction for treason. He was later cleared by an appeal court. — Reuters

GERMANY

Tunisian held for possible link to Berlin attack BERLIN: German authorities have detained a Tunisian man they suspect of involvement in the truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market which killed 12 people, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The IS militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which some critics say was made easier by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door migrant policy.

Investigators found the mobile phone number of the 40-year-old Tunisian stored in the phone of Anis Amri, the man believed to have hijacked a truck and rammed it into the crowd at a Christmas market in the German capital on Monday last week. Amri, a failed asylum seeker also from Tunisia, was shot dead in Italy on December 23.

Officials raided the home and business premises of the new suspect in Berlin. They did not name him. “Further investigations indicated that he could have been involved in the attack,” said prosecutors. Prosecutors will decide by the end of Thursday whether to issue an arrest warrant for the man, now under temporary detention.

Investigators across Europe are trying to establish whether Amri had accomplices.

Germany’s Focus magazine cited Berlin security sources as saying that on a phone found in the truck were voice messages and photos sent by Amri to hardliners 10 minutes before he steered the

THE KILLER TRUCK: This file photo taken on December 20, 2016 shows firemen inspecting the truck that crashed the evening before into a Christmas market in Berlin. – AFP File

vehicle into the Berlin market.

Another priority is to piece together how he fled, undetected, from Berlin to Milan, taking advantage of Europe’s open-border Schengen agreement. In Milan, police killed him after he pulled a gun on them during a routine check. A spokesman for the Dutch National Prosecutor’s Office said

authorities were pursuing signs that the 24-year-old had passed through the Netherlands.

Dutch prosecutor Jirko Patist said investigators were studying images of a man they believe to be Amri taken by surveillance cameras at the train station in Nijmegen, near the Dutch border.

Dutch police were also inves-

tigating the possibility that Amri acquired a Dutch telephone SIM card he had with him at the time of his death.

“There is a possibility he got it at Nijmegen station,” Patist said.

A French judicial source said on Tuesday Amri appeared to have passed through Lyon in France.

Video surveillance footage

showed Amri at the Lyon-PartDieu train station and officials believe he bought a ticket there for Chambery, between Lyon and the Italian border.

Political leaders including France’s Marine Le Pen and Britain’s Nigel Farage have said the case shows Europe’s borders must not remain open. — Reuters

SURVEY

Mixed response in Manila to President Duterte’s war on drugs MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte completes six months in charge on Friday, with the rising death toll from his war on drugs showing no sign of easing.

More than 6,000 people have been killed in the anti-narcotics drive since he took power, about a third in police operations with the rest still being investigated. Many are believed to be vigilante murders, which Duterte has refused to condemn. The former crimebusting mayor of the southern city of Davao had said that the war on drugs would be over within six months but has since pushed back the deadline. Last month he said that he will continue “until the last pusher drops dead”.

His hardline measures have been criticised by many, including the United States and the United Nations, but Duterte retains a

“very good” opinion poll rating at home, the Philippine Social Weather Stations survey group said this month.

On the streets of Manila, residents from a variety of professions gave their thoughts.

Felicidad Magdayao, 59, owner of a fast-food restaurant.

“Our business has really suffered. People are afraid to go out.

At dawn we only have few customers. At least, there are fewer drug addicts and drug pushers.”

Ronaldo David, 49, police officer.

“My load in filing cases in the office has been reduced. I am now more focused on educating people and in prevention.”

Cristine Angelie Garcia, 24, call centre agent.

“Maybe there is another way where people do not need to die,” she said, adding she felt safer walk-

More than 6,000 people have been killed in the anti-narcotics drive since Rodrigo Duterte took power, about a third in police operations with the rest still being investigated ing the streets at night.

“I’m on Duterte’s side. Maybe he’s just misunderstood because he grew up on the streets.”

Rosalina Perez, 41, from Tondo district. Perez is the sister of Benjamin Visda, who was killed by police during a drug investigation.

“At first, we liked what he (Duterte) was doing. But as it went on I started to question what he was doing. Everyone who wants to change are just killed. They are not even given a chance to explain themselves to the authorities.”

Weng Ruda, 36, mother of three.

Lives in a slum at the foot of Payatas dumpsite in Quezon city.

“I like that he is very tough.

There are no children loitering around now. They also avoid picking up bad habits.”

Zainab Omar, 41, teacher, from Taguig city. “The children are safer now. Parents used to accompany their children to school before Duterte sat as president. Now they let their children go to school by themselves.”

Graciano De Leon, 19, parking attendant, from Paranaque city.

“What he is doing is good. He

gave jobs to many people and many are happy with him. I just don’t know about the families (of those killed) if that is good for them.”

Marianito Navarra, 54, village watchman in Pasay city.

“I pity the families of those who are killed, especially those who really had nothing to do with crime.

There have been a lot of people who were killed that weren’t really involved with drugs. They should just arrest them.”

Bobby Dela Cruz, 54, Catholic priest and former drug addict.

“These people (drug addicts) are fighting for their lives.

“They need our help. We must help these people.”

Jose Cecilia Jr., 51, owns a trucking company, from Santa Rosa town in Laguna province.

“I give one hundred per cent for Duterte. He’s the only president

who is fighting the drug lords and other syndicates in our country.”

Kimee Enciso, 21, student, from Quezon city. “When it comes to him being too tough, I think it is just right. He’s our leader and he’s only doing it for our sake.”

Orly Fernandez, 64, operational manager at Eusebio Funeral Services in Navotas city. Fernandez lives in the funeral parlour.

“Before maybe we pick up one body per day, now we get around two or three bodies a day.”

Sandro Gabriel Jr, 34, grave digger at Pasay Public Cemetery.

“A lot of people who have been shot have been buried here. More than 40 people have recently been buried here,” he said. “...I am not saying Duterte should keep killing people. But for us, we will keep working as long as there is work.” — Reuters

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

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READERS’ FORUM Award highlights Oman’s role in the region This refers to the report His Majesty receives Arab Human Rights Award 2016 (December 27). Bestowing His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said with the Arab Human Rights Award 2016 is an extremely proud and privileged occasion for every citizen and expatriate in the country. One would not have a second thought that Sultanate’s peace initiatives have been greatly supporting the country to maintain excellent ties with the rest of the world. This was highlighted at the United Nations General Assembly meeting held very recently, Scan this QR code as Oman has been continuously involved in to send letters to the itself with the right intentions with an objecReaders’ Forum, tive to bring stability at all levels of coordicontaining not more than 200 words with nation. This special recognition is precisely full name, address highlighting Oman’s role in the region, and and telephone proves that its peace commitment is being number, may be sent recognised at all forums, even beyond the by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). region. As the world strives for lasting peace and stability, with this recognition it is quite obvious that Oman has a serious and healthy role to play in helping achieve early settlement of critical issues. The award has further showcased the fact as to what extent a country can contribute to make life more comfortable in every aspect.

— Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.

ANN RAND

MARCEL FRATZSCHER

The United Kingdom’s Brexit vote, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s referendum defeat and subsequent resignation, and Donald Trump’s election as president of the United States have created a power vacuum in the West, and in Europe. At a time when Europe needs act collectively on economy

Michael Spence & Qian Wan

A

t a time when the United States is poised to turn inward, China’s economic performance is more important globally than ever. Whether China can achieve sustainable growth patterns in the coming years will depend upon a number of key factors.

One of the leading external factors shaping China’s prospects will be its relationship with the US under President Donald Trump. Ideally, the two governments would work together to negotiate mutually beneficial trade and investment agreements, with sensitivity to the challenges faced by both sides. But the opposite outcome – the escalation of mutually damaging trade and investment disputes – is also a distinct possibility.

Political uncertainty is also on the rise in Europe. While its impact on China would not be as direct as Trump’s actions, it is a source of significant medium-term risks for the entire global economy.

Within Asia, a key factor shaping China’s economic prospects is progress on Chinese-led regional trade and investment agreements. In particular, investments in regional development via the “one belt, one road” initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank may produce expanded trade and growth in Asia (and beyond), though the effects will not be immediate.

The fourth major external factor relates to exchange rates. As it stands, the renminbi is facing significant depreciation pressure, caused largely by a surge in capital outflows.

Meanwhile, the US dollar is strengthening in anticipation of Trump’s fiscal expansion. China’s performance will depend partly on how these dynamics play out.

But, beyond the external uncertainties and headwinds, China faces a slew of internal challenges, which may well present even greater risks to its economy. Those challenges – including weaknesses in the real economy and the private sector, overcapacity, excessive leverage, and high housing prices – are rooted largely in the financial sector’s mounting problems and the failure of China’s leaders to address them.

Consider efforts to promote investment in the real sector. The People’s Bank of China has been providing spurts of liquidity to the market, in the hope of relieving financial constraints on productive private businesses and industries.

But the monetary-policy transmission mechanism is broken, and liquidity is not making it to the real economy.

Instead, China’s banks continue to allocate

credit largely to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and local-government financing vehicles (LGFVs).

Credit to the state sector ends up flowing not into productivity-enhancing investments, but into the housing market (fuelling price bubbles) and industries with excess capacity (fuelling even more overcapacity and enabling companies to avoid much-needed restructuring).

While LGFVs use the low-cost loans to build infrastructure, the social returns of those investments are often low; and, after decades of rapid infrastructure construction, the marginal returns are declining.

Meanwhile, local governments’ leverage continues to rise. SOEs may also use the unregulated shadow banking system to re-lend at higher interest rates the cheap money they receive to private businesses, which cannot borrow reliably from the formal banking system.

Whereas the interest rate of a one-year loan in the formal banking system is around 5 per cent, the average one-year interest rate in the Wenzhou shadow banking market (to cite one example) was around 16 per cent in November. This state of affairs is jeopardizing the entire economy. Banks are bailing out bankrupt companies, while private firms – especially small and medium-size enterprises – continue to get squeezed.

Given that the private sector is generally significantly more productive than SOEs or LGFVs, generating much higher returns on investment, the absence of hard budget constraints on troubled SOEs clearly must be addressed.

Of course, China’s leaders have known this for a while, and have created a reform agenda that seeks to reform the SOEs, while unleashing the private sector’s potential. But it is still a work in progress.

Convincing banks to lend to private enterprises, rather than to SOEs and LGFVs, will require substantial structural shifts in China’s economy.

For financial institutions, SOEs and LGFVs represent much lower risk than private businesses, regardless of how leveraged or uncompetitive they are. After all, because SOEs and LGFVs are implicitly guaranteed by central or local governments, they are highly unlikely to default. Banks know (or believe) that if an SOE or LGFV faces bankruptcy, the government will step in with favourable policies and subsidies, tax cuts, and low-cost financing instruments. . - Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES DECEMBER 2001 Summit to recognise efforts of AGCC leaders MUSCAT: When the Sultanate hosts the 22nd Arab Gulf Cooperation Council(AGCC) tomorrow, it will extend deep appreciation to the AGCC leaders for the tireless efforts on behalf of the citizens of their countries. At the same time, it will express its pride in the achievements of their leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the creator of Oman’s Renaissance. Over the past 31 years, the Sultanate had made amazing progress in every field and at every level, guided by His Majesty the Sultan’s vision and leadership powered by the energies of the Omani people.

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PICTOGRAPH

ELECTRICITY GROSS PRODUCTION DHOFAR (in Gigawatt/hour) 2016 August

September

288.3

290.7

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

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

1934: Japan formally denounces Washington Naval Treaty of 1922.

1940: London suffers its most devastating air raid when Germans firebomb the city on the evening of December 29.

1965: A Christmas truce is observed in Vietnam, while President Johnson tries to get the North Vietnamese to the bargaining table.

0 Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

A14

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

LIFESTYLE FAMILY

CH OOS E T H E R IG H T CHILD RESTRAINT G

lobally, road traffic collisions are the ninth leading cause of death, killing almost 1.25 million people each year—and for children, these numbers are even higher. According to The World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic accidents accounted for 21 per cent of fatalities of those aged 0-19. But these tragedies can be easily prevented: WHO states that child restraints, when correctly installed and used, reduce deaths among infants by approximately 70 per cent and deaths among small children by between 54 percent and 80 per cent.

Child restraints have proven to reduce the risk of death among infants by approximately 70 per cent, and deaths among small children by between 54 and 80 per cent. When installed correctly child restraints have the ability to reduce injury or prevent death in the event of an

automobile accident, but if they aren’t installed properly, their effectiveness can be reduced.

Even the most well-meaning parents can sometimes have trouble installing child seats correctly, so Chevrolet has come up with this complete list of car seat dos and don’ts to help you keep your little ones safe.

DO choose the right seat for the child. Research different types of seats and their age, height, and weight guidelines, and keep track of the child’s growth in these aspects to anticipate when a new seat or seat modification will be required.

DON’T buy a second-hand car seat. There’s no way to know for sure if the seat has been in an accident, if it has missing or outdated parts, has been recalled, or if it has expired (it is recommended to check the car seat expiration date).

Saving a bit of money on a used car seat isn’t worth the safety risk, so

invest in a new one that you know will work well.

DO make sure to position the car seat in the right direction for your child’s age, weight and height: forward or backward. Generally, rearfacing child seats are more secure for babies or until they’re too big to fit. However, the label on the seat will have specific height- and weight-related information about when to turn the car seat from rear-facing to forward-facing.

DON’T ever put a child restraint in the front passenger

According to The World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic accidents accounted for 21 per cent of fatalities of those aged

0-19

seat—even if it’s rear-facing. According to WHO, best-practice child restraint laws restrict children (under 13 years old) from sitting in the front seat at all, so putting an infant or toddler in the front seat is especially risky.

A passenger seat airbag, while meant to protect an adult from the impact of a collision, can seriously injure a small child.

DO thoroughly read the instruction manual that comes with the car seat. Safety-belt attachments should be tight, the tethers should be attached correctly based on the direction the seat is facing in a car that uses the LATCH system, and a brand —and car seat model-specific protective mat should be placed underneath the seat to prevent slippage.

DON’T buckle the child in with bulky clothing or outerwear. These items can prevent you from tightening the straps enough and can allow a child to slip out of their

car seat by wiggling too much. If your child is cold, buckle them into their car seat and then lay their jacket or a blanket over them.

DO make sure to buckle the child in correctly. They should be sitting with their back and bottom flat against the seat, the straps should be snug (with no more than a finger’s width of slack), and the chest clip should be even with the child’s armpits. They should not be able to slip out of the harness or pull the straps far away from their body.

While only 53 countries worldwide have best-practice child restraint laws as laid out by WHO, ensuring a child’s safety by properly installing and using a car seat should be a priority. Invest the time and energy into finding the right seat, installing it well, and buckling the child in correctly, and in turn, invest in protecting the child during an accident.

— Courtesy of General Motors

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

WEATHERR

TEMPERATURE

HUMIDITY

331 - 17 72-21% 0

0

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

12.14pm 3.15pm 5.35pm 6.50pm 5.27am

A15

LIFESTYLE

ART FOR THE AGES

FACT FILE

Children up to the age of 16 who would like to have their art considered for inclusion in “Art for the Ages” can e-mail their drawings

(Exploring History, Science, and Nature)

or paintings (in jpeg or tiff format) to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Rabbits & Hares

T

he March Hare from Alice in Wonderland, the Easter Bunny, Bugs Bunny and Peter Rabbit are just a few of the famous long-eared, fuzzy characters so popular in children’s stories. Rabbits are cute and can make great pets, but they can also spell trouble for farmers. Rabbits and hares are not rodents. They belong to the order of lagomorphs, in the Leporidae family. There are about 50 species of leporids, and half of these live in North America.

Where they were not found naturally, rabbits and hares were introduced by humans. Today, leporids can be found on every continent except Antarctica

graze on grasses and sometimes gardens or crops. Rabbits and hares do not hibernate or store food in the winter; they survive on buds, twigs and bark.

Leporids eat their meals twice.

They have two kinds of waste pellets (droppings). Moist pellets are soft and are eaten and digested a second time. This helps the animal get all the nutrients it needs. Hard pellets are true waste and are not eaten again.

be found high in the mountains, on Arctic plains, in deserts, swamps, forests and even some city parks. In North America, all wild rabbits are cottontails, but there are many kinds of wild hares. There are several species of cottontails found throughout North and South America. The cottontail was named for its fluffy white tail that looks like a cotton ball. It makes grassy nests above ground. The Arctic hare is found in the far north. They often live in herds or colonies of 100 or more.

Arctic hares change colour depending on the season: Brown in summer, white in winter.

The snowshoe or varying hare is found in the forests of central and southern Canada and the northern United States. Like the Arctic hare, it changes colour from brown to white. Unlike the Arctic hare, it prefers to live alone, not in groups.

It can run fast (up to 30mph), but not far.

The difference Hares and rabbits look a lot alike, but there are some major differences. Rabbits usually have smaller bodies, legs and ears than hares. Many rabbits dig burrows; hares do not. Most rabbits prefer to hide when threatened, while hares are built for running. The surest way to tell a rabbit from a hare is to look at the newborns.

Baby rabbits are born furless and blind. Hares are born with fur, and their eyes are open. Sometimes even the common names of rabbits and hares can lead to confusion. The Belgian hare is really a rabbit, and the jackrabbit is really a hare.

Enemies everywhere Rabbits and hares play a vital role in natural ecosystems. Because they breed so profusely and have few defences, they are a plentiful food source for many animals.

Coyotes, foxes, bobcats, minks, weasels, snakes, hawks and owls all depend on rabbits and hares as food for survival. When natural predators are scarce, rabbit and hare populations can grow out of control. The average life span of a wild rabbit is less than a year. Humans are probably a leporid’s greatest enemy — rabbits and hares are often hunted as agricultural pests, for sport, for food or for their soft fur. Domestic cats and dogs are also a danger.

Rabbits are usually very quiet animals, but they do scream when threatened or in pain. Some rabbits warn of danger by thumping their back legs on the ground.

What’s for dinner Rabbits and hares are herbivores.

In the spring and summer, they

Wild species Rabbits and hares seem to live just about everywhere. They can

The pika The pika is another lagomorph. It doesn’t look much like a rabbit or a hare. It looks more like a hamster, but it shares many of its cousins’ habits. Pikas can be found in the mountains of the northwest United States and Canada, and also in the northern regions of Russia, Asia and Europe. They make their homes in rock piles and crevices, living in large groups. Pikas are vegetarians and spend the summer collecting food for the winter.

–lifestyle@timesofoman.com

issues related to them. Be it discord in theirmarried life or emotional emptiness, the author tries to reach to the depths of the problems through her narratives.

The first story, Behind the Darkness, which is also the title of the book, is a story of a simple woman Neena who lives an un-

happy married life till she finds her true calling. Her other stories like Captivity and Two Women, Cactus Flower, Crimson Flower, Koel Does Not Sing, and When Past Casts a Shadow are worth reading as they all reflect different shades of a woman’s life inspired by real life incidents.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com Where to buy: Amazon.in

Aashika Elsa Shiju Grade 3, Indian School Muscat

Akshara Rajesh Grade 1, Indian School Muscat

Seethal Mariya Roji Grade 4, ISAM

Puja Jangid, Grade 8 Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir

Serine Ros Anto Grade 4, Indian School Muscat

Abhigyan Basant Kumar Grade 3, Indian School Muscat

Joyel Abhilash John Grade 3, Indian School Muscat

BOOK REVIEW

Behind the Darkness Author: Mousumi Bhattcharjee This book is a collection of short stories written by Muscat-based author Mousumi Bhattcharjee.

The stories revolve around the lives of women living in India and through her narratives the author tries to capture the hidden stories of many lives. Mostly femaleoriented, the stories express the yearnings of educated women and

BIRTHDAYS OF THE WEEK FALAK FATHIMA 24-12-2014

MOHAMMED SAJID 31-12-2006

SIDRA AZAM 28-12-2009

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THU RS DAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

MARKE

OMAN CRUDE RISES Oman Crude (February delivery) increased by $1.16 cents to $54.47 per barrel, said Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME). The average price of Oman Crude (January delivery) stabilised at $44.54 per barrel, $4.64 higher than December delivery. – ONA

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

Muscat 5,765.05 + 4.10 + 0.07%

Dubai 3,524.57 - 17.59 - 0.50%

Abu Dhabi 4,471.57 + 2.49 + 0.06%

Saudi Arabia

7,275.44 + 18.27 + 0.25%

Kuwait 5,753.36 + 8.32 + 0.14%

Bahrain 1,204.76 - 6.57 - 0.54%

Qatar 10,333.81 + 22.46 + 0.22%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.45 Pound ..........................................2.09 Indian Rs ............................. 176.24 Pakistan Rs ........................267.59 Bangla Taka......................202.22

Indian Rs ................................... 177.00 Pakistan Rs ............................. 271.90 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka............................ 204.10 Phil Peso ...................................129.00

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......14.65

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$53.66 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) .........$53.16 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$54.92 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$53.86 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) .........$56.41 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$54.18

* Rates are as of December 28 Source: Bank Muscat

* Rates as of December 28 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ........14.15 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) .............137.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............ 129.00 * Rates as of December 28 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Orpic focuses on strengthening ICV while building Liwa project A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com

The in-country value and procurement teams have begun a new practice to ringfence a number of tenders suitable for small and medium enterprises to ensure 10% allocations to Christiaan van der Wouden.

local businesses.

— Supplied picture

MUSCAT: State-owned Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) has major plans to strengthen in-countryvalue (ICV) and local employment, while building its mega Liwa Plastics Industries project, with a total capital expenditure of $6.5 billion.

The ICV and procurement teams have begun a new practice to ring-fence a number of tenders which are suitable to small and medium enterprises, in terms of their capabilities to ensure 10 per cent allocations to local businesses, Christiaan van der Wouden, chief operating officer of Orpic, told Times of Oman.

“We have allocated a certain scope for either SMEs or local

PERPETUAL BONDS

OAB raises OMR30m in bond issue Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has concluded its issue of Omani rial denominated perpetual bonds, raising OMR30 million as additional tier 1 capital.

The issue will boost the bank’s capital base and increase its capital adequacy ratio. The Investment Management Group of OAB (OAB-IMG) managed the issue of this private placement, said a bank release.

OAB-IMG structured the instrument as an Omani rial denominated bond to be listed locally on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM), making it the first such bond issue in the Sultanate. The private placement received strong response from investors who included pension and investment funds, companies and individuals. This prompted

the bank to increase the issue size from the originally contemplated level of OMR25 million to OMR30 million to accommodate the remarkable demand.

OAB-IMG successfully completed the subscription to the placement which closed on December 27, 2016, to be followed by the listing of the bonds on the MSM. “We appreciate the role of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) for their guidance and support to complete this pioneering fund raising transaction. We also value and highly appreciate the support and encouragement received from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) who played a very constructive and facilitative role in ensuring that the bond issue was completed within the overall regulatory framework and within the deadline,” said Amin Al Husseini,

CEO of Oman Arab Bank.

“This bond issue marks the last major assignment for OABIMG as the investment banking division within Oman Arab Bank.

OAB-IMG is being spin-off as an independent full-fledged investment banking company called Ubhar Capital S.A.O.C. (U-Capital) which I will be privileged to manage from January 2017,” added Lo’ai Al Bataineh, Chief Investment Officer and Head of OAB-IMG. U-Capital’s promoters are Oman Investment Fund, Oman International Development and Investment Company (Ominvest) and Arab Bank (Switzerland). UCapital will take over the investment banking business of OABIMG and will focus on building a world class institution catering to a broad base of local, regional and international customers.

CRUDE OIL MARKET

Oil trades near 17-month high LONDON: Oil traded near the highest since July last year amid optimism Opec and 11 other producing nations will cut output as promised, helping eliminate a global supply glut.

Futures rose as much as 0.7 per cent in New York, advancing for an eighth day in the longest winning streak in almost seven years. Crude inventories should return to equilibrium and prices stabilise as the agreed cuts go into effect, Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said on Tuesday on state television. A monitoring committee consisting of some Opec nations and non-members will meet on January 13 to track compliance with promised supply reductions, according to Opec

Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo.

Oil has traded near or above $50 a barrel since the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed last month to curb production for the first time in eight years. The market is now shifting focus to the group’s compliance toward the targeted reductions.

Money managers have trimmed bets on falling West Texas Intermediate crude prices to the lowest level since August 2014 in anticipation of reduced supply.

WTI for February delivery gained 25 cents to $54.15 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 11:23 a.m. in London.

The contract added 88 cents to close at $53.90 on Tuesday, the

highest since July 2, 2015. Total volume traded was about 51 per cent below the 100-day average.

Prices are up about 46 per cent this year.

Brent for February settlement rose 31 cents to $56.40 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Prices on Tuesday climbed 93 cents to settle at $56.09. Futures have gained 51 per cent this year. The global benchmark traded at a premium of $2.28 to WTI. Brent prices should stabilise between $60 and $70 a barrel as inventories return to equilibrium, and Venezuela will cut 95,000 barrels a day of production starting January 1, according to Del Pino and the country’s oil ministry. – Bloomberg News

suppliers for those scopes, which are currently being undertaken by international suppliers,” he added.

The company’s ICV strategy is to support business development, human capability development, and productivity stimulation in the Omani economy through the retention of maximum in –country value.

To achieve this, the ICV department aims at reaching authentication (made in Oman) of the materials procured by Orpic and development of human capital in all Orpic projects, by ensuring at least 30 per cent Omanisation across all categories and levels.

Sustainable development of Omani small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be assured through the support of those directly linked to Orpic’s business.

Local small and medium enterprises are expected to immensely benefit from the business opportunities, which include sub-contracting works, purchase orders, and support services available from major contracting firms.

Orpic has already awarded four major packages to multinational contracting firms for building Liwa Plastics Industries, at a total cost of $4.5 billion.

Employment potential The Orpic COO said that the LPIC project is expected to create about 900 direct, and some 12,000 indirect jobs, during the project lifetime.

Upon commissioning in 2020, Liwa Plastics Industries Complex will transform Orpic’s product mix and business model, double

company profits, create new business opportunities, generate significant employment opportunities and support the development of a downstream plastics industry in Oman.

With the highly integrated complex in Sohar, including refineries, aromatics plants, steam cracker and downstream polypropylene and polyethylene plants, the operation will be one of the best integrated refinery and petrochemical facility combinations in the world, and will be able to achieve the maximum value-add for Oman’s hydrocarbon molecule.

“Currently, we are in a detailed engineering phase. Our people have been deployed at the EPC’s offices in Seoul, Milan, The Hague and New Delhi and,overall, the project is on track,” noted Wouden.

B2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

MARKET MSM index ends higher

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,769.55 ...............5,760.65 ....................5,765.05 ................... 5,760.95....................4.10 ................... 0.07 Financial Index ..................................... 7,676.72 ...............7,653.68 ....................7,665.08 ................... 7,663.42.................... 1.66 ...................0.02 Industrial Index .................................... 7,387.25 ................7,357.74 ................... 7,384.45 ....................7,357.74..................26.71 ...................0.36 Services Index ...................................... 3,054.48 .............. 3,046.89 ................... 3,048.79 ...................3,046.89....................1.90 ...................0.06 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 866.01 .................. 861.75 .......................865.81 .......................861.15....................4.66 ...................0.54 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 14,301,385 .................2,854,492 .....................554 ................17,267,015,486 ................ 17 ......................11 ....................20 .........................48

Oman Cement, which moved up by 3.04%, was the top gainer while Financial Services

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

was the top loser, with a loss of 39.39%.

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: Trading activity in large caps continued as the MSM30 ended on a stable note at 5,765.05 points, up by 0.07 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 865.81 points, up by 0.54 per cent. Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Oman Cement, which moved up by 3.04 per cent, was the top gainer while Financial Services was the top loser, with a loss of 39.39 per cent.

A total number of 554 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating a turnover of OMR2.85 million with 14.3 million shares changing hands.

Out of 48 traded securities, 17 advanced, 11 declined and 20 remained unchanged. Omani investors switched to net buyers of OMR221,000 while GCC and Arab investors were net sellers of OMR164,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR57,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index stayed flat at 7,665.08 points, up by 0.02 per cent. Al Batinah Development, Taageer Finance, Al Madina Takaful, Al IzzBank and Bank Nizwa gained 2.04 per cent, 1.67 per cent, 1.41 per cent, 1.41 per cent and 1.22 per cent, respectively.

Financial Services, Al Madina Investment, Ahli Bank, Al Sharqia Investment and National Bank of Oman declined by 39.39 per cent, 1.75 per cent, 1.05 per cent, 0.72 per cent and 0.42 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index advanced 0.36 per cent to close at 7,384.45 points. Oman Cement, Oman Cables and Gulf International Chemicals increased by 3.04 per cent, 2.68 per cent and 0.35 per cent, respectively. Raysut Cement and Al Anwar Ceramics declined by 1.01 per cent and 0.59 per cent, respectively.

Services Index had marginal gain of 0.06 per cent to end at 3,048.79 points. OIFC, Oman

National Engineering, Al Maha Petroleum, Renaissance Services and Shell Oman Marketing gained 2 per cent, 1.88 per cent, 1.02 per cent, 0.82 per cent and 0.76 per cent, respectively.

Al Jazeera Services, Sembcorp Salalah, Oman Telecommunications Company and National Gas declined by 1.02 per cent, 0.86 per cent, 0.66 per cent and 0.35 per cent, respectively.

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

OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ............................................................ 57,050 .............27,096......................12 ........... 0.462 ........... 0.478 ...........0.462........... 0.474 .............0.460 ............0.014 ............. 3.043 ................0.472..............0.470...................0.474..................156,833,665 ........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..................................... 22,490 ............ 34,472........................7 ............1.510 ........... 1.560 ...........1.510 ............1.535 ............. 1.495............ 0.040............. 2.676 ................1.535 ..............1.500...................1.525 ..................137,689,500 ........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 105,926 ............21,601........................5 ........... 0.202...........0.205 ...........0.202 .......... 0.204 .............0.200 ........... 0.004.............2.000 ................0.202 .............0.201...................0.202 ................. 40,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................21,000 ............... 1,507........................5 ............0.071 ...........0.072 ...........0.071 ........... 0.072 ............. 0.071.............0.001 ............. 1.408 ................0.072.............. 0.071...................0.072...................12,600,000.........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 120,000 ........... 29,690........................2 ........... 0.248 ...........0.248 ...........0.247........... 0.247 .............0.245 ........... 0.002............. 0.816 ................0.247............. 0.240...................0.245 ..................73,798,086 .........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 290,768 ............45,763......................14 ............0.155 ........... 0.160 ...........0.155 ............0.157 ............. 0.156.............0.001 ............. 0.641 ................0.160.............. 0.157...................0.160................... 51,229,601 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 210,828 ............39,666......................16 ............0.189 ........... 0.189 ...........0.188 ........... 0.188 ............. 0.187.............0.001 ............. 0.535 ................0.189 ..............0.188...................0.189...................32,900,462.........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 683,266 .........322,488..................... 53 ........... 0.468 ........... 0.476 ...........0.468........... 0.472 .............0.470 ........... 0.002............. 0.426 ................0.476..............0.472...................0.476................ 1,178,230,122 ......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................60,279 .............19,904........................8 ........... 0.330 ...........0.332 ...........0.330........... 0.330 .............0.330 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.332..............0.332...................0.334 ..................33,000,000.........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ..................................................................... 60,400 ............ 30,945........................6 ............0.512 ........... 0.514 ...........0.512 ............0.512 ............. 0.512............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.514 ............. 0.000...................0.514..................325,524,935 .......0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ...........................94,789 ............. 10,851........................9 ............0.114 ........... 0.115............0.114 ............0.114 ............. 0.114............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.115 ...............0.115................... 0.116 .................... 6,708,127 ..........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 850,505 ..........136,916.....................20 ............0.160 ........... 0.161............0.160............0.161 ............. 0.161 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.161 ..............0.160................... 0.161 ................. 258,324,394 .......0.100

Sensex ends lower The Sensex wiped off all its gains on Wednesday and fell marginally to end in the red at 26,211 as cautious investors took profit ahead of the monthly futures and options (F&O) contract expiry amid a mixed trend overseas.

Volumes were thin during the session as most foreign investors are away on a vacation in a yearend holiday season and other participants chose not to create more bets.

Covering-up of short positions added to the momentum at the outset, but selling to book yearend profits in the later part of the session ahead of the December derivatives expiry on Thursday — this year’s last — took away the day’s gains completely.

The 30-share Sensex opened higher at 26,243.19 and advanced to hit a high of 26,415.05. But emergence of selling in the last one hour of trading pushed the benchmark into the negative zone, which settled marginally lower by 2.76 points, or 0.01 per cent, at 26,210.68.

In contrast, the 50-share NSE Nifty managed to close in the positive zone with a rise of 2 points, or 0.02 per cent, at 8,034.85. Intra-day, it hovered between 8,100.55 and 8,028.40.

Oil major Reliance Industries emerged as the big loser by plunging 1.15 per cent, followed by Tata Steel falling 1.13 per cent.

OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ....................................................111,601 ............ 54,684........................9 ........... 0.490 ...........0.490 ...........0.490........... 0.490 .............0.490 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.490..............0.490...................0.500 ..................29,645,000.........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER............................................................. 50,000 .............11,490........................9 ........... 0.228 ...........0.230 ...........0.228........... 0.230 .............0.230 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.216...................0.230 ..................50,832,300.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 406,655 .........268,860..................... 33 ........... 0.660 ...........0.664 ...........0.660........... 0.660 .............0.660 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.660..............0.660...................0.664..................429,623,192........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER....................................................6,000 ...............1,080........................2 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180..............0.180...................0.184.................. 121,479,737 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................. 50,000 ............25,000........................3 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.500........... 0.500 .............0.500 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.500..............0.460...................0.500 ..................26,250,000.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 163,667............ 23,895......................12 ............0.146 ........... 0.146 ...........0.146 ........... 0.146 .............0.146............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.146 ..............0.146...................0.147..................213,539,813 ........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................25,838 .............14,756......................11 ............0.574 ........... 0.574 ...........0.570........... 0.572 .............0.574 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.348 ...............0.570..............0.568...................0.570...................31,460,000.........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 233,500 ........... 55,407..................... 10 ........... 0.239 ...........0.239 ...........0.237........... 0.237 .............0.238 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.420 ...............0.237..............0.236...................0.237..................349,523,162........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................. 80,531 .............13,624......................12 ............0.171 ........... 0.171............0.168 ............0.169 ............. 0.170............-0.001 ........... -0.588 ...............0.169 ..............0.168...................0.169................... 50,060,112 .........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 138,400 .........209,676..................... 27 ............1.515 ............1.515............ 1.515 ............1.515 ............. 1.525............-0.010 ........... -0.656 ............... 1.515 .............. 1.510................... 1.515 ................1,136,250,000 ......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ....................................................... 40,000 ............ 58,600........................1 ............1.465 ........... 1.465 ...........1.465 ............1.465 .............1.480............-0.015 ............-1.014................1.465 .............. 1.445...................1.470................. 293,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 110,670 .............21,581..................... 10 ............0.195 ........... 0.195 ...........0.195 ............0.195 ............. 0.197............-0.002 ............-1.015................0.195 .............. 0.195...................0.198................... 11,934,833 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 186,534 ............10,522..................... 10 ........... 0.056 ...........0.058 ...........0.056........... 0.056 .............0.057 ...........-0.001 ............-1.754................0.056..............0.056...................0.057................... 11,600,478 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,180,697 ...1,490,074...................306 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......25........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................10,000 ...............1,000........................3 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.098 ........... 0.002............. 2.041 ................0.100..............0.097...................0.098....................3,000,000..........0.100 OM0000001152 ............OMAN NATIONAL ENGINE. INVT. ..................... 48,000 ...............7,820........................5 ............0.160 ........... 0.165 ...........0.160............0.163 .............0.160 ........... 0.003............. 1.875 ................0.165 .............. 0.158...................0.170...................16,300,000.........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ...................................................83,000 .............10,126........................5 ............0.122 ........... 0.122 ...........0.122........... 0.122 .............0.120 ........... 0.002............. 1.667 ................0.122..............0.122...................0.123...................30,937,980 .........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 186,918 .............13,460......................12 ........... 0.072 ........... 0.073 ...........0.072........... 0.072 ............. 0.071.............0.001 ............. 1.408 ................0.072.............. 0.071...................0.072...................72,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 4,943,426 .....410,306..................... 68 ........... 0.083 ...........0.084 ...........0.083........... 0.083 .............0.082 ............0.001 ............. 1.220 ................0.083..............0.083...................0.084 ................ 124,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ..... 150,410 .......... 223,071......................18 ............1.485 ........... 1.520 ...........1.470 ............1.485 ............. 1.470.............0.015 ............. 1.020 ................1.520 .............. 1.470...................1.545 ..................102,465,000 .......0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ...................................35,000 ............ 69,700........................5 ............1.980 ...........2.000 ...........1.980........... 1.990 ............. 1.975.............0.015 ............. 0.759 ................2.000 .............1.960...................2.000 .................189,050,000........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............53,000 .............15,366........................4 ........... 0.290...........0.290 ...........0.288........... 0.290 .............0.289 ............0.001 .............0.346 ................0.288..............0.288...................0.289 ...................6,090,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 3,156,092 ......378,505.....................40 ............0.120 ........... 0.120 ...........0.119 ........... 0.120 .............0.120 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.120..............0.120...................0.122..................240,037,535........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................59,700 ...............3,642..................... 10 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 ............. 0.061............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.061 ..............0.060...................0.061.................... 7,625,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE........................................................5,000 ..................620........................1 ............0.124 ........... 0.124 ...........0.124........... 0.124 .............0.124 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.124..............0.124...................0.129...................33,072,732 .........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 145,800 ............19,441........................7 ............0.134 ........... 0.135 ...........0.132 ............0.133 ............. 0.133............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.132 ...............0.131...................0.134...................16,209,375 .........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 110,000............ 25,300........................4 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.230 .............0.230 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.225...................0.230 .................436,816,322........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 326,613.............31,038......................21 ........... 0.096 ...........0.096 ...........0.094........... 0.095 .............0.095 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.094..............0.094...................0.095................... 27,548,161 .........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ................................5,000 ..................880........................1 ............0.176 ........... 0.176 ...........0.176 ............0.176 ............. 0.176............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.176 ...............0.171...................0.176 ...................17,600,000 .........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ......................................................5,000 ..................900........................2 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180..............0.180...................0.184.................. 128,593,141 ........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............90,022 .............12,398........................4 ............0.138 ........... 0.138 ...........0.137 ............0.138 ............. 0.139............-0.001 ............-0.719................0.137 .............. 0.138................... 0.141 ...................12,420,000.........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................10,000 .............. 2,300........................3 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.230 .............0.232 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.862 ...............0.230..............0.226...................0.230 .................219,551,549 ........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 515,109 .............97,538.....................24 ............0.189 ........... 0.190 ...........0.188 ........... 0.189 ............. 0.191 ............-0.002 ........... -1.047 ...............0.189 ..............0.186...................0.189..................269,331,831 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 9,938,090...1,323,410...................237 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......19........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

— United Securities/PTI

P O R T S U LTA N Q A B O O S

INDIAN CURRENCY MARKET

Rupee ends at four-week low MUMBAI: Extending losses against the American currency, the Indian rupee dropped by another 18 pasie to close at 4-week low at 68.24 per dollar on monthend dollar demand from importers coupled with firm dollar in the overseas market.

Sustained foreign capital outflows also affected the market sentiment, a forex dealer said.

The Indian rupee opened lower

at 68.10 as against the last closing level of 68.06 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) Market and dropped further to 68.25 per dollar before ending at 4-week low of 68.24 per dollar, showing a loss of 18 paise or 0.26 per cent.

The rupee had last ended at 68.34 per dollar on December 1, 2016. The rupee has lost 50 paise or 0.74 per cent against the dollar in two days.

The domestic unit hovered between 68.09 per dollar and 68.25 per dollar during the day.

“Rupee continued to trade negative with low volatility due to higher dollar overseas amid sustained capital outflows,” a forex trader said.

Meanwhile, the dollar index was trading higher by 0.32 per cent against a basket of six currencies in the late afternoon trade. — PTI

Ministry clears plan to extend port concession for another year tion in January 2017 to defer the liquidation of the corporation.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s Ministry of Transport and Communications has approved a proposal to extend the concession agreement of Port Services Corporation (PSC) to manage and operate Port Sultan Qaboos with the same terms and conditions for one more year, until December 31, 2017.

This follows PSC writing a letter to the Minister of Transport and Communications, after a request from the ministry for continuing operation for one more year.

Continue operation The latest decision to continue operation of the port by the majority state-owned PSC was taken at a meeting of ministry representatives (headed by the undersecretary of ports and maritime affairs), representatives from Oman Tourism Development, Waterfront and Marina Services and from PSC (headed by the

– Times file picture

chairman). The corporation will continue to operate and manage Port Sultan Qaboos and will initiate all the necessary steps to obtain approval from the Capital Market Authority to convene an extra ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the corpora-

PSC shares Meanwhile, the Muscat Securities Market has placed the PSC shares in under monitoring market, until the extra ordinary meeting scheduled for January.

The company’s extraordinary general meeting earlier decided to liquidate the firm, with effect from January 1, 2017, which is going to be changed now.

In September, the company had said that renewal of the concession agreement to operate and manage Port Sultan Qaboos for another year would not be economically viable and would not generate adequate returns for shareholders.

PSC’s revenue began declining substantially after the government shifted commercial activities of Muscat port to Sohar port in August 2014, in a move to convert the former into a full-fledged tourism port.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

B3

MARKET Airbus jet woes deepen

C O M M E N TA RY

Exemptions from tax for business reorganisations – Need of the hour? restructuring. The current tax laws in Oman do not contain any specific rules governing the taxability of business reorganisation.

Therefore, we have to rely on the general principles of taxation elucidated under the Tax Law and look into the practices of the Oman Tax Authority.

Handovers of six A380s, which were originally planned for 2017 and 2018, will be shifted to a year later following a subsequent agreement with Emirates.

MEENAKSHI SUNDARAM*

FRANKFURT: Airbus Group’s struggles with its A380 superjumbo jet are deepening as the planemaker delays deliveries of a dozen aircraft over the next two years to Emirates, the doubledecker’s biggest customer.

To make up for the financial drag from the tardier handovers, Airbus will accelerate cost cuts, according to an e-mailed company statement on Tuesday. The delay stems from an agreement between Emirates and engine supplier Rolls-Royce Group Holdings, the release said.

Handovers of six A380s apiece that were originally planned for 2017 and 2018 will be shifted to a year later following a subsequent agreement with Emirates and Airbus, the plane-maker said, adding it still plans to deliver BRIEFS

about 12 A380s per year as of 2018. Emirates and Rolls-Royce reached a settlement earlier in December over the airline’s A380 engine performance and maintenance concerns, after the carrier had revealed technical shortcomings a few weeks earlier.

The announcement caps a year of negative news for Airbus’s flagship model. An order for A380s from Iran never materialised when that country announced purchases from Airbus earlier in December, meaning the company hasn’t received any advance contracts on the model this year. As a consequence of slack demand, Airbus cut its delivery target for the A380 in July. US competitor Boeing is also having trouble selling its competing 747-8.

— Bloomberg News

G

lobally, downward cycles in economies like the current one in the region caused by low oil prices, have led to an increase in merger and acquisition activity. Given the fact that there will be fixed operating costs that cannot be reduced or controlled beyond certain level, loss in revenue would lead to net operating losses for many businesses. This forces consolidation and influences business groups to restructure or reorganise the way they operate.

Business reorganisation Business reorganisation takes various forms such as merger, acquisition, demerger or spinoff, joint venture, buy back of securities, etc. Further, they could be external involving third parties or just internal group

PAC K AG E O F S E RV I C E S

Galfar awarded OMR13m contract MUSCAT: Galfar has been awarded a contract to upgrade Raysut WRP Phase one and two for Salalah Sanitary Drainage Services Co for a cost of OMR13.10 million.

The duration of the contract is 24 months, in addition to 2 months for mobilisation, according to a disclosure statement from the company.

Gulf International Chemicals’ chief executive resigns MUSCAT: Gulf International Chemicals said that its chief executive officer and board member, Mohammed A Al Fadhil, has resigned for personal reasons. The board has accepted the resignation with an agreement to continue working until the appointment of a suitable replacement by the board of directors, within a period not exceeding six months.

National Detergent plans to sell land MUSCAT: National Detergent Company said that its board has decided to proceed with the sale of a plot of land located at Al Ghubra, where the company’s detergent manufacturing plant is located. The sale is subject to approval of the shareholders of the company at an extraordinary general meeting.

Markaz closes bonds issue MUSCAT: Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) and Gulf Bank announced, in a joint statement, the successful completion of the Markaz 5 year bond issue, with a nominal value of 25 million Kuwaiti Dinar, which was oversubscribed. The extensive demand reflects the investors’ trust in Markaz, the quality of the issue, and the high creditworthiness of Markaz, in addition to the effectiveness of the joint distribution efforts with Gulf Bank.

— Times News Service

Al Musandah seeks to support business units Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Musandah for Professional Projects, an incubated company at the National Business Centre (NBC), has made great strides since its establishment in 2012 by offering a package of services that support business climate, and local and foreign investors in the Sultanate.

Saeed Al Naimi, chief executive officer of Al Musandah for Professional Projects, noted that after nearly four years since the establishment of the firm, its work system has developed and more activities have been incorporated in line with the advancement witnessed by the business sector.

On the major challenges facing entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Sultanate, Al Naimi said that these challenges include government legislation and laws, and lack of society’s confidence in entrepreneurs.

“That is why we, the entrepreneurs, need a range of services and incentives that lack in the SMEs sector in Oman. There is a need to strengthen the community’s trust in local SMEs,” he emphasised.

Role of NBC “The NBC offers a variety of services of benefit to entrepreneurs,” Al Naimi pointed out.

“As an incubated company at NBC, we have benefited from the offered guidance and counseling, training, administrative support, and reputation.

Such incubation centres and programmes play a major role in developing the capacities of startups and block challenges on the way,” he said.

He added, the firm is constantly working on developing its efforts and gain extensive management expertise. “By being incubated at the NBC, we are gaining experience from entrepreneurs in addition to the

events that are being organised

by NBC and Riyada in various fields,” he stated.

When asked on the advantages of having at least 10 per cent of the value of purchases and government tenders allocated for the SMEs, Al Naimi said there is no advantage as yet despite trying for several times.

He stressed that Saih Al Shamikhat Symposium’s recommendations were achieved by 40 per cent only.

However, he says, ambitious Omani youth need to establish their own businesses and should not rely on a particular job whether in the public or private sector.

It should be noted that Al Musandah for Professional Projects aims at providing clients with the best possible services.

As a professional firm, it combines seasoned technical expertise with a unique welcoming personal touch, by providing knowledgeable assistance to the clients to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by business adventures and transitions in the Sultanate.

Al Musandah offers world class professional business management consultancy to investors in the private and government sectors.

The services of the firm include formation of companies (documentation, permissions and fulfilling basic business criteria as required by the government); consultancy in establishment of companies and acquiring industrial certification; support not just in setting up a business but also assistance in managing a business in Oman; one-stop solutions for client requirements; identifying reliable local partners; obtaining trade licenses for setting up businesses in Oman; PRO services for work with Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other government entities.

Current tax laws Under the current tax laws, merger between two companies even if it is only a group restructuring involving no third parties is considered as a taxable event wherein the merging entity is required to pay taxes on the gains, if any, arising on transfer of its business/assets to the acquiring entity. Gains are calculated as a difference between the sale price (fair value on the date of transfer would be taken if sales price is under-declared because of related party transactions), and the tax base of the asset transferred.

Consider a scenario where a holding company holds two wholly-owned subsidiaries operating in Oman.

The holding company decides to merge these two entities into one single company with a view to consolidate its business and in order to reduce operational costs. Although there is no change in shareholding or ownership of these entities, still the merger transaction will give rise to a taxable event in Oman

in the absence of exemptions to group re-structuring. This is notwithstanding that the accounting for internal reorganisations would mostly be carried out at book value.

At the time of finalising the assessment, which may happen after few years from the date of filing the tax return, the tax authority would deem a gain in the tax assessments of the merging entity.

Further, since the acquiring entity would have accounted for the transfer of the net assets only at book value,it would not get any deduction for goodwill.

The situation is aggravated where the merging entity holds land that it acquired several years ago.

The tax authority would deem a gain on such transfer by applying the fair value on the date of transfer even though the land continues to be held by the same group and the gain is not realised by the group.

Business reorganisations have become a very important aspect with the increasing level of competition and reduction in profit margins.The prospect of facing significant tax liabilities will often be a deterrent to a reorganisation, particularly for smaller businesses. Even government companies face these tax issues when they attempt to restructure their operations.

The commercial justification to reorganise the business assets, activities or shareholders’ interests within a company should not be dampened by potential tax liabilities.

Specific rules Many countries globally have specific rules for tax-free reorganisations. Time has come for Oman to consider incorporating specific tax rules for business reorganisations providing for a tax neutral position where there is no change in economic ownership of the restructured entities.

Similar rules could be extended to even external reorganisations meeting specific criteria. This will go a long way in encouraging consolidation, efficiencies being achieved and shareholder value being increased. The tax authority will also benefit as business reorganisations invariably lead to more profits and therefore more taxes. *The writer, who has over 15 years of corporate tax advisory experience, is a Tax Director with KPMG in Oman.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

FEATURE

H C T T HEM A C ’T

A LL

CAN

B4

Early December was rough for Pokemon Go, the smartphone game Niantic released to great enthusiasm in July.

Recently, the company announced a much-anticipated update. Players were looking forward to a bevy of new creatures to catch and may be a chance to earn double points as they had during Halloween and Thanks Giving promotions. Instead all they got were a handful of new baby monsters and Pikachu in a Santa hat. To make matters worse, the babies can only be hatched from eggs, which means walking many kilometers, preferably with a bunch of incubators you have bought from the Pokemon store.

It was like expecting Santa to bring you a bicycle and getting socks instead. Hard-core players were bummed, and the millions who have quit the game had little reason to return.

Then the medical journal BMJ published a study finding that players only moderately increase the number of steps per day they take, and then only temporarily. “The change in number of steps in the first week would translate into 11 minutes of additional walking daily,” the authors wrote, “which is around half of the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of 150 or more minutes weekly.” Within six weeks of installing the app, even that modest increase dwindled to nothing, possibly because people stop playing.

Even with declining downloads and active users, Pokemon Go is still by far the most popular mobile game in the US, and its worldwide rollout continues, with South Asian countries including India and Pakistan added this week. But it definitely faces challenges. After trying out the game for a column in July, I fully expected to stop playing. But five months later, I am at level 32.

The only time I have not played daily was a week I spent in China, where the game is not available. Contrary to my predictions and the BMJ study, I do walk more: about 12,000 steps a day compared to around 8,000 before I started playing.

It turns out that if

STOR

you live in a mild climate and already walk a lot on city streets, it’s easy to get hooked.

Traveling also makes the game more interesting, because Niantic varies the fauna with locale: Magnemites on Coronado Island, Drowzees in Berlin, Ponytas in Salt Lake City.

Although I have not taken to haunting Reddit boards and have only made one trip to the legendary hunting grounds of the Santa Monica pier, I have to admit that I am a hardcore player. But even I am getting a little bored.

Novelty and a sense of accomplishment are what make Pokemon Go, or any other game, interesting. You don’t just want to do the same thing over and over again as you get more experienced. Pokemon Go tries to address this problem by making its monsters harder to catch and hold as you advance. But what starts as adding challenge to the game, eventually gets tiresome. Some unknown algorithm is making you waste all your ammo trapping monsters that keep breaking lose, even though you’re taking perfectly fine shots. Making a game too hard, especially for reasons that have nothing to do with skill, is as bad as making it too easy.

The desire for new challenges is why fans were so excited by the prospects of a hundred new monsters to catch — and why they were so disappointed by the news that nothing new would be appearing in the wild. It is also why players keep clamoring for ways to compete with one other, rather than the computer, in Pokemon gym fights. (the latency problems even with the existing setup, I don’t see this happening anytime soon.)

Niantic knows how to get players back on the streets. It did it at Halloween, by making its spooky monsters show up more frequently and doubling the rewards for each captured critter.

That boosted both play and revenue significantly. It gave players new thrills and a greater sense of accomplishment. A Thanksgiving promotion, while not quite as lucrative, did the same.

The latest update offers little of either.

Pokemon fans can only hope Niantic has a New Year’s surprise in store.

Y BY : VIRGINIA POSTREL

— Bloomberg News

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WORLD ISLAMIC BANKING CONFERENCE

B5

ROUND-UP

Ministry of Civil Service honours Oman Arab Bank OAB was particularly honoured during the official opening ceremony of the 'Project',

Bank Nizwa named ‘Best Performing Islamic Bank in Oman’ MUSCAT: Reflecting its position as the Sultanate’s leading Islamic financial institution, Bank Nizwa was named the ‘Best Performing Islamic Bank in Oman’ for the second year in a row during the 23rd Annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC).

The bank was awarded the prestigious accolade after receiving top aggregate scores on the innovative WIBC Leaderboard, which ranks Islamic banks according to their financial stability, financial performance, gov-

ernance and social responsibility, says a press release.

Khalid Al Kayed, acting CEO of Bank Nizwa, said, “This is yet another milestone that demonstrates our commitment to lead by example and spearhead the development of tailored Shariacompliant instruments that meet the needs of our customers.

It is truly an honor to be awarded by the WIBC for two years running and we look forward to continue exceeding expectations by elevating our portfolio of products and services.”

which was held by the Ministry of Civil Service recently under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service

MUSCAT: Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has been recently honoured for having contributed to the success of the project of hands-on training provided to civil servants from various units of the state's administrative apparatus at private sector organisations (the 'Project'), which is implemented by the Ministry of Civil Service.

OAB was particularly honoured during the official opening ceremony of the Project, which was held by the Ministry of Civil Service recently under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Mar-

FOOD FOR ALL EVENT

hoon, Minister of Civil Service at Grand Hyatt Muscat Hotel.

Commenting on this occasion, Adil bin Ali Al Rahbi, head of Employee & Organisational Development at OAB said, “We at the bank commend the Ministry of Civil Service's efforts to reinforce cooperation between both public and private sectors in the area of human resources training and development. Such initiatives directly contribute to an exchange and transfer of knowledge and expertise between the employees of both sectors, help in identifying the best

administrative practices and assist in learning about the state-ofthe-art systems implemented at various organisations.”

He said that OAB had hosted in 2016 a group of civil servants from various units of the state's administrative apparatus to join on-the-job training in different disciplines that serve the nature of their job, each within the scope of his/her competence.

It is noteworthy that OAB signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of

Civil Service in June 2015, which aims at reinforcing exchange of expertise and good administrative practices so as to improve the performance of human resources; consulting to develop common programs and action plans relating to administrative development, laying down such principles and standards as may be necessary for boosting the performance quality at the level of administrative units and institutions; and co-operating in implementing the on-the-job training project.

PROMOTION

SPAR’s food drive a success MUSCAT: 'Food For All' event initiated by SPAR Oman, and organised collaboratively with Dar Al Atta'a, concluded its monthlong drive on December 25.

The event elicited substantial response from SPAR patrons and shoppers who made generous contributions of long-life food items which will now go to help needy families, says a press release.

Commenting on the initiative, Sridhar, SPAR Oman CEO said, “I would like to thank Dar Al Atta'a for making SPAR Oman an integral part of the Food For All event. The event forms an important component of our core principle as a brand that seeks to fulfil every individual’s retail needs beyond business.”

Devendra Kumar, head of Retail SPAR Oman added, “SPAR Oman will continue the charity drive twice every year - during the holy month of Ramadan and Oman’s National Day. With this event, we

Tempting offer on Toyota Fortuner are also emphasising the brand’s role in serving communities and families in need.”

During the month-long event which began in November SPAR had set up collection boxes at its outlets in Bausher, Al Khuwair,

MSQ, MBD, Mumtaz, ISD-Darsait, CBD, Mutrah, Darsait, Al Hail, Mawalleh North, Al Khoud.

Additionally, it also made ready bags consisting of basic food items, for customers who wished to make a contribution.

MALABAR GOLD & DIAMONDS FESTIVAL WINNER RECEIVES ‘100% CASH BACK’ Sajith, one of the lucky winners of ‘Malabar Gold & Diamonds Festival’, received ‘100% Cash Back’ from Najeeb K., Regional head – Malabar Gold & Diamonds in the presence of other officials of at its Darsait branch. — Supplied image

MUSCAT: An ‘Urban Adventure’ comes to life with a mere press of the pedal inside the Toyota Fortuner. Stylish, spacious and packed with Toyota’s legendary QDR (quality, dependability, reliability) – the Fortuner’s global popularity is not a surprise.

The reviewers continue to highlight its strength, while complimenting its upmarket qualities, “Fortuner is a toughie, but it also has a sophisticated & refined side to it. Look at the slender headlight clusters that are fused with the front fenders, the three lines that score the sculpted roofline and flanks, as well as the sleek rear combination lamps that blend beautifully to its rear. A large, slanted upper grille, set off by thick chrome plating, extends around the prominent trapezoidal front bumper, adding to its appeal..!”

Those who have set their hearts on becoming proud owners of a new Fortuner are in luck. It is currently available with 1-year Insurance (on the 2017YM) and an attractive cash gift. Customers may opt to receive additional cash gift in lieu of the insurance. These benefits are grade and model specific.

Other conditions may apply, says a press release.

Echoing the words of its reviewers, a proud Fortuner owner remarked, “I drive a Fortuner since I find it unique… its unique in that it has a tough yet smart design. This reflects in its interior that exhibits the generous ambience an SUV, tempered with the elegance of a premium sedan. A focal point of the dashboard architecture is the

vertical centre cluster flanked by columns of soft simulated leather upholstery that offer leg support from both sides.”

In a local site, high praise is showered on the Fortuner, with inspiring lines, “There are some who scale the peak of mountains; some who run a marathon. There are some who go across a desert; some who jump from a plane.

There is an adventure in each one of us and we live our own adventure. For all your adventures that are urban and off road... Here's a partner that is as classy as it is capable – the Fortuner!’

The Fortuner is available with petrol engines, which include a 2.7-litre four-cylinder producing 164hp & 25.0 kg.m of Torque.

The 4.0-litre V6 engine churnsout 235hp along with 38.3 Kg.m of Torque. The 6-speed automatic transmission provides a thrilling acceleration.

Toyota Fortuner has a powerful Air Conditioner with a High-Efficiency Compressor that decreases engine load and enhances cooling performance, contributing to excellent fuel economy.

Other innovative touches include a 7-inch Tablet-inspired multimedia touchscreen display with a full-colour display, the rear view monitor system ensures peace of mind when reverse parking. The Fortuner also has a 6-speaker audio system. Its power back door system can be operated electronically.

The Fortuner’s frame structure enhances the feeling of steering input and rear end grip. Its suspen-

sion comfortably absorbs the vibration to provide a ride that is the envy of a luxury SUV. A Drive Mode Switch offers a choice of ECO or POWER driving, while an easy-touse 4WD Switch is also available.

The Fortuner is equipped with comprehensive safety systems to protect its occupants. These include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that prevents the tyres from locking during braking.

The Fortuner comes with the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) for the driver and passenger front seats along with Airbags for passenger and driver plus a Knee Airbag for the driver.

In terms of seatbelts, a threepoint Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelt is equipped on all seats. When impact is experienced during a collision, the Seatbelt locks to restrain the passenger. Other high-end safety features include the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) System and the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The Fortuner’s special features include either 17” All-terrain tyres or the 18” Alloy Wheels with Highway Terrain tyres- depending on the grade selected. It has a 7” navigation display with audio system, power back door & follow me home light apart from rearparking sensors.

Toyota Fortuner has been equipped with some dealer-installed accessories to enhance its look, feel and functionality. Customers are welcome to get the full details of these local fitments, by visiting a Toyota showroom.

B6

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

ROUND-UP SA unveils Aluminium Handicrafts Centre

HIGH END TECHNOLOGY

Virtual Tours Oman offers digital marketing solutions to customers

Situated at Sohar Aluminium, the centre will facilitate training programmes designed to empower traditional artisans with the skills required to create authentic Omani handicrafts out of aluminium and establish their own business enterprises

SOHAR: Under the auspices of Sheikh Muhanna bin Saif Al Lamki, Governor of North Al Batinah, Sohar Aluminium opened the doors to the Sultanate’s first Aluminium Handicrafts Centre.

Situated at Sohar Aluminium, the centre was launched in collaboration with the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI), and will facilitate training programmes designed to empower traditional artisans with the skills required to create authentic Omani handicrafts out of aluminium and establish their own business enterprises, says a press release.

The event also celebrated the graduation of nine craftswomen from a three-year Aluminium Craft Industries Programme.

Launched in 2013 and funded

by Sohar Aluminium, the certified programme encompasses a number of capacity building and professional courses including English-language proficiency, business writing, product marketing, business and financial management, and quality control in addition to human resource development. Artisans are also empowered with knowledge of different materials and machines, design, safety regulations as well as training in aluminium manufacturing.

“The handicrafts industry plays an important role in not only helping preserve our cultural heritage but driving social as well as economic growth through the creation of small-medium enter-

prises,” said Said Al Masoudi, CEO of Sohar Aluminium. “We have always centred our efforts in investing and building human capacity for achieving developmental objectives and from this concept we decided to initiate this program and establish an SME, named ‘Siwar’ for aluminium craft industries and handicrafts.”

Hamood Al Qasmi, Crafts Industries Department manager in North Al Batinah Governorate delivered a speech during the event. Al Qasmi said, “We look forward to see ‘Siwar Company’ which was established as a result of this programme as a specialised aluminium craft industries company capable of continuing on the path of success, and to progress towards new horizons driven by development and innova-

tion, a company that is capable of meeting the requirements of local and international needs through this craft by integration, development and innovation.”

The launch of the Aluminium Handicraft Centre is part of Sohar Aluminium’s long-standing commitment to supporting the sustainable development of the local communities it serves. Other initiatives include an active volunteering programme, investment in social infrastructure, promoting entrepreneurship and small and medium businesses development. Beneficiaries not only include neighbouring communities, but also educational institutions, hospitals and polyclinics, nongovernment organisations, and non-profit bodies.

MUSCAT: Virtual tour is growing in popularity in Oman with major real estate and hotel groups such as the Al Mouj and the Sifaway Boutique posting virtual tours online of their luxurious accommodations and facilities. Even luxury restaurants like Al Angham, located in Royal Opera House Muscat also has virtual tour in its website to attract customers online.

Virtual Tours Oman, a digital media marketing company help clients with all types of digital marketing solutions. It is the Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality division of Center for Development Of Advanced Technology (C-DAT). As a member of the Google Street view partner programme it also offers business a high quality 360 degree virtual tour, and submit it to Google.

The idea is fairly simple – if a picture paints a thousand words then think of the benefits that a 360 degree virtual tour would of-

fer? 360 degree virtual tour gives customers an opportunity to see what you’re selling in a way that no ordinary two dimensional photography can do. Virtual tours provide viewers with a complete picture rather than just segments or angles that leave questions and uncertainties in their minds.

Like websites for any business, virtual tours will soon be a must have feature for any business such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, museums, real estate agents and others to attract online customers.

CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE

Muscat Finance introduces Online Payment Gateway MUSCAT: Muscat Finance has always been dedicated to providing new solutions for the ease of its customers. Keeping abreast with the international trends and standards, the company recently launched the innovative Online Payment Gateway on its website, a first for any finance company in Oman.

The launch of this new portal is aimed at increasing customer convenience and allowing customers to make payments of dues from the convenience of their homes or offices. Customers can access the Muscat Finance website from their smartphones or computers and easily access their last few

transactions and make payments through their debit or credit cards, says a press release.

To avail this new service, they simply need to register on the website and access the world of Muscat Finance.

Bikramjit Singh Rishi, CEO of Muscat Finance, said: “The com-

pany is constantly making efforts to live up to its reputation of being the most innovative finance company in Oman, that is always looking to launch products and services that add value to our customers and make life easier for them.”

He hopes that all customers of Muscat Finance will use the

payment gateway as a convenient method, and save their precious time and energy as they no longer have to visit the branches to make payments against their overdue instalments.

He thanked Bank Muscat, with whose partnership and active support, the payment gateway has be-

come a reality.

He also added that Muscat Finance had posted record profits for the third quarter ending September 30, 2016 and looked forward to introducing new products that would enable the dreams of its customers and empower them to achieve more.

ACCOLADE

Infiniti QX60 receives The Luxury 100 award MUSCAT: The Infiniti QX60 received the ‘Remarkable Crossover of the Year’ award from The Luxury 100, a unique initiative by Signature magazine, during a ceremony held at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton hotel, recently.

The Infiniti QX60 was selected for offering a combination of premium motoring experience and dynamic qualities that make for safe, enjoyable and competent driving, says a press release.

The Luxury 100 marks the country’s and the region’s only list of

iconic luxury products of the year.

It is a superlative compilation or a consolidated “List of Lists” that embodies the spirit of luxury.

A spokesperson for Infiniti Oman said, “We are extremely delighted to receive an award in this incredibly competitive class. The popular Infiniti QX60 continues to stand out in the premium crossover segment, excelling in the areas that luxury crossover buyers desire most – interior versatility, roominess, available safety, and optional advanced hospitality features.”

ATT R AC T I V E O F F E R

New Year’s Eve celebrations at Hormuz Grand MUSCAT: This New Year’s Eve the Hormuz Grand Hotel, Muscat has a truly unique deal to help you celebrate the last night of 2016 in style.

Its ‘Dinner Dine Around’ offer allows you access to all of its incredible restaurants with a spectacular and diverse buffet in each.

Free entry to the New Year’s Eve party is also available with unlimited beverages provided throughout the night – from dinner until dawn, says a press release.

The party will be held in the ‘Zaiba Ballroom’, which will provide unforgettable entertainment with an early evening waterside set by DJ Saeed Jo, plus Interna-

tional DJ and saxophonist Ola Raswill be blowing you away late into the night, with her unmissable set. All of this is on offer for an amazing, all-inclusive price of OMR65 per person.

If you prefer the idea of the after dinner celebrations then OMR39 will give you all-inclusive access to just the New Year’s Eve Party, starting at 10.30pm and closing at 3am.

Hormuz Grand has thought about the kids too. Let the little ones celebrate the New Year too with games, movies, arts and crafts, dinner and snacks. For just OMR20 per child you can be sure the last night of 2016 is fun for the whole family.

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ROUND-UP

Omantel voted ‘The Most Trusted Brand’

‘SHOP & WIN’

The survey recognised Omantel as the most trusted Omani brand in the telecom sector amongst top management polls as well executives

MUSCAT: Omantel, the Sultanate’s leading telecoms provider, has once again reinforced its position as the ‘Most Trusted Brand’ in the telecom sector in the Sultanate based on the survey carried out

by Oman Economic Review (OER), local English magazine.

The survey recognised Omantel as the most trusted Omani brand in the telecom sector amongst top management polls as well executives. This most recent recognition is the latest addition to Omantel’s growing collection of honours and accolades, says a press release.

The participants at the survey have been divided into two main groups (top management and executives) and six sub groups.

The senior management group included two categories namely the Omanis and expats. The executive group included four main categories namely Omanis, expats, males and females. When it comes to telecom services, there has been a consensus among all groups that Omantel is the most trusted brand in the Sultanate. The selection

reflects the confidence vested in Omantel’s products and services further proves that Omantel is the trusted brand in the Sultanate.

Commenting on the award, Hamdan Moosa Al Harassi, acting VP Corporate Strategy at Omantel said, “We are honoured to once again be selected as Oman’s most trusted telecoms brand. Such recognitions are a clear indication that we are on the right path with our transformational 3.0 strategy, and are well on our way towards becoming the nation’s digital partner of choice. Awards such as these also drive us to continually step up our efforts, to reach customers satisfaction and enhance their experience. It is this dedication towards customers, guided by our transformational strategy, which has ensured Omantel maintains a loyal subscriber base that continues to grow quarter after quarter on the back of our innovative value-driven services.

OER’s ‘Most Trusted Brands Oman 2016’ survey tracks the strength of various brands’ relationships with their customers and was carried out by the Arabian

Research Bureau (ARB) between September and October 2016 on behalf of OER. The survey was conducted across a random cross section of employees working in Oman totalling 750 respondents, 380 Omanis and 370 expatriates.

They were then classified into two categories, namely ‘Top Management’ (150 respondents) and ‘Executives’ (600 respondents). The survey was conducted with completely open-ended questions with no brand names mentioned in order to ensure no external triggers or pointers affected the results.

Over the last few years, Omantel brand received a number of regional and international awards.

Besides maintaining its position as the most valuable brand in Oman since 2010, the brand has been selected as the brand of the year by the World Branding Forum in London to recognise the achievements of the best brands in the world.

Omantel also received the ‘Quality Choice Prize 2016’ by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR) for its ethics and initiatives that demonstrate exceptional success in quality management.

We are honoured to once again be selected as Oman’s most trusted telecoms brand. Awards such as these also drive us to continually step up our efforts, to reach customers satisfaction and enhance their experience Hamdan Al Harassi Acting VP Corporate Strategy at Omante

As demand for mobile and fixed broadband services continues to rise across the Sultanate, Omantel is investing heavily in network expansion and modernisation.

Guided by the Omantel 3.0 transformation strategy, the company continues to innovate, streamline, and revolutionise its digital smart home and business services.

Positioned as the digital partner of choice, in the consumer arena as well as for public and private sector businesses, Omantel is enabling the digital society to flourish and grow across all sectors in the Sultanate.

E N T E R TA I N M E N T T I M E

Uttaranchal musical night concludes successfully MUSCAT: The Uttaranchal Wing of the Indian Social Club (ISC) Oman hosted a musical event featuring a renowned troupe of folk singers from Uttarakhand, India at Majan Continental Hotel Muscat recently.

Popular Uttarakhandi folk singers, Narendra Singh Negi, Kalpana Chouhan and Jitendra Tomkiyal, along with their exemplary team of musicians and orchestra regaled 300+ music lovers in Muscat. They made the audience sing and dance to their lively native tunes, says a press release.

The evening began with Narendra Singh Negi’s Jagar, a hymn usually sung in the evening and some times in the morning, and he later presented many of his hit songs like Thando Re Thando Mera, Ghar Bati Chitthi Egyee, etc. The audience was gripped by the melodious, soul touching renditions of these beautiful songs. This was soon followed by a series of popu-

lar folk songs, which were based on incidents of day-to-day life, nature, the seasons and harvest.

The peppy songs and romantic melodies were so infectious that even some of the conveners of other linguistic wings of ISC as well as many non-Uttaranchali members of the audience couldn’t resist joining in the rhythmic movements of the enthusiastic audience. The songs by Kalpana

Chouhan persuaded ladies to dance with her and she mesmerised the crowd with her unique grace. Jitendra Tomkiyal’s rendition of his songs, made many among the audience nostalgic for their homeland, as the folk songs had the charming effect of transporting them to the succour of the hills of Uttarakhand. Accompanying the singers were Subash Panday on percussion, Vinod Chou-

han on Keyboard and Vijay Bisht on octapad.

Dr Sathish Nambiar, chairman, ISC Oman who was the chief guest at the event seemed to be captivated by the soulful music, which held his rapt attention. In his address, he commended Govind Negi, the convener of the Uttaranchal Wing Oman, for having carried out various events of interest for the community over the past 11 years of their existence as a wing of ISC. Later, he felicitated the artistes as well as members of the management committee of ISC Uttaranchal Wing. The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Shiv Bahuguna, Coconvener of Uttaranchal Wing.

The event was sponsored by Lenovo, Khimji Ramdas, Al Turki Enterprises, Muscat National Livestock, Al Fahad Trading and many more. The excitement and enthusiasm among the artistes, audience and organisers was incredible.

MGM announces promotion winner MUSCAT: Coinciding with New Year’s celebrations, Muscat Grand Mall (MGM) has announced the grand prize winner of the ‘Shop & Win’ promotion.

The winner Hassan Al Humaidi, gets to start the new year driving his Lexus ES 250 in style, says a press release.

Commenting on the popularity of the ‘Shop & Win’ campaign, Hassan Jaboub, general manager of Muscat Grand Mall noted, “We’re really pleased with the response for our last ‘Shop & Win’ campaign in2016. We received fantastic feedback from mall customers via social media and in person, and I would like to thank everyone who participated in the competition as well as extend our congratulations to all the winners and especially to Hassan Al Humaidi who took away the grand prize of the new Lexus IS250. We wish everyone best wishes and happiness for 2017, and for those who weren’t lucky this time around, wait for our new promotions which will launch early in the year, we promise many exciting new surprises for visitors Muscat Grand Mall.”

The MGM “shop win” prize draw, which ran from October 25 until December 25, gave shoppers

two prize draw coupons for every OMR20 worth of purchases made at any store within Muscat Grand Mall between 8am and 4pm, while those who shopped between 4pm and midnight received four prize draw coupons for every OMR20 spent – further increasing their chances of winning. With every coupon, shoppers had the opportunity to win a grand prize of a Lexus IS250 as well as other valuable prizes.

“We are eagerly awaiting the final finishing touches for the phase three expansion, prior to the official opening which is expected by mid-2017. I’m pleased to say that more than 70% of the new retail space has been already secured with new retailers, and the fit-out phase for the interiors is already underway. When selecting the new retail outlets, we considered the brands uniqueness, quality and those that offered the best choice for our customers. I am confident that visitors to Muscat Grand Mall in 2017 will appreciate the efforts done over the past two years to introduce an architectural masterpiece for them, an enhanced destination that includes a luxurious collection of the most famous brands to be seen in Oman,” Jaboub concluded.

B8

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat al Jawhar receives Bespoke Banking Specialists award Taya Bait Sabeea, AGM – Capital Region Branches, received the award at The Luxury 100 attended by dignitaries and corporate leaders

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has won the Signature Luxury 100 award as the Bespoke Banking Specialists of

the Year for its al Jawhar Privilege Banking services.

Taya Bait Sabeea, AGM – Capital Region Branches, received the award at the ceremony attended by dignitaries and corporate leaders, says a press release.

The Luxury 100, a unique initiative that marks the country’s and the region’s only list of iconic luxury products and services of the year embodies the spirit of luxury.

The list was drawn from products and services that have impressed consumers, and vetted by experts, select readers, award jurists and editors of reputable magazines.

Abdulnasir Al Raisi, DGM – Premier Banking, said: “Bank Muscat al Jawhar Privilege Banking is proud to win the Bespoke Banking Specialists of the Year award.

We acknowledge and dedicate this unique achievement to al Jawhar

clients for their valuable patronage in helping win this honour in recognition of excellence in privilege banking service. Bank Muscat

TRADE PROMOTIONS

is proud to have taken privilege banking to new levels.” al Jawhar is the first-of-its-kind privilege banking service in Oman

with its value proposition based on three pillars of commitment to customers - Recognition, Convenience and Experience - that form the imprint of premium products and services. Customers with a monthly salary of OMR1,000 and above or savings deposit of OMR10,000 and above can avail al Jawhar services.

Designed to elevate privilege banking to unparalleled heights, al Jawhar opens a new world of opportunities as preferential treatment and fast track service in branches make the experience truly rewarding. al Jawhar benefits include Platinum debit card and credit card, and discounts at local and international select merchant outlets. al Jawhar Platinum debit card has an increased cash withdrawal limit of OMR800 in Oman and OMR250 for

foreign transactions outside GCC. al Jawhar Platinum credit card offers one per cent cash back on all transactions, free travel insurance and access to Entertainer App. al Jawhar Platinum credit cardholders can enjoy airport lounge access worldwide, including the GCC countries, Asia and Europe in addition to Oman’s Muscat and Salalah airports. The global travel convenience for al Jawhar customers is in step with strategies aimed at providing a distinct banking experience targeted at the bank’s core customer segment.

Salary transfer offers attractive cash prizes and exclusive benefits for al Jawhar Privilege Banking customers. In addition to exclusive al Mazyona cash prizes, the salary transfer entitles al Jawhar customers to a whole range of benefits to suit their busy lifestyle.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Omantel dealers awarded prizes MUSCAT: Omantel, the Sultanate’s leading telecom’s provider, in collaboration with SALE International, organised a number of trade promotions in the second half of 2016 aimed at rewarding the best performing dealers across the Sultanate.

These culminated in the largest promotion of them all in the month of November with 135 prizes handed over, including Apple MacBook Air laptops, Apple Air iPad Minis and more. The grand prize however was a Mitsubishi Lancer EX 2.0 GLX, which was won by Alnajoom Almoashriqah, which is located on Masirah Island, says a press release.

Commenting on the Omantel rewards programme for dealers, Iyad Al Lawati, senior manager of Indirect Channels said, “We work hard to maintain productive relationships across our entire dealer network. Their ongoing partnership with Omantel is very important in order for our products to be able reach every corner of Oman.

Our ongoing dealer relationship programme recognises their valuable contributions, and we’re very happy to be able to reward their loyalty and dedication with these great prizes.”

Highlighting the strategy behind the rewards programme, GM of sales in SALE International, Jesper Hansen noted, “Since our inception over five years ago, we have been directly engaged with merchants and dealers of Omantel products. An event like this is a great way of celebrating the relationships we have built with over 5,000 retail outlets

and merchants across the country. Through activities like this we hope to keep dealers engaged and rewarded. As we head into the New Year, we hope to continue hosting similar initiatives and promotions in order to further enhance our distribution network and make our partner products available to the consumers anytime and anywhere across the Sultanate.”

The ‘Trade Promotion November 2016’ saw the participation of over 4,500 Omantel dealers from across the Sultanate. At the end of the promotion period the top 800 dealers, based on SALE International’s consolidated ‘Hayyak’ sales report for the month ending November 30, were split into five tiers based on their performance.

Each tier was eligible for a specific set of prizes in the draw with the Mitsubishi Lancer EX 2.0 GLX exclusively for the top tier of dealers. The prize draws were conducted at the Omantel HQ on December 8; with prizes being handed over to the top winners on December 21. The winner of the

Mitsubishi Lancer EX, Alnajoom Almoashriqah (Retail outlet), represented by Abdul Gafoor Padinnharakath, travelled from Masirah Island to Muscat in order to receive his prize.

On winning the grand prize, Abdul said, “It was an amazing experience to win such a great prize. I would like to thank both Omantel and SALE International for providing us with such a great opportunity. It has been a pleasure to work with both of them over the years thanks to their amazing dealer support and promotions such as these. They are a great incentive for us to work even harder and promote the brand to the best of our ability.”

“On behalf of everyone at Omantel and SALE International, I would like to congratulate Abdul Padinnharakath on taking home the grand prize. I would also like to congratulate each of our 134 other winners and also thank each and every one of the over 4,500 dealers that took part in the promotion,” added Iyad Al Lawati.

Omani students graduate from NBO’s training programmes MUSCAT: National Bank of Oman (NBO) recently held a ceremony to celebrate the graduation of 12 students from its management trainee programme, Qadat Al Mustaqbal, and 16 students from its training programme for diploma holders.

The two groups of young Omani men and women completed the comprehensive training programmes, which facilitate a smooth take-off to a career in the banking industry. Through an intensive schedule comprising both theoretical and practical training, participants gained experience and expertise across the full spectrum of NBO’s operations, says a press release.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ahmed Al Musalmi, CEO of NBO, said: “I congratulate all participants and wish them every success as they embark on what will be a very rewarding career. By creating an enabling environment where young talent is encouraged to flourish, we will ensure that the vast talent and potential within Oman’s student population is harnessed, and that the wider community benefits from this, which is another important step on our transformational journey to be the ‘Bank of Choice’ for our customers, partners and employees.”

The two programmes are run through the bank’s Academy of

By creating an enabling environment where young talent is encouraged to flourish, we will ensure that the vast talent and potential within Oman’s student population is harnessed Ahmed Al Musalmi CEO of NBO

Excellence, which offers various training and development courses to help advance NBO’s strategic goals and create and sustain a strong performance-based culture.

Qadat Al Mustaqbal consists

of classroom courses, training days and a series of assignments and assessments. The training programme for diploma holders comprises five months of external training andone month ofinhouse training atthe Academy of Excellence, as well as a series of quantitative and qualitative tests.

Nasser Al Hajri, general manager - Chief Human Resources Officer and head of Corporate Affairs at NBO, added: “In line with our vision to be the bank of choice, building our employees’ capabilities is of paramount importance. The introduction of Qadat Al Mustaqbal and the training programme for diploma holders reiterates our commitment to attracting and developing local talent. The programme provides students with practical banking knowledge and enhances their skill-sets to jump start their careers with NBO. “We take pride in our proven ability to identify, develop and promote talented individuals from within the organisation through custommade programmes.”

The challenging nature of these programmes means that graduates are well placed to take on leadership roles within the bank.

In working with Oman’s talented students, NBO is also supporting the government’s Omanisation agenda, which will secure longterm prosperity for the Sultanate.

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‘FEDERATIONS SUPPORT RT UP’ EXPANDED WORLD CUP’ Football federations are “overwhelmingly in favour” of expanding the existing 32-nation World Cup, FIFA President Giannii 4 Infantino said on Wednesday. >C4

Warner leads Aussie charge after Azhar’s unbeaten double century SCOREBOARD

Warner’s exhilarating 144 anchored a 198run partnership with Khawaja, as Australia slashed the deficit to 165 runs after Pakistan’s first innings declaration of 443 for nine

MELBOURNE: A rampaging David Warner smashed a run-a-ball century to fire Australia to 278 for two and wrest back the momentum from Pakistan after Azhar Ali’s unbeaten double hundred buoyed the touring side on day three of the second Test on Wednesday.

Warner’s exhilarating 144 anchored a 198-run partnership with Usman Khawaja at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as Australia slashed the deficit to 165 runs after Pakistan’s first innings declaration of 443 for nine after lunch.

Khawaja was unbeaten on 95 at stumps, with captain Steve Smith on 10 not out and Australia holding genuine hope of forcing a result despite the rain interruptions that blighted the opening two days.

Warner’s furious counter-attack sapped the morale from the tourists, who had also glimpsed a chance of a series-levelling victory

DAVID WARNER

following gritty opener Azhar’s brilliant knock of 205.

More galling for Pakistan was that Warner was reprieved on 81 when he was bowled by a no ball from Wahab Riaz.

“We’re in a good position now, our aim was to take the scoreboard out of the equation and just bat,” said Warner after a hot and sunny afternoon of work. “We can’t control the weather but we just want to bat as big as we can.”

Paceman Wahab had a dreadfully wayward day, sending down 10 no-balls, including a hat-trick of overstepped marks in the over of Warner’s non-dismissal.

It was a golden day, however,

144

205

runs from 143 balls 17 fours, 1 six

runs from 364 balls 20 fours

for opposing openers Warner and Azhar and both raced by a number of milestones.

Azhar’s double hundred was the highest innings by a Pakistan player in Australia and only three runs shy of Viv Richards’ 1984 record for touring batsmen at the MCG. He also became his nation’s first to surpass 200 twice in a calendar year, having scored an unbeaten 302 against West Indies in Dubai in October.

Rare slump For Warner, his 17th century was his first at the MCG, completing a sweep of tons at Australia’s six state venues while ending a rare

FOOTBALL

OFA panel chalks out plans for development in Musandam

MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association’s Football Development Committee for Musandam held their first meeting of the present tenure under the chairmanship Mohammed Al Shahi here on Wednesday .

The meeting discussed a number of issues including the formation of the committees and chalking out an action plan of the committee for 2017.

The meeting also discussed the budget for executing the programme of the committee for the coming year, reformation of the age group teams.

It is worth mentioning that last year the committee organised a

festival for the age group football players, training courses for coaches and referees and a number of mini football matches in the Musandam region.

Five panels formed Meanwhile, the OFA has finalised the formation of five committees, including referees committee, appeals committee, discipline committee, disputes setttlement committee and legal committee.

Referees Committee: Ismail Ahmed Al Balushi (chairman), Hussein Al Ghafri (vice-chairman), Ahmed Al Farsi (member).

Appeals Committee: Talal Al Saadi (chairman), Salim Al

Sinani (vice-chairman), Hamad Al Kindi, Said Al Rashidi and Mahmoud Al Hadidi (members).

Discipline Committee: Hamad Al Hadhrami (chairman), Yousif Al Maskari (vice-chairman), Hamad Al Farsi, Said Al Salmani and Dawood Al Mahrazi (members).

Disputes Settlement Committee: Mohammed Saif Al Rashdi (chairman), Mohammed Al Dohani (vice-chairman), Hatem Al Yafiei, Luqman Al Harthi and Majid Al Salehi (members).

Legal Committee: Hamad Al Barashidi (chairman), Nasser Al Zaidi and Fahd Al Kindi (members).

TENNIS

Murray takes different approach to season-opening Australian Open ABU DHABI: After five runnerup finishes at the Australian Open, world No. 1 Andy Murray is taking a different approach to the season-opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park next month.

The Briton is preparing for the January 16-29 tournament by competing in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi rather than the mixed team round robin format of the Hop-

man Cup in Perth which he has favoured for the last two years.

Murray plays his first match on Friday and was his usual cautiously optimistic self when asked about finally ending his Melbourne drought.

“I’ve played really well there in the past and it hasn’t happened for me so I’ll need to do something a little bit different this year,” Murray told Reuters on Wednesday.

AZHAR ALI

“I love the conditions there and I enjoy the tournament a lot, and I’ll be going in hopefully playing well and with a lot of confidence because of the way I finished 2016, so I’ll give it a good go this year.”

The 29-year-old double Olympic champion will go to Melbourne with his confidence sky-high after knocking Novak Djokovic off the top of the world rankings. - Reuters

slump in form with the red ball.

The pugnacious left-hander also galloped past 5,000 Test runs, joining the likes of Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting and the Chappell brothers. He reached his hundred with a streaky inside edge that raced to the fine leg boundary and did his customary leap and fistpump in the air as the crowd of 25,393 roared.

After hammering another six fours, Warner feathered an edge off Wahab, confirmed as caught behind by the third umpire after captain Misbah-ul Haq asked for a review.

It was a far better review than the first demanded by Mohammed

Amir in the opening overs when Warner was on two.

Warner played and missed an Amir delivery but the paceman cajoled his captain into seeking a caught behind decision and the TV footage showed plenty of daylight between bat and ball.

Warner’s eventual dismissal did little to halt Australia’s charge, however, with Khawaja racing into the 90s and combining with captain Smith in an unbroken 34-run stand.

Warner and Khawaja’s assault threatened to overshadow Azhar’s epic 364-ball knock, a triumph of patience and determination in the face of a string of rain delays and a quality bowling attack.

Pakistan 1st innings S. Aslam c Smith b Lyon 9 A. Ali (not out) 205 B. Azam c Smith b Hazlewood 23 Younis Khan b Bird 21 Misbah-ul-Haq c Maddinson b Bird 11 A. Shafiq c Smith b Bird 50 S. Ahmed c Renshaw b Hazlewood 10 M. Amir c Wade b Starc 29 S. Khan run out 65 Wahab Riaz c&b Hazlewood 1 Extras (b-4, lb-9, w-5, nb-1) 19 Total (9 wkts decl, 126.3 overs) 443 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-60, 3-111, 4-125, 5-240, 6-268, 7-317, 8-435, 9-443.

Bowling: M. Starc 31-6-125-1, J. Hazlewood 32.3-11-50-3, J. Bird 34-5-113-3, N. Lyon 23-1-115-1, S. Smith 3-0-9-0, N. Maddinson 3-0-18-0.

Australia 1st innings M. Renshaw b Y. Shah 10 D. Warner c Sarfraz b Riaz 144 U. Khawaja (not out) 95 S. Smith (not out) 10 Extras (b-1, lb-8, nb-10) 19 Total (2 wkts, 58 overs) 278 Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-244.

Bowling: M. Amir 14-2-44-0, S. Khan 12-4-40-0, Y. Shah 16-0-97-1, W. Riaz 14-277-1, Azhar 2-0-11-0.

Having spent more than nineand-a-half hours at the crease, clattering 20 boundaries, Azhar tucked away two runs off paceman Mitchell Starc to bring up the 200 and gave a running jump for joy before ripping off his helmet.

“It certainly is a big achievement,” 31-year-old Azhar, who was given a standing ovation by the crowd, told reporters.

“It’s a big, big tour for our team.

So I was very focused and really wanted to get there.” - Reuters

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

SPORTS

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South Africa build huge lead after Cook’s century

CYCLING

Briton Wiggins calls time on glittering career

South Africa, who have build a massive 432-run lead, are likely to put Sri Lanka back into bat early on Thursday, leaving plenty of time to claim the 10 wickets they need for the victory

PORT ELIZABETH: Opener Stephen Cook scored a careerhigh century to help South Africa build a massive 432-run lead over Sri Lanka despite rain delays on the third day of the first Test at St George’s Park on Wednesday.

South Africa were 351 for five at the close and in a commanding position to seal victory.

The hosts, with two days left, are likely to put the touring side back into bat early on Thursday, leaving plenty of time to claim the 10 wickets they need to go ahead in the three-match series.

Cook reached his century off 152 balls and went on to score 117 before being caught behind, trying to tickle a ball down to third man but only getting a faint edge to Dushmantha Chameera’s delivery.

Cook shared a 116-run opening partnership with Dean Elgar, who scored 52, and another 105-run stand with Hashim Amla, who was out for 48 off 53 balls.

Elgar top-edged an attempted pull shot and was caught at mid-on off Suranga Lakmal in the first success

CAREER-HIGH TON: South Africa’s opening batsman Stephen Cook celebrates after completing his century on the second day of their first Test match against Sri Lanka in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday. – AFP

for the visitors on a track that was supposed to favour the seamers.

Aggressive intent Amla, who has struggled with form in recent months, showed aggressive intent when he came to the crease but was trapped lbw by Nuwan Pradeep with the last ball before tea, the 10,000th leg before decision in Test history.

JP Duminy and Temba Bavuma were the other batsmen out with captain Faf du Plessis (41) and Quinton de Kock (42) unbeaten at the end of the day’s play.

It was not a day to remember for Sri Lanka as earlier Vernon Philander completed a five-wicket haul, taking two wickets in the opening over of the day to help dismiss the touring side for 205, leaving them 81 runs adrift of South Africa’s first innings score. - Reuters

SCOREBOARD

South Africa 1st innings: 286 Sri Lanka 1st innings D. Karunaratne b Abbott K. Silva lbw Philander K. Perera c de Kock b Philander K. Mendis c de Kock b Abbott A. Mathews c Elgar b Rabada D. Chandimal lbw Philander D. de Silva c de Kock b Philander R. Herath lbw Maharaj D. Chameera c Amla b Abbott S. Lakmal c Abbott b Philander N. Pradeep (not out) Extras (lb-4 nb-3 w-5) Total (all out, 64.5 overs)

5 16 7 0 39 28 43 24 19 4 8 12 205

Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-19, 3-22, 4-61, 5-94, 6-121, 7-157, 8-181, 9-185.

Bowling: V. Philander 20-7-45-5 (nb-2); K. Abbott 21.5-4-63-3; K. Rabada 13-3-63-1 (nb1, w-5); K. Maharaj 10-3-30-1.

South Africa 2nd innings S. Cook c Chandimal b Chameera 117 D. Elgar c Mathews b Lakmal 52 H. Amla lbw Pradeep 48 J.P. Duminy c Mathews b D. de Silva 25 F. du Plessis (not out) 41 T. Bavuma c K. Mendis b D. de Silva 8 Q. de Kock (not out) 42 Extras (b-5, lb-1, nb-9, w-3) 18 Total (5 wkts, 80 overs) 351 Fall of wickets: 1-116, 2-221, 3-245, 4-267, 5-277.

To bat: V. Philander, K. Abbott, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada Bowling: S. Lakmal 15-2-57-1; N. Pradeep 14-0-65-1 (nb-4, w-1); A. Mathews 4-0-10-0; D. Chameera 11-0-63-1 (nb-1, w-2); R. Herath 23-1-76-0; D. de Silva 13-0-74-2.

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Bruce Oxenford TV umpire: Rod Tucker Match referee: David Boon

CRICKET

Bangladesh’s Rahim to miss rest of New Zealand ODIs CHRISTCHURCH: Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim will miss the remaining two Oneday Internationals (ODIs) against New Zealand with a hamstring in-

jury. The first-choice stumper, also a key middle order batsman, suffered the injury during his team’s defeat by 77 runs in the Boxing Day match at Christchurch.

“We are looking at two weeks, anything before is a bonus,” Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha said. “He’s been one of the form batters as well as wicket-

keeper in all formats, but injuries are part and parcel of the game.”

Rahim’s injury cleared the decks for Nurul Hasan’s debut in the second match on Thursday. - Reuters

LONDON: Britain’s most decorated cyclist Bradley Wiggins announced his retirement on Wednesday after a stellar career during which he won most of the sport’s biggest prizes.

The wise-cracking Londoner with a Mod haircut played a major part in growing cycling’s popularity in his homeland, becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012 and collecting a British record eight Olympic medals, including gold in the time trial at the 2012 London Games.

“2016 is the end of the road for this chapter, onwards and upwards, ‘feet on the ground, head in the clouds’ kids from Kilburn don’t win Olympic Golds and Tour de Frances’! They do now,” the 36-year-old Wiggins tweeted.

The final months of his career have been dogged by a row over therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) and a medical package delivered to Team Sky officials ahead of the 2011 Tour de France, but Wiggins did not mention those issues.

“I’ve met my idols and ridden with and alongside the best for 20 years,” he said. “I have worked with the world’s best coaches and managers who I will always be grateful to for their support.

“What will stick with me forever is the support and love from the public though thick and thin, all as a result of riding a pushbike for a living,” added Wiggins who won five Olympic gold medals. “2012 blew my mind and was a gas. Cycling has given me everything and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wonderful wife Cath and our amazing kids.”

The son of an Australian cyclist, Wiggins was born in the Belgian city of Ghent but raised in London from the age of two. His great strength was to prove equally adept at road and track cycling, switching between the disciplines in pursuit of ever more glory.

In all he won 10 medals at track world championships and enjoyed sustained Olympic success over 16 years. In Sydney 2000 he won silver in the team pursuit and he collected more medals in each Games before claiming his fifth and final gold at Rio in 2016.

Bradley Wiggins, a wise-cracking Londoner with a Mod haircut, played a major part in growing cycling’s popularity

It will be for winning the Tour de France, however, that Wiggins will be especially remembered in more ways than one. His triumph in cycling’s most prestigious race moved the sport from the back pages of British newspapers to the front, where Wiggins often stayed for the remainder of his career.

Earlier this year his medical records were made public after a cyber attack. These showed that he had been granted multiple TUEs exemptions as an asthma sufferer, prompting questions about Wiggins’s openness on the subject.

British media reported that a mystery package had been delivered to Wiggins, which his boss at Sky Dave Brailsford later told Parliament had contained a decongestant.

Wiggins consistently denied any wrongdoing but the episode provided a sour postscript to an astonishing career in which the boy from Kilburn took the high road and never looked back. - Reuters

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

SPORTS C O M M E N TA RY

No one in sight to steal Kohli’s thunder, but that’s no reason to drop his guard

I

n a year when Ravichandran Ashwin was voted the ICC Cricketer of the Year and when three of the 10 youngsters blooded by India left the selectors spoilt for choice, the undisputed hero for Indian fans was Virat Kohli — the man who didn’t find a place in the ICC Test team for 2016.

The year 2016 had a fair share of moments that put smiles back on the face of Indian fans.

It’s naive to claim that it was Kohli who had switched all the sunshine on and lit the rainbows, but what we didn’t miss in each of the frames was the spirit of Kohli shining through as bright as it should get and quite infectious.

It was so visible and compelling that Piers Morgan had to finally tweet, getting embarrassed this time for the right reason, something positive about Indian sport, seeing the joke of Alastair Cook being slotted in in the ICC Test team as its captain and Kohli not finding a place even as the 12th man.

Virat Kohli and his boys ensured that the team would ring in the New Year as the No.1 Test team with a 4-0 series victory over England, leaving no chance for Pakistan or Australia to sneak back to the top The 10 Indians who were capped in 2016 were KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Barinder Sran, Rishi Dhawan, Faiz Fazal, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jayant Yadav and Karun Nair.

Of these, five demanded our attention, and they were Rahul, Bumrah, Hardik, Jayant and Karun Nair.

Top of rankings All of them are quite good at all the three formats of the game, and three of them — Rahul, Yadav and Karun — grabbed their opportunity in the longer version in a way that left the selectors in an embarrassing position in view of seniors like Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and

Rohit Sharma getting ready to line up in the queue.

While Jayant’s maiden Test ton in only the third international match of his life was impressive at the lower end of the batting order, Rahul and Karun proved critics of the shorter formats, especially T20, wrong, converting their hundreds into bigger scores — into just a run short of a double ton, in case of Rahul, and into the third in history of debutant centurions making a triple ton, in case Karun.

Who could now say the shorter formats are making youngsters incapable of building an innings?

The year 2016 also saw India making to the top of the ICC Test rankings, dethroning Pakistan

after a 178-run win over New Zealand in the second Test of the series at the Eden Gardens on October 3.

Kohli and his boys ensured that the team would ring in the New Year as the No.1 Test team with a 4-0 series victory over England, leaving no chance for Pakistan or Australia to sneak back to the top.

In full bloom Kohli was not picked for the 2016 ICC Test team because he had played only eight Tests during the September 14, 2015, to September 20, 2016, voting period, during which he knocked up 451 runs at an average of 45.10.

The Indian skipper had been

SUCCESSFUL CAMP: Participants in the Bosher Olympic Centre-organised training camp display their certificates after receiving them from Indian coach Rajkumar Sharma. – Supplied photo

Coach Rajkumar sees good potential in BOC trainees Rajkumar Sharma, who coached Indian Test captain Virat Kohli, conducted coaching sessions at various venues during his five-day stay in Oman

MUSCAT: Famous Indian cricket coach Rajkumar Sharma was impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the trainees at the Bosher Olympic Centre (BOC) during coaching camps organised in various venues in Muscat.

Rajkumar Sharma, who had coached Indian Test team captain and batting sensation Virat Kohli, arrived here on an invitation from the BOC and conducted training sessions from December 22 and 26.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony, which was graced by Oman Cricket chairman Kanak Khimji, General Secretary Madhu Jesrani, board member Pankaj Khimji and Anil Khimji, coach Rajkumar said: “The trainees

POPULAR COACH: Indian coach Rajkumar Sharma, second left, pictured along with Oman Cricket officials during the concluding ceremony of BOC’s training camp. – Supplied photo

have shown tremendous interest.

The children are very enthusiastic learners.”

The coach, who distributed the certificates to the participants, said: “They have good potential and are good prospects for the future. Now it is time to take their game forward.”

During the ceremony, Oman Cricket officials presented mementos to coach Rajkumar.

During the five-day period, Rajkumar conducted training sessions at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, BOC Cricket

Nets and Oman Cricket’s turf grounds in Al Amerat.

Lauds facilities Meanwhile, BOC in a statement said: “Coach Rajkumar was delighted with the response to the camps and praised the facilities provided by BOC as world class.”

The BOC has in the past taken their trainees to several overseas camps but this time around preferred to invite a coach to Oman to conduct training sessions.

“Coach Rajkumar’s visit is part of our plans to bring high pro-

file coaches from India to give training to maximum number of participants in Oman instead of taking a limited number of trainees to overseas camps,” the BOC statement said.

“This decision has benefited more number of participants and students of all ages have attended the camp. The camp has been a great success,” it added.

“The response has been tremendous. It encourages us to plan more such coaching camps and training sessions in the future,” the statement said.

in full bloom from September 21, 2016, posting 964 runs in eight Tests at an 80-plus average. In all, Kohli played 12 Tests in 2016, scoring 1,215 runs.

No apparent divisions in the team for now, and that’s one of the blessings Kohli will enjoy for some time, or at least till the time his form and his fitness would remain just as great as it’s now.

However, there will come a time when his limbs lose some of the power and reflexes when fielding and when he might not be able to hit the ball where he would want to or as hard as he would like to.

He doesn’t have to deal with high-profile seniors as MS Dhoni, who had superstars such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly as teammates, did, and there’s no understudy looking impatiently to step into his shoes, either.

All’s well for the time being.

Going is expected to be good for the entire 2017 and until mid2018 when the Indians would embark on a tour of England.

The Test team will be at home for the most of 2017 and it’s only towards the end, in November, that they will be setting foot on one of the four forbidden territories, this time South Africa.

Expected to tour England in June 2018, Australia in November 2018 and New Zealand in February 2019, India could look forward to another fantastic year of Test cricket in the entire 2017 and until towards the middle of the next year, which is an opportunity and a limitation.

An opportunity, no matter how hard Steve Smith would try to get Kohli a bit angry, and a limitation because the Indian skipper need to wait longer than he would like to to get up, close and technical with a few guys, James Anderson included, and their guesses.

The writer is a freelance contributor based in India. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

SPORTS

LASER 4 CLASS: Abdul Malik Al Hanai celebrates with his trophy after winning gold in Laser 4 class at the Arab Sailing Championships in Abu Dhabi. – Supplied photo

OPTIMIST CLASS: Oman Sail’s Sameeha Al Reyami lifts the trophy after winning gold in optimist female class at the Arab Sailing Championships in Abu Dhabi. – Supplied photo

Golden glory for Omani sailors at Arab championships in Abu Dhabi Young Omani sailors collectively gained the highest position in terms of team racing after close competition against teams representing the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria and Morocco

MUSCAT: A group of Oman Sail young athletes concluded a successful participation in the Arab Sailing Championships, bringing home gold medals after a stunning performance in a number of racing classes. Organised by Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, the racing took place from December 21 to 24 in the Optimist, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial and Laser Standard classes.

The championship was an opportunity for the young sailors, all of whom are members of Omantel’s Youth Sailing Programme, to test their skills in the regional waters and build on their sporting pathways. They collectively gained the highest position in terms of

team racing after close competition against teams representing the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria and Morocco.

Individual honours In terms of individual results, Alaa Al Amrani came second overall in the Optimist class, with only onepoint difference from the leader, while Talal Al Harami got in fourth place, followed by Mohammed Al Qasmi in sixth and Mohammed Al Alawi in the eighth place.

Samiha Al Riyami, the only female to participate from the Omani squad, was the leader amongst all female participants, and got in tenth position overall.

It was an Omani leader position for the Laser 4.7 class, with Abdul Malik Al Hinai scoring 18 points, followed by Salim Al Alawi in sixth place and then Ubaid Al Battashi in tenth place.

In the Laser Radial class, Musab Al Hadi, best known for his performance in 49er class, got in fifth place overall with 32 point. In the Laser Standard class, Hussain Al Jabri gained the fourth position, with fellow Ahmed Al Hassni in sixth position.

Commenting on the success,

Mohsin Al Busaidi, Youth Programme Manager at Oman Sail, said: “This event was definitely a confidence booster for every member of the squad. With their determination, the team rounded up a training-packed year by gaining leading positions that will build on their aspirations in future competitions”.

Oman Sail National Team Manager, Rashid Al Kindi, who joined the Omani delegation to Abu Dhabi said: “The results show an overall progress in terms of the team’s performance, a result of our continuous efforts to elevate their skills in their perspective sailing classes”.

Overall, the Sultanate received three gold medals, followed by the Bahraini team which got two medals and the UAE which got one gold medal. The prize-giving ceremony was held under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed bin Saqr Al Nahyan, Chairman, UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation, and attended by Sheikh Khalifa Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Arab Sailing Federation as well as members of the Asian Sailing Federation.

The Arab Sailing Championships is held every two years, with the next edition scheduled to be hosted in Morocco.

ON A HIGH: Oman Sail’s young sailors celebrate their success at the Arab Sailing Championships in

Abu Dhabi. – Credit

GOOD SUPPORT

FOOTBALL

‘Federations in favour of expanding World Cup’ DUBAI: Football federations are “overwhelmingly in favour” of expanding the existing 32-nation World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday.

The global football federation boss wants to increase the number of teams playing in the World Cup final tournament to 48, arguing that it can be done in the same time frame as the current tournament.

“We have to be more inclusive,” Infantino said at a sports conference in Dubai, adding that a 48team tournament was the most financially appealing.

Infantino is proposing a 48team format with an initial round of 16 groups of three teams. The top two teams of each group would qualify for a round of 32 knockout stage, then round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final.

There would be little to no impact on players under the proposed format with the winning team still playing seven games in 32 days

FIFA Presient Gianni Infantino said ‘we have to be more inclusive’, adding that a 48-team World Cup tournament was the most financially appealing

as they do in the current 32-team World Cup, the FIFA boss argued.

A total of 80 games would be played compared with the current 64 games. When he was elected in February, Infantino had promised

to expand the tournament from the 32 teams to 40.

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani said he supported the expansion plans but said he would like to see the proportional number

of places awarded to each federation to remain the same as today.

CONCACAF governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

On Tuesday, Italian and Por-

tuguese football federation presidents Carlo Tavecchio and Fernando Gomes said at the conference they were in favour of the proposal.

“We support the idea in order to increase the number of the teams pending of course the conditions and the formula for the competitions,” Gomes said.

Any changes to the structure of the World Cup, however, are unlikely to be made until the 2026 World Cup, which is yet to be awarded. The last time the number of teams competing in the World Cup increased was in 1998 when it went from 24 to 32.

The FIFA Council, made of up members of the global federations, is to discuss the expansion in January. Infantino also said he was hopeful video technology would be introduced in time for the 2018 World Cup in Russia following the use of the video assistant referee system at the Club World Cup in Japan. - Reuters

Gascoigne in hospital after hotel fracas LONDON: The former England footballer Paul Gascoigne was involved in a fracas in a London hotel, several witnesses said, and taken to hospital after sustaining a head injury.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to a disturbance at London’s Ace Hotel in Shoreditch on Tuesday night before a 49-year-old man was taken to hospital.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “The man has been taken to an east London hospital where he remains in a stable condition.”

Witness Alvin Carpio said Gascoigne, who has faced a long struggle with alcoholism, was kicked down the stairs after an altercation with another guest.

Another witness posted on Facebook it was “a shame” to see Gascoigne in such a state. - Reuters

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T H U R S DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

VACANCY

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CARGO

D7

All Cartridges also available on UNBEATABLE prices All HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung Cartridges also available.

Ruwi: 24 792 792 Sohar: 2684 2420

GOOD PRICE!!!

HP 2130 3in1 Printer RO 10.900 only

GOOD PRICE!!!

D4

GOOD PRICE!!!

Available on UNBEATABLE prices

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GOOD PRICE!!!

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RENT

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D

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*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

AN EXISTING FARM FOR RENT in the Wilayat of Barka, with an area of 45 acres, out of which large area is planted with fodder and 7 acres are planted with vegetables. It has also 14 greenhouses as well as 3 artesian wells and a plowing tractor as well as cutting and bundling tools and plowing equipments with their accessories.

The farm has a good financial income.

Contact: 99340378

OFFICE PROPERTY FOR SALE/RENT DAYS AWAY FROM DELIVERY - PREMIUM OFFICE SPACE AT PRIME LOCATION AT BAUSHER ON 2ND FLOOR BUILD UP AREA – 163 SQ. MTRS. SALE PRICE RO.1,050/- PER SQ. MTR -RENT PER MONTH RO.10/- PER SQ. MTR. OPTIONS WITH OR WITHOUT FURNITURE.

PREMIUM VILLA FOR SALE SANTINI A3 TYPE 2 STOREY VILLA WITH 4 BEDROOMS PLUS MAID ROOM AT AL MOUJ PHASE 4.

GREAT LOCATION WITH CUL DE SAC FOR PARKING. PURCHASE OPEN TO NON-OMANIS AS WELL.

CONTACT NO. 91257475

Flat for rent in Al Ghobra, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 family sitting room, 1 kitchen. RO 400/Contact - 95919059

Villa for rent at Saal (Misfah) @200/-. Contact 94215208 Flat for rent 2BHK split A/c near Kuwaiti Mosque in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232

Flat for rent in Al Bustan. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen & 1 hall. Contact - 99379950 Villa for rent Ameratphase (fifth/1) Majlis , hall , kitchen . 5 bedrooms &7 bathrooms (spilt unit AC)RO 400/- per month we prefer families. Contact: 99203458 Two bedroom flat available, Show room near Honda.

Contact: 99022675 Room for rent near Al Daser Rex Road, Ruwi. Contact: 99797645 Shop for rent W. Kabir Industrial, flat for rent W. Kabir near Muscat Bakery. Contact: 99338133 A steel workshop in Sohar is looking for long lease contract for its existing welders. Interested party can select welder skills as per their needs. Call: 95414309 / 97130671 Apartment for rent, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, dining room & kitchen in Muscat, Sidab.

Contact: 91936630 / 24739181

Family flats in Wadi Kabir MBD Hamriya Ruwi Al Khuwair, Ghubrah, Bowshar, Azaiba, Al Hail & Amerat. #95250300 / 92125648 Warehouse for rent area (42) SQM (8 meters clear height) in Al Misfah, opposite to Oman Cement factory also available workshops (70 SQM). Contact: 96041560

Flats family new to the Amerat behind Oman oil. Contact: 95250300 / 92125648/ 99119699 2 B/R & 3B/R furnished, unfurnished with split ACs a free internet available at Al Khuwair near KM hypermarket. Contact: 99460330

Flats for rent near Indian school in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99777122

6 Bedroom villas available for rent at North Al Hail, near Wave, complex with swimming pool and Gym. Contact: 99833747

Villa Boushar, 5 BHK 500/- R.O. Contact: 95202430

House for rent in Mabelah.

Contact: 99005364

1 BHK new Bldg with A/C curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99024039

1 BHK, 2 BHK flats available for rent in Prime MBD (South) area (near spar)with excellent maintenance. Contact: 9938401 / 99703564

first floor three bedroom flat al Khuwair near technicalcollege are 216 SQ meters, three toilets, sitting dinning and family lounge family only. Contact: 99207840

Brand new showroom at heart of Azaiba city for rent.

Contact : 98294753

One / Two, B/R flats in new building near Dolphin near dolphin complex, Bausher directly from owner.

Contact: 92158031

New flat for rent Darsait Al Sahil, two big bedrooms with attached bathrooms, kitchen and small dining hall in Darsait near Indian School (Sea Shore) with two split ACs , Monthly rent : RO 220 including water and electricity.

Contact: 94455311

Residential & commercial flats in a new building, at Muttrahfor office or shops any kind of commercial activates. More details.

Contact: 99364735/ 95729711

Flat for rent, 3 bed rooms with 2 bathroom, kitchen near Al Hanan Private School in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99718875

Ware house 240 SQM near Majan hypermarket near Bridgestone Tire Ghala. Contact: 99349311

Villa in Al Khuwair 33, 6 bedrooms, hall & sitting room R.O 800/-. Contact: 93993354

2 BR flat in Ruwi Market.

Contact: 92705331

2 bedroom apartment in The Wave, Muscat, area Luban, 2 bedrooms + maid room, 2 bathrooms, 2 balcony, kitchen, living & dining.

Available from Jan 2017. Rent RO 850. For inquiries please contact95056339 / Waleed

1BHK flats at Al Khodh near NBO. Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 New apartment flat for rent, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms & kitchen, behind Indian School, short way to Lulu Darsait & Muttrah traditional Soqu.

Contact or Whatsapp: 91013331

3 bedrooms, flats available near Indian School Seeb.

Contact: 97479041

Apartment 3 bedrooms, sitting room, balcony at Al Ansab R.O 360/- monthly. Contact: 93993354 1 bed room, bathroom, kitchen in Al Hail South R.O 120/- Monthly.

Contact: 93993354 Room in Azaiba. Contact 99555843 3BHK Flat, Ghubra SG. Contact 99319880 Villa complex for lease renovated deluxe villa complex with separate three flats , location AL Ghobra north ( near tourist hotels) is available for lease. Contact: Ali : 99411607 , Luoy : 92466266 For rent flat in Darsait & Ruwi, Office CBD & restaurant.

Contact: 95345909 / 92820734 Apartment for rent three rooms and a hall - kichen-4bath-Next to City Centre Almwalh.

Contact 99336776 Flat for rent 2BHK split A/c near Oman house in Muttrah .

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Office space for rent in Muthana square, next to Atlas Hospital.

Contact : 93620021

T H U R S DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

- New Brand Building in Bowsher for sale

FOR SALE

- Twin villa in Azaiba & Ghubra for sale - Commercial/ Residential khuwair for sale.

Land in Al

Contact Hood: 91155779

FOR SALE 1. Porta Cabin 2. Book Loader (New Holland) 3. Water Tanker (Hino 2000 Gallon) 4. Roller (JCB 3 Ton) 5. Roller (JCB & Wacker, 1 Ton) 6. Scaffoldings 7. HDPE Duct Pipes (300 mm to 1800mm) 8. Tower Hoist

Contact 93990154 FOR RENT Villa for rent in South Mabellah, 3 bedrooms, sitting room, family Lounge, kitchen, three Toilets Contact 92212212 between 10 AM to 5 PM 1 bedroom attached kitchen, toilet for family in Al Khuwair RO 130/-.

Contact: 95154331

FOR SALE 2014 MODEL VOLVO PENTA 650 KVA GENSETS (02NOS) 2000 KVA (01 NO) VOLTAMP TRANSFORMER CONCEALED PANEL SYSTEM FOR ABOVE. ALL ITEMS HARDLY USED IN A COMPLETED PROJECT OF 2YRS AND CAN BE REUSED. ONLY SERIOUS BUYERS CONTACT GSM :

New flats for rent at Al Ghubra near to Atlas Hospital, opposite to Panorama mall. Interested candidates Contact: 00968 – 97093283 Fully furnished room for executive bachelor in CBD area, WiFi internet free, advance deposit.

Contact: 90631572

Sharing accommodation available with W/E at Al Khuwair 33.

For a small family or non-cooking bachelors. Contact - 92834145

2BR flat- luxury fully furnished at Al Khuwair, 1 BR flat – luxury fully furnished at Al Khuwair, 5 BR villa fully furnished at Azaiba, 4 BR villa unfurnished at Azaiba, 5 BR duplex, 4 bathrooms – Qurum heights, 5 Br villa, 6 bathrooms – Madinat Sultan Qaboos (brand new), 5 BR villa at Al Hail. For short or long term lease contract. Contact Atlas Real Estate & Rent a car : 99436312 / 94617563 / 92888376

1 BHK near Medical Darsait Muttrah house R.O 180/-.

Contact: 95070201

New villa for rent in Azaiba 18 November Street. 6 Bedrooms, 2 kitchens & 7 toilets. To view the villa contact - 95919059

3 bedroom ground floor house for rent in South Al Hail behind Al Hail Hypermarket.

Contact: 95047657

Villa for rent 2 brand new luxurious villas (No 411 & 413) for rent in Azaiba, Each villa with 6 bedrooms, servant quarters, 2 kitchens with all modern amenities which includes split A/C, dish washers, oven, ETC , Way No 4491 / 4405 . Contact: 99462980

Spacious shop available for perfumes cosmetics, near Oman house. Contact: 92150455

New flats for rent at Darsait near to ministry of sports, Mumtaz area the flats includes 1 living room , 2 bedrooms, kitchen, 3 toilets, every room with split A/C & high quality finishing. Rent per flat is RO 320/-.

Interested candidates please Contact: 00968 – 92225523 Villa for Rent behind mazoon mousqe 7 bedroom, living room, dining room . Contact 95150809 for 750 R.O nogotiable New 3 story 4 bedroom villa in Al Hail near to radio station. The spacious master bedroom has a sea view. It has a maids room.

All bedrooms have bathrooms and one extra bathroom between dining and sitting room. It has split A/c’s. 6 months advance payment required. Price is OMR 750 monthly.

Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955. No Brokers Please.

ACC. AVAILABLE

92886778/99455690

Single room with kitchen & bathroom MBD Ruwi.

Contact: 95698714

FOR SALE 7D Cenema for sale 6 seat hydraulic, 7D cenema full system for sale.

Contact: 99737527 Villa Shatti Al Qurum area 920 SQM. Contact: 95202430 Well running reputed travel agency for sale. Contact: 97992388 Twin Villa for sale in Azaiba near Sultan Centre. Each side has three floors, five bedroom plus maid room. Each room has it’s own bathroom and one extra toilet between dining and sitting room. The villas are now about 5 years old and very clean and well maintained. It has split A/C’s. OMR 215,000 each villa. Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

No Brokers Please.

Dental clinic for sale in Seeb.

Contact: 92882209 / 96373097

Flats & shops for rent at Ruwi Honda road Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127

400 square meters residential land in Al Ghubra south near Millenium Hypermarket. OMR 134 thousand.

Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955. No Brokers Please.

2 BR apartments available for rent, close to Muscat Grand Mall, next to Diwan’s Office, South Ghubra. Contact 2456256 / 99833747

603 sq mtrs residential land in Al Hail North Block 45 NE near Radio station. OMR 96 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 - or 97509955. No Brokers Please

BUYING Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

FOR SALE Industrial land AL Misfah Boushar area 30.000 SQM attractive location. Contact: 95202430 Empty shop / laundry near Camelia café. Contact: 92868123 / 92841089 Ice cream Shop, Prime location, Ruwi for sale. Contact: 92150455 BUILDING MATERIAL SHOP FOR SALEWell-furnished running building material-electrical shop (4 shutter / 200sqm) in AlKhoudh- 6, for immediate saleshop with stock or stock only.

Serious buyers may please Contact: 94320909 Industrial land in Rusail.4000 sqm. Contact 99323957 / 95490842.

Land for sale in the village of Bimmah on the coastal road Qurayat/ Sur with a space of 604 square meters for an attractive price.

Contact 92905222 Beauty parlour for sale in Ruwi.

Contact: 92430239 RESTAURANT for sale in Ruwi.

Contact: 99378964

WANTED Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room CBD area for Executive bachelor free Wi-Fi, advance deposit. Contact: 90631572 Executive single rooms available single room with A/C, bath attached and sharing available at Rex Road for non cooking Indian bachelor from 1st January 2017.

Contact: 99116286 One big room attached bathroom, sharing, kitchen near OK center Ruwi. Contact: 99716056 Fully furnished beautiful flat with Wi-Fi& allfacilities in prime location opposite Zubairautomotive,Azaiba for sharing now and can take over after few months. Contact: 98185350 Room for rent near Hamriya R/A for executive bachelor, Sharing kitchen. Contact 99640850, 97983501, 97443614 Furnished rooms with kitchen at ruwi. Contact : 91214897 Master bedroom with big kitchen for family near ISM. Contact: 92120492 Furnished room sep / entrance Wadi Kabir Executives.

Contact 99336206 Room for rent available at Al Khuwair. Contact: 91512037 Furnished room in ruwi and azaiba for rent for executive bachelors. Gsm 99058344

Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for Executive bachelor Opp. O.C. Centre Ruwi. Call : 90611670 Furnished room for non cooking bachelor near Softy Ice cream, Ruwi. Contact 91107383 / 93120054 Sharing accommodation available at honda road Ruwi. #99040590

MV SALE Toyota Corolla, 2009,1.800cc.

Contact: 97692959 Nissan Pathfinder, 2015 Model brown colour, 65k Mulkiya valid till 21 Aug 2017 for immediate sale.

Contact: 92820174 Toyota Corolla 2016, white colour 8000 km, 4300 R.O. # 92811110 Honda Accord 2008 model, 4 cylinder, number 1 full options with navigation/ camera, full insurance. No accident history, 1640000 km, well maintained.

OMR 3300/-. Contact –95919059 Dihatsu Terrios Trend 4WD, 2012 Registration, dealer service registration up to August 2017.

Contact No: 92812144

NOTICE Afaaq Al Badar Al Mumayaz for Trad & Construction joint company which is recorded under the commercial register number 1172716 is going to change its legally shape from joint company L.L.C to company And in accordance with Article 13 of the Commercial Companies Law No. 4/74 .This is to inform anybody who concerns about that to 2 months from the date publishing this advertising

AVAILABLE Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman. com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

LOST MDJoynal Mia md Motiur Rahman has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AG 1472352.

Finder please handover to ROP Muhammed Habeebulla Chettiyan Kandy has lost Indian Passport No. G 3548822. Finder please handover to ROP Maryam Zyinahas lost Indian Passport No. K 8149921.

Finder please handover to ROP Zeenath Hazeena has lost Indian Passport No. K 2239324.Finder please handover to ROP

NOTICE I Sudhir Bhila Patil (holder of Indian Passport No. Z 2446054) S/O BhilaKeshavpatilhaving permanent residence in India, At post – Galan Bk , Dachora, Talgaon, Maharashtra– 424201 (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Sultanate of Oman , Muscat, Mawaleh (complete postal address in Oman) intend to marry Ms. Emelita Aligway Cabalejo (holder of Philippinespassport bearing No. EC 0833208) d/o Mrs. Teresita Aligwayat Embassy of India, Muscat I swear that I am marrying her at my own free will and not under any duress and intimidation. Any objection towards this marriage may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, diplomatic quarters , AlKhuwair, P.Box No. 1727, postal code 112, Ruwi Sultanate of Oman within 30 (thirty) days of publication of this newspaper advertisement.

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T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT Reputed mineral water company required the following HEAVY/LIGHT DUTY DRIVERS VAN SALESMAN

SITUATION WANTED

SMART MARKETING EXECUTIVE With fluent English, for sales and marketing of medical consumables, interiors and events with Oman D/L. Visa available.

Contact:+968-90656997

with Omani driving license

SALES SUPERVISOR/SALES COͳORDINATOR with Omani driving license HELPERS ͳ Experience 3 to5 years

Contact - 90372638

Male / Female job opportunities An IATA travel agency announces the following jobs 1. Reservation & Ticketing Staff 2. Sales Executive The candidate must be qualified / computer skills / experienced.

ACCOUNTS Accountant with experience in Tally and finalization independently. Good English communication skill. Send CV to arabhealth@alhakkim.com Graduate in Commerce with 10 years experience, must have Oman working experience with valid Oman driving license. Interested candidates send resume to hr@aljood-oman.com Accountant 2-3 years experience.

Candidate should be Indian, English speakers. NOC is a must.

Email: mohammad.jwabreh@ bearingcitysc.com. Fax: 24509312

Full time Malayalee housemaid required for a Keralite family.

Contact: 92103688

Send your CV to : vacancy2017job@hotmail.com

DRIVER Wanted expert Driver.

Contact: 97165972

VACANCIES experience

Graphic Designer, Digital Printing.

Interested send CV on jobavailable2016@hotmail.com

ENGINEER Excellent Grade Company requires a Diploma holder Civil Engineer/ Supervisor with 5 years experience in building construction. Please contact 99346265 or send your CV to md.artllc@gmail.com SURVEYOR /DRAFTSMAN ITI Surveyor with 2 years experience in Oman in OHL transmission lines with valid D/L and knowledge in drafting preferred # 93339586 Email: hromancv@gmail.com Required Civil Engineer & Commercial Secretary (UK, USA, Germany), Mechanical Engineer, MEP Engineer, HVAC Technician, Plumbers.

Email : joboman2017@gmail.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING A Well known bilingual private school is in need of Computer, English, Mathematics, Science and Kindergarten teachers.

Contact: +968 71168943 Email: staffing.oman@gmail.com

MEDICAL Urgently required Internist, Orthodontist, Physiotherapist & Lab Technician for a reputed medical center in Salalah. Contact – hrmdimc2010@gmail.com 99714300 Urgently needed female dermatologist (priority for Omani) with minimum five years experience.

Please and CV to elicirhealthcenter@yahoo.comP.S details of salary and benefits will be sent after submitting the CV Required female Dentist, Nurses, Pharmacist, Lab Technician for a Polyclinic at Ibra.

Contact 71100596, joharaajmal2016@gmail.com Wanted female & Male Nurse with or without license (good salary, food & accommodation with other benefits. Contact 92989109, Email: medicoport@gmail.com Required Optometrist for a leading Optical group in Oman.

Email : albasilopticals@gmail.com Contact 93822557 Muscat wants GP, staff Nurse holding MOH license & Receptionist (Omani) Contact 97698004 email: medicare@fusionlogicoman.com

TECHNICIAN

MISCELLANEOUS

Candidates with the following should apply: Previous experience in a similar, working for a security company Proven experience of designing and estimating large integrated CCTV, Access Control, and Perimeter detection systems.

Detailed technical knowledge of database and operating security systems associated with CCTV, access Control, with Oman license.

Send CV by mail info@sahabit.com Urgent required : Store labors.

Candidate should be Indian, English speakers. NOC is a must.

Email: mohammad.jwabreh @bearingcitysc.com, Fax: 24509312

SKILLED LABOUR Required Experienced Auto Electrician and Automobile Mechanic for a reputed service station.

Contact : 91232638 hashim@ramainvestment.com

SALES / MARKETING Looking for a Filipino Salesman, in retail sector/food items, Muscat. hold a bachelor’s degree, 5 years’ experience, age: less than 30, ready to start immediately.

Contact 24502662 or send CV to: receptionist@mescooman.com Urgently required Sales & Marketing person for a computer shop at Ruwi (IT Knowledge), Oman Driving License will be an advantage. (Preference for Keralite).Contact: 98048900.

Email: infor@smartpointcomputer. com Urgently Required Marketing Executive for a contracting Company in Sohar Minimum 3 years experience, driving license 99437086, 97745786, md@alrasen.com Sales & Marketing Lady, with musical skills for the Guitar Center Showroom in Al Khuwair.

Tel. 24489847 info@guitarcenteroman.com A leading Trading group is looking for sales executives with driving license & release / NOC. Email CV to alhajoil@omantel.net.om or Fax: 24701683 Looking for Salesman with GCC D/L printing press experiences.

Email: info@alsahib.net Required well experienced dynamic candidate in Real Estate Evaluation Field beside Building Management Techniques.

Contact 91246444, Email: rescooman@gmail.com

Experienced business development and investment consultant with 10 years experience in the financial management field. Holds a masters degree in finance and management from the UK. Contact : 90157073

MBA ( Finance) Australia, 14 years experience (world bank, U.S Based company) specialized in cost cutting , revenue maximization, financial model, budget & forecasting, internal control, risk management, Omani driving license. Contact: 93978614 Email: sjamil72@yahoo.com

Indian male MBA (finance) Accounts, Customer service, 2 yearsExperience.(Dubai Airport) Iran Airlines. GCC driving licensevalid till 2025. On Visit Visa (Till 20 Dec 2016).Looking for suitable job. Contact – 71093532. Emailmirzahassanbaig89@gmail.com

Accounts Manager looking for job in accounts or finance, 4 years Oman exp with accountancy degree & Omani D/L with NOC available.

Contact: 95661169 Email: moshin_zaman4u@hotmail.com

Experienced Indian female 23 B.Com with computer application on visit looking for suitable position. Contact: 94964860 / 92436404

Indian (M), Qualified CPA, CMA, CIA (USA), MBA (Finance) & M.Com, 15 years’ experience in Finance, Accounting & Audit, (3 years in Oman) looking for suitable Senior/Middle level position in Finance/Accounting/Audit. NOC available.

E-mail soji_ansu@yahoo.com, mob – 91595436

Printing Press requires

Dynamic professional (research / management science / finance / investmentbanking background– min 5 years experience), with strong analytical and presentation skills. Email: omanplacements@gmail.com

Experienced business development investment consultant with 10 years experience in the financial management field, holds a masters degree in finance and management from the UK. Contact: 90157073

MBA Finance Indian 25 Male 2 years experience seeking opportunities in Finance sector. Immediately available.Contact:92498840 sachu_0318@yahoo.com

SALES / MARKETING DOMESTIC HELP

ACCOUNTS

Looking for an Expat staff, with experience in Oman in real estate field. Email: aburashid94dd@gmail.com

Audio Visual Technician for Audio visual installation works and live events. Tel 24489847, info@tunesoman.com

Required Marketing / Sales person with oil & gas field experience of 2 years minimum.

Send CV : watad.llc@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED INDIAN male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa, seeks suitable placement in Cargo section.

Contact :-96370022 Indian Male (25), BSc Electronics, M.B.A seeking suitable openings, Having 3 years’ experience in, sales and Marketing of financial products with Oman Driving License. Contact 94774550 Indian Male age 23) an i am looking for suitable job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics an i am having 3 years of experience in the hardware an networking field an i am having Gulf driving license you can contact me on : - +96897017866.

Indian/male (26)/CA finalist and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa. available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321, email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Indian/male(26)/ca finalist and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Indian female, holds masters in business administration (MBA) & LLB, 2 yrs oman experience as hr & admin, seeks suitable placement in jobs @ Sohar, Falaj.

Contact 96541959 Indian Male, 26 years. B. Tech (Civil ) Having 4 years experience as Project Engineer ¸ Site Engineer & Quantity surveyor. Good knowledge in Planning and arranging works and sites. Estimation, drawing, Billing and project management.

AUTO CADD, STAAD, MS Office and various software packages. #99334770/ 997 43 709 Mechanical Engineer/ HVAC/ Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa. email:nishadphoenix@gmail.com Contact: 90957740 Indian female, 27 years, MBA in Finance, currently pursuing ACCA, having 10 months voluntary job experience as accountant looking for suitable placement. #94388910, E- mail Id: sowmya.vs1989@gmail.com

Indian male 34 yrs, MBA-HR with 10.9 yrs.exp. in Recruitmen t,Training,PMS,OD,Sites-HR and Omani nationals development, seeking a job, NOC available.

Contact saiprasad_18@yahoo.com 94179499 33 years Indian Male MBA-HR & MSC having 8.9 yrs Exp (HR- operation/ SAP/ Admin) with Oman Driving License. Seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/backend jobs.

Contact:+968 99322978 /94129291 Indian male BE Mechanical Engineer with two and a half years experience in production department, searching suitable job.

Contact no: 9500927480 Male Accountant, MBA (Finance) 5 years Experience including UAE and India up to finalization Available immediately (On Visit).

Contact: 91704866, Email: anees0989@gmail.com Indian male 23 Fresh Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : 9586 1251, Email : mdajaib@yahoo.com Indian Male 15 years gulf experience in HR / Admin Assistant, Purchase, Office Coordinator with good computer skills seeking employment for suitable position. Holding valid Oman Driving license. Contact 99709336 Indian Male,B.COM having 4+Years of experience in OMAN with Valid Oman Driving License.

Experienced in Accounts & Sales, looking for an opportunity in Sales or Accounts. Mob:- 94106834 email:- jobhuntmuscat@gmail.com.

Indian, male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa. Seeks suitable placement in Cargo section.

Contact :-96370022 Indian Male 29 years MBA, B.Com having 8 years experience in Gulf and India as a HR and Admin looking for suitable placement. Contact :97914340.

Email: kvraj30@gmail.com Looking for a part time accounting & admin job, having 32 years of experience. Contact 9919621.

Good knowledge in Planning and arranging works and sites.

Estimation, drawing, Billing and project management. AUTO CADD, STAAD, MS Office and various software packages Contact 99334770/997 43 709

Qualified Chartered Accountant & ACS 10 +years Managerial experience, working in Bank, looking for suitable opening, Open to any GCC, MBL: +968-90788509, Email: kartirevy@gmail.com Indian Chartered Accountant 14+ years experience in Accounts & Finance working in Muscat looking for suitable change with Oman driving license and NOC Available.

Contact: 97728130 Email : vinoth77ca@gmail.com Indian CA 20+ years Gulf experience, finance / accounts external Audit MIS budgets cost / internal control cash flow Oman tax finalization Oracle / Tally seeks job, NOC available with valid D/L. Contact: 99104151, 95140332

Indian male, B.Com, MBA in Finance, 4 yrs in Larsen & Tourbo, 26 yrs in Oman, English/ Arabic speaking with driving license.

NOC available. Contact 95588565 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa. Immediately available.

Contact 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Sudanese Accountant, Alexandria University Graduate bachelor of commerce Diploma of Marketing professional photographer worked in PR and social media for 2 years looking for a job in public relations media, social media or marketing.

Contact 96976240 Indian male 22 B.Com looking for job in accounting or data Operation special interest in accounts will be happy to hear from you.

Contact: 90758030 Email: uttiawesome@gmail.com Finance Manager B.Com, CA, CIA, 10+ years experience Indian.

Contact: 94641805 Chartered Accountant Indian B.Com, CA , CIA 10+ years experience Tally, Focus, Sap, Oracle.

Contact: 94641805

Accountant male holder of Diploma Chartered Accountancy Inter have 4 years experience in finance, available at Muscat, join immediately. Contact: 79049355 / 99220572

Indian male, 27 yrs, Asst. Audit Manager 3 years experience in accounts & audit in India B.Com + CA (Inter) 1st Group qualified looking for a suitable job. Contact: 0091 8281358224 / 00968 90687772 Email: pradeepsasidharan4@ rediffmail.com

PG in commerce male more than 8 yrs experience in purchase in Oman D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99145776

Accountant 8 Years Experience with D/L and NOC. #97712084

Accounts Executive B.com and MBA (finance) India, 4 years experience (per forms accounts payable&accountreceivable function,recording all receiptsand payment activities on daily basis, bank reconciliation statement.

Now in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 91066314 Email: seenimdb3@gmail.com Accountant 5 years experience with NOC Contact: 90590040 International certified credit management with 5+ years in international debt recovery validation of credit insurance claims familiar with international trade & banking standards incoterms, UCP600 , URC 500 , export documentation, languagesArabic & English. Contact: 94310453 Indian male age 26 visit visa, B.SC Mathematics 4 years experience as an accountant seeks suitable job. Contact: 98615171 / 95374978.

Email: worksite.tinson@gmail.com Part time Accountant Indian B.Com Senior Accountant more than 25 years experience in Oman upto finalization of Accounts and training accounts through tally soft ware. Contact: 93064975 Indian (M) MBA (f) more than 6 years of experience in accounts, proficiency in various A/C software SAP (F1/CO) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact: 95920740 Email Id: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com Accountant with experience in Tally and finalization independently. Good English communication skill. Send CV to arabhealth@alhakkim.com Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis and finalization works.

Contact: 96247295 ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance. Contact 99284193

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394 Finance manager, MBA finance 21 yrs of MNC contracting experience, looking for a job thorough knowledge in MIS Ext/ Int Audit, tax budget, trade finance, system implementation etc.

Contact: 94652975 Email: ramu2587@hotmail.com Certified Public Accountant (Filipino, Male, 27-yrs-old) with four years experience, seeking suitable placement in accounting/audit, currently on visit. Contact 94959606, email: czesar.42@gmail.com 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement. #90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Indian male 45 looking for a job in Car driving. Oman License from last 20-22 years. Contact 9961 3513, Email : Miqbal.kaa@gmail.com Indian, Kerala Male B.COM & B.PE, Currently on Visit Visa. Looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store Keeper, Sales etc. Ready to join as early as possible. Contact 96988923 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com 8 yrs exp. in Admin & Accounts (3 yrs in Oman), MBA, exp. in Tally ERP 9, Indian (F) seeks placement.

Contact 97243806 Indian male 26 years Graduated having over all 5 years experience in Accounts ware house fields sales & marketing, NOC available.

Contact 95307619 / 92237173 Indian, Kerala, CMA-USA, ICWA, Mcom 10+Years Experience Budgeting Planning MIS Accounts&finance.Cont.94064931shijupnarayanan@gmail.com Indian female 28 yrs B.Com 4 yrs experience in MNC’s currently in Muscat seeking suitable placement in Finance / Admin.

Contact :94743790

T H U R S DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Sr. Accountant with SAP/ERP. 11yrs experience in Accounts & Finance in Gulf.

5years in reputed Oil & Gas company; Finalization & Consolidation FS, MIS, Audit, Budget, AP & AR, Tax, etc., Indian Male, Post-graduation, Oman D/L and NOC available.

Please contact: 931 42923 ADMIN

ACCOUNTS Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job. Contact 93953613, Email-allen.mathew83@gmail.com

Omani, male, 26 yrs experience looking for job in reputed Companies as PR, having experience at airport / Emigration, Ministries/ Manpower with Oman D/L. Contact 95445779 7 years experienced in Administration & Sales with valid Oman driving license searching for a suitable job. Contact: 93347156 Omani experience on reception, admin PRO seeks job.

Contact: 96495545 / 96184616

Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: anishkhan991867@gmail. com Mobile: +968 9565 9415

Administrator B.Com with D/L on release, 30 years India & Gulf experience in office. project documentation & logistics.

Contact: 92324789 / 97281023

7 Years experience as Financial Analyst, MBA in finance. Responsibilities- research contributor, financial statement analysis, generating MIS & efficiency report, managing TAT, business & clients.

On visit visa in Muscat.

Contact 90191628 / 96175780

Filipino HRD especialist /material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817

Indian female, 26 years,brought up in oman,M.COM(FINANCE) CA Foundation(CPT),CA , INTER (DOING) presently on family visa seeking for immediate and suitable placement.

Contact -97174201/99663957 Email-anishasasi@gmail.com Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94879615, Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com Accountant B.com Indian male 12 yrs exp seeks suitable job.NOC available . Contact : 91212471 Email: rennyj6@gmail.com Omani female Accountant, 32 years, having 10 years exp in admin/accounts seeks suitable placement. Contact: 93295953 Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94879615, Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com Indian (M), 31 yrs, M Com 9 yrs experience in Oman, looking for Manager or Executive position in Fin & Accounts, NOC Available.

Contact 96166178/+919768537435: mohammednajeem@yahoo.com Finance Manager, 17 + years Gulf exp. in Accounts, MIS, budgets, strategic planning, cost control, cash flow management, seeks job. Contact 99489784, E mail :- vijay.564@hotmail.com

ADMIN Omani lawyer & legal adviser experience in Business administration,HR, staff training.

Contact: 97243393 Email: mum30033@yahoo.com Omani male (HR or PRO) having 06 years experience and have diploma in business management looking for a suitable position.

Contact: 99460164 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa, looking for suitable position.Contact 90196235 8 years experience in administration and guest relations department in Oman With valid omani driving licence. Seeking suitable jobs. Ph: 98145825 email: getcb@rediffmail.com Indian male having 25 years of experience working as Store Incharge in a leading automobile dealer, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 99730141 8 Years Experienced Graduate Omani Female presently working as Administration Manager in a reputed group Company, supervising HR and other administration activities, liaisoning with Ministries and other Government departments looking for suitable opening in a progressive professional organization. Contact: 91727742

Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have vocational M.B.A diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time.

Contact: 95933288 Egyptian woman resident, considerable experience in the Administration and Secretarial Executive for company.

Contact : 97221126 MBA, HR Managerial professional, 10 yrs, International Comprehensive exp (8 yrs in GCC) in developing / managing HR systems in MNC organizations competency areas: recruitment, organizational, development, performance management, compensation & benefits, polices, operations, strategy, GCC Law & HRIS, available to join immediately.

Contact: 00974 (Qatar) 55375005 Email: shabeermalik@yahoo.com

ARCH./ INTERIOR DEC.

DESIGNER/ DRAUGHTSMAN

DRIVER

Free lance Autocad works experienced (arch, struct, MEP, shop drw) rate a0/a1 sheet ( 10-17 OMR) ph : 97103168.

Gulf experienced Indian Driver with valid heavy / light Oman license seeks any suitable driving or other job. Contact: 94201010

Indian male experience Graphicdesigner and VFX artist on visit visa Ruwi. Contact: 97792661 Email: georgejosec5@gmail.com Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR. PH : 92279784

DRIVER Driver (Light vehicle) four year experiences in Oman.

Contact: 96961249 Bangladesh male light driver exp 16 years A.G 48 years, looking for job. Contact 99165961 Light vehicle driver 4 years exp know, Hindi, English and Arabic.

Contact:98522914 Light driver 3 yrs exp.

Contact: 95939050 Light vehicle driver with 10 years experience requires placement.

Contact: 94554216 Looking for light vehicle driving job, 4 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 93464395 Light duty driver, 3 yrs exp, seeks placement. Contact: 97829730 Light duty driver seeks placement. Contact: 96381406 Heavy duty driver seeks placement. Contact: 94939865 / 79039204 Driver looking for job.

Contact: 91788481 / 92231714 Driver with car. Contact: 99716938 / 96048707 Indian light driver having 2 years experience in Oman, know language, Hindi, English & Arabic need job. Contact: 97366822

Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com

Light driver available in Muscat, exp 1 year,language: English,Arabic & Hindi.

Contact: 91432028

Architect, B.Arch (Manipal University, India) looking for challenging professional Architect post in Oman. Presently available in Oman. Please contact 99417671.

Bangladeshi Male, 1 yr exp, D/L. Contact: 95496766

CATERING 20 years experience in Saudi Arabia, Arabiccook, English cook , China cook, Indian cook, experience in Saudi Arabia Hospital.

Contact: 96167890

DESIGNER/ DRAUGHTSMAN Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman.

Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780 Free lance / part time autocad works / make boq 2d /3d arch , structural, shop drawings interior drawings. Contact 97103168 mkgroupoman@gmail.com Interior designer seeking job in Muscat with 6 years of related experience as an interior designer with a strong background in work place interiors.

Contact: 91291502 Email: ahmad.jassem025@gmail.com INDIAN male Civil Draughtsman/ Designer with 8 years’ experience (6 years in Oman and 2 years in India) seeks placement. NOC available. Contact 96796138.

Indian male, having wide experience of 4 years in GCC & 5 years in India for 3 D interior &exterior designing , AutoCAD drafting & NOC available &ready to join immediately. Contact: 91282841 Email: thankijb@gmail.com AutoCADcivil 3D draftsmen having 5 yrs highway draughting 5 yr sarchest, drafting looking for suitable job.

Contact: 93243262 knowledge of site measurement

20 years experience, educated driver, Keralite.

Contact: 99062400 Light duty Driver with car Honda Civic, 2005, 6 years experience.

Contact: 91898658 / 90744740 Pakistani light driver job, 7 yrs exp. Contact: 92754283 Driver with car, 6 years experience. Contact: 93961503 / 96448004 Male 40 yrs, 15 yrs exp, D/L seeking job (Sales & driving) English, Hindi, Arabic. Contact: 97003340 1 years exp D/L male 28 yrs, looking driver job. Contact: 94338977 Driver job wanted. Contact: 96393082 Indian male 42 yrs UAE , QTR 24 years road work experience looking for good post, with driving license, on visit visa. Contact: 91177203 Driver with car have good experience in Oman. Contact: 94039796 Driver with 2 years experience in job looking for job. Contact: 93374969 / 93721242 Looking for job light driving.

Contact: 93779819 Looking for job exp having driving license. Contact: 97363138 Looking for driving job with care Honda accordwithoutcar have experience 5 years & language know Hindi & Arabic. Contact: 97747243 Driver looking for job.

Contact: 95892363 Experienced driver available with 4WD willing to work fulltime / part-time, familiar with all tourist destinations in Oman.

Contact: 24814231 / 91941545

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. HSE Officer 6 yrs experience in building construction safety seeking suitable position currently on visit visa. Contact: 90595885 / 71140487 Electrical Engineer (Indian) diploma 13 years exp (4 yrs Oman) valid Oman driving license, NOC Available seeking suitable placement. Contact: + 968- 98858299 /+ 91- 7012968344 Email:jm_thomas23@yahoo.com Indian female B.Tech Civil engineer having experience as quantity surveyor and having knowledge in primavera , 3DS Max, AutoCAD etc seeking for a suitable job.

Contact: 95737185 Email: elizabethvinod8@gmail.com Indian male BE mechanical engineer CSWIP, 4 years gulf experience in visit visa having Qatar driving license. Contact: +968 96550807 Email: vishnusohanlal@gmail.com Master in Civil Engineering with 5 years Gulf exp. Contact: 96658456 Indian male 26 years Mechanical Engineer with 2 yrs exp in Oman.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact - 91328079 Arch’l Site Engineer more than 15 years exp in Saudi Arabia & Oman (finishing & marble field).

Contact: 91220168 Indian male age 50 , B.E civil having 26 years exp as R.E and QA/QC Good knowledge in building construction , working as R.E , Most of the Govt (MOE) and PDO projects , approved R.E of MOE &approved QA/ QC of PDO, looking for suitable placement at present I am in notice period available for immediate joining.

Contact: 90933946 / 94156495 (WA) Civil Draftsman 6 years experience in Oman male.

Contact: 98121513 Email: wasilansari2600@gmail.com Project manager – Electrical, Indian B.Tech electrical &, 19 years of experience in HT &LT network projects (9 years in Oman).

Driving license & NOC available, seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 96258810 Email: bharathj1976@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.Tech, M. Tech Indian with 2 years experience in India (Sobha city) seeking suitable placement currently visit visa.

Contact: 90104058 Email: sibin089@gmail.com Indian Engineer 25, B.E& Diploma in HSE with 3 years India exp, on visit Visa available to join immediately # 93472629.

Email: jithujay.in@gmail.com Biotechnology Engineer with valid Oman D/L job suitable placement. Contact: 92839983 MBA B. Tech (Information Technology) male technical course M.S office,Computerhardware, 4 months exp. Contact:93965132 / 99040662 Email: mshihab27@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.Tech(Civil) Oman driving license AutoCAD Microsoft office more than six years experience in construction of building & villas and cad projects contractors and consultants.

Contact: 00968 – 98382247 Civil Eng B.SC holder 6 yrs exp in Oman having D/L. Contact: 93654862 Electrical B.Tech Indian 26, 3 years exp in PLC/ SCADA IND. automation &supervision.

Contact: 97207570 / 90481773 BE mechanical Eng, PG diploma in piping &plant, immediately available, on visit visa. #95486659 Email: akashmw50@gmail.com Indian female, MCA,BCA, oracle certified 6month training in data warehousing PHP, SQL,PLAQL, UNIX, seeking job at good company. Contact: 95694330 Email: monakashyap001@gmail.com

Experienced IT Professional with over 20 years in Oman.

Can manage ERP systems, Hardware, Network, Wi-Fi and Biometric Devices.

Contact # 92839516

Electronics/ Instrumentation Engineer With 3 years experience in a renowned Oil company (Air craft refueling equipments QC, instrumentation CP electrical systems) 1 year on job training at sea port (electricaland PLC systems) Having and HSE, IT and management trainings.

abdallah.baloch@outlook.com Contact: 96116969

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. #92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Indian male Civil Engineer 1.6 yrs exp, having Omani D/L, looking for suitable position. NOC available.

Contact – 92157694 / mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Engg, 10 years exp in steel fabrication site work with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 94696192 Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrs exp seeks suitable position in a reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711 B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 24 with almost 1 year experience as Production Shift Engineer, has achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP.Currently in Oman on a visit visa, looking for a suitable placement.Contact: 95065955 email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available. Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Indian male 24 fresh mechanical engineer looking for a job in mechanical field special interest in QA, QC NDT on visit visa.

Contact: 93487822 Electrician Indian male 9 year’sexp, seeking suitable position currently in visit visa.

Contact: 94736540 B.Sc Civil Engineer 5+ years experience in Building construction & Steel structural building with having valid D/L. Contact: 93850440/ shahadat033@gmail.com Oil & Gas experienced Indian engineer available in Oman for business development, sales, marketing, with 10 years experience handling multinationals in Oman.

Previously 10 years experience in PDO. Contact- 9490 2691 B.Tech Chemical, female Engineer with five years of experience from Hindalco and Honeywell looking for suitable job related to Chemical Engineering & teaching. #71121608 or seemi.alam@gmail.com Indian female M.Tech biotechnology seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 91287047 Email: valliammai1000@gmail.com Electrical Engineer with experience, 9 years in Oman.

Contact: 98148034 Telecom Engineer exp in CCTV camera & Security systems, D/L available. Contact: 93513927 Keralite (m) Electrical engineer seeks placement. Contact: 92757534 Email: arundevd588@yahoo.com Pakistani male 26, Civil Engineer D.A.E diploma holder with 3 years experience in Pakistani 1 year experience in Oman, seeking placement. Contact: 90617305 Email: wasimiqbal324@gmail.com 10 years of experience in all kind of electronics service & repair and electrical & plumbing work.

Contact 93980952 Looking for Civil Engineer job, with 5 years experience in ministry project, good command in AutoCAD MS Excel and establishing BOQs. Contact: 97478804 HSE / Safety professional having more than 15 years of experience in oil & gas airport & building construction safety seeking suitable position in HSE. Contact: 99206389 Graduate female, with driving license, looking for a suitable position. Contact: 96234434 Indian male 24 ,B.E ( E.C.E ) graduate with 3 years of experience in the fields of BMS and Low current systems and has good knowledge about Electronic Security Systems, currently working in Oman, NOC Available. Contact: 94737033/ mohdmuhafez45@gmail.com

Looking for suitable placement. Indian Male 36 yrs Machineshop sales and service, repair and maintenance mechanical equipments & jobs. Noc available, Oman D/L Available Working in Oman for 5+ years. 98481039, anand27kumar@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).Looking for a Suitable position. Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa. Contact: 92157694. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Civil Engineer, B.Tech, Indian with 1 year experience in Oman seeking suitable placement, NOC available from sponsor. Contact: 91702450 Email: tijoct2015@hotmail.com Civil Engineer 10 years experience working in International company, Infrastructure & building construction having Omani driving license.

Contact: 96616396.

Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784 Mechanical/ Piping Engineer (B.Tech.) on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 94703350 Email: nadeembcoolboy@gmail.com Fresher cloud Engineer.

Contact: 98207829 Sudanese civil Engineer master holder with 6 years experience.

Contact: 99636424 Indian male, B.E Mechanical with 2 years experience as Maintenance Engineer in Cochin Refinery and 1 year experience in Chevrolet seeking job. Contact : 97964862, Email:jossyabraham20@gmail.com Need for job industrial Electrical technician with Oman driving license, earlier experience in the oil field. Contact: 91285302 / 96348016 Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961 Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization. Contact 96570891 Civil Engineer (Indian male) 5 years experience in Oman with valid Omani driving license & NOC looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93101283 Electrical Engineer, 24 yrs, Indian Male, Fresher, Training Undertaken in Electrical Draughtsman, Fire Alarm, Fire Fighting and Industrial Automation.

Contact: 94989767, Email: Junaiz987@gmail.com Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit.

Contact: 93837973 Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. Contact: 98921022

D6

T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Indian male, B.E Mechanical with 2 years experience as Maintenance Engineer in Cochin Refinery and 1 year experience in Chevrolet seeking job.

Ph number: 97964862, Email: jossyabraham20@gmail.com Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design field. Having 6 years of experience in design field. Residing in Muscat.

Contact - 91176187 Email: syam036@gmail.com Civil Engineer, young Indian having almost 2 years experience looking for a challenging position seeks suitable position in Oman/ GCC. Please contact 92718490, Email ID: uvais.pk82@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Indian, Male, 30yrs. Experienced in Steam turbines and Thermal Power house seek employment.

Contact - +91 8130553668 or mohamedshah7@gmail.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING Indian Female, Phd in Chemistry having 3.5 yrs of Experience in India. Staying here on Family Visa & seeking for a suitable placement.

Contact – 99675828, Email anupam.tiwari67@gmail.com Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact 99739415 / 92091528

IT Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area.

Contact 98660672 IT Engineer male, 28 yrs, over 7 yrs experience with NOC, D/L available seeking placement in IT / Network / Telecom field.

Contact 93563297 Email: monuzv24@gmail.com Looking for IT &Administration job, more than 5 years experience.

Contact: 97619211 Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM Certified, seeking suitable role.NOC Available.

Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com 27, Indian male: Software Developer having 5years+ experience in oracle forms & reports 10 g, BI publisher. Contact:91156571 CFA level 1 cleared (pursuing level 2) MBA operations research, female, 5 yrs experience as Analyst, have a valid Oman driving license, looking for related openings.Contact 95818892 Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support/ CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement.

Contact 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact 94672759

Indian female 24. Masters in Computer science engineering, seeking job in colleges, schools and institutes. Having in good skill in teaching and advanced technologies. Contact : 93356858 Email id : annielino11@gmail.com

Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support/ CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement. Contact 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY

Female, master in mass communication, B.Ed, experience in media channel and teaching PH : 99362024

Looking suitablepost in hotels / resorts, Gulf experienced total 16 years, 8 years as GMoperations, MBAhotel management, bachelor in tourism & science Cambridge IELTS (6.5) Contact: Email: umar_in@rediffmail.com or rajeevnarendran@gmail.com Front Office Manager with over 20 years of experience in the Middle East & preopening expertise with hospitality giants like Burj Al Arab, Address hotels &Millennium looking for similar opportunities.

Contact: 96383636 Indian male having Diploma in Hotel Management with 16 years of experience in F x B Service at India, K.S.A & Oman, having valid Oman D/L, seeking for available placement. Contact 92100141 / 92221956 Indian male 31yrs old with hotel management degree,03 yrs experience in F&B services at 5 star hotel Dubai, 05 yrs in American 06 star cruiseliner has butler. Has oman driving license. Contact 99859150 Indian male, 24 yrs , Diploma in Hotel management, 2 years experience front office management in 4 star hotel Dubai, currently on visit visa. Contact: 97937504 Email: febinpalathingal01@gmail.com

IT HSE manager, Indian, GradIOSH, IDIP Nebosh, 19+ years experience EX- Indian navy driving license , NOC available , seeks placement.

Contact: 94401830 Email: hseoman101@gmail.com Indian male Keralite post graduate diploma and graduate CCNA & MCSA certified have 5 years experience in software & hardware technical support. Contact: 93988511 Contact: vimalkanthkv@gmail.com Bachelor degree (B.techin electronics and telecommunicationsand CCNA certified network supportengineer 1 .5 years experience seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 90253746 Email: sreejilalnt2424@gmail.com Indian / Female (29) married.

MCA, 2+years of experience in software development Accenture, Bangalore. IT skills include Dot Net, SQL server 2008, ASP.Net, excellent communication skills with Omani DL looking for a suitable job. Mb: 94057790; Email: geetika.pesit08@gmail.com A telecommunication and Network Engineer with 3 years experience in the field.

Contact : + 968 98832649 Email: mohammed.abutamam@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS 2nd mate Officer, Indian 10 yrs experience in Tanker / chemical vessels, looking for an on shore job / port operations / TWG master.

Contact: 94972789 Purchase Executive 9 .5 years experience in construction purchasein Oman seeking a suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact: 94274104 Purchase Executive 10 years experience in construction purchase seeking a suitable placement, NOC available. Contact: 97332401 British National, 34, M.B.A young & energetic male, looking for any managerial position in Oman, having 12 years of experience in managing different types of businesses.

Contact: 96056963 Email: asim_shah199@yahoo.com Omani male, 21 years graduate, (bachelor in management studies) seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97904200 21, Indian female B.com graduate on family visa looking for immediate and suitable placement. Holds valid Omani Driver’s license. Contact: 97208869 Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placements. NOC available.

Contact: 92066 523 9 year experienced industrial painter and sand blaster with Oman driving licence. NOC available.

Seeks suitable placement. Contact Zakeer Hussain 96681934.

B.Com,IICL Certified Container Inspector (No.150850),Visit Visa, Six months experience, need placement. # 90880935, 99023279, Email solexyesudas@gmail.com Sudanese male bachelor geology and mining with 3 years experience in MUD logging and training in soil investigation.

Contact 92956848 BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com

MEDICAL Indian lady, BSC Nurse with MOH seeking job. Contact: 92726762 Indian female Staff Nurse, more than 20 years experience in maternity wards, delivery suit and medical wards M.O.H license and N.O.C available. Seeking for a suitable job in Muscat. Contact: 92035268 Email: rosemathew2015@gmail.com Indian female Assistant Pharmacist 4 years experience in Oman seeking suitable placement in Muscat area. Contact 93391910, 97498809 Indian female MOH Dietitian working in Muscat NOC available well experienced. Contact: 90996037 Email: nabanitasaha12@gmail.com Indian Male Dentist BDS with MOH license seeks for a job.

Contact 94397499 Dr.Ayman Abduljalil Ali, E.N.T Specialist (Otolaryngologist), Yemeni-male, looking for job.

Mobile: 00201096542706, Email: aymanjalilorl@gmail.com Female Dentist Indian with MOH license & NOC looking for a job in Muscat. Contact-96035981 Filipino male Medical / Sales representative with 3 yrs experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: 92610394 Veterinary Doctor: Indian Female looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 96906534 /99014885, Email: monishmajeed@gmail.com

MANAGER / SUPERVISOR Purchase Officer / Manager 16 years GCC experience in construction (civil& MEP) seeks suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact: 99109533 Project manager ( B.E Arch) interior fit outsspecializing in retail shops , corporate offices F& B outlets , hospitality etc having 10 years experience to work in a reputed Firm , NOC available. Contact: 94274437 Experienced Global Relationship Manager with 10 years experience at the world’s leading banks. Handled the custody and FX accounts of key clients worth millions of dollars.

Email:ahmedmarzouk17@ymail. com or call 97392155 Experienced business development and investment consultant with 10 years experience in the financial management field. Holds a masters degree in finance and management from the UK. Tel: 90157073 Indian male (40 yrs), looking for warehousing /logistics supervisor position, having 12 yrs Oman Exp with D/L, currently with a leading distribution company in Oman, NOC available - PH: 94337320 ; Email: truefails@rediffmail.com General Manager Indian National With 20 yr Experience In managing Civil Construction Business Seek Opening in reputed Civil Company. Contact-97464650.

SKILLED LABOUR 7 years experience in aquaculture shrimp farming construction light license NOC. Contact: 92635313 Male 42 electricians & plumber, looking for job NOC available.

Contact: 98081227 Watch repair and service looking for job, 24 yrs experience.

Contact: 99530405

SALES / MARKETING Client Relations and Sales Professional with 8 years in the Business Process Outsourcing industry, looking for suitable opportunity in Muscat. Contact +96879050752 Indian male (28) B.Com last position 6+ yrs experience in sales & business development immediate joining, on visit visa.

Contact: 92686168 W.H.APP +918087894270 Email: fernandesjackson_john@yahoo.com

SALES / MARKETING Indian male valid Omani driving license 15 years experience in Oman fluent in English,Arabic, Hindi & Malayalam NOC available looking for suitable placement in sales driver pest. # 97012317 Male 27 years of experience in warehouse sale & marketing sector, looking for suitable position, currently on visit visa. Contact – 93942050/ WhatsApp- 919573500548 / rma36684@gmail.com

Indian male 1 yr exp in sales automotive (TBL) looking for best opportunity , NOC available.

Contact# 97793879 Email: shyampkn@gmail.com Indian male age 24, B.Com. having 2 year experience and currently in visit visa. Looking for suitable placement in Sales, Marketing & finance. Contact: 90766307 Email: shhaazz.007@gmail.com

PG in commerce male more than 8 yrs experience in purchase in Oman D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99145776

Indian male 26 years of experience of sales & marketing in surgical and laboratory equipments.

Looking for good replacement.

Contact – 92015894 /95774854

MBA (UK), raised in Oman & with 2 yrs work experience holding valid Oman driving license, seeks job in sales / business development.

Contact: 99513132

Oil & gas experienced Indian lady with 6 years in sales & marketing to PDO and having valid Omani driving license. Contact 96143430 / 99875919

Indian male with 8 years experience in Sales and marketing with Toyota in India seeks placement.

Contact: 24787920 or 99264617

Indian female 29 years Post Graduate with computer Knowledge 2 years of Oman experience in coordinator & 5 years of experience in customer service, client relation officer with excellent communication skill seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95337665

Lebanese man, lookingfor job Marketing&sales, Ihave licenseNOC, 10 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 91308319 Multinational FMGC experienced, qualified Sri Lankan lady seeking employment in Muscat. Marketing, Brands, Sales, Communication.

Oman exp& DL available. 98250829 Engineering graduate having 5+ years of exp as Marketing coordinator in Advertisement Company and as security system service engineer Mob: 79059197 27 years Indian male looking for outdoor sales with 5 years of experience in G.C.C & having Oman driving license presently working in electronic base company. N.O.C available. Contact: 94048369 / 97209329 5 years Oman sales experienced Indian with valid Omani & UAE driving license. Contact: 92507253 / 99414642 Sales professional (Graduate) with additional qualification MCSE & CCNA having more than 10+ yrs of experience in handling IT hardware, Networking & Security Products (project based) and experience in education and training industry in Oman, seeking employment in relevant IT companies. Contact: 99354209 BBA Bachelor of business administration exp in custom clearance procedure, also done international logistics management & Nimb National Institute business management (US) certification all documentation work related logistics. contact – 91949050 / akram.chaush001@gmail.com B.com graduate from India with 6 months of experience in billing and sales in one of the largest retail chain company in India is looking for a suitable position.

Currently in visit visa 99610602 or hashim.hashi@yahoo.in India PG diploma in Business Administration, 24 year experiences (22 years in Oman) in diverse field handling office independently administration, Sales and Marketing, highly motivated, hard working skillful and willing to work in challenging environments seeks suitable placement. Having valid Omani driving license. Contact 99120500 Indian male 37 years MBA graduate in marketing with 9yrs of experience in UAE in field of brand promotions & marketing with UAE D/L on a visit seeking suitable position. Conatct 95792820 Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India. +918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Resident in Oman 18 years, 10 years experience in setup marketing plans and strategies, sales, import & logistics, procurement, Omani government tenders, organizing projects & events, import fireworks for festivals, NOC available, have car. Contact 94123939.

Email: 002015r@gmail.com

Key Accounts Manager of sales.. with an experience of 13 yrs, across the country. Bsc, MBA seeks suitable placement. Contact- 92100116 Egyptian male experienced sales executive with 12 years sales experience in Egypt, KSA and Oman with leading FMCG companies.

Holds Omani driving license.

Tel: 96202040, Email: ahmedghoniem618@gmail.com Indian male MBA and Diploma in management from Australia. On visit visa, looking for a suitable job in sales & marketing. #71189884 Indian male with 6 years experience in sales in oman. NOC available, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95364128 Indian male Graduate with 18 years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA marketing 5 yrs exp. in sales & 4 yrs in FMCG sector, looking for best opportunity. NOC available.# 96001877

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Secretarial & Office: Indian(F), MBA in Finance, 2 years experience as Associate in Branch Operations (Record Keeping, Desk job)on family visa. Ph: 93186865 ; email: ddthoppil@gmail.com Looking for part time job Secretarial / Data Entry / Documentation available every day after 5:00 pm Friday / Saturday full day area preferred Ruwi/ CBD/ MBD / Al Khuwair. Contact: 90414827 India PG diploma in Business Administration, 24 year experiences (22 years in Oman) in diverse field handling office administration independently, Sales and Marketing, highly motivated, hard working skillful and willing to work in hallenging environments seeks suitable placement. Having valid Omani driving license. #99120500 Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment. #95244761

MISCELLANEOUS Indian/male(26)/MBA/2 years experience in procurement, coordination and distribution management, with valid oman license available for immediate joining.

Contact 92536194, email:suhailbs@gmail.com Accountant. Having 9 years experience in accounts in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat (NOC Available). GSM. 00968-93528057, Email waheed.murtaza@yahoo.com

MEDICAL

33 Indian male, Graduate with 11 years Oman experience in sales & hospitality, looking for a job with NOC. Contact: 90307873

Marketing Executive with 10 years experience in Gulf on visit visa. Contact: 90116693

B. Tech in electrical and electronics engineering, 23yrs Indian male, 2yrs exp (MEP ELECTRICAL ), NOC available, expert in electrical engineering design, autocad, ETAP, MS Office. Contact ph:92201939 email:nabilism4@gmail.com

Indian male Nurse, with well experience in profession and working in Oman. Seeking for a suitable placement. (Preferring opportunity in as Rig Medic). Has BLS and ACLS. Contact : 97236545

Indian Kerala 35 years male, 4 years working sales man for building material hare D/L seek suitable placement. Contact: 99858456 / 96314974 Email: prasanthsmt@gmail.com

INDIAN male, BBA with 4 years experience in SALES & MARKETING, holding omani driving license. seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95607037 Email: raaz0jannat@gmail.com.

Indian male Staff Nurse completed BSc nursing, having three years of experience in medical ICU having Oman license and NOC, seeking suitable situation.

Contact 94932245

TRAVELS/TOUR Reservation & ticketing staff, IATA passed 24 yrs, Oman 1 year experience, 3 years experience in India. Contact: 94791341 & 0091 11 9656724483 Email: anasp555@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 23 Fresher. Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC &MEP.Contact : 9586 1251 Email : ajaibmd39@gmail.com Building maintenance foreman (all-rounder).10.year gulf Experience with Oman Driving License.90858522.

A Filipino female searching for a job, with visit visa exp February 2017.hospitality and sales job will be a Good offer to me.

Contact no:98271658 Restaurant Banquet manager Indian male having 3 yrs diploma in hotel management & catering technology, above 16 yrs work experience in F&B service managerial position in reputed star hotels at gulf countries& India. #91164043 Email:mohanpriya1975@yahoo.com Indian male, 24 yrs, looking for professional job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics, having 3 years of Exp and i am having Gulf driving license you can contact me on : - +96897017866.

Indian female looking for an accounts part time job. area preferred Ruwi/CBD/MBD/ wk.contact-95482970.

Indian Male B-com graduate, 1.5 Year exp. in various office works, Valid Oman driving license looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 95322175 / 91987965 Indian Male (25), BSc Electronics, M.B.A seeking suitable openings, Having 3 years’ experience in, sales and Marketing of financial products with Oman Driving License. Contact - 94774550 INDIAN male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa. Seeks suitable placement in Cargo section.

Contact- 96370022 Young professional, Energetic looking for Finance/Audit Job. BSC (Accounting) ACCA (Affiliate), CAT (Affiliate). Currently working in GOV. Experience of 4 Years .

NOC available. saleemraza218@gmail.com IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3+yrs exp. in IT, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 91496939.

Fresh B.Com Graduate in visit visa looking for a job. CONTACT: 93518923 / 99075027.

Email: sheikcok@yahoo.com Indian male, M.Com, B.Com, looking for suitable opening, now on visiting visa. Contact79103798, email- malikfaheem284@gmail.com Indian/male (26)/ca finalist and b.Com/3 years expereince in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa.

Available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.Usman.Su@gmail.Com Indian Male 23 years B.com graduate Holding a valid Oman driving License searching for a suitable placement, currently on visit visa. Contact: 94175848.

Indian/male(26)/MBA/ 2 years expereince in proccurement,cordination and distribution management.With valid oman licenece. Available for immediate joining. Contact: 92536194 EMAIL:suhailbs@gmail.com Indian male, 23 Fresher, Graduate Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP.Contact: +968 9748 9256 Email: abdulmajid.ak@gmail.com Indian female PhD, M.Phil, M.A in English, B.Ed, Diploma TESOL,16 years teaching experience seeks suitable teaching, editing or relevant job. # 92245591, 95221665 Indian male 23 Fresh Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : mdajaib@yahoo.com

T H U R S DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

SITUATION WANTED TOURS

RENT A CAR

SITUATION WANTGOOD NEWS ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!! worrying about your car? Here is a solution for safe parking and cleaning your car when you are away on vacation. For people travelling from distant location, you can just drop off your keys to the car care team and peacefully check into the airport. Your vehicle will be waiting at the airport on your return.

Contact: 96964767 Ayurvedic treatments & massage – Ayurvedic Clinic Al Khuwair.

Contact 97263637 /93309131 Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic clinic, 18th November Street Al Ghubra (North). Contact 99639695 / 97397320 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

SITUATION WANTED COMPUTER/WEB./ EDU./CLASSES

MATRIMONIAL Viswakarma boy 33 years Trissur Own Business,seeks suitable alliance. Contact: 97363585

4 WD Pagero with driver.

Contact: 98031620 25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. # 99839898

SITUATION WANTCLASSES Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi

• Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. Contact: 98294551

Sunni Muslim (Urdu) girl B.E, M.B.A 26 years invites alliance from Tamil Nadu Bengaluru.

Contact: 99502581 Keralite Muslim boy, 33 years, height 5’ 9” cm working as Marketing Executive (MBA) in Muscat invite suitable proposal.

Contact: 99179693 / 99449341 Nair boy, 26 yrs Revathy, Alleppy dist, B.Tech working as planning / project Engineer in Oman, 4 yrs seeks suitable alliance.

Contact: 94232342 / 99065898

NRI Brand new luxury 3 BHK apartment for sale in South Bangalore, Bannerghatta main road, near Dairy Circle. Contact: + 968 99337995

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact: 97128083 Driver with car transportation available. Contact: 95396905 Picking & drop Ruwi to Rusail.

Contact: 98957524 / 91287470 Transportation. Contact: 99099714 Transportation. Contact: 94297820 Transportation. Contact 94087276 Transportation. Contact 92015894

MANPOWER

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D8

T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 9, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED DINING DELIGHTS

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WE SERVE OMAN

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control building. Cleaning tiles / Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020 Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact 99344723 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Caret & Sofa Shampooing General Cleaning & Polishing.

Ocean Center L.L.C. # 24707833 Marble Crystallization & Grinding, Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 92705130

A/C maintenance & Servicing, Fridge / Washing Machine / dish washer repairing, 2) Painting and cleaning service, Electrical & Plumbing. Contact 94147874 / 24504281, mail : globalaccessunited@gmail.com 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

Marble / granite sales, fixing lean polishing. Contact: 98604960

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/ 24792998

Safety items New Year gift diaries, pen printing. Contact: 98604960 Installation & maintenance for Modular Kitchen, UPVC Doors & Windows, Furniture, Electrical & Air-conditions Contact @ 92383882/91443786 House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

DRIVING

SITUATION WANTFOR LADIES

We undertake new construction & maintenance & gypsum works.

Contact 92711506, ammarayyub@gmail.com

Special packages, Facial, Pedicure, Eyebrow, only 10 RO. Al doom Beauty Parlour Contact 99619409 Specialist for road test drum and slope. Contact 94022250