Times of Oman - November 30, 2015 by Muscat Media Group

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FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the Opening of the Council of Oman, 1997

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We renew our call to the Omani Women’s Associations and other social organisations, to give a higher priority to instilling awareness in female citizens about the need to adapt to the realities of today. This will enable women everywhere to fulﬁl their vital role in society - a role for which we have endeavoured to prepare them from the very beginning.

MONDAY, November 30, 2015 / 18 Safar 1437 AH

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N AT I O N A L D AY

HM receives greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received more cables of congratulations on the occasion of the 45th Glorious National Day from the leaders of friendly countries. In their cables, they expressed their sincere congratulations and best wishes of good health, happiness and a long life to His Majesty the Sultan, and the Omani people further progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty. His Majesty the Sultan received congratulatory cables from His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jabir Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca of Malta and Mauritius Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth. -ONA

RAIN IN MUSCAT GOVERNORATE Muscat, Sidab and Qantab received light rains on Sunday morning while it rained heavily in Quriyat, Sur and Al Kamil in the afternoon ﬂooding wadis and waterlogging roads.— Supplied photos See also >A2

New police hospital to help cut expat body repatriation time MUSCAT: Delays in embalming the bodies of expatriates who have died in Oman, before their repatriation, will speed up, say officials, as a new police hospital being built in Muscat will have a dedicated department for the purpose. “When the new Royal Oman Police (ROP) hospital comes up, there will be a special dedicated department to deal with such cases. It will surely ease the present situation,” the senior official said.

According to social workers from expatriate communities in Oman, often it takes 48 hours to have a body embalmed and complete other procedures before it is repatriated as there are only two embalming centres in Muscat. “At present, the main embalming facility is available only at the Muscat Royal Oman Police (ROP) hospital in Qurum. Every year, they are forced to deal with nearly 1,000 bodies. It means that approximately, three bodies are embalmed every day,” Shameer PTK, an Indian social worker in Oman who constantly assists in repatriating bodies, told the Times of Oman.

‘Oman a second home for Bangladeshis’

Oman is a second home for Bangladeshis, a Bangladesh minister has said. >A2

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Tourism’s share in Oman GDP to rise

Direct contribution of tourism to Oman’s GDP is expected to jump. >A4

MARKET

Tender for water projects floated

A tender for supervisory consultancy services was ﬂoated. >B1

Raging Goliath

I N S P I R E D B Y R E S TAU R A N T S

An appetite for photographs of mouth-watering dishes HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

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hassan@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: For most photographers nature is the best location for a photo opportunity, but Omani photographer Khamis Al Ghailani finds inspiration at restaurants and cafes where he “cooks” fresh food photographs. Today, the Times of Oman proudly features yet another talented youngster for its #OmanPride initiative. After Al Ghailani orders his meal, the first thing he does is to capture its flavour, aroma, colour and texture through the camera lenses. “You should know how to see all these things together as a composite,” he explains. “It’s a matter of good taste,” says Al Ghailani who always tries to give his dishes a carefree summer feel. “Who doesn’t like food?” wonders Al Ghailani, who owns a mouth-watering Instagram page which exudes intimacy and a fine art of understanding food and beverage photography.

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Khamis got his ﬁrst camera in 2004, and only used to click family photos. A year later, he started practicing portraits and close-up photography. “Food photography isn’t that easy for any beginner photographer,” Al Ghailani said, while adding that his favourite food picture

ever was a snap of mini burgers at Casper & Gambini’s. Asked about his role model, the young Omani artist said, “There are a lot of creative photographers who I am learning from. But the one in whose pictures I can see myself is a Kuwaiti photographer, named Ahmed Al Harbi.” Al Ghailani’s gallery on Instagram features a variety of cuisines and sweets including cheesecakes, macaronis, pistachios, spaghetti, ice creams, dates, Iranian sweets, French fries, luxury chocolates and his latest work, ‘karak’ tea. More than 3,000 fans follow the photographer and he has posted 388 images till date. Al Ghailani hopes to open his own exhibition sometime in the future to showcase his art in food, landscape and portrait photography.

“They are not to be blamed. But if the facility is expanded to regional government hospitals, it would be a great help and will speed up the repatriation process. Till the initial procedures are completed, the body is kept in one of the regional hospitals and only then is it transferred to Muscat,” he said explaining the process. “If somebody dies in the interior of the Sultanate of Oman at some place, the body has to be transported to Qurum. That itself takes time. If the facility is expanded to other government hospitals in Muscat, it would greatly help the expatriate community,” Shameer added. >A6

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designed to bring transparency to Oman’s real estate market, has been launched

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: To protect people from unscrupulous brokers in the Sultanate a new electronic system has been launched, according to the Oman Real Estate Association. Labelling the new electronic system launched by the Ministry of Housing (MoH) as a ‘game changer’, the Oman Real Estate Association has said that it would regulate the real estate

industry in the country. “We hail the MoH’s role in executing the Royal Decree, so that brokers will only be able to practice Real Estate brokerage after obtaining a licence, receiving proper training and completing a set of formalities,” said Hassan Mohammed Juma, Deputy Chairman of the Oman Real Estate Association. Under the new rules, homeowners will still be able to buy and sell buildings, but only through a licenced real estate agent. “This system will help bring better policies and regulations to the real estate sector, as the market today is not well organised and lacks professionalism,” he added, while noting that the association is seeking to improve the standards of real estate brokerage, development and evaluation. “Many unprofessional brokers who have been practicing the profession in an unethical manner have given the industry a bad reputation. But thanks to the electronic system, the landscape of the profession is going to change for the better,” Juma said. >A6

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015

OMAN L A B O U R L AW V I O L AT I O N

50 illegal expatriates arrested in Buraimi Times News Service MUSCAT: Department of Manpower, affiliated to the Ministry of Manpower, arrested 50 workers in Buraimi during the course of last month for being in violation of the labour law. The arrests came in the light of the Ministry of Manpower’s efforts to regulate the job market, prevent secretive trades, monitor the violators and prevent violations and the tendency in certain establishments to exceed the limits set by law. Most violations revolved around commercial licences as 40 work-

ers were found in violation of the related norms. Nine workers were caught for pursuing private careers and one was found working in agriculture sector. After observing the necessary procedures, the ministry officials found that all the workers had absconded. During the same period, 33 workers were deported. The department also received 109 reports of workers having absconded, while 78 were covered by the commercial license, 18 were private workers and the remaining 13 had agricultural licences. These reports pertained to the month of October.

Rains in Oman leave roads, wadis flooded In its forecast, Oman Meteorology Department has predicted rain on Monday and Tuesday in Muscat, Nizwa and Khasab

REJIMON K.

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Rains fell in different parts of Oman resulting in overflowing of the wadis and slowing of the traffic movement traffic on flooded roads. “Light rains fell in the morning in Muscat, Sidab and Qantab. However, late in the afternoon, it rained heavily in Quriyat, Sur and Al Kamil. There were also rains in Nakhal and Suwaiq,” Bader Ali Al Baddaei, an administrator of www.rthmc.net, a local Web-based forum that discusses weather in Oman, said. In its forecast, Oman Meteorology Department has predicted rain on Monday and Tuesday in Muscat, Nizwa and Khasab. “It rained heavily in Quriyat in the afternoon. “Roads are flooded. We had to close down our shops due to rain,” shop owners in Quriyat said. Last Tuesday also, rain fell in some parts of Muscat and Sohar. Last Sunday itself, Meteorology Department predicted heavy rains in the northern parts of Oman, starting today and continuing till the end of the week. In September, Dr Saeed Al Sarmi, the head of the Research Centre from the Public Author-

OVERFLOWING: In Muscat, the annual rainfall is about 100 millimetres, falling mostly from December to April period. In general, precipitation is scarce in Muscat and during several months, on an average, there is only a trace of rainfall. - Supplied photo

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ity for Civil Aviation (PACA) told the Times of Oman, “It is expected that due to the El Nino effect, there will higher–than-normal rainfall in Oman, especially in the northern mountainous regions and interiors.” The El Nino phenomenon occurs when the east and central Paciﬁc seas’ surface temperatures become warmer than usual, which

often signals wide-scale climate change around the globe, affecting winds, precipitation, sea-level pressures and temperatures. In Muscat, the annual rainfall is about 100 millimetres, falling mostly from December to April. In general, precipitation is scarce in Muscat and during several months, on an average, there is only a trace of rainfall.

El Nino effect According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the United Nations’ weather-monitoring body, the strength of El Nino was expected to peak between October last and January, and it could be among the four strongest El Nino events since 1950. “El Nino has some correlation with the above-average rainfall expected in Oman in October and November. The combination of the strong El Nino and positive IOD could certainly lead to above normal rainfall across Oman later in October or November,” Jason Nicholls, the senior meteorologist from Accuweather.com said.

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MINISTER VISITS OMAN

Sultanate is second home for Bangladeshis, says minister REJIMON K.

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman is a second home for Bangladeshis and the country does not mistreat foreigners on the basis of colour or creed, a Bangladesh minister has said. “Omanis treat us like brothers. That is why we are happily sending more and more Bangladeshis to Oman. Our workers are helping to build Oman and the money they remit helps our economy to flourish,” Nurul Islam, Bangladesh’s minister for expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, told the Times of Oman in an exclusive interview. Compared to other expatriate communities, the number of Bangladeshis in Oman is increasing every month and the statistics show that even though the Indians still top the list, Bangladeshis’ numbers are inching closer. According to the minister, around 3,000 Bangladeshis are boarding flights every day from the country for jobs abroad. “There are 9.4 million Bangladeshis working abroad and they are remitting money equivalent to 13 per cent of Bangladesh’s GDP,” the minister added. Bangladesh government’s data reveals that remittance from Oman was $0.7 billion in fiscal 2013-14. “We have set up training centres for potential migrants. Our focus is now to send skilled workers,” the minister added. October numbers In 2010, while the number of Indians in Oman was around 450,000, the number of Bangladeshis was 250,000. Now, it has changed. The October statistics show that there are 568,405 Bangladeshi workers in the Sultanate while there are 652,745 Indians. By the end of 2014, while the number of Bangladeshis was 540,481, compared to 501,357 at 2013-end. With 10.7 percent of the total Bangladeshi migrants preferring Oman, the Sultanate is their third favourite destination.

MORE ARE COMING: Bangladesh government’s data reveals that remittance from Oman to the country was $0.7 billion in ﬁscal 2013-14. – Times ﬁle

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has the highest percentage of Bangladeshi migrants at about 28.2 percent while the UAE, ranking second, is currently home to more than 2.3 million Bangladeshi migrants. International Labour Organisation (ILO) data reveals that each year, more than 400,000 workers leave Bangladesh for overseas employment. Jamal Hossen, a Bangladeshi construction worker in Muscat, said compared to other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Omani sponsors are more employee-friendly. “I have worked in other GCC countries also. Omani sponsors do not mistreat us. They are more humane in nature, compared to others,” Jamal told the Times of Oman. A construction company official said Bangladesh workers can be hired at cheaper rates and this may be one of the reasons behind the increase in the number of Bangladeshis in Oman. “When compared to migrants from other nationalities, we can hire Bangladeshi workers at cheaper rate. Moreover, they work hard, too,” Sunil Kumar KK, a top official at Najamat Al Fujairah Trading and Contracting, said. “Moreover, Indians now come only for white-collar jobs. So, from where else will we get workers who can build airports and bridges?” Sunil added. Meanwhile, chairman of a non-

governmental organisation in Dhaka said for a majority of Bangladeshis, migration is not a choice but the only option for those looking for a better living. Remittances “Bangladeshis migrate only because there are no options at home for a decent life. Government is interested in sending more and more citizens abroad only because it brings in money. Officially, around 15 per cent of the GDP comes from remittances. Unofficially, it would be more,” Syed Saiful, chairman of WABRE, an organisation which works closely with Bangladesh government for the welfare of migrants, said. “Moreover, lack of job opportunities and increase in poverty is pushing more and more Bangladeshis to migrate,” Syed added. According to Syed, the government has a lot to do and, at the same time, awareness among migrants should also be enhanced so that they do not land in trouble. “For the welfare of migrants, many rules are in place, but hardly any are followed. For example, the government has told recruitment agencies that USD200 should be the fee charged for visa processing. But in reality, a potential migrant pays more than USD3,000 to get a visa,” Syed added. Syed says that the Bangladesh government should reach government to government deals for recruitment of workers to avoid any pitfalls.

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5

Medicine price cut move gets a mixed response Many companies are of the opinion that the ministry decision beneﬁts the retailers more than the wholesalers MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: While pharmaceutical companies and people have welcomed the government’s move to reduce the prices of drugs, a few distributors have met the government officials to convince them to revise the decision. Many companies are of the opinion that the ministry decision benefits the retailers more than the wholesalers. The reduction will come at the cost of the profit margins of those in the private sector in the Sultanate. “The government’s decision is good for the retailers but it will be a nightmare for the wholesalers,” Mohammad Osama Rawat, general manager of Oriental Pharmacy, told the Times of Oman. “Now the profit margin is 55 per cent and retailer gets 22 per cent but C E L E B R AT I O N S

Indian cardinal to visit Oman

Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos

Times News Service MUSCAT: Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the major archbishop and head of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, will be the chief guest at the 15th anniversary celebrations of the Oman Syro Malankara Catholic Community. The anniversary is scheduled to be held from December 1 to 4. The main function will be organised at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ruwi, Muscat, on December 4 . Bishop Paul Hinder., the apostolic vicar of the Vicariate of Southern Arabia, is also expected to take part in the function as guest of honor. The function will start by giving Liturgical reception to the dignitaries at 2pm followed by concelebrated mass by the two, along with the priests in Oman. Cardinal Cleemis is at present holding the twin positions, the president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council. There will be 15th anniversary celebration of Oman Syro Malankara Catholic Community in the Parish Hall which will be followed by an entertainment programme by the members of the community. C U LT U R E

Oman to take part

in Kenya festival MUSCAT: Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, is taking part in Lamu Cultural Festival at Lamu Island, Kenya. The participation comes as a boost to the historic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the East Africa Coast, particularly in the cultural ﬁeld. The ministry will take part in the festival represented by Al Ajial Band for Traditional Arts, which will present shows of the Omani folklore. - ONA

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now it will vary,” he added. According to Rawat, the service cost is much higher in Oman than in many other places. So the reduction in profit margin will affect the wholesalers badly. Rawat also said the distributors have already discussed the issue with the director general. “The distributors had met the director general and requested him that the decision of the government be revised,” Rawat said. “The director general has neither said yes nor a no, but he has assured us to look into the problem,” he added. Profit margin The ministerial decision stipulates reducing profit margins on drugs in the private sector, making these between 35 to 43 per cent, instead of 55 per cent. According to the ministerial decision issued by Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, minister of health, prices of a large number of drugs will be reduced from January 1 next year. As per the ministerial decision, the profit margin will be calculated based on the cost insurance and freight (CIF) price to Oman. If the CIF price is less than OMR20, the profit margin will be 43 per cent, to be divided between the local agent (15 per cent) and the retailer (28 per cent). Further, if the CIF price is between OMR20 and OMR50, the profit margin will be 39 per cent, to be divided be-

tween the local agent (15 per cent) and the retailer (24 per cent). In case, the CIF price is more than OMR50, the proﬁt margin will be 35 per cent, with 15 per cent going to the local agent and 20 per cent to the retailer. Another pharmaceutical company manager also said they would follow the government’s orders as this was going to help the common people. People in the Sultanate also welcomed the government’s decision to reduce the drugs’ prices. “I usually buy medicines in my country (India) because of the high prices here. Now I can avoid the burden of bringing medicines from India and also save the time I spend at the airport,” said Abdul Kadher, a diabetic patient who has been residing in Oman for the past 15 years. “The prices here are very high and a common man can’t afford these. We can buy the same medicines at half the rate in other places. I am happy to hear that the prices will come down soon,” Philip Jose, a resident of Oman, said. “(I am) happy to see the government decision because this is really needed,” said Anwar Ali. Prices of 4,246 drugs registered in the Sultanate will be reduced from next January. The Ministry of Health has asked all the pharmacies operating in Oman to provide the list of prices of drugs so that consumers could compare the prices.

RECOGNITION

Sultan Qaboos voluntary work award function on December 5 MUSCAT: Ministry of Social Development will celebrate the distribution of the fourth version of the Sultan Qaboos Voluntary Work Award to individuals, societies and enterprises under the auspices of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications.

The event will take place on December 5 at Al Bustan Palace Hotel, said an official. Mubarak bin Ali Al Rahbi, head of the Office of the Minister of Social Development, member and rapporteur of the Award’s Main Committee said that the award does not only cover the organisa-

tions of the ministry, such as the societies, non-government organisations (NGOs) and individuals, but also the supportive categories that promote voluntary work in the Sultanate. It will be also presented to personalities that contributed to enhancing voluntary work. - ONA

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015

OMAN ‘Tourism to account for 5% of economy by 2020’

HONOUR

Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrzi, Minister of Tourism said that Oman, as part

Al Rumhy conferred with Asian Business Leadership award

of its strategy for tourism, will develop a roadmap for the sector for the next thirty years NEW STRATEGY: The tourism minister said that the new strategy for tourism will help diversify the

sources of national income, pointing out that a detailed strategy has been formulated. – Times ﬁle

Times News Service MUSCAT: Tourism sector’s direct contribution to Oman’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to jump from two per cent to ﬁve per cent by 2020, Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrzi, minister of tourism, has said. Al Mahrazi stressed that Oman, as part of its strategy for tourism, will develop a roadmap for the sector for the next 30 years, to make it one of the important economic sectors for national income. The minister pointed out that the growth indicators in the tourism sector saw a signiﬁcant rise and the added value of the sector reached OMR724 million by the end of 2014, with the number of tourists exceeding two million. He said the new Omani strategy for tourism will help diversify the sources of national income, pointing out that a detailed strategy has been formulated, and discussion on work and executive programmes has been held. “We are going to start developing a detailed outline for the Governorate of Dhofar. The Supreme Council for Planning has been directly supervising the imple-

mentation of the Governorate of Musandam strategy, including the tourism sector.” He explained that the strategic vision for tourism is based on two foundations, the ﬁrst being a series of tourist facilities in one location and the second being the distinctive tourist experiences that may attract tourists who can spend a number of days in speciﬁc geographic areas. Such destinations offer unique and distinctive experiences that linger on in the visitors’ minds for a long time. He also said that the number of job opportunities that many tourism projects provide in various governorates of the Sultanate have increased, pointing out that the Ministry of Tourism is seeking to accomplish more achievements in this vital and important sector. The strategic objective remains diversifying income sources and reducing dependence on oil as a major source of national income. In the framework of supporting and encouraging small and medium enterprises willing to operate and invest in the tourism sector, the minister reiterated that op-

OMR724m Is the added value of the tourism sector by the end of 2014, with the number of tourists exceeding two million

portunities were granted to those enterprises to invest in the sites offered by the Ministry of Tourism in a number of governorates by facilitating the issuance procedures for tourist licensing. Rotana Hotels Turning to the measures taken by the ministry in relation to the tourism sector in the past, he said, “The ministry signed a number of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding with a number of government and private institutions in the Sultanate for the development of areas of work for small and medium-sized enterprises.” Recently, Rotana Hotels had announced adding 1,500 rooms

in Muscat, Sohar and Salalah over the next five years. Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of Rotana, said there are plans to build three, four and five-star category hotels. “It will provide new job opportunities for Omanis and help them cultivate and develop their skills in the tourism and hospitality sector,” he had said. There are 297 hotels located in all the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. “Hotels in Oman have 15,424 rooms, with a relatively high growth rate of 7.3 per cent during 2014, compared with the previous year,” said Maitha bint Saif Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, said recently. The Omani tourism sector has witnessed remarkable development over the past years, reflected in the surge in the growth rates of main indices that measure progress in the sector.

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Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, minister of oil and gas, has been conferred with Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF) 2015 Statesman Award today (Sunday) in Dubai. The announcement was made in ABLF Series’ official twitter handle on Sunday. The award was received by Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji on behalf of Rumhy. The ABLF Series is considered as Asia’s most prestigious annual business leadership event series. The ABLF is well-attended by global leaders who are invested in the rise of the Asian century, and

brings together Asian leaders in conversation, celebration and collaboration. The ABLF is headed by the Governors’ Board who are responsible for shaping and projecting the vision, path and broad scope of the ABLF. They are among the most elite members of government and business, deﬁned by their years of experience, knowledge and wisdom, devoted to lending their leadership and mentorship to the ABLF and Asia. Additionally, there is an Executive Council that takes strategic decisions for the ABLF’s workings, gives their valuable input towards panels, forums and selections of forum topics.

TOURISM

Europa visits Salalah MUSCAT: The tourist cruise ship, Europa, visited Salalah Port on Sunday, carrying 584 passengers on board. Of these, 297 passengers were part of tourist programmes with the Sultanate’s ports as their destination. The passengers, who were travelling from Sharm Al Sheikh, Egypt,

to Sultan Qaboos Port, enjoyed the historical and cultural landmarks for which Dhofar is known. They also visited the beaches and the local market in Salalah. Ships regularly visit the Sultanate’s ports, while cruising around the world, due to these ports’ strategic location. - ONA

AV I AT I O N

PIA increases weekly ﬂights, offers special fare to Karachi SHAHZAD RAZA

shahzad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: With the competition toughening up on the Pakistan sector, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has increased its weekly flights and is offering an enticing new fare to Karachi. PIA operates as many as 15 weekly flights from Muscat to Pakistan, covering major destinations like Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar, Gwadar and Turbat with direct service. An increased baggage allowance of 40kg as well as the benefit of covering a third destination in Pakistan as a free connection are among a host of incentives the airline is offering its customers. “With three flights to Karachi every week — Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays — PIA has launched a special fare of OMR38 (one way) and OMR104 (return), including taxes and service charge. The offer is valid till December 31, 2015,” Shahzad Paracha, country manager of PIA Oman, told Times of Oman on Sunday. The airline has nearly doubled its Oman operations in one year, including its weekly flights from 8 in 2014 to 15 now. With direct flights to Pakistan from Salalah due to start soon, PIA is set to further expand its network in Oman. The airline has recently added state-of-

With three flights to Karachi every week — Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays — PIA has launched a special fare of OMR38 (one way) and OMR104 (return), inclusive of taxes and service charge Shahzad Paracha Country manager, Pakistan International Airlines Oman

the-art Boeing 777 airplane to its flight operations in Oman and two more are expected to be operating before the year ends. Muscat-Multan flights The Pakistani national carrier is now planning to start direct flights to Multan from Muscat. One of the major Punjab cities, Multan, also known as the city of

saints, is among the oldest cities in the world, dating back 6,000 years. Passengers travelling on PIA enjoy the distinct advantage of paying little or no money to change the date of their return flight from Pakistan. Since other airlines do charge significantly for any change in travel dates, this does appear to be a major benefit to PIA customers.

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5

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STRONG SOCIAL MESSAGE

Tamil film Mezhugu sweeps short film competition awards Times News Service MUSCAT: Mezhugu, a Tamil short film about religious harmony with a strong social message of breaking barriers like caste and creed and highlighting virtues of helping mankind by all means has swept awards in the Short Film competition, conducted by ISC Tamil wing. The function was held at the ISC Hall and the film, which was nominated in almost all the categories. It won five awards, including those for the categories of Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Child actor and Best Supporting Actress. Speaking to the Times of Oman, Tasleem Khan, Winning Director, of Mezhugu, said, “We are very glad that we have won these awards but the real joy will be when the message of the movie reaches audiences worldwide. We are planning to submit this movie to interna-

tional ﬁlm festivals so that it can reach international audiences. We want Oman to be recognised by world cinema.” Majority of the artistes were debutants. CK Sangeetha won the Best Actress award, Mrs. Ramya Rajasekhar won Best Supporting Actress and child artist Miss Tanisha Nasira, a Class II student at the ISG, hogged limelight at the competition, bagging the Best Child Actress award. This was the second consecutive time that she has won it. “I am very thankful to the organisers. I began making short ﬁlms last year because of them and was recognised internationally at the Norway Tamil Film Festival for my debut movie Manasu, and at the STEPS Film Festival India. My second movie Uravugal was selected for screening at ISFFI, India, among 1,300 movies. I also received recognition at NTFF, Norway where I was nominated as

BIG WIN: The ﬁlm won ﬁve awards, including those for the categories of Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Child actor and Best Supporting Actress. – Supplied photo

the Best Short Film Director. Tasleem Khan won the Best Actor award for his other ﬁlm “Vettena pesel” while the Best Editing award went to Anirban for the same movie. Gaurav Narayanan,

a directior working in the Indian ﬁlm industry, who was the chief guest and judge, said, “I am very happy to be in Oman for this prestigious ﬁlm festival organised by the ISC Tamil wing.” He said the

content was really good and that he hoped that these amateur short ﬁlm makers shine in the future by improving their technical skills. He also conducted a workshop on ﬁlm making and screenplay writ-

ing for the local ﬁlm makers. The Muscat Tamil ﬁlm festival was conceived by S.Srinivasan & Jawahar C. Its theme was based on Thirukkural, written by the great poet, Thiruvalluvar.

1,549 students of SQU colleges receive graduation certificates

YOUNG GRADUATES: The Sultan Qaboos University graduation ceremony for this year coincides with the 45th National Day celebrations. – ONA

The first phase of the 26th graduation ceremony was held on Sunday at the university’s amphitheater under the patronage of Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar Times News Service MUSCAT: Altogether 1,549 students from four humanities colleges of the Sultan Qaboos University received certificates on Sunday. The first phase of the 26th graduation ceremony was held on Sun-

day at the university’s amphitheatre under the patronage of Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar. The number of graduates from each college was as follows: the College of Arts & Social Sciences, 502; the College of Economics and Political Science, 470; the College of Education, 430; and the College of Law, 147. The ceremony for this year coincides with the 45th National Day celebrations. The ceremony marks the graduation of the 7th batch of PhD graduates, the 20th batch of master’s degree holders, and the 26th batch of bachelor’s degree holders. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, the Vice Chancellor of the Sultan Qaboos University, outlined the achievements of the university since its inception in 1986. Over the years, the SQU has received more than 72,849 students. “The people of the Sultanate pin their hopes on the graduates of the Sultan Qaboos University who

are well qualiﬁed in different specialisations to meet the job market requirements of the country, subsequently contributing to the development of Oman. “During the current academic year, the SQU successfully conducted the Students Advisory Council’s elections, in order to meet the aspirations and ambitions of university’s students in their academic and university lives. The university inaugurated the Self Learning Centre, which provides various services for students such as courses, workshops and electronic services.” Speaking about student achievements, Dr. Al Bimani said, “A student, Farah Abdullah Al Kasbi, from the Department of Management, College of Economics and Political Science, was selected to participate in the “X-culture” project at the University of North Carolina, USA. She was one among the best 100 out of the more than 3,000 students from across the world to participate in this global competition.” “Students from the College of

‘DISCOVER THAILAND’

Envoy to launch Thai culinary delights at Grand Hyatt event Times News Service MUSCAT: In a unique initiative started by the Grand Hyatt Muscat, the ambassador of Thailand is set to feature at the Marjan restaurant on December 1. Earlier this month, the hotel launched a culinary series of ambassador guest chefs which began with Ambassador Greta C. Holtz presenting an all-American evening of grilled fare at the Safari Rooftop Grill House which was an immense success. The second event will feature Ambassador Pornchai Danvivathana presenting ‘Discover Thailand’ on Tuesday. ‘Discover Thailand’ will run for three days, from December 1 to 3 December and will also feature renowned guest chef Supattra Boonsrang who will be joining the culinary festival from Park Hyatt Dubai’s The Thai Kitchen. Oman Air is also a partner for the three-day Thai festival and generously agreed to sponsor two

AUTHENTIC FOOD: Ambassador Pornchai Danvivathana.

return ﬂights to Bangkok. The winners will be announced towards the end of the night. ‘Discover Thailand’ will feature specialty Thai dishes served a la carte with Ambassador Pornchai heading the kitchen alongside chef Supattra on the opening night. He will demonstrate a signature Thai dish, giving guests the opportunity to experience food prepared exclu-

sively by him. Ambassador Pornchai said, “We invite everyone to join us at the Hyatt for a truly Thai experience. I look forward to presenting some of Thailand’s most popular dishes on the 1st of December and hope the hotel’s guests will have the opportunity to experience authentic Thai cuisine throughout the festival which will run until the 3rd of December.”

Law bagged second place in the Second Regional Moot Court Competition in Arabic, which was held at Qatar University in collaboration with the Doha Centre for Media Freedom. The student, Mohammed bin Ali Al Maktoomi, from the College of Arts and Social Sciences, was selected as the Ambassador for the Arab Thought for 2015. The SQU students won awards for the best integrated display and the best actress at 10th Edition of the Fez Festival of University Theatre for non-specialised institutions,” he added. Achievements Outlining the achievements in research over the last one year, the Vice Chancellor said a research team from the Department of Library and Information Science, College of Arts and Social Sciences won the best research award at the 21st International Conference on Internet and Positive Change for Libraries and Information Specialists, which was held in the UAE. Elaborating on the university’s

efforts in improving the quality of academic programmes, Dr. Ali Al Bimani said the Mass Communication Department at the College of Arts & Social Sciences has initiated the procedures to receive accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. “The UN World Tourism Organisation’s accreditation of the Department of Tourism at the College of Arts and Social Sciences was renewed for the second term after completion of the ﬁrst cycle of three years. The latest recognitions for the academic programmes at the College of Education included the academic recognition for the programme of teaching English from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages; and the recognition for the Early Child Education programme by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, ” the Vice chancellor added. The vice chancellor further said that the university pumps wellqualiﬁed graduates into the labour

market, both in the public and the private sectors. Since its inception, the humanities colleges have produced 31,258 graduates. These include 7,807 graduates from the College of Arts & Social Sciences, 1,509 graduates from the College of Law, 5,994 graduates from the College of Economics & Political Science, and 15,948 graduates from the College of Education. Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidy, the chief guest and patron of the graduation ceremony, said, “It is my pleasure to patronise the graduation’s ceremony of SQU students. The university has proved itself as one of the greatest achievements of the Omani Renaissance led by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The graduates of this university testify to the fact that the real development of a country depends on well-educated youth. Today, we are sharing the happiness with the graduates and I take this opportunity to congratulate His Majesty Sultan Qaboos on the occasion of the 45th National Day.”

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015 Oman Air is focused on ensuring reliability of our service and so I am delighted that we have achieved such great steps in enhancing our Business Continuity arrangements Paul Gregorowitsch, Oman Air’s CEO

OMAN EMBALMING

BROKERS

Expatriates’ ‘All transactions A1 number has A1 to be recorded’ increased < FROM

< FROM

Explaining how the new system can beneﬁt all parties in the real estate sector, Juma noted that the system provides a bank of data where clients, brokers and all stakeholders can have access to the standards, procedures and documentation related to the real estate sector. “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the MoH, the Supreme Council for Planning, and Ministry of Manpower for their support, which led us to where we are today, ” Juma added. Further, according to Juma, this platform connects all registered companies and brokers under the MoH database, as all transactions will now be recorded. Juma expects that the central system will help to better regulate the market in the near future, as each property will be simultaneously listed under a speciﬁc number of companies. “This seems to be limiting a

property from being marketed properly, however, the system exposes real estate to many potential clients through the cyber world, which ultimately helps connect stakeholders and protect properties,” Juma added. He said that this system will also help control the number of brokers, which will eventually provide better quality services, in addition to reducing the work load and waiting hours for the MoH employees. Juma said he hopes this system will soon include rankings of each company based on the number of successful transactions made by each employee, so investors can choose their top selection accordingly.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

According to Shameer, the Muscat facility was set up decades ago when the expatriates’ population was too low. At present, the number of expatriates in Muscat itself is pegged at 828,510. “Now, the number of expatriates has hugely increased. So, we plead that the facility should also be expanded,” Shameer added. The other full-ﬂedged embalming centre is in Salalah. On an average, between 500 and 600 Indians pass away in Oman every year. Indians form the largest expatriate community in the country. “The government’s decision to have a dedicated department in the new hospital for embalming and other procedures is a welcome move. Moreover, if the facilities are extended to other regional hospitals, then it would be a great move,” an official from the Bangladesh embassy said. The official also added that the number of Bangladeshis dying in Oman would be between 500 and 600 every year. “To repatriate a body, embalming is unavoidable. So, eventually, shortage of this facility delays the procedures. We have pleaded with the embassies and the police department to consider our request and expand the facility to other hospitals, too,” Mohammed Sanuallah, a Bangladeshi social worker in Muscat, said. Bangladeshi community is the second largest expatriate community in Oman. There are 1,888,479 expatriates in Oman.

SAYYID SHIHAB TO TAKE PART IN CLIMATE SUMMIT

Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said arrived on Saturday in France to represent the Sultanate at the 21st International Conference on Climate. The conference will be held in Paris from November 30 to December 11. -Salim al Hashli

Ensuring reliable service our focus, Oman Air CEO

N AT I O N A L D AY H O L I D AY

More trips to meet demand of tourists MUSCAT: National Ferries Company (NFC) will undertake 67 trips during the National Day holiday from December 2 to December 5 for the tourists who want to spend the holidays in tourist places served by NFC in the various governorates of the Sultanate. The company said that the increase in the number of trips in the holiday period comes as an extension of NFC operating policy aiming to meet the growing demand from travellers and travel market, to support tourism and for the convenience of citizens who want visit family in the various governorates of the Sultanate. -ONA

HONOUR: An award function was held at Golden Tulip Hotel at Seeb recently in recognition of the

commendable efforts of the core team of Oman Air Business Continuity personnel. -Supplied photo

The Business Continuity project involved the training of a team of Business Continuity co-coordinators and the testing of comprehensive plans

Times News Service MUSCAT: An award function was held at Golden Tulip Hotel Seeb recently in recognition of the commendable efforts of the 65-strong core team of Oman Air

Business Continuity personnel. The function was held under the patronage of Mohsin bin Khamis Al Balushi, advisor Ministry of Commerce & Industry, board member of Oman Air and in the presence of other dignitaries. Lauding the great achievements of the staff, Oman Air’s CEO, Paul Gregorowitsch, said: “Oman Air is focused on ensuring reliability of our service and so I am delighted that we have achieved such great steps in enhancing our Business Continuity arrangements. Not only is this very valuable to Oman Air, but it provides a signiﬁcant contribution to wider resilience in Oman, an important reﬂection of our responsibility as the national carrier “to become the best”. “Oman Air has embarked upon this initiative to strengthen its ability to manage serious disruptions,’’ said Dr Khalid Abdul Wahab Al Balushi Senior Manager Government Relations & Sus-

tainability, who is also a certiﬁed lead auditor in Business Continuity Planning. This pioneering Business Continuity project involved a team undergoing training as Business Continuity Co-coordinators, besides the formulation and testing of comprehensive plans, designed to deal with a range of scenarios. Expertise of consultants The project has drawn upon the expertise of consultants from the UK Cabinet Office’s Emergency Planning College (EPC). Dr Mark Clegg, the EPC’s Head of Programmes and one of their senior consultants, Ms Charlotte Hems, have been working alongside the Oman Air personnel since August. There is always a permanent and continuous followup with the employees who have been trained in order to make them aware of all the developments in this sector, which is one of the basic pillars of this project.

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5

REGION

SUPPORT ROLE

Germany to send soldiers to help fight IS FRANKFURT: Germany could send 1,200 soldiers to the Middle East by the end of the year to support a coalition battling IS, Germany’s top defence official told a newspaper on Sunday as his minister backed an international alliance against the group. Chancellor Angela Merkel promised to support the offensive against IS during talks with French President Francois Hollande, who called for more countries to help ﬁght the militants after the November 13 attacks in Paris. Germany’s defence minister Ursula von der Leyen called for the alliance for a limited time to combat the militants in a commentary in an advance copy of the Bild newspaper due out on

KEEPING PROMISE: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, chats with Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen in Berlin. – AFP

Monday. She said the aim of what she called a “special purpose” alliance was to “weaken ISIS, to limit its freedom for manoeuvre, to destroy its training camps, to win back city by city, destroy its

oil revenue and break the aura of invincibility”. Germany’s troops plan, which still needs approval from parliament and was outlined by Germany’s Chief of Defence Volker

Palestinian shot by Israeli police The Palestinian pulled out a knife and stabbed an Israeli border policeman in the neck, moderately wounding him, before being shot by officers

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli border police shot dead a Palestinian who stabbed an ofﬁcer in occupied Jerusalem on Sunday, a police spokesman said, the latest attack in a two-month wave of violence. Near a main gate of occupied Jerusalem’s walled Old City, the Palestinian pulled out a knife and stabbed a border policeman in the neck, moderately wounding him, before being shot by officers, the spokesman said.

Almost daily Palestinian stabbings, car rammings and shootings have killed 19 Israelis and one US citizen since October 1. Israeli forces have killed 94 Palestinians, many of whom were carrying out assaults and others in clashes with police and troops. Many of those killed have been teenagers. Palestinian allegations that Israel is trying to alter the religious status quo at a occupied Jerusalem holy site has partly fueled the violence. Non-

Muslim prayer is banned around Al Aqsa and Israel has said it will not change that. But more visits in recent years by Jewish activists and ultra-nationalist Israeli politicians to the complex have done little to convince Palestinians. Conﬁscated Overnight in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli forces shut down and conﬁscated equipment from a Palestinian radio station, the third in recent weeks, that the military said has repeatedly broadcast material which “promotes and encourages terror and acts of violence against Israeli civilians and security forces”. The station owner, Talab Al Jabar, told Reuters that the broadcaster, called Dream, was not inciting, rather reporting on events. “I can tell you that Dream radio will be back on air very soon and it will be stronger,” he said. — Reuters

Wieker in Bild am Sonntag, does not include direct involvement in the coalition’s air offensive. Under the plan, a German frigate would accompany France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, Wieker said in the interview. German planes would refuel the jets of the coalition as well as take photographs in the region. “From a military point of view for the servicing of the planes and ships, about 1,200 soldiers would be necessary,” Wieker told the newspaper. He said he hoped to obtain the necessary mandate by the end of the year. Wieker also said Germany was in talks with Jordan and Turkey about stationing Tornado aircraft for reconnaissance in the region. — Reuters

MON DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015

OPTICS & EYECARE

H E A LT H C A R E

Diabetes, the worst enemy of your eyes further progression of the disease and improve vision, whenever possible.

DR RUBY MISHRA MUSCAT: Diabetes is a very common disease which, over time, can lead to a host of complications affecting almost all of the body’s organs. One such complication is diabetic eye disease, which comprises a group of serious eye problems capable of causing severe vision loss and even blindness. These complications can cause Diabetic Retinopathy, cataracts (clouding of eye lens) and glaucoma (high intraocular pressure). What is the retina? The retina is a nerve layer at the back of the eye that assists in sending images to your brain. When blood vessels in the retina are damaged they may leak fluid or blood Picture of normal retina and grow fragile, brush like branches and scar retinal tissue. This can blur the images that the retina the day, black spots,flashing lights and difficulty reading or seeing desends to the brain. Diabetic Retinopathy is the pro- tailed work. gressive damage of retinal vessels and is one of the most common Prevention and serious complications affect- As people may not be aware that ing some 80 percent of all long term there is anything wrong with their diabetic patients. eyes until it is too late, having a regular retinal screening is essential. Who is at risk? Research shows that if retinopathy z Almost 80 percent of all long- is identified early through retinal term diabetic patients develop screenings, and treated appropriately, blindness can be prevented in this disease. z Women with diabetes become es- 90 percent of those at risk. Controllable factors pecially prone during pregnancy. Controlling blood sugar(glucose z Those who develop diabetes early in life, or have high blood pres- levels) Carefully controlling blood sure or kidney damage. z People of African, Mexican an- pressure. Controlling cholesterol levels. dAmerican descent. Keeping fit, maintaining a z Some research shows that South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis, healthy weight and giving up Bangladeshis andSri Lankans) smoking are all part of controlling have four to five times’ greater diabetes. Nerve damage, kidney risks of developing diabetes than and cardiovascular disease are people from European commu- more likely among smokers who have diabetes.Smoking increases nities. blood pressure and raises blood sugar levels, which makes it hardSymptoms Diabetic Retinopathy often is er to control diabetes. A diabetic symptom-free during its initial clinic can offer information and stages, goingunnoticed for ex- support on living with diabetes The most effectiveaction to tended periods of time. Once it advances, peoplemay notice visual prevent sight loss due to diabetic changes, such as blurred vision, retinopathy is to schedule retinal sudden loss in vision in one or both screenings. Early detection and treatment eyes, changes in vision throughout

MO N DAY, N OVEMB ER 3 0, 2 0 15

Tips on how to protect your eyes

ONE-STOP SHOP

Dar Optics offers customers plenty of choice, satisfaction

SHAHZAD RAZA shahzad@timesofoman.com

Services Dar Optics’ success can be traced back to a strategic business vision, an excellent teamwork and amazing capability to adapt to market trends. In addition to this, there is an insistence on quality merchandise and total customer care.

Times News Service

Picture of retina with diabetes can help to prevent sight loss. Uncontrollable factors The length of time a person has had diabetes.This is a major risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. A person’s age affects the progression of diabetic retinopathy. A person’s ethnicity. Diagnosis The best protection against diabetic retinopathy is an examination by an ophthalmologist. During a screening for diabetic retinopathy, an ophthalmologist looks into a patient’s eyes through an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. The pupils may need dilation. If an ophthalmologist discovers diabetic retinopathy, a special test, called ﬂuorescein angiography, may be performed. Fluorescein angiography is a test in which dye is injected into the body through an arm and pictures of the eye are taken at variable intervals. Treatment An ophthalmologist will consider the age, medical history, lifestyle and damage to the patient’sretina. In many cases, treatment is not required, but patients need to schedule regular eye exams. In other cases, treatment is required to stop

Laser treatment Laser treatments are performedto seal leaking blood vessels and control swelling under the macula, while preventing the growth of new blood vessels. This procedure is performed in a doctor’s office or eye clinic and only takes a few minutes. To control swelling of the retina, short bursts of laser are aimed directly at leaking blood vessels.This procedure is known as focal laser therapy. When the likelihood of blindness is high,scatter laser therapy is used to control the widespread growth of abnormal blood vessels; rather than hitting just one spot, the laser beam makes hundred of tiny burns over the retina surface. During this procedure, some side vision is sacriﬁced to save a patient’s central vision. Timely laser treatments can stabilise vision, but cannot restore lost sight or repair a damaged retina. Vitrectomy is a procedure in which surgeon removes blood vitreous from the eye and replaces it with a clear solution.Early vitrectomy is especially important for people who are likely to go blind as a result of large amount of blood leaking into the eye cavity. Injections in eyes If a central part of the retina is affected and vision becomes blurred, then anti-vegf injections are given in the eyes. The number of injections and the interval between them depends on the severity of maculopathy and restoration of vision following injections. However, these treatments do notcure retinopathy, they only help indelaying the progression and complications of retinopathy Patients cannot always prevent diabetic retinopathy. However, regular eye exams, controlling blood sugar levels and blood pressure, and early intervention for vision problems can prevent severe vision loss. — (Dr Ruby is an ophthalmologist with International Medical Center – Sugar Apollo in Hamriya).

MUSCAT: Daylight is one of the biggest blessings to enjoy life, but only in perfect proportion. In countries like Oman the daylight is too bright for your eyes’ comfort and that calls for the need to take precautions to protect our vision. The issue is compounded by a combination of factors like ignorance and carelessness, which in some cases, result in serious damage, and even injuries, to our eyes. Experts advise taking strict precautions against ultraviolet (UV) radiation and sunlight is the major source of UV rays. “Wearing sunglasses is an absolute must to protect your eyes before going out in bright daylight. These glasses will not only protect your eyes from harmful UV rays but from dust too, which is another main source of eye diseases,” said Dr Khurram Shehzad, an eye specialist working with Ministry of Health since 1991. Currently, he is serving at Al Nahda Hospital. Visionrelated problems are quite common in Oman and the country has advanced eyecare facilities at both government and private hospitals. “We treat a lot of patients with a multitude of diseases and conditions on a daily basis and most of these cases are ignited by either ignorance or plain carelessness. People in Oman tend to take their eyes for granted and that is why the use of sunglasses or eyeglasses is not very high here, specially among those above 50. We have treated many drivers who do not wear eyeglasses despite having a weak eyesight,” added Dr Khurram. Suggesting necessary precautions, the doctor said maintaining good eye health was key to enjoying perfect vision. “Apart from wearing sunglasses, eating food good for healthy eyes was equally important. Diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C and E could help in prevention of age-related vision problems. Regularly washing your eyes, using safety eyewear by those working in hazardous conditions, avoiding staring at computer screens for too long and regular eye check-up by a specialist

MUSCAT: Driven by the foremost need to achieve customer satisfaction, the Dar Optics Group has set a distinct example in the market of being a superior seller of eye care products. The Dar Optics Group was established in 1992, and is a classic example of how entrepreneurial skills and customer orientation can help ﬁnd success in one of the most rapidly growing markets in the world. It is supported by well trained professionals and serves a stable customer segment. Vision It started with a vision to reach out to customers far and wide with superior eye care solutions. Today, as a multinational optical store chain across the Gulf, Dar Optics has lived up to the vision and even beyond. “Aiming to serve the expanding customer needs, we satisfy their widely diverse tastes and preferences with a continuously updated range of the world’s leading brands. Identifying the fast emerging markets in the region, our calculated growth plan has enabled us to extend our chain of outlets from the UAE to Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Canada and India. Our vision and values have endeared us to our customer, whose faith and conﬁdence has seen us stride ahead to success. Their trust and support is our greatest asset and inspiration for progressing into a more promising future,” said a company official. are some of the other tips to maintaining healthy eyes,” he explained. The doctor advised the parents to ensure their children had regular eye check-ups in school age. “Children may not always be able to notice changes in their vision. Some children develop squint in their eyes, which takes place due to imbalance in the muscles of their eyes. However, regular visits to an optometrist may help in early detection of even mild diseases which, if left untreated for long, may develop into a serious medical problem later,” he added.

PICK THE RIGHT SUNGLASSES FOR YOU Times News Service MUSCAT: Choosing good sunglasses is as important as deciding to wear them in the ﬁrst place. Pay attention to certain things while buying the goggles to make the best use of your hard-earned money for protecting your assets. Here are Our tips to help you make the right choice:

Perfect fit: Wear it many times before you pay to ensure it fits perfectly on you. Ill-fitting sunglasses will not be able to stop UV rays from filtering into your eyes or skin. Quality of lens: Read labels and ask questions to know your sunglasses provide enough protection against UV rays. In an age of gadgets, you’ll use

them no matter where you are. Wear your sunglasses in different shades of light to ensure they don’t hinder your vision viewing screens. Colour and type: Dark colour sunglasses may not always mean they will be your best protection against UV light. Read again and try different colours to see which

one serves you the best. The best sunglasses control the amount of UV light reaching your eyes. Now, should you go for the shatterproof glass? Or some plastic material? Well, it’s mostly a matter of personal choice, but wearing them will help you make the right decision. You don’t want to wear something on your face that weighs heavier than desired.

Mission Dar Optics’ philosophy is centred around its customers. Every idea and activity is based around the factor of customer satisfaction and its endeavour is to exceed customer’s expectations. The Dar assurance “We take pride in our reputation for quality, service and competitive prices. At every level of function, we make sure we offer our customers only the best quality products. We add value by offering personal-

ized services at a cost that cannot be challenged. Your trust and patronage have fuelled our phenomenal growth over the years. We will strive to express our gratitude by enhancing the level of our service as we grow. This is Dar’s assurance for you,” he added. Our focus The wide brand of choices offered enables the customer to access the best alternatives for their eye care needs, ﬁtting their tastes and budget, and Dar Optics brings them under one convenient roof, with the world’s most sought-after names in sunglasses, spectacle frames, lenses and accessories. A whole world of contact lens choices is available at its unique Contact Lens Centre. Extensive branch network: Outlets across the region have built up customer conﬁdence and loyalty, enabling them to get the best advantage without having to go far. Dar Optics has tied up with the region’s leading retail chains for faster expansion. Fair Prices: The magnitude of its business and, subsequently the economy of scale enables Dar Optics to extend the best price advantage to its customers. In addition to low prices, it also pursues frequent promotional programs with price-offs, premiums and prizes to enhance the customers shopping power. Nobody else can offer such value addition.

Eye Exam: Dar Optics wants the family to see the world clearly. That is why it offers the latest in eye exam technology and highly skilled professionals for an eye exam. It believes that vision correction and healthy eyes can lead to better learning, more productivity and an improved lifestyle. Contact lens fitting: Dar Optics offers more in-depth eye exams for contact lens wearers. “Not only do we suggest the right contact lenses to fit your lifestyle and preferences, we also offer professional advice and make sure that your eyes will stay healthy and perform at their best.” Vision Screening: Dar Optics offers vision screening to conduct eye consultations in the comfort of your institution, with the help of its skilled eye professionals. This program is carried out at schools, universities, public and private companies. Laboratory: “At Dar Optics, we make sure that one’s prescriptions are prepared with the utmost care and quality. Our workshops have the latest lens fitting equipment operated by our trained and skilled laboratory technicians. You are assured to get the best fitting faster if your ophthalmic lenses information is available,” said a company official. Ophthalmic Lenses: The Dar Optics portfolio of ophthalmic lenses has redefined brand recognition and value. This includes products from Essilor, Rodenstock and Egma. These brands answer customer’s demand for eyewear that is comfortable, attractive, durable and lightweight.

MON DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015

OPTICS & EYECARE

H E A LT H C A R E

Diabetes, the worst enemy of your eyes further progression of the disease and improve vision, whenever possible.

MO N DAY, N OVEMB ER 3 0, 2 0 15

Tips on how to protect your eyes

ONE-STOP SHOP

Dar Optics offers customers plenty of choice, satisfaction

SHAHZAD RAZA shahzad@timesofoman.com

Times News Service

A10

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015

INDIA

I don’t think freedom of expression has ever been so threatened. It is something which is dangerous and the only way to counter it is to not be fearful. It is time to speak up and when there are more of us speaking up then nobody is isolated Nandita Das, Actress and ﬁlmmaker

Government ready for discussion on issue of intolerance: Minister BJP asks Congress to be tolerant after Chidambaram’s remark

Amid the debate over ‘intolerance’,

Out of 1,100-odd award winners, some 42 people have returned their awards and these people are trying to say that every awardee has returned the award, which is untrue

Modi had asserted in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament that the religion of government was ‘India ﬁrst’ and the Constitution its ‘holy book’

Venkaiah Naidu Union minister

VISAKHAPATNAM: At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has struck a conciliatory note with opposition, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said the Centre was ready to discuss the issue of intolerance in the ongoing session of Parliament if Opposition allows the House to function. Naidu also alleged that Opposition parties and some “pseudointellectuals” are “exaggerating” stray incidents that happened in states being “ruled by the Congress and their friends” with an aim to “tarnish” India’s image amid efforts to secure a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. “The BJP government is ready to discuss (the issue of ) intolerance if opposition shows tolerance and allows the House to function. Some of the so-called intelligent-

sia are worried that they are losing their grip over cultural and literary organisations,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, adding the protests on the issue are being “manufactured”. “Entire campaign on intolerance is nothing but part of a campaign to slander the democratically-elected government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Political reasons Those who could not defeat Modi in polls have launched the disinformation campaign for political reasons,” he said. Naidu said the Opposition and so-called intelligentsia are hurting the interests of the country by “blowing the issue out of propor-

tion”. “They are thinking that they are hurting the Prime Minister and BJP, but they are hurting the interests of the country and they should understand that. “They are using stray incidents of intolerance to portray it as a general condition...such incidents have been occurring in all countries,” Naidu told reporters. The senior BJP leader also dismissed the protest by various celebrities who have returned their awards citing “growing intolerance” in the country. “Out of 1,100-odd award winners, some 42 people have returned their awards and these people are trying to say that every awardee has returned the award, which is untrue.

“Where were these award winners when Emergency was imposed, when Sikhs were massacred and when lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits were shunted out of Kashmir...why they didn’t return their awards then?” Naidu asked. Amid a raging debate over ‘intolerance’, Modi had asserted in Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session that the religion of government was “India ﬁrst” and the Constitution its “holy book”. The Prime Minister had also reached out to Opposition by meeting his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at his residence to end the impasse on the controversial Goods and Services Tax Bill that has been hanging ﬁre for long. - PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s admission that the Rajiv Gandhi government’s decision to ban Salman Rushdie’s novel was wrong on Sunday found support from independent voices, while BJP wondered why it took him 27 years to say so and advised the opposition party to be a “little tolerant”. “The question arises that after close to nearly three decades why was there a need to do so (to admit the mistake). If it is reﬂective of Congress’ thinking, then one needs to see it in a larger perspective and everyone, which includes Congress particularly, needs to be a little tolerant,” BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said. He, however, said caution needed to be exercised by all as “Constitution puts reasonable restrictions on the freedom of expression”. Noted author Amitav Ghosh said he was glad that Chidambaram, who was Minister of State for Home in the Rajiv Gandhi government when it had banned Rushdie’s book in October 1988, accepted that it was a wrong decision. Lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan said he agreed with Chidam-

baram entirely. “These kinds of books are literary pieces and in my view there is no occasion to ban such book,” he said. Congress leader Manish Tewari said Chidambaram was absolutely correct and that time had come for the country to move beyond proscribing books and other creative material. “We need to create tolerant ethos in this country,”he said. “I have no hesitation in saying that the ban on Salman Rushdie’s book was wrong,” Chidambaram had said on Saturday. He had also said the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi was also wrong and that the late prime minister had herself admitted as much. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen on Sunday advised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to “learn” from Congress leader P. Chidambaram and admit it was “wrong” to stop broadcast of a TV serial scripted by her after fundamentalists objected to it. “Mamata B should learn from Chidambaram and say banning Taslima’s TV drama series is wrong. She should lift the ban and let the TV to telecast the series,” Nasreen said in a tweet. - PTI

INTOLERANCE ISSUE

‘Don’t think freedom of expression has ever been so threatened’ PANAJI: After superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan stirred the hornet’s nest with their comments on the growing intolerance in the country, criticallyacclaimed actress and ﬁlmmaker Nandita Das says curbs on freedom of expression are taking a “dangerous” turn and speaking up against such issues is the only way out. The actress shared that the country needs to stand up and take a stance to save the democracy from fading away in the swirl of protests. “I don’t think freedom of expression has ever been so threatened. It is something which is dangerous and the only way to counter it is to not be fearful. It is time to speak up and when there are more of us speaking up then nobody is isolated,” Nandita said on the sidelines of Film Bazaar here. “A lot of my friends are telling me not to say too much, they are scared for my life. Why do I need to feel scared to speak my mind? But this level of fear I have not seen before and I think we all have to come together and save this democracy

some way or another,” she said. Nandita, who had faced protests over her socially moving and bold ﬁlms like Fire, asserts that the problem is not new, but has intensiﬁed with time.

CANDID: Nandita Das who had faced protests over her socially moving and bold ﬁlms like Fire, as-

serts that the problem is not new, but has intensiﬁed with time. - IANS

that we have taken for granted,” she added. A wave of dissent has seeped into the country with many people expressing their opinions on the “extreme intolerance” in the country. After Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan ruffled feathers over his re-

marks that his wife Kiran Rao had discussed moving out of India in view of growing intolerance. Taking notice of these controversies, Nandita is still hopeful for betterment as she feels that not everything is so grim and disappointing.

“We have to remember that there are a few people screaming out loud and they do not represent the whole country. I think the country is still secular, I think most people would want peace and are happy to co-exist with others who maybe different from them in

Space for dissent “Sadly, we are self-censoring ourselves. In the last one year things have become much worse. When Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M. M. Kalburgi are murdered in cold blood for defending free speech and rational thinking, it is unbelievable,” she said. The actress added that she feels “personally violated” when artists’ freedom of expression is curbed. “I feel personally violated when M. F. Husain’s paintings are vandalized or the Tamil writer Perumal Murugan’s book is banned. “What is happening to this country? Every second day you are hearing something like this... Voices are being silenced. In a democracy you have to have a space for dissent,” she said. Nandita has travelled across the globe with her work both on and

off the silver screen. Her ﬁlms like Earth and Bawandar have been lauded at home turf as well as on the foreign shores. So how has the image of India changed internationally with the protests? “They are shocked because they think ours is a very pluralist and diverse society. While we are economically a developing country, culturally we are rich, but by being so conservative and intolerant, we are telling the world that we are regressing and not progressing,” said Nandita, who is busy with her next project based on the life of Pakistani short story writer Sadat Hassan Manto. According to her, the focus should be on painting an honest, instead of a good picture on the global map. “Every country has its good and bad, so we need to be more honest in the portrayal of our country. I too have had my share of attacks over time during the release of Fire, shooting of Water and the marketing of Firaaq,” Nandita asserts. - IANS

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BIHAR

Grand alliance government will not last long: Paswan PATNA: Lok Janshakti Party boss and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan on Sunday said the Grand Alliance (GA) will not take long to collapse due to “ego clash” between the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Janata Dal(United) resulting in mid-term poll in Bihar. “The GA government may have got a landslide mandate, but it will not last long due to ‘ego clash’ between the RJD and the JD(U) and a mid-term poll will follow,” Paswan told reporters. Asked what made him say so, the Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister said everyone knew of the contrasting styles of functioning of the RJD and the JD(U) and the strain between them would soon be visible. Paswan, who presided over a review meeting of the poor performance of his party LJP, a constituent of the NDA, in the Bihar poll, in which it could win only two seats out of 41 it contested, said it was a wave in favour of the ruling alliance which tilted the balance. The GA hugely beneﬁtted from transfer of voters by the constituent parties to each other’s candidates, though there was not a sizeable difference in the votes polled by the rival alliances with the ruling coalition getting about 1.70 crore votes against the NDA’s 1.30 crore, the minister noted. Paswan observed that cracks would soon appear in the alliance to negate all the gains it had made in the election. He also ﬂayed the Nitish Kumar government for doing little for the welfare of the dalit people in Bihar through the past decade and asked it to make public the funds spent for the downtrodden section from the composite funds and tribal sub-plan. - PTI

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INDIA

Fight against climate change is responsibility of all: Modi In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi recalled his proposal for setting up a SAARC disaster response mechanism and said the recently-held ‘table talk exercise and best practices seminar’ in Delhi was ELATED: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a cheerful mood during

a good beginning

India has been maintaining that the developed countries have been the major polluters over centuries and should assume greater role in fighting global warming by funding and transferring lowcost technology to developing nations

the Diwali Milan at BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday. -PTI

in this regard ‘table talk exercise and best practices seminar’ in Delhi was a good beginning in this regard. NEW DELHI: Preparing to attend the world meet on climate change in Paris on Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said it is the responsibility of all to ensure that the Earth’s temperature does not rise as global warming is already creating disasters like recent heavy rainfall in Chennai. He asked the people to adopt energy conservation and energy efficiency measures like the maximum use of solar-powered items. In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi recalled his proposal for setting up a SAARC disaster response mechanism and said the recently-held

Natural disasters “We keep receiving news about the natural disasters from every corner of the world. Such are the tragedies which have never been heard earlier or imagined. We are now experiencing the impact of fast-changing climate. “In our own country, massive rains recently hit Tamil Nadu and caused losses to it as well as other states. Several people lost their lives. I offer my condolences to them,” he said. “The whole world is worried about climate change. There are discussions everywhere over it and concerns are being expressed.

There is acceptance for it (climate change) as an index before any work is done. The temperature of the Earth should not increase now. It is the responsibility and concern of all,” he said in his 20-minute programme. His emphasis on the responsibility of all assumes significance as the developed world is placing greater onus on developing nations like India in the fight against climate change. India has been maintaining that the developed countries have been the major polluters over centuries and should assume greater role in fighting global warming by funding and transferring low-cost technology to developing nations. The Prime Minister asked people to adopt measures for energy

conservation and energy efficiency so that global warming is avoided. The government is running a number of schemes, like LED bulbs, Modi said, asking people to take advantage of these. Giving examples of how some common people are contributing in their own way, he cited the case of one Noor Jehan of Kanpur who is apparently not much educated but has set up a factory of solar ‘laltains’ (lamps). These ‘lalteins’ are rented out to about 500 households for Rs100 each per month while the charging costs about Rs 3-4 daily, he said. Hailing Noor Jehan, Modi said she is working as per the meaning of her name — ‘giving light to the world’. “Her work can be an inspiration for all those want to ﬁght

climate change,” he added. While talking about Chennai rains and the disaster caused there, Modi said while the state government is trying to tide over the situation, the Centre is working shoulder-to-shoulder with it. Damage A central team has gone to Tamil Nadu to assess the damage, he said while expressing confidence that the state will keep moving forward despite this crisis. In the context of climate change, a caller from Jalandhar highlighted the problem of burning of crop residue. Responding to this, Modi said the problem was not confined to Punjab and Haryana but it was there all over the country as farmers find it to be the easiest way to dispose of the crop residue. He asked farmers to have a rethink on this while telling them that the residue can be used as fertiliser as has been done by many from the agriculture community. Modi noted that till about 15 years back, the natural disaster was seen only in the context of crop failure due to drought. “But now its form has changed. We have to build capacities at all levels. Civil society, citizens and small organisations will have to build scientific capacities.” He recalled that after Nepal earthquake earlier this year, he had called up Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and proposed that all SAARC nations should have a joint exercise for disaster preparedness. “I am happy that a ‘table talk exercise and best practices’ seminar was held recently in Delhi. This is a good beginning,” the Prime Minister said. - PTI

LECTURE

‘Kalam wanted to quit after Bihar Assembly dissolution was quashed’

A P J Abdul Kalam

BHUBANESWAR: A P J Abdul Kalam had thought of quitting as the President in 2005 after the Supreme Court quashed the proclamation dissolving Bihar Assembly, according to S. M. Khan, who was his Press Secretary at that time. “Though Kalam was reluctant, he signed the proclamation. He could have rejected it but would have had no option but to sign the same if it was sent to him for the second time,” Khan said while addressing the students of Sikshya O Ansandhan University here on Saturday. When the Apex court quashed the proclamation, Kalam was peni-

tent saying he should have rejected the Cabinet’s decision and thought of resigning from his post, Khan said, adding “He even consulted his elder brother in Rameswaram”. Kalam later decided against any such step as it would have triggered a lot of constitutional problems, said the former Press Secretary, who is at present the Director General of RNI, in his lecture titled ‘My Days with the Greatest Human Soul Ever’. In 2005, the then Bihar Governor Buta Singh had recommended the dissolution of the Assembly which the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved and

NAT I O NA L S E C U R I T Y

Espionage racket busted in Jammu, Kolkata NEW DELHI: An espionage racket was busted in Jammu and Kolkata in two separate incidents on Sunday with the arrest of a serving BSF personnel and four suspected operatives from whom

classiﬁed information having implications on national security were recovered. Kafaitullah Khan, a resident of Rajouri district in Indian-administered-Kashmir, and BSF head

constable Abdul Rasheed, posted at the intelligence wing of Border Security Force in the same district were arrested by Delhi Police from the railway station at Jammu, police said in Delhi. - PTI

forwarded to the President. Kalam, who was on a visit to Moscow at that time, signed it there. It was challenged in the Supreme Court whose ﬁve-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, in a majority verdict held on October 7, 2005 that “the proclamation of May 23 dissolving the Bihar Assembly is unconstitutional.” Describing Kalam, who passed away in July this year, as a person who was completely detached from material things, Khan said the late President did not own anything, be it a house, a car, a television or a refrigerator.

“Almost all his life as a scientist and teacher, he lived in hostels and guest houses. But his only possession were his books. “And he insisted that he should buy his books and never took any book from any one as a gift saying chances were that he would not read them,” he said. Khan also recalled that the technology-savvy President once informed prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that he intended to meet his cabinet members as he wanted to explain to them about his vision for a developed India by 2020, a pet theme for him till the last, through a power point presentation.

Though the Prime Minister was not convinced, he agreed to the proposal and a cabinet meeting was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Kalam took the PM and other ministers through the presentation spread over two hours, Khan said. He had a penchant for power point presentations and would insist on the same even when he was meeting foreign dignitaries and head of states. “When President George Bush visited him in 2006, he made him sit through a presentation,” said Khan who was present during the talk. - PTI

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READERS’ FORUM Unlicensed hoardings pose serious safety threat This refers to the report ‘Notices to ﬁrms by Muscat Municipality over billboards without licence’, Times of Oman (November 28). It’s been part of the responsibility of individuals, establishments and corporate organisations to seek prior approval for installing advertisement hoardings within the city and its suburban areas, as the violation of the norms can affect the authorities’ initiatives to give a fresh look to the Sultanate’s capital and its vicinity. The failure to meet the requirements may also prove to be serious safety hazards, Scan this QR code which could lead to fatalities if proper preto send letters to the cautionary measures are not put in place at Readers’ Forum, the right time. This applies mainly to the containing not more than 200 words with large and heavy hoardings that are mostly full name, address appearing on the roof of the buildings. and telephone The question is how safe are they for the number, may be sent buildings as well as pedestrians passing by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, by. It is also very common to see across the P.C. 112, Ruwi). city apartment buildings with marketing stickers stuck on their doors and glass windows spoiling the appearance of the buildings. Notably most of these small stickers and marketing ﬂyers have no proper registration numbers on them, which itself indicates non-compliance to the norms and regulations. I believe every resident has the responsibility to keep the city neat and tidy. So signboards erected in an unsafe manner must be brought to the attention of authorities at any given time. - Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi

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Implications of Russian fighter plane downing

RICARDO HAUSMANN

The market economy forces us to be concerned about the needs of others, because it is their need that constitutes the source of our livelihood. In some sense, a market economy is a giftexchange system; money merely tracks the value of the gifts we give one another. bit.ly/importexports

his event marks a major turning point in the Syrian fight and a major escalation in global tensions. Turkey’s reasons for the shootdown are multifaceted. However, a central question remains unanswered still. Did Turkey, as a NATO member, consult NATO HQ before their F-16s actions? So, here is the background. First Russia has been violating Turkey’s airspace repeatedly since it entered the Syrian conflict over a month ago. These incursions earned the ire of Ankara finally when Turkish F-16s shot down the Russian jet after a mere 17 seconds allegedly in Turkish airspace “in accordance with the rules of engagement” the Turks stated, which resulted in the Russian jet crashing on the Syrian side of the border. For some, that might be described as an act of war. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu insisted his country had the right to take “all kinds of measures” against border violations, and called on the international community to work toward “extinguishing the fire that is burning in Syria.” It should be noted that last month, Turkish jets shot down an unidentified drone, presumably Russian, that Ankara said had also violated Turkish airspace. Second, Turkey has voiced concern over Russia’s bombing of ethnic Turkmen areas on their border with Syria — where IS oil trading routes exist — and complained that the Russian operations have complicated the possibility of creating a safe zone in northern Syria to protect civilians, as well as moderate rebels fighting Assad and his regime. A dubious claim. A final reason is that Turkey wants to be a key power in the regional solution to Syria’s morass. Turkey’s position was thrown off kilter by the June 2015 parliamentary election results that led to a second round of elections in November 2015. With the new electoral outcome giving the AKP a clear majority, Ankara feels it is in the drivers seat in settling the Syrian question on Turkish terms. It is believed Turkey wanted to torpedo any grand coalition between Russia and France plus other Western states. The attack, while Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Iran and, then, hosting Jordanian King Hussein in Russia, clearly illustrated a dramatic shift in Turkey’s policy.

The fact that Putin made his highly anti-Turkish comments live on Russian television with the Hashemite King was highly significant and further is interpreted as a sign of unity. Putin and Iran are now firmly aligned against Turkey; Jordan is joining the Russian side too which also pulls in the UAE and Egypt. Ankara and apparently Riyadh are on the other side of this new, sharp fracture. It must be noted that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu a few days ago was in Cairo apparently working with the Al Sisi government for a joint campaign against IS in Sinai. Thus, Russia intends to expand its anti-IS operations outside of the Levant. Russia’s retribution against Turkey will include economic sanctions, the closing of borders to Turkish trucks, the deportation of dozens of Turkish businessmen in Russia, and restrictions on Russian tourists to Turkish resorts. The visa regime particularly between the two countries is to be severely restricted. What does this all mean for Turkey? Well, Turkey, it appears, may have just shot itself in the foot. With IS cells active throughout the country, and Russia hell-bent on exposing Ankara’s duplicity — which Putin noted during the G-20 summit last week — Moscow is looking to not only punish Turkey for its dirty tricks but will likely to start funding and arming the PKK via Armenia. Erdogan and the AKP will be the subject of much criticism both inside Turkey - where outrageously journalists are being charged with treason - and outside the country, splitting NATO members. We need to recall that NATO is already in overstretch with Eastern Europe, specifically the Baltics and Poland, because of Ukraine, so NATO coming to Turkey’s assistance is, amazingly, unlikely given NATO’s Article 5. Also many NATO members are privately behind closed doors extremely critical of Turkey’s downing of the Russian fighter. All of this activity surrounding Turkey involves a scenario of Turkish domestic problems that sees more violence internally potentially splitting the country apart in 2016. What happens next if an American plane gets shot down over the sky’s of Syria, by whomever, nobody can foretell. Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) is getting a little closer!

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES NOVEMBER 2000 Increase in Omani workforce MUSCAT: Abdul Alim bin Musstahail Rakhyut, chairman of Omanisation follow-up and monitoring committee, has cited the Omanisation percentage in the private sector establishments as good, saying that Omanisation covered the various economic activities, particularly ﬁnancial brokerage and insurance activities. In a statement to the Al Wattan daily, he added that the difficulties encountering Omanisation were topped by the problem of the national workforce stability in the private sector’s establishments.

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

1974: India and Pakistan decide to end a 10-year trade ban. 1979: Pope John Paul II becomes the ﬁrst pope in 1,000 years to attend an Orthodox mass. 1982: Thriller, Michael Jackson’s second solo album, released; the album, produced by Quincy Jones, became the bestselling album in history. 1995: Operation Desert Storm officially comes to an end.

PICTOGRAPH

EXPATS WORKING WITH FAMILIES IN OMAN, 2014 By nationality

Female

Total

26,507

578,903

552,396

Bangladeshi 21,693

537,321

515,628

210,632

209,881

Indonesian 35,109

35,717

608

Ethiopian

32,986

33,298

312

Philipino

17,112

26,125

9,013

Egyptian

1,896

14,147

12,251

Nepalese

3,257

12,145

8,888

Sri Lankan

6,218

11,527

5,309

Other 15,421 Nationality

50,578

35,157

Indian

Pakistani

Total

751

160,950

Male

1,349,443

1,510,393

Source: National Centre for Statistics & Information

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5 A delegation of Pakistani Pashtun political leaders currently visiting Kabul met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday at the presidential palace in Kabul and persuaded him to meet Premier Nawaz in an attempt to put the acrimonious relationship between the two countries back on track.

PAKISTAN

Punjab authorities warn of possible IS-inspired attacks Intelligence-based alert issued four days ago warns of possible attacks on important political personalities, and sensitive civil and military installations

LAHORE: Authorities in Punjab have warned of possible attacks by the ultra-orthodox IS militant group against high-proﬁle targets in the province. The Home Department issued an intelligence-based alert four days ago about the possibility of attacks on important political personalities, and sensitive civil and military installations. The warning also alerts all media houses to remain on guard. The interior ministry had issued this warning to Punjab, after which the provincial department directed the relevant authorities to take preventive measures, an insider at the home department told The Express Tribune. The authorities have asked the divisional police officers and the Counter-Terrorism Department to “ensure extreme vigilance and foolproof security measures at all levels. They were also told to take ‘special measures’ to avoid any untoward incidents. Intelligence reports Citing intelligence reports, the alert warned that police patrols, military vehicles and private establishments were on the hit-list of the militants associated with

STRICT VIGIL: The authorities have asked the divisional police officers and the Counter-Terrorism Department to “ensure extreme vigilance and foolproof security measures at all levels. – File photo

IS group. The home department speciﬁcally warned the Allama Iqbal International Airport management to take pre-emptive measures for averting any untoward incidents. Against external threats, the Airport Security Force was directed to remain on standby and enhance security while the Bomb Disposal Squad was told to screen the entire airport area for any explosive devices. As for internal threats, the warning letter called for continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras at the facility, especially at the departure and arrival lounges. The home department also stated that IS militants might target army

vehicles, especially on JalalpurJattan Road, and police patrols on GT Road in Gujrat district. It also directed the police to ensure foolproof security at the offices of all media houses, particularly in Lahore. The authorities also called for arranging safety drills for employees at the media houses in the near future to prepare them for any untoward situation. Another home department ofﬁcial said while IS was not itself present in Pakistan, its name alluded to factions within the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) inspired by the Middle Eastern terror outﬁt. In another letter for Lahore issued by intelligence agencies, the

A1 3

authorities have been warned that ‘hostile intelligence agencies’ are planning to target Lal Pull near Dharampura, PAF Information Centre Cantt and the Chinese Consulate by “using trained individuals from Afghanistan”. High-level meeting Intelligence-based reports suggest a high-level meeting of the TTP leadership was held on November 20 in the Kunar province of Afghanistan, where Mullah Fazlullah and Qari Amjad were accompanied by an NDS agent, Noor Karim. Karim has reportedly handed over Rs20 million to Amjad to target government buildings,

like universities and colleges in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Mardan, the letter warned. Amjad has meanwhile tasked some fighters with carrying out terror activities in Bajaur Agency, Swat and Dir. The alert further warned that a group of five terrorists had already reached Lahore, and planned to barge into private organisations. The intelligence report claimed that on October 7, militants of Haqqani Network, Al Qaeda, Taliban and IS held a meeting in Afghanistan and planned a massive attack on the Canadian High Commission in Pakistan. Around 10 to 12 fighters have been assigned the task. — Express Tribune

BID TO BOOST TIES

Ghani ‘accepts invitation’ to meet Nawaz ISLAMABAD: As formal diplomacy failed to break the impasse in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, Pakistani Pashtun political leaders have convinced Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Afghan media reported on Saturday. Relations between the two neighbours hit the lowest ebb after Kabul blamed Islamabad for an upsurge in Taliban violence that followed a bitter leadership row in the orthodox militia triggered by the conﬁrmation of the death of its longtime leader Mullah Omar in July, this year. A delegation of Pakistani Pashtun political leaders currently visiting Kabul met the Afghan leader on Thursday at the presidential palace in Kabul and persuaded him to meet Premier Nawaz in an attempt to put the acrimonious relationship between the two countries back on track. The delegation discussed bilateral relations, and peace and security in the region, according to private Pajhwok news agency. “President Ghani has accepted the invitation to meet Nawaz Sharif,” it quoted an unnamed official as saying. Though there is no official word on when and where the two leaders will meet, there are indications the meeting might take place in Paris on the on the sidelines of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21 or CMP 11. The conference will begin on November 30 and continue until December 11. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said he has no knowledge of any scheduled meeting between Ghani and Nawaz. “No such meeting was scheduled until the departure of our delegation from Islamabad,” Qazi Khalilullah told The Express Tribune when asked about the Afghan media reports. Sharif, who is currently in Malta for the Commonwealth Summit, will attend the opening ceremony of the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris on Monday. — Express Tribune

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camera footage released on Saturday showed policemen being shot at from inside a cab, falling onto the ground before the passengers ran on PAIN AND GRIEF: Nazenin Elci, daughter of slain Bar Association President Tahir Elci, cries during the funeral of her father, in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, on Sunday. – Reuters

DIYARNAKIR: Thousands gathered for the funeral of Tahir Elci, a Kurdish lawyer and human rights activist gunned down on Saturday in a southern eastern city at the centre of months of violence. The funerals for the two policemen killed in the attack in Diyarbakir also took place. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Sunday the gun found next to Elci’s body was the same weapon as used in the attack on the

police officers. He vowed to catch the killers. But Selahattin Demirtas, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP), cast doubt on whether those responsible would be exposed. “Our scepticism is fair as so many similar sufferings have taken place on our land in this past,” he said at the funeral. “We were never able to say goodbye to them with our minds at ease thinking

those responsible will be caught.” Police surveillance camera footage released on Saturday showed policemen being shot at from inside a cab, falling onto the ground before the passengers ran on. Another video shows plain clothed police shooting at two men running in the direction Elci was believed to be standing. Elci, who was shot after speaking to journalists, was facing trial

for saying the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was not a terrorist organisation, as the government describes it. He had, however, denounced PKK violence. Hundreds of people have been killed since a ceaseﬁre between the PKK and Turkish security forces collapsed in July, reigniting a conﬂict in which some 40,000 people have died since it began in 1984. Elci’s killing was likely

to fuel further unrest in Turkey’s mostly Kurdish southeast. A curfew had been called in the Sur district of Diyarbakir where the killing took place. On Sunday security forces continued operations to drive back the youth wing of the PKK, removing barricades and trenches, with occasional gunfire and explosions heard.HDP deputies and leaders of Turkey’s local bar associations gathered at the funeral, where a casket draped in red, with bright yellow flowers was carried by a dense crowd. Members of the Diyarbakir’s Bar Association stood in front of the hospital from where the body was taken, holding a banned which said “We will not forget you,” in Turkish and Kurdish. Four investigators have begun work to determine whether the death was an assassination or the result of crossfire. Elci’s brother Ahmet, however, was clear that Elci had been a target: “My brother is not our first martyr and neither will he be the last,” he said. -Reuters

T U Z K H U R M AT U

IS group claims northern Iraq suicide attack BAGHDAD: IS militant group said it was responsible for a suicide car bomb attack on a police checkpoint in the northern Iraqi town of Tuz Khurmatu on Saturday which left seven people dead and 17 others wounded. The hardline militant group said in an online statement distributed by supporters that the target was “rejectionists”. The attack in Tuz Khurmatu, about 175 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, threatened to exacerbate tensions between Kurdish and Turkmen communities in the town, which has seen deadly clashes between paramilitary forces from each group in recent weeks. Efforts to push back IS militants in northern and western Iraq have been complicated by such sectarian and ethnic rivalries. Meanwhile, the United States and its allies conducted 19 strikes against IS in Iraq on Saturday, the coalition leading the operations said in a statement. Seven of the strikes in Iraq hit around Ramadi, destroying a machine gun position, two IS buildings and two weapons caches, and wounding an IS ﬁghter, the Combined Joint Task Force said on Sunday. The coalition also struck targets in 11 other Iraqi cities, including Fallujah, Sinjar and Mosul. — Reuters

HARD-HIT

LOSING SHEEN: Gulls circle above a ﬁsh smoking facility in the

Fish Docks in Grimsby, Britain recently. – Reuters

EU quotas destroy livelihoods in England’s former fishing town GRIMSBY (ENGLAND): The European Union is not an abstract concept in Grimsby, an English port where many blame EU fishing quotas for destroying livelihoods, but views on whether Britain should quit the club are more nuanced than the decaying fish docks suggest. Located on the estuary of the river Humber on England’s northeastern coast, Grimsby was home to a fleet of some 600 trawlers in its 1950s heyday, but now there are hardly any left and the town struggles with a legacy of poverty and unemployment. The decline dates back to the 1970s, when Iceland, concerned by overfishing, closed its cod-rich waters to foreign vessels and the EU began setting quotas to preserve stocks in waters shared by Britain and other member states. “It killed the town,” said Dennis Avery, 73, former skipper of the Ross Tiger, a fishing trawler that is now a museum ship. He now leads tours of the vessel, his weather-beaten face and tales of shipwreck bearing witness to vanished glory days. Malaise of many towns In some ways, Grimsby epitomises the malaise of many ailing British coastal towns, where a large number of people feel left behind by the globalisation of the economy and long for Britain to have more control over its own destiny. These are places where eurosceptic sentiment runs high. In Britain’s general election in May, the anti-EU party UKIP increased its share of the vote in Grimsby to 25 per cent, from 6 per cent in 2010. “UKIP are speaking for a lot of people,” said Avery, who will vote for Britain to leave the bloc in a referendum promised by Prime Minister David Cameron for before the end of 2017. But many of those still making a living from the sea fear the un-

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certainty that would come from quitting the club. Andrew Allard’s seven-vessel Jubilee Fishing Company is a rare success story. He is no great fan of the EU Common Fisheries Policy, but after decades operating with it he wants to know what would replace it should Britain go it alone. “Would it affect my investment in quota?” he asked, referring to money spent on boats with allocated fishing quotas. Unlikely It is unlikely there will be a precise answer to that question before the referendum. Cameron is trying to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s EU membership ahead of the vote, but only the outlines of his demands are known. There is scant detail about the nitty gritty of what “Brexit” would entail. “I’m not even sure seafood features on Cameron’s list of priorities,” said Steve Norton, chief executive of the Grimsby Fish Merchants Association. The fish docks are a strange place, scarred by the collapse of fishing but also showing the resilience of fish processing and the promise of new opportunities in offshore wind energy. A vast ice factory that closed down in 1990 lies abandoned, its ceiling collapsed and its Victorian brickwork crumbling. Nearby streets once crowded with fishermen are derelict, with just a few small businesses left amid boarded-up windows. But there is also a modern fish market where 15,000 tonnes of fish are auctioned per year, roughly 80 percent of it from Iceland or Norway, 10 per cent local and the rest from elsewhere. — Reuters

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5 Britain’s Prince Harry takes a tumble from his polo pony during a charity game in South Africa.

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Tens of thousands march to pressure UN on climate summit PARIS: Tens of thousands of people from Sydney to London joined one of the biggest days of climate change activism on Sunday, telling world leaders gathering for a summit in Paris there is “No Planet B” in the ﬁght against global warming. In the French capital, where demonstrations were banned by the authorities after attacks by IS militants killed 130 people on November 13, activists laid out more than 20,000 pairs of shoes in the Place de la Republique to symbolise absent marchers. Among the high heels and sandals were a pair of plain black shoes sent by Pope Francis, who has been a vocal advocate for action to prevent dangerous climate change, and jogging shoes from

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UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon. One activist, dressed in white as an angel with large wings, held a sign saying “coal kills”. About 10,000 people also joined arms to form a human chain through Paris along the 3-km (2mile) route of the banned march, organisers said. “This is a moment for the whole world to join hands,” said Iain Keith, campaign director for Avaaz, one of the organisers. Elsewhere, more than 2,000 events were being held in cit-

ies including London, Sao Paulo and New York, making it perhaps the biggest day of climate action in history on the eve of the Paris summit which runs from November 30-December 11 and will be attended by about 150 heads of government. Around the world, activists marched, dressed as polar bears or penguins at risk from melting ice, or chanted slogans such as “climate justice”. In Sydney, about 45,000 people are estimated to have marched through the central business district towards the Opera House. Protesters held placards reading: “There is no Planet B,” and “Say no to burning national forests for electricity”. US President Barack Obama

and China’s Xi Jinping will be among the leaders attending the start of the summit, which organisers hope will produce a ﬁrst legally binding agreement to commit both rich and developing nations to curbing emissions of greenhouse gases, blamed for warming the planet, beyond 2020. Hopes are high that the Paris

Turkey recovers body of Russian plane pilot Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Saturday imposing punitive economic sanctions against Turkey

ANKARA/MOSCOW: Turkey recovered the body of a Russian pilot from northern Syria and presented it to Russian diplomats on Sunday, ﬁve days after shooting down his warplane in an incident that wrecked relations between two of the main powers involved in Syria’s war. A coffin carrying Oleg Peshkov arrived by ambulance on the tarmac of Hatay Airport in southern Turkey near the Syrian border, a Reuters photographer said. It was ﬂown to the capital Ankara, where according to Russia’s

RIA news agency it was met at an airfield by Moscow’s ambassador and military attache. The Russian embassy declined to comment. First known incident The shooting down of the Russian fighter jet by NATO-member Turkey, the first known incident of its kind since the Cold War, has damaged efforts to forge a united front against IS militant group in the weeks since militants claimed responsibility for mass killings in Paris and blowing up a Russian airliner. Moscow has responded

towards Ankara with fury, calling the episode a pre-planned provocation. President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Saturday imposing punitive economic sanctions against Turkey. Details of Turkish goods that will be banned and other measures under the decree are expected to be announced in coming days. Turkey says Peshkov’s plane was in its air space and had ignored repeated warnings when it was shot down. Russia says it was ﬂying over Syria and was struck unprovoked. The navigator of the two-seat jet survived but another Russian service member was killed rescuing him from northern Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutgolu said on Sunday that Peshkov’s body had arrived in Turkey overnight, but gave no further details of how it was recovered or brought across the border. Turkey is part of a coalition of

countries led by the United States that have been bombing IS positions in both Syria and Iraq, while also calling for Syrian president Bashar Al Assad to step down. Russia, which supports Assad, launched its own separate bombing campaign against Assad’s opponents nearly two months ago. While it says it is also targeting IS, most of its air strikes have been against other Assad opponents, including groups actively supported by Turkey. Davutoglu called for more military cooperation to prevent future incidents. “Communication and coordination in Syria operations is needed in order to prevent further incidents, because two different coalition groups are conducting operations in Syrian air space always risk leading to similar incidents,” he said before getting on a plane to Brussels for a meeting on the migrant crisis with EU leaders. — Reuters

summit will not fail like the previous such meeting six years ago in Copenhagen. But all sides say pledges made in Paris will be insufficient to limit a rise in global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, widely viewed as a threshold for dangerous changes in the planet’s climate system.

Almost all the demonstrations were peaceful but, after the human chain protest in Paris, riot police ﬁred tear gas and clashed with about 200 protesters, some wearing masks, in the Place de la Republique. Demonstrators carried banners calling for the defence of the climate and democracy. The square has been a gathering place for Parisians since the Nov. 13 attacks. Using the state of emergency rules, police put 24 green activists under house arrest ahead of the summit, saying they were suspected of planning violent protests. In Berlin, about 5,000 people marched with some dressed as penguins. One carried a huge “There is no planet B for penguins,” banner. — Reuters

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Pope Francis urges peace in Central African Republic crowd, he asked them all to shout out repeatedly in their native Songo language: “We are all brothers”.

Before being mobbed by the crowd, Pope Francis asked them all to shout out repeatedly in their native Songo language: ‘We are all brothers’

BANGUI: Protected by the heaviest security ever seen on his trips, Pope Francis on Sunday preached reconciliation in the divided Central African Republic, a nation racked by bloodshed. As the pope’s Alitalia plane touched down from Uganda to start his first visit to a war zone, attack helicopters patrolled the skies and armoured personnel carriers from French and UN peacekeeping forces waited outside the airport. Special security forces Special security forces wearing patches of the yellow and white colours of the Vatican flag were on hand to help his normal Vatican security retinue. In an unprecedented precaution for papal trips, a UN soldier armed with a rifle rode in each of the mini-buses carrying reporters accompanying the pope.

FIRST-EVER TRIP TO WAR ZONE: Pope Francis talks with children as he visits the refugee camp of Saint Sauveur in the capital Bangui, Central African Republic, on November 29, 2015. – Reuters

Bangui, the capital of the former French colony, has seen a surge in clashes that have left at least 100 people dead since late September, according to

Human Rights Watch. France, which has around 900 soldiers deployed in the country, warned the Vatican this month that the visit could be risky

but the pope was determined to go to the nation. Francis was driven in to the presidential palace, for much of the way in an open popemobile, and then to a camp housing nearly 4,000 people displaced by the violence. “Work, pray, do everything for peace,” he said at the camp. “But remember, peace without love, friendship and tolerance is nothing. I hope that all Central Africans can see peace,” he said. Before being mobbed by the

Cheering people Tens of thousands of cheering people lined the route of his motorcade into the city and the presidential palace for a meeting with interim head of state Catherine Samba-Panza. “We absolutely need forgiveness because our hearts have been hardened by the forces of evil. We have lost the sincere love for others and we are henceforth anchored in intolerance, the loss of our values and the disorder that is the result,” she told the pope. “We await your messages to free us from our fear of each other, to help us end our conflicts, to change our hearts and put us on the path to serenity, wisdom, brotherhood and peace,” she said. Speaking slowly in French, he appealed for a “unity in diversity” that shuns divisions along political or religious lines. Central African Republic’s government is deploying around 500 police and gendarmes to secure the visit. More than 3,000 peacekeepers from the MINUSCA UN mission will also be deployed and French troops will be on alert as well. Bangui is the final leg of his first African trip that has already taken him to Kenya and Uganda. In Uganda, traditional singing and dancing gave way to a Western-style church choir as the Pope walked to the altar via a gangway over the lake, which was guarded by police scuba divers in dinghies. — Reuters

COLORADO SPRINGS

‘No more baby parts,’ US shooting accused said COLORADO SPRINGS: The man accused of opening fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado and killing three people said “no more baby parts” while he was being arrested, NBC News and other media reported, citing unidentified law enforcement sources. The utterance from suspect Robert Lewis Dear, 57, apparently referenced the organisation’s health services, which include abortion, and its role in delivering fetal tissue to researchers. It could hint at a possible motive for the rampage on Friday, though NBC, citing sources, said investigators had not confirmed any motivation. Authorities have not discussed a motive for the attack at the Colorado Springs clinic, which killed a police officer and two civilians and left nine wounded. Federal law enforcement authorities referred questions to local police. Colorado Springs police could not be reached for comment. “This unconscionable attack was not only a crime against the Colorado Springs community, but a crime against women receiving healthcare services at Planned Parenthood, law enforcement seeking to protect and serve, and other innocent people,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement. The wounded included five police officers and four civilians. Dear, a South Carolina native who appeared to have moved to Colorado last year, was taken into custody at the clinic after an hours-long standoff with police and jailed ahead of a Monday court appearance. — Reuters

ELECTIONS

Burkina Faso votes to choose new president OUAGADOUGOU: Burkina Faso voted on Sunday in an election to choose the country’s first new president in decades, a year after longtime leader Blaise Compaore was toppled in a popular uprising in which demonstrators faced down the security forces. A successful election would establish the country as a beacon for democratic aspirations in Africa, where veteran rulers from Burundi to Congo Republic have changed constitutions to pave the way for fresh terms in office. It also represents a turning point for a West African nation ruled by leaders who came to power in coups for most of its history since independence from France in 1960. Compaore took power in a coup and ruled for 27 years, winning four elections, all of which were criticised as unfair. He was ousted in October last year, when demonstrators protested against his attempt to change the constitution to extend his tenure. “I am proud to have accomplished my duty as a citizen... It’s the first time that I can be really sure that we won’t end up with Blaise Compaore,” said Ousmane Ouedraogo, as he cast his ballot in the capital Ouagadougou. Long lines People formed long lines at voting stations in the capital and other major centres. Turnout is expected to be heavy among the 5.5 million registered voters who will also choose deputies for the National Assembly. Analysts say only two of the 14 presidential candidates stand a real chance of winning. One is Roch Marc Kabore, prime minister and president of the National Assembly under Compaore. The other is Zephirin Diabre, who was minister of finance in the 1990s before stepping down to start an opposition party. Kabore heads the Movement of People for Progress (MPP), made up of disaffected allies of Compaore who left the party months before he stood down. Diabre fronts the Union for Progress and Change (UPC), which was the formal opposition. Kabore draws support from the business elite and, as a mem-

CASTING VOTE: Burkina Faso’s transitional president Michel Kafando casts his vote for the presidential election at a polling station in Ouagadougou on Sunday. – AFP

ber of the largest ethnic group, traditional chiefs. Diabre has international ties from his years at the United Nations Development Programme and at Areva, a French nuclear company. “We must do everything to show that civilians can ensure the correct government of the country and restore it to democratic normality,” Kabore said as he cast his ballot. Economic growth Many people say they will vote for the candidate who has the best chance of promoting economic growth in a landlocked country that exports gold and cotton but remains impoverished. The election was pushed back from October 11 because of an abortive coup in September by members of the elite presidential guard, in which transitional President Michel Kafando and his prime minister were taken hostage. That coup cost more than $50 million in lost revenue, trimming growth by 0.3 percentage points. The guard has since been disbanded. Kafando will step down once a new leader is sworn in. Corruption and justice are also issues for voters, prompting a resurgence in the popularity of former leader Thomas Sankara, a Marxist revolutionary dubbed “Africa’s Che Guevara” who was assassinated in a 1987 coup led by Compaore. — Reuters

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Consultancy tender for water projects ﬂoated The winning consultant will provide project management consultancy services during the construction, commissioning and testing of planned water projects in Barka and Sohar

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A tender for supervisory consultancy services was ﬂoated by Oman Power and Water Procurement Company on Sunday for managing construction of two major water desalination projects, which have a combined capacity of 531,000 cubic metres per day (116.8 million imperial gallons per day). These projects are coming up in two locations on Oman’s

Batinah coast — Barka and Sohar. A consultant will provide project management and technical consultancy services during the construction, commissioning and testing of Barka and Sohar independent water projects. Last date for submission for the consultancy tender is January 10, 2016. The projects are being developed by the winners on a buildown-operate basis under the terms of water purchase agreements with OPWP, the company

said in a tender announcement. Meanwhile, several multinational developers from Singapore, Japan, France and Spain are competing to bag the Sultanate’s largest independent water desalination project. The consortiums that have submitted bids in August for building the venture are Abengoa Water, Itochu Corporation, JGC, GS Inima Environment SA, Veolia Middle East, Valoriza Agua SL and Hyflux Ltd, according to an earlier tender notification. OPWP, the sole procurer of new power generation and water desalination capacity, earlier floated the tender, inviting bids from major developers for building the project. The water schemes in both project locations are slated for commercial operation by April 2018. New projects are expected to substantially enhance the availability of potable water in the country’s

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northern region, as the country has recently seen a shortage in water supply due to phenomenal growth in consumption. The Barka IWP, with a planned desalination capacity of 281,000 cubic metres per day (61.8 MIGD), will be the larger of the two schemes. The Sohar water desalination project, meanwhile, will have an estimated capacity of 250,000 cubic metres per day (55 MIGD) of water. As water-only schemes, the two projects will not have any new power generation facilities colocated on the site, but electricity will be supplied from the grid. The seven transnational companies leading the consortiums have joined hands with 13 local companies in submitting their bids. For instance, Abengoa has tied up with National Power and Water Company and Muscat Overseas, while GS Inima has formed a consortium with

GS Engineering & Construction, Acciona Aqua and Oman Investment Corporation. Likewise, Veolia has formed a consortium with Marubeni Corporation and Nippon Koei; Valoriza formed its ownconsortium with Oman Brunei Investment Company and Sogex Oman; and JGC with JGC Corporation and Tochu Corporation formed a consortium with Degremont, International Power and W J Towell. However, Hyﬂux, which is developing the Quriyyat desalination project, is bidding for the project on its own. It is not yet officially announced the preferred bidders. Further, GDF Suez, which was pre-qualiﬁed for the project, did not submit a bid for the project. The demand for potable water in Oman’s northern region is projected to grow by six per cent per annum in seven years, from 238 million cubic metres in 2013 to 349 million cubic metres in 2020.

PRODUCER PRICE INDEX

Sultanate’s inflation falls MUSCAT: Oman’s inflation in terms of producer price index (PPI) declined by 13.9 per cent in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter last year, according to data released by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Prices of oil and gas products posted a 15.7 per cent year-on-year fall, while non-oil products prices fell by 3.6 per cent in the second quarter. Non-oil manufacturing and transportable goods registered a price decline of five per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively. Food, beverages and textiles too experienced a price fall of 2.9 per cent. Under this, fish, fruits, vegetables and oils saw prices tumbling by 4.5 per cent, and dairy products by 10.7 per cent. Bakery and related products, and beverages experienced price rise of one per cent and 0.1 per cent in order, while textiles and footwear prices went down by 0.2 per cent. However, prices of the mining, electricity and water subset logged a price rise of 1.4 per cent. — ONA

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015

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GlassPoint achieves better Omanisation This year, the company is expanding national workforce and is

Regulator launches e-compliance system MUSCAT: Oman’s market watchdog Capital Market Authority (CMA) has launched an e-complaint system for those having business relation with the stock market and insurance sector. The system will facilitate the submission of complaints against the organisations supervised by CMA. Customers need not have to come to CMA to submit complaints in hand as they can submit them through CMA website (www. cma.gov.om) by selecting ‘services’ icon from the main page and then ﬁlling up the e-form from any place inside the Sultanate. The new e-system will shorten the procedures, save time and effort as the applicants will be automatically sent through the complaint system, which will also send SMS to the mobile phone of the complainer.

Al Jazeira Services rejects offer on subsidiary stake

on track to surpass 70% per cent Omanisation in ﬁrst quarter of next year

MAKING A POINT: Miraah, which means mirror in Arabic, will harness the sun’s energy to produce steam used to extract heavy and viscous oil at PDO’s Amal ﬁeld in south Oman. - Supplied picture

Times News Service

and developing local talent to help achieve our vision of creating a world-class solar power industry right here in Oman,” said Hani Al Khusaibi, GlassPoint’s Middle East human resources manager.

MUSCAT: GlassPoint Solar has announced that its Oman organisation has achieved 50 per cent Omanisation, in line with its efforts to contribute to local human capital development. This year the company is expanding its national workforce and is on track to surpass 70 per cent Omanisation in the ﬁrst quarter of next year. “In less than a year, GlassPoint Oman has tripled its Omani headcount, ﬁlling key positions across all its main departments and functions. We are committed to hiring

BRIEFS

Diverse team Al Khusaibi added, “GlassPoint is pioneering solar powered oil production, which presents our diverse team with rewarding and challenging career opportunities. Our team members will develop greater expertise across solar technology innovation, project deployment as well as other support services. These skills will help

diversify the economy and create a positive long-term impact on Oman and its people.” Solar project Miraah GlassPoint and its partner Petroleum Development Oman recently broke ground on the landmark solar project Miraah. Miraah, which means mirror in Arabic, will harness the sun’s energy to produce steam used to extract heavy and viscous oil at PDO’s Amal ﬁeld in south Oman. Once complete, Miraah will produce more than one gigawatt of peak thermal energy, making it among the world’s largest solar plants of any kind.

Miraah will generate significant value for the Sultanate by creating new opportunities in supply chain development, manufacturing capacity, employment and training. GlassPoint established its regional headquarters in the Sultanate of Oman in early 2012. Much of the executive team is now based in Oman, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief operating officer. The company’s major shareholders include Royal Dutch Shell and the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF), the largest sovereign wealth fund in Oman.

MUSCAT: Al Jazeira Services said that the company had rejected a ﬁnal offer for divesting its stake in Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles. Company’s board met on November 29 to review the ﬁnal offer of 300 baisas per share (amounting to OMR32.87 million) against the preliminary offer of 375 baisas per share amounting to OMR41.09 million, the company said in a statement on the Muscat Securities Market website. “After due consideration, the AJS Board declined this offer of 300 baisa per share for its entire stake in Al Anwar Ceramics Tiles Co,” the company statement added.

Dhofar University offers to buy-back its shares MUSCAT: Dhofar University said it would repurchase its shares between December 1 and 31 at an offer price of OMR1.612 per share. Targeted acquisition will be 757,647 shares, which is equal to 5.4% of it’s issued capital. Shares will be bought from individuals and institutions holding less than 100,000 shares and will be carried out through Financial Services and Gulf Baader Capital Markets. — ONA/Times News Service

D I V E R S I F I C AT I O N

Iran’s mining offers huge potential to beat crude revenue DUBAI: Iran, Opec’s ﬁfth-largest crude producer, has potential to generate more revenue from mining than it does from crude if the government puts more focus on developing the metals sector, according to Mojtaba Khosrowtaj, ﬁrst deputy minister in charge of trade at Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade. Metals such as copper and lead and higher-priced rare earth elements could be worth “much more” than the nation’s oil industry revenue of about $30 billion, assuming crude at $40 a barrel and exports of two million barrels a day, Khosrowtaj said in an interview. Iran is opening $30 billion

of energy projects and $29 billion of mining deals to investors once international sanctions are lifted. Iran has more than 3,000 active mines, mostly privately owned, according to the US Geological Survey. The sector is still using equipment developed 15 or 20 years ago because of lack of funds due to sanctions, Khosrowtaj said. “We could use new technologies,” he said. “Expansion of construction projects in oil and gas or mining is reliant on banks and insurance companies, and sanctions have delayed them.” Iran produced 2.7 million barrels a day in October, behind Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab

Emirates and Kuwait, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. For metals in the region, Iran is the largest producer of iron ore, crude steel, manganese, lead, cement gypsum and copper, according to USGS data. Domestic and overseas companies need to be encouraged to develop the mining sector, Khosrowtaj said. “The Iran of the future is one where mining can gradually start replacing oil. We have asked potential investors to pay attention to the mining sector.” Some 37 billion metric tonnes of minerals valued at $700 billion were discovered in Iran from exploration work at 50 metres(164 feet) underground, he said.

Reserves may be greater if exploration work is done deeper in the ground and on a larger scale, he further said. The end of sanctions would lead to the unfreezing of assets worth at least $30 billion, access to international ﬁnance and foreign direct investment, higher energy exports and the chance to import more modern industrial technology. About a dozen European trade delegations have visited Iran since the nuclear pact was signed in July, including groups from France, Germany and Italy. “With lifting of sanctions, there will be new opportunities that will accelerate growth,” he said. — Bloomberg News

VITAL RESOURCES: An attendant hands over a customer’s change

in rial banknotes at a gas station in Tehran, Iran. Iran is opening $30 billion of energy projects and $29 billion of mining deals to investors once international sanctions are lifted. - Bloomberg ﬁle picture ISSUE NUMBER 434

Treasury bills worth OMR23m issued MUSCAT: A tender of Government Treasury Bills was held at the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) on Sunday. The total value of the allotted treasury bills amounted to OMR23 million, for a maturity period of 91 days, from December 2, 2015 until March 2, 2016. The average accepted and the minimum accepted price arrived at 99.820 per OMR100. Whereas the average discount rate and the average discount rate and the average yield reached 0.72198 per cent and 0.72328 per cent, respectively. The treasury bills are shortterm highly secured ﬁnancial instruments issued by the CBO on behalf of the Government, which helps the licensed commercial banks to gainfully invest their surplus funds, with added advantage of ready liquidity through discounting and repurchase facilities (Repo) offered by the Central Bank. Furthermore, Treasury Bills

– Times ﬁle picture

promote the local money market by creating a benchmark yield curve for short-term interest rates. Additionally, the Government (MOF) may also resort to this instrument whenever felt necessary for ﬁnancing its recurrent expenditures. The interest rate on the Repo operations with CBO is one per cent for the period from December 2, 2015 to December 8, 2015 while the discount rate on the Treasury Bills Discounting Facility with CBO is 1.35 per cent, for the same period. — ONA

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Islamic banks in Oman can support small and medium enterprises DR FURQAN AHMED*

MALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) are main source of economic growth for any country on a scale covering creation of employment to inter-generational sustainability. Globally, SME contribution to total employment is estimated to be 43.5 per cent. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD (2014) the value added created by SMEs has been 56.3 per cent in Germany, 71 per cent in Italy and 54.6 per cent in Turkey. In Oman, latest data indicate that 40 per cent of the workforce is employed in SME ﬁrms with less than 5 per cent Omanis while the contribution to the gross domestic product ranges 15-20per cent. Other important factors regarding SMEs are business opportunities for women and youth because of their ability to adapt faster to change resulting in the creation and enhancement of innovative solutions. Industries like information

technology, Hi-tech, tourism or even a small retail shop represents the versatility and scope of SME sector. In Oman there are four major challenges identified for SMEs — access to financing and opportunities, policy and institutional support, legal framework and infrastructure support The top most constraint is the reluctance of financial institutions to finance SMEs due to high risk. It is also called The Financial Gap.According to the IFC Finance Gap Database, the total MSME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be $ 2.4 trillion out of which a gap of about $ 1.3 trillion exists in G20 countries. Governmental organisations and large organisations have obligations to follow strict check and balance system which sometime causes delays in payments more than 60 days which may not be a problem for like companies but for SMEs’ cash flows are most vital to run businesses with full potential where 56 per cent of the total payments to suppli-

Around 56 per cent of firms are self-funded, 20 per cent borrowed from friends, 18 per cent borrowed from banks and financial institutions, and balance 6 per cent from other sources ers are to be done in cash. Further, easy financial access enables new SMEs to form which in Omanis just over 4 per cent. Total 56 per cent per cent of firms are self-funded, 20 per cent borrowed from friends, 18 per cent borrowed from banks and financial institutions, and balance

6 per cent from other sources. The strategy from Central Bank of Oman (CBO) providing easy access to finance is on strong grounds involving steps of self-involvement, enhancing commercial banks capacity, supporting entrepreneurs producing viable projects, and providing access to government contracts, however, there exists an opportunity to further boost up the SME sector by involving Islamic banking and financing. In a research published by the IMF, Ben Naceur, Barajas and Massara (2015) revealed that there is no significant impact for Islamic banking on financial inclusion. IDB in Egypt organised a workshop for Islamic banks representatives in 2014 with the sole purpose of emphasizing alternative Islamic finance products for SMEs, as most participants lacked exposure in Mudaraba or Musharaka. Increased standardisation by authorities such as AAOIFI and local Sharia bodies in Oman may put a healthy impact for building a common Sharia understanding

Govt agencies urged to join eTendering project Project will change the conventional way of working at the government organisations in order to make the eTendering process simpler, faster and transparent

Times News Service MUSCAT: Government entities were encouraged to join the National eTendering Project at a recent workshop organised by the Information Technology Authority (ITA) as part of its ongoing eTransformation Plan. The main objective of the meet was to interact with government entities which are not yet part of the system, address their concerns and challenges and take forward the implementation of the eTendering system in their respective ministries. The workshop opened by a speech given by Eng. Yaqoob Dur Al Bulushi, deputy chief executive officer for infrastructure and eServices, during which he stressed the importance of change man-

MAKING A POINT: Ten government entities have been successfully using the eTendering system for their internal tenders on a day-to-day basis with more than 100 tenders ﬂoated within six months since it was launched. - Supplied picture

agement and the fact that the mindset towards the digitalisation and electronic systems is what matters and what is needed to kick off a comprehensive beneﬁcial and electronic tendering system in the country. He also emphasised that the project will change the conventional way of working at the government organisations in order to make the eTendering process simpler, faster and transparent for the concerned parties including government and participating companies. The workshop reviewed success stories of government entities which were part of the new

eTendering system and how this step changed the way processes normally go. Experiences shared Experiences from the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Sultan Qaboos University were shared and discussed. The representatives of each entity highlighted the reduction of manual work and time saving in sale of tender documents, centralised company information, easy evaluation reports, reduction in ﬁle processing and mainly archived tender information available to anyone 24/7.

RESEARCH REPORT

‘Gulf stock markets are looking attractive’ Times News Service MUSCAT: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) equity markets are looking increasingly attractive after the broad based sell off since the summer, says a new report. In this context, the GCC markets presently represent a buying opportunity, particularly with appealing stock valuations and stronger earnings momentum, according to a recent Bank of America Merrill Lynch research report titled, ‘MENA & Frontier Observer — Frontier markets screening increasingly more attractive: Focus on quality’. Buying opportunities “There are broad-based buying opportunities, but stock selection is becoming key. We retain our bias for markets with robust macro, attractive valuations, consistent earnings delivery and/or superior earnings growth. These factors make the UAE our most preferred MENA market and Kuwait as our preferred GCC

frontier market,” said Hootan Yazhari, head of Mena & Frontier Markets Equity Research. “The sharp correction across frontier markets since the summer has also yielded strong opportunities across many other markets, including Saudi Arabia. In this context, we believe stock selection (rather than market selection) is becoming more crucial and advocate a focus on quality and mispriced opportunities,” the expert noted. Yazhari also said, “As our most preferred attractively valued GCC market, the UAE offers long-term potential and healthy earnings momentum. The UAE is the only market with net earnings upgrades year-to-date, and our top picks are Etisalat, Emaar and ADCB. While in Saudi Arabia, opportunities have risen as the market is no longer expensive but we believe it’s time to get selectively bullish. Within Saudi, the consumer space presents an attractive long term opportunity, and we reiterate our Buy ratings on Al Hokair and Al Othaim.”

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

They also stressed the need for the eTendering system and the fact that it should evolve more in the coming years to provide more data analyses for better control and monitoring of tenders and spending management for the government. It is worth mentioning that 10 government entities are successfully using the eTendering system for their internal tenders on a day to day basis with more than 100 tenders ﬂoated within six months since the inception of the system. Currently, there are more than 300 successful online tender document sales taken place so far in the eTendering system.

and education for less experienced practitioners and SME end-clients. SME is very cost sensitive sector since it is based on small ﬁnances and need shorter payback period to survive. Islamic banks should strive to reduce their documentation and ﬁnancial costs to the maximum possible to attract SMEs. According to De La Campa (2010), 78 per cent of assets of businesses in developing countries are movable assets in the form of machinery, equipment and vehicles. Proper legal framework is required to allow movable collaterals and maximise their potential. Economist Intelligence Unit commissioned by Kuwait Finance House conducted a survey in 2012 to evaluate reasons of less demand for Sharia-compliant products and services, 86 per cent believe it is due to lack of professional management and awareness. Training is vital for the existing and future workforce working for Islamic banks’ SME sector. Currently, the

impression on general masses about Islamic banks is more religious in nature than welfare. There should be trainers who should have knowledge of both conventional and Islamic Sharia ﬁnance and can provide proper training to build a skilled force capable to make Islamic banks competitive to conventional banks with better welfare offerings. Conclusively, it is obvious that ﬁnancial growth need SME sector to grow. Central Bank of Oman is already a front liner in SME promotion. However, there is a potential for Islamic banks in Oman to involve more in SME growth by increasing practice of Mudaraba/Musharaka, standardisation, cost reductions, legal framework for movable collaterals, and enhanced workforce trainings. *Dr Furqan Ahmed has a PhD (Islamic Finance) from Pebble Hills University (USA) and currently working as administrator and senior lecturer in Pakistan School Muscat.

PORTFOLIO CHANGE

Kuwait oil minister resigns DUBAI: Kuwait named Deputy Prime Minister Anas Al Saleh as acting oil minister to replace Ali Al Omair who became minister of public affairs and retained his role as state minister for parliamentary affairs, according to an official decree. The change in portfolio comes days before Al Omair was due to represent Kuwait at the meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) on December 4 to discuss the group’s production level amid a slump in prices due to a global glut. Earlier this month, Al Omair swaped the chief executive officers of state companies Kuwait Oil and Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration, unit known as Kufpec.

Ali Al Omair. — Bloomberg ﬁle picture

Al Saleh, born in 1972 and holder of a bachelor degree in business administration from Portland University in the US, is also ﬁnance minister, according to the website of the official news agency Kuna. — Bloomberg News

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015

MARKET MSM index edges down

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................ 5,671.78 .............. 5,643.29 ................... 5,643.29 ...................5,668.40................ -25.11 .................. -0.44 Financial Index ..................................... 6,817.72 ............... 6,779.75 ....................6,779.75 ....................6,817.72................ -37.97 .................. -0.56 Industrial Index ................................... 6,975.42 .............. 6,946.53 ................... 6,946.53 ................... 6,971.49............... -24.96 .................. -0.36 Services Index ....................................... 3,169.70 ...............3,154.04 ................... 3,154.04 ................... 3,174.50................-20.46 .................. -0.64 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................886.44 .................. 881.91 ....................... 881.91 ....................... 887.11..................-5.20 .................. -0.59 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 11,710,833 ..................2,484,700 .....................654 ................14,776,610,178 .................. 4 ..................... 24 ....................24 .........................52

As many as 654 trades were executed, with a turnover of OMR2.4 million amid 11.7 million

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29

shares changing hands. 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: Accelerated selling in index heavyweights weighed on the MSM30 Index, which retreated 0.44 per cent to close at 5,643.29 points. The Sharia Index declined by 0.59 per cent to close at 881.91 points. Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume, while Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) led in terms of turnover. Today’s top gainer was Oman Packaging, up by 5.45 per cent, while loss of 7.50 per cent made Al Jazeera Services the top loser. As many as 654 trades were executed on Sunday, generating turnover of OMR2.4 million with 11.7 million shares changing hands. Out of 52 traded securities, four advanced, 24 declined and 24 remained unchanged. Omani investors remained net buyers for OMR23,000 followed by foreign investors for OMR2,000 while GCC and Arab investors switched to net sellers for OMR25,000 worth of shares. Financial Index declined by 0.56 per cent to close at 6,779.75 points. Al Sharqia Investments, Al Izz Bank, Bank Nizwa, Al Batinah Development and Taageer Finance declined by 3.74 per cent, 2.94 per cent, 2.67 per cent, 2.27 per cent and 2.26 per cent, respectively. Industrial Index ended the day at 6,946.53 points, down by 0.36 per cent. Oman Textiles Packaging, Oman Textiles and Al Anwar Ceramics gained by 5.45 per cent, 2.86 per cent and 0.62 per cent, respectively. Gulf International Chemicals, Oman Fisheries, Galfar Engineering, Raysut Cement and Al Maha Ceramics declined by 3.85 per cent, 3.85 per cent, 2.56 per cent, 1.82 per cent and 0.49 per cent, respectively. Services Index was Sunday’s worst performer and closed at 3,154.04 points, down by 0.64 per cent. Dhofar University, up 1.37 per cent was the sole gainer. Al

Jazeera Services, Sharqiyah Desalination, OIFC, Sohar Power and Omantel declined by 7.50 per cent, 1.75 per cent, 1.20 per cent, 1.12 per cent and 0.95 per cent, respectively. Regional stocks fall Stocks in Abu Dhabi led most Middle East markets lower, even as Dana Gas PJSC, an energy explorer based in the United Arab Emirates, soared after winning a court order over unpaid debts. Shares in Saudi Arabia and Egypt moved up. Dana advanced 15 per cent, the most in almost a year, to 0.47 dirham at the close in the emirate, saying an international arbiter ordered the Kurdish government to pay the company and its partners about $2 billion for unpaid invoices. It was the most heavily traded stock on Abu Dhabi’s ADX General Index, accounting for about 50 per cent of the volume. The gauge declined 1.1 per cent to the lowest level since November 16. Egypt’s EGX 30 Index gained 0.8 per cent as of 1:56 p.m. in Cairo and Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose 0.1 per cent. The London Court of International Arbitration ruled the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq must pay Dana Gas and its partners for produced condensate and liquefied petroleum gas up to June 30 within 28 days, according to a statement to the Abu Dhabi stock exchange on Sunday, which was disputed by Kurdistan. The ruling is a boost to Dana Gas, whose credit has suffered. The United Arab Emiratesbased company failed to repay almost $1 billion in debt in 2012. The award is final and binding, according to Dana Gas’s statement. The company said a further damages claim for “wrongfully delayed” development of the fields will be heard in 2016.

REGULAR MARKET ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................ 50,000 ............ 16,300........................2 ........... 0.326 ...........0.326 ...........0.326........... 0.326 .............0.324 ........... 0.002............. 0.617 ................0.326..............0.302...................0.324 ..................96,565,660 .........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ...............................................................5,000 ...............1,560........................2 ............0.312 ........... 0.312 ...........0.312 ........... 0.312 .............0.312............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.312 ............. 0.300...................0.324 ..................15,600,000 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ......................................................75,000 ...............8,425........................4 ............0.112 ........... 0.113............0.112 ............0.112 ............. 0.112............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.112 .............. 0.110................... 0.112 ................. 224,035,032 .......0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ............................................................................366 ...................165........................1 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.450........... 0.450 .............0.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.450..............0.436...................0.450..................248,787,739 ........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 356,998 ........... 32,130..................... 10 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.090........... 0.090 .............0.090 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.090..............0.090...................0.095...................10,968,750 .........0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS..............................................................1,672 ...............2,341........................1 ............1.400 ........... 1.400 ...........1.400........... 1.490 .............1.490............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.400..............1.400...................1.450................... 71,762,965 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 102,120 .............. 5,772........................9 ........... 0.057 ........... 0.057 ...........0.056........... 0.057 .............0.057 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.056..............0.056...................0.057................... 11,807,629 .........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ...................................10,000 ............20,000........................2 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 ............ 0.000...................2.000 ................ 190,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE .........................................................2,250 ..................254........................1 ............0.113 ........... 0.113............0.113 ............0.114 ............. 0.114............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.113 ..............0.103................... 0.113 ...................35,427,203 .........0.100 OM0000002572 ...........OMAN OIL MARKETING ............................................... 800 ...............1,560........................2 ............1.950 ........... 1.950 ...........1.950 ........... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.950 ............. 0.000...................1.950..................122,550,000 .......0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ..............................................................23,858 .............11,977........................6 ........... 0.502 ...........0.502 ...........0.502........... 0.502 .............0.502 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.502..............0.502...................0.504 ...............1,150,494,944 ......0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 2,000,000 .... 208,000........................2 ............0.104 ........... 0.104 ...........0.104........... 0.104 .............0.104 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.104..............0.097...................0.103...................20,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 150,000 ...........25,000........................3 ............0.170 ........... 0.170 ...........0.165 ............0.167 ............. 0.167............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.165 .............. 0.161...................0.164................. 240,720,480 .......0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .......................................................... 400 ...................166........................2 ............0.416 ........... 0.416 ...........0.416 ........... 0.428 .............0.428 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.416 ............. 0.400...................0.416...................25,894,000.........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING ................................................. 400 .................. 296........................1 ............0.740 ........... 0.740 ...........0.740........... 0.740 .............0.740 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.740..............0.740...................0.760..................147,730,344 ........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................10,800 ............28,000........................4 ........... 2.600...........2.600 ...........2.500 .......... 2.595 .............2.600 ...........-0.005 ........... -0.192 ...............2.500 ............ 2.500...................2.600 ................. 247,711,421 ........1.000 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 106,030 ............21,941........................9 ........... 0.207 ...........0.207 ...........0.205........... 0.207 .............0.208 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.481................0.205............. 0.200...................0.204 ................. 139,701,698 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 225,081 ........... 46,592......................21 ........... 0.207 ...........0.207 ...........0.207........... 0.207 .............0.208 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.481................0.207............. 0.200...................0.205 ................. 147,882,112 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .................................................. 55,318 ............22,546......................16 ........... 0.400........... 0.410 ...........0.400 .......... 0.408 .............0.410............-0.002 ........... -0.488 ...............0.400............. 0.400...................0.410...................21,420,000.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 256,644 ......... 188,041..................... 37 ............0.736 ........... 0.736 ...........0.724........... 0.732 ............. 0.736............-0.004 ........... -0.543 ...............0.724..............0.724...................0.732..................476,491,176 ........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 350,500 ............57,182..................... 23 ............0.163 ........... 0.164 ...........0.163 ............0.163 .............0.164............-0.001 ........... -0.610 ...............0.163 .............. 0.163...................0.165 ................... 47,376,116 .........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 226,371 ......... 353,156......................31 ............1.565 ........... 1.565 ...........1.560 ........... 1.560 ............. 1.575............-0.015 ........... -0.952 ...............1.560 ..............1.560................... 1.615 ................1,170,000,000 ......0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 500,000........... 97,500........................1 ............0.195 ........... 0.195 ...........0.195 ............0.195 ............. 0.197............-0.002 ............-1.015................0.195 ............. 0.000...................0.195 ..................277,882,048........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................ 7,920 ...............2,787........................4 ........... 0.354 ...........0.354 ...........0.350........... 0.352 .............0.356 ...........-0.004 ............-1.124................0.350..............0.350...................0.366................... 77,795,520 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 446,498 ........... 73,038.....................20 ............0.163 ........... 0.164 ...........0.163 ........... 0.164 ............. 0.166............-0.002 ........... -1.205 ...............0.163 .............. 0.163...................0.164...................32,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 641,000 .......... 151,118........................8 ........... 0.238 ...........0.238 ...........0.235........... 0.236 .............0.239 ...........-0.003 ............-1.255................0.235..............0.230...................0.234 ..................23,600,000.........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ................................65,868 ..........296,406.....................24 ........... 4.500...........4.500 ...........4.500 .......... 4.500 .............4.580 ...........-0.080 ............-1.747 ................4.500 ............ 4.500...................4.700...................44,010,972.........1.000 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ....................................................... 25,200 .............27,216........................5 ............1.100 ........... 1.100 ...........1.000........... 1.080 ............. 1.100............-0.020 ............-1.818................1.005 ..............1.005................... 1.015 ................. 216,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 1,560,268 ......249,546......................81 ............0.160 ........... 0.162 ...........0.158 ........... 0.160 ............. 0.163............-0.003 ........... -1.840 ...............0.160.............. 0.158...................0.160...................24,012,000.........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 256,000 ............23,015......................13 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.089........... 0.090 .............0.092 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.174................0.089..............0.088...................0.090 ...................5,295,890 ..........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE .................................................. 40,000 ...............5,200........................5 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.130........... 0.130 ............. 0.133............-0.003 ........... -2.256 ...............0.130 ..............0.127...................0.000 ..................32,966,700.........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................10,000 ..................860........................1 ........... 0.086 ...........0.086 ...........0.086........... 0.086 .............0.088 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.273 ...............0.086..............0.083...................0.094 ...................2,580,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 357,191 ............. 27,110..................... 36 ........... 0.078 ........... 0.078 ...........0.075........... 0.076 .............0.078 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.564 ...............0.075..............0.074...................0.075...................22,038,528.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 195,830............ 20,129......................16 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.101 ........... 0.103 .............0.107............-0.004 ............-3.738................0.101 ..............0.100...................0.102....................9,270,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............56,240 .............14,081......................12 ........... 0.250 ........... 0.251 ...........0.250........... 0.250 .............0.260 ...........-0.010 ........... -3.846 ...............0.250..............0.250...................0.251....................5,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 100,000 ........... 37,000........................4 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.360........... 0.370 .............0.400 ...........-0.030 ........... -7.500 ...............0.360............. 0.000...................0.360 ..................22,645,581 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 8,271,623.......2,076,408 ...............419 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......36........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................. OM0000001608............OMAN PACKAGING .................................................... 11,000 ...............3,190........................2 ........... 0.290...........0.290 ...........0.290 .......... 0.290 .............0.275 ............0.015 ............. 5.455 ................0.290............. 0.280...................0.290 ...................9,406,399 ..........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING ..................................... 93,051 ............ 33,507..................... 48 ........... 0.350 ...........0.366 ...........0.350........... 0.360 .............0.350 ............0.010 ............. 2.857 ................0.362..............0.358...................0.362 ...................2,160,000 ..........1.000 OM0000003075 ...........DHOFAR UNIVERSITY...............................................63,050 ............ 93,629......................16 ............1.485 ........... 1.485 ...........1.485 ............1.485 ............. 1.465............ 0.020............. 1.365 ................1.485 ..............1.320...................1.485 ...................20,790,000.........1.000 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 32,000 ...............1,029........................5 ........... 0.032 ...........0.033 ...........0.032........... 0.032 .............0.032 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.032..............0.032...................0.033....................2,720,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................3,000 ...............1,422........................1 ............0.474 ........... 0.474 ...........0.474........... 0.474 .............0.474 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.474..............0.472...................0.474...................74,655,000.........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE............................................................241 .....................33........................1 ............0.135 ........... 0.135 ...........0.135 ............0.135 ............. 0.135............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.135 .............. 0.135...................0.000 ..................33,968,494.........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................... 98,513 ............... 7,307......................13 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.075 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.075..............0.075...................0.076.................... 5,565,392 ..........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ............................. 25,900 ............... 2,616........................2 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.101 ............0.101 ............. 0.101............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.101 .............. 0.101...................0.102...................10,100,000 .........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 514,093 ............75,140..................... 52 ............0.146 ........... 0.147 ...........0.145 ........... 0.146 .............0.146............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.145 ..............0.142...................0.145..................213,539,813 ........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 2,344,887 ..... 171,040..................... 63 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.074 ...........0.072........... 0.073 .............0.075 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.667 ...............0.072..............0.072...................0.073..................109,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK................................................ 76,130 ............... 5,061......................12 ........... 0.068 ...........0.068 ...........0.066........... 0.066 .............0.068 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.941 ...............0.066..............0.066...................0.067...................66,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................62,774 ................3,119......................11 ........... 0.050 ...........0.050 ...........0.049........... 0.050 .............0.052 ...........-0.002 ........... -3.846 ...............0.050..............0.049...................0.050 ...................6,250,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,324,639...... 397,093...................226 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......12........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS AND SUKUK MARKET ...................................................................................................................................................................... OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ..........................4,649 ...................511........................3 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.112 ............. 0.112............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 .............. 0.110...................0.000 ..................33,907,900.........0.100 OM0000004628 ...........BANK SOHAR BONDS 4.5 ..........................................66,100 ............... 6,610........................1 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.096...................0.100.................... 7,150,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 .................................................194 .....................19........................1 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100............0.101 ............. 0.101............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.104...................32,283,910 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 .....................43,628 ...............4,057........................4 ........... 0.093 ...........0.093 ...........0.093........... 0.093 .............0.093 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.093..............0.093...................0.000 ..................30,147,030 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 114,571 ............. 11,198........................9 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........4........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

- United Securities/Bloomberg News

C A P I TA L M A R K E T

Chinese investors confident of market rally despite volatility BEIJING: Fang Zhengdao set up shop on a rainy day in mid-November, a yellow umbrella in his hand and a handwritten sign by his side. Two months had passed since the great Chinese stock-market crash of 2015, and Fang figured it was time to start peddling equities again. That no one seemed interested in money-management advice from a 67-year-old man on a dingy street corner in Beijing didn’t faze him. He’d be back again. “I’m doing this, helping others to invest in the stock market, because I want to make some money for them and myself,” said Fang, a retired government engineer who’s been trading local shares since 1994. “It’ll take no time for the Shanghai index to climb.’’ As China’s $5 trillion equity rout gives way to a nascent recovery, Fang is a symbol of enduring optimism among the nation’s 97 million individual investors. Not only are old- timers sticking with the market, novice traders have also piled in every week since the crash. What’s more, some of the world’s biggest banks and money managers — including Goldman Sachs Group and Franklin Templeton Investments — say they’re long-term bulls. Optimistic stance While an optimistic stance may be hard to fathom for observers of the gut-wrenching volatility in yuandenominated shares this year, the market has been a surprisingly rewarding bet over the long run. Twenty-five years to the day after the founding of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the bourse’s benchmark index has delivered a 3,548 per cent gain, excluding dividends. That compares with 348 per cent for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and 533 per cent for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index over

America’s small-cap Russell 2000 Index, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.3 per cent on Thursday.

UNCERTAIN TIMES: A trader sits in front of a computer at his work station at the Shanghai Stock

Exchange in Shanghai. Sharp rallies in Chinese stocks — like the one that propelled the Shanghai Composite Index to a 60 per cent gain in the ﬁrst half — have often been followed by extended periods of disappointing returns. - Bloomberg News

the same period. “If you look at the compound return for the A share market since it began in the 1990s, it’s actually not bad,’’ said Kinger Lau, a China equity strategist at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong whose latest 12-month forecast implies a six per cent gain for the nation’s large-cap CSI 300 Index. “Maybe I’m biased, but I’m more forgiving.’’ Of course, those returns have been fueled by one of history’s greatest-ever economic booms, a feat that’s unlikely to repeat as China’s population ages. For stocks to keep climbing as growth slows, the ruling Communist Party will have to follow through on pledges to improve the efficiency of state-owned enterprises and transform the primary driver of economic expansion from invest-

ment to consumption. Valuation concern Mark Mobius, who’s been investing in emerging markets for more than four decades, says he’s confident policy makers will deliver. In September, the government announced long-awaited guidelines to make state-run firms more productive, stressing the need to reform “zombie” companies and accelerate efforts to boost the role of private shareholders. While short on specifics, authorities pledged to release details by year-end. The economic transition, meanwhile, is already under way. Consumption accounted for more than 58 per cent of China’s expansion in the first nine months of the year, versus 43 per cent for investment. Retail spending climbed a faster-

than- estimated 11 per cent in October, while Alibaba Group Holding logged a record 91.2 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) in sales during its Singles’ Day e-commerce promotion on November 11. “Admittedly, it’s not going to be easy,” Mobius, chairman of Templeton’s emerging markets group, said in an interview in Bangkok. “But they are deﬁnitely moving in the right direction and that’s why it’s so exciting, because you see this transformation taking place.” Sceptics worry Sceptics worry that share prices already reﬂect a successful transition. The ChiNext index, China’s gauge of smaller consumer and technology companies, has a price-to- earnings ratio of 81, four times more expensive than

Boom bust Sharp rallies in Chinese stocks — like the one that propelled the Shanghai Composite Index to a 60 per cent gain in the first half — have often been followed by extended periods of disappointing returns. The last downturn stretched for five years, with the benchmark index sinking more than 40 per cent through the middle of 2014. China has had 55 bull and bear markets since 1990, more than six times as many as the S&P 500. The frequency of boom-bust cycles partly reflects policy makers’ failure to lure foreign and institutional investors to a market where individuals still account for more than 80 per cent of trades, said Fraser Howie, the co-author of “Red Capitalism: The Fragile Financial Foundation of China’s Extraordinary Rise.” International money managers cut holdings of mainland equities through the Shanghai-Hong Kong exchange link after policy makers responded to this year’s crash by restricting bearish bets, allowing hundreds of companies to halt trading and banning large stakeholders from selling their shares. “The scary thing is, back then and now, you have the Shanghai Stock Exchange dominated by small speculative investors,” said Howie, who first visited the bourse in 1992 when it was housed in an old hotel along the city’s historic Bund waterfront. “Few would have believed foreigners would have such a limited role 25 years later.” This year’s intervention is part of a “three steps forward, one step back” process of reform that foreign investors will have to learn

to live with, according to Kai Kong Chay, a senior portfolio manager at Manulife Asset Management in Hong Kong. The important thing, he says, is that policy makers seem to be learning from mistakes and pushing forward. Reform path They’ve already started winding back some of the interventionist measures introduced during the crash, including a ban on initial public offerings and curbs on brokerages’ short positions. Authorities are planning to adopt a US-style system for IPOs as soon as next year, and they’ve already started testing an expansion of the Hong Kong trading link to China’s second-largest bourse in Shenzhen. Locals have taken the volatility in stride, with the total number of registered individual investors climbing for 28 straight weeks to a record on November 20. In another sign of optimism, traders are ramping up use of borrowed money to increase their buying power. Outstanding margin debt on local bourses, which shrank by half during the crash, has rebounded for seven straight weeks as the Shanghai Composite rallied 25 per cent from this year’s low in August. For Fang, who’s been forced to liquidate his own holdings more than once during bear markets over the past two decades, the great thing about Chinese stocks is that they always seem to bounce back. “I’ve seen it all, all the ups and downs,” he said. “I still have faith,” he further added. — Bloomberg News

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

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E-

IMES TECH STUFF

KASPERSKY LAB 2016 PROJECTIONS Kaspersky Lab experts anticipate that in 2016 they will see signiﬁcant evolution in cyber-espionage tradecraft. There will be a dramatic change in how advanced persistent threats are operated. It is expected to see a decreased emphasis on ‘persistence’, with a greater focus on memory-resident or ﬁleless malware, reducing the traces left on an infected system and thereby avoiding detection. — Times News Service

T E C H U P D AT E S

Amazon plans to add other networks to its Prime Video Amazon.com will soon let viewers of its Prime Instant Video service tap into other on-demand networks, according to people with knowledge of the plans. Prime customers will have the option of adding other online subscriptions to their accounts, including major, well-known movie and TV channels, and Amazon will also sell prepackaged bundles of its own creation, said the people, who asked not to be identiﬁed or disclose the names of the partners because the plans are private. They said the new feature may go live as soon as next month. The appeal of others’ programming may help lure new customers to Amazon Prime and give it as competes with Netﬂix and Hulu. The new feature would mark the next evolution in the online giant’s approach to home entertainment, combining its expertise in retail with its growing investment in video. Prime Instant Video would resemble something between a cable-TV subscription, though without live programming, and the online array of video offered through devices from Roku, Apple TV or Amazon’s own Fire TV. — Bloomberg News

Xiaomi’s $45b valuation seen ‘unfeasible’ as growth cools

NEW STRATEGY: Competing on mobile will be vital for Yahoo, and it clearly has a long way to go. A revamped e-mail service, even one that doesn’t need a password, isn’t going to be the answer. — Bloomberg ﬁle picture

Yahoo’s future will not come by e-mail From 2011 to 2015, global Internet advertising revenue rose to $156 billion from $84 billion, a compounded annual growth rate of about 17 per cent. During

Where the real action is going to be — mobile — the company has been slower than its peers to make money. Its share of US mobile ad revenue was 3.3 per cent in 2014, according to eMarketer, compared with 36.9 per cent for Google and 18.5 per cent for Facebook

Earnings of HP ﬁrms decline on currency ﬂuctuations

Marissa Mayer, president and chief executive officer of Yahoo. — Bloomberg ﬁle picture

the same period, Yahoo’s revenue, most of which comes from Internet advertising, has fell to $4.8 billion from $4.9 billion

f you plan to share this article, you’re more likely to use text, Twitter, Facebook, Slack, GChat or even SnapChat than e-mail. e-mail, in other words, isn’t the main form of sharing in a world

increasingly dominated by smartphones — which makes Yahoo’s announcement recently that it plans to invest tens of millions of dollars in upgrades to its 18-year-old e-mail service a bit of a head-scratcher. Yahoo’s thinking is that by improving its e-mail service with features like password-less entry, it will drive more traffic to its sites and, by extension, increase ad sales. But it seems as if Yahoo is ﬁghting the previous war, one that it already lost. Gmail is the only top e-mail service gaining traffic, with unique visitors up 13 per cent in the US since last September, according to ComScore data that include both mobile and desktop users. Yahoo’s e-mail traffic fell 10 per cent during the period. While gaining access to e-mail

Things were going so well for Xiaomi. Customers were lining up, investors were swooning and the Beijing-based start-up closed funding at a $45 billion valuation. That was last year. Now the high-flying smartphone maker is stumbling. Founder Lei Jun’s latest business, one of China’s most exciting startup stories of the past few years, is likely to miss its own goal of selling 80 million smartphones this year, according to two people with knowledge of its production plans. Suppliers also cut their internal targets for Xiaomi in anticipation of the shortfall, they said. Xiaomi’s falter shows the startup’s challenge in trying to maintain momentum after a meteoric ascent past Apple and Samsung Electronics in China. Investors bought into the company’s story of youthful disruption and online sales, yet the subsequent lowering of China’s growth target and the copying of its sales strategy by rivals have neutralised Xiaomi’s first-mover advantage, putting its high price tag in doubt. “All those expectations of growth aren’t being realised, which now makes that $45 billion valuation unfeasible,” said Alberto Moel, an analyst at Sanford C Bernstein in Hong Kong. “The argument was that their business is kind of like Apple and they’re growing very fast, but they’re no longer growing so fast and they’re not as good as Apple.” Xiaomi doesn’t provide exact shipment targets to its suppliers, instead working on a real-time basis with orders fulfilled as they come in on Xiaomi’s website. — Bloomberg News

without a password is a nice feature, it’s probably not the key to improving Yahoo’s fortunes. The company would be better served by focusing on its real need: a mobile-ﬁrst ad strategy. In one telling comparison, Facebook made 73 per cent of its ad revenue from mobile in the ﬁrst quarter of 2015, while Yahoo made only 19 per cent, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. From 2011 to 2015, global Internet advertising revenue rose to $156 billion from $84 billion, a compounded annual growth rate of about 17 per cent. During the same period, Yahoo’s revenue, most of which comes from Internet advertising, has dipped to $4.8 billion from $4.9 billion. Where the real action is going to be — mobile — the company has

been slower than its peers to make money. Its share of US mobile ad revenue was 3.3 per cent in 2014, according to eMarketer, compared with 36.9 per cent for Google and 18.5 per cent for Facebook. It is projected to decline through at lease 2017. Yahoo’s total Internet advertising market share fell below four per cent in 2014, down from about 25 per cent in 2005, according to eMarketer. Indeed, none of Yahoo’s mobile apps rank in ComScore’s top 10 apps by reach, an area dominated by Facebook and Google. Competing on mobile will be vital for Yahoo, and it clearly has a long way to go. A revamped e-mail service, even one that doesn’t need a password, isn’t going to be the answer. — Rani Molla/Bloomberg News

Shares in the two publicly traded companies created from the split of HewlettPackard (HP) this month diverged after a disappointing earnings report on Tuesday, the final one as a combined company. HP fell 14 per cent to $12.64 at the close in New York after a forecast for the first fiscal quarter as a stand-alone company came in lower than analysts had anticipated, hurt by its dependence on the lackluster market for personal computers and printers after splitting up with its corporate-technology counterpart. Hewlett Packard Enterprise, the other half of the former company, sells equipment, services, and software to businesses. It gained 3.1 per cent to $14.12. HPE, as it’s known, also gave a quarterly profit forecast that fell short of analysts’ estimates, yet executives struck a more positive tone, pointing to revenue growth minus the impact of currency fluctuations. Meg Whitman, who became CEO of HPE in the split and is chairman of HP, advocated for the separation by touting the opportunities that independence offers each company, saying they can be more nimble and responsive to customers. While that bet may pay off, it also shines a bright light on the struggles HP faces in the shrinking PC market, even as HPE scouts out new areas for growth. For the fiscal first quarter, which ends in January, HP expects profit excluding certain costs to be 33 cents to 38 cents per share — falling short of the average analyst estimate for 42 cents, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. HPE profit will be 37 cents to 41 cents a share, the company said in a statement, compared with an average projection for 44 cents. HPE reaffirmed its forecast for annual profit, before certain items, to be $1.85 to $1.95 a share. — Bloomberg News

MON DAY, NOVEMB ER 30, 2015

ROUND-UP 14 students complete OJFA language course

54TH EDITION

The Japanese language course consists of two modules — Beginners and Intermediate. In this course all the necessary knowledge required for candidates to become well-versed with the language is imparted by a specially assigned native teacher

MUSCAT: Fourteen students were felicitated at a special event on successful completion of the Japanese language course — a specialised language programme introduced by the Oman Japan Friendship Association (OJFA) in close cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Oman, says a press release. Saud Mohamed Bahwan, speaking on the occasion on behalf of Mohammed Saud Bahwan, chairman, Oman Japan Friendship Association, said: “I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations to each one of you on successful completion of the Japanese language course. I also take this opportunity to specially thank Midori Asoh, who whole-heartedly devoted herself to enriching you with fascinat-

ing elements of the Japanese culture. Congratulations to you too on the success of your students.” Brieﬂy highlighting the efforts Oman Japan Friendship Association put in to increase the warm relationship between Oman and Japan, he said: “It’s not often one witnesses friendships that have grown from strength to strength over the decades, friendships whose bonds have been created through timeless shared values. One such beautiful example is the friendship between Oman and Japan. Two great nations divided by boundaries but united through cultures. While our two countries are constantly using every opportunity to enhance the relations between us, also humbly playing a passionate role in enhancing and promoting the ties between the two great nations is the Oman Japan Friendship Association. “The association has conducted several cultural programmes and paved the way for improving people-to-people contacts working in close association with the Japanese embassy. Given the growing interest in Japanese language, culture, and heritage among the people of Oman, I am happy that the Oman Japan Friendship Association in close cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Oman, has introduced this comprehensive programme that encourages and assists enthusiastic students like you to learn and raise your proﬁ-

ciency in the Japanese language.” The Japanese language course consists of two modules - Beginners and Intermediate. In this course all the necessary knowledge required for candidates to become well-versed with the language is imparted by a specially assigned native teacher Midori Asoh. Asoh has very impressive teaching credentials which include being a lecturer at various prestigious institutes across the globe like Shinjuku Japanese Language School, Japan; Instituto Privado Argentino Japones en Buenos Aires (Bilingual School in Argentina); Erciyes University (State University in Turkey); Sultan Qaboos University and more. Asoh has won acclaim for consistently imparting knowledge creatively. Celebration Speaking on the special occasion, Asoh said: “Today, I am very glad to be in this ceremony to celebrate the completion of the current batch of the Japanese Language Course and distribution of certiﬁcates to the students. It is the ﬁrst time for us to have assembled for such an occasion and all thanks goes to the Chairman of Oman Japan Friendship Association.” “To my students, from the depths of my heart, I would like to thank you for trying your best to learn the Japanese language and congratulate you for completing it. From now on, practice what you

have learned and challenge yourself to progress on it.” Sharing interesting insights on the course she said: “The current batch is the 5th to finish the Japanese language course, in which there were students who started from Book 2 and continued to Intermediate Level. Also, there were students who almost finished Book 1 and moved on to Book 2. Of course, there were students who didn’t speak Japanese language at all and now I can confidently say that they can speak the language at the Beginners level. “I am very glad and satisfied to see this progress in my students. I have found that most of the students, if not all of them, learn or get interested in Japanese language from Anime or Manga. Little by little, they make some progress and become very enthusiastic about Japan and its language. Furthermore, for some of them, the aim is to complete their higher education in Japan or at least visit the country once in their life. I am praying for them to fulfil their dreams. In fact, I feel that their dreams have become mine.” Later in the evening, one enthusiastic Japanese language course graduate remarked: “I was very pleased to attend the Japanese language course. During this course I was fortunate to learn interesting facts about Japan’s rich and magnificent culture.” “It was time well spent,” he concluded.

Top Indian brands to showcase real estate projects on Dec. 4, 5 MUSCAT: The most awaited and prestigious Indian Real Esate Pavilion showcasing India’s top real estate brands will be held on December 4 and 5 at Al Falaj Hotel. Pan-Eastern T & E Worldwide hosts its 54th edition of the Indian Real Estate Pavilion at the Real Estate Development and Tourism Investment Exhibition showcasing India’s best real estate brands, says a press release. The 54th IPRO-Muscat 2015 is hosted by Pan-Eastern T & E Worldwide, the leading overseas property show promoters of India and organised locally by East Expo with media partners Times of Oman, the leading English daily of Oman. Pan-Eastern T & E Worldwide, an established and reputed name behind the popular brand IPROThe India Property Show having completed a series of successful property shows in Oman for many years, brings to you the 54th edition of IPRO-India Property Pavilion for non- resident Indians of Oman with exclusive real estate players from India.

After an overwhelming response in Qatar, Bahrain and USA recently, Pan-Eastern brings to Muscat an exclusive event with the best of Indian real estate with the unique Pan-Eastern Assurance, specially for their NRI network, in a market the host is closely associated with. The Credai-Kerala Pavilion is being showcased exclusively at the Real Estate Development and Tourism Investment Exhibition for the second time after its stupendous success last year, on December 4 and 5 at the Grande Hall of Al Falaj Hotel. This show will focus on exclusive and reputed Indian developers from different parts of India with special focus on Kerala’s best real estate brands offering a range of projects from affordable to the luxury segment, ranging from as low as INR 900,000 to INR 80 million at various locations from across the country “This is a must visit show for every Indian and a wonderful opportunity to own your dream home in India,” said an official.

ISLAMIC BANKING

Meethaq launches Hafawa Priority Banking service MUSCAT: Redefining exclusive and relationship based Islamic banking experience, Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, has launched Hafawa Priority Banking service for high saving Meethaq customers. Built on the strong foundations of Meethaq Islamic Banking, Hafawa characterises the Islamic values and principles espoused by the flagship Islamic banking services provider in the Sultanate, says a press release. Coinciding with the inauguration of Meethaq branch in Qurum, the first Hafawa Priority Banking centre was opened by Amal Suhail Bahwan, managing director of Suhail Bahwan Group. Presently, the Hafawa network includes eight centres in Meethaq branches in Qurum, Al Khoud, Seeb, Saham, Ibra, Nizwa, Buraimi and Salalah. Meethaq plans to further expand the Hafawa network to Sur this

year and Ruwi next year. Sulaiman Al Harthy, group general manager – Islamic Banking, said: “Meethaq is proud to introduce Hafawa Priority Banking service for high saving Meethaq customers. Meethaq strives to fulfil the needs of customers with innovative Shari’a based products and the launch of Hafawa Priority Banking reflects the commitment and dedication to meet customer expectations for Islamic banking. Meethaq is contributing significantly to the growth and development of the Omani banking sector and we are witnessing an upswing in Islamic finance and investment compatible with the provisions of Shari’a laws. Meethaq is well positioned to provide Islamic financial expertise to diverse segments and thereby promote the good of society as a whole.” The Hafawa Priority Banking elevates personal and relationship

banking to a new level as high saving Meethaq customers are served by dedicated Relationship Managers (RM) at exclusive Hafawa centres in Meethaq branches across the Sultanate. Leveraging its unmatched nation-wide branch presence, Meethaq offers Hafawa Priority Banking services across all regions through the network of Hafawa Centres. The Hafawa relationship platform draws its strength from

SPECIAL OCCASION

proximity to customers, commitment to delivering outstanding service and dedication of relationship managers trained to deliver the right solutions. The bank has placed its relationship manager talent pool at the very heart of Hafawa strategy. The Hafawa beneﬁts include exclusive Hafawa Signature debit card with higher daily withdrawal and spend limits and wide choice of exclusive deals and beneﬁts.

Providing a distinct identity, the card also facilitates global airport lounge access, travel beneﬁts and global concierge services. With Hafawa, customers need not worry about unforeseen events like lost or delayed baggage, missed or delayed ﬂights as they are offered protection through a complimentary one year Travel Takaful package designed with the bank’s partner. Hafawa customers get better returns on deposits with Meethaq Hafawa savings account. Moreover, the account also serves as the smart money manager by automatically transferring funds from current account to savings account, thereby providing better returns on deposits. To secure the wellbeing of family, a complimentary life takaful cover is also provided along with the savings account. The takaful cover will be equivalent to the

average quarterly balance in Meethaq Hafawa savings account. Hafawa customers can enjoy preferential pricing and waivers on basic banking services. The merchant alliances programme facilitates unique benefits tailored to the lifestyle needs of Hafawa customers whether it be travel, dining, lifestyle or shopping. The exclusive Hafawa phone banking helpline on 24656665 ensures direct access to phone banking officers. Meethaq has adopted the best practices in Islamic banking and finance worldwide to combine a robust model which protects customers and complements the Islamic banking industry. Every Meethaq product goes through the process of Shari’a compliance certification by the Shari’a Supervisory Board and is created in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Oman.

JA PA N E S E D I N I N G C O N C E P T

Chez Sushi opens its new outlet

Sarco celebrates National Day MUSCAT: As the entire nation celebrated National Day in Oman and paid its tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who with his wise leadership and unﬂinching zeal has brought prosperity to

the nation, Sarco’s senior management along with their team also joined the all round fervour and celebrated National Day with a staff get together in their office. Ajay Ganti, CEO Sarco spoke

on this occasion and highlighted the achievements made by Oman under the able and wise leadership of His Majesty in the glorious 45 years of his rule, says a press release.

MUSCAT: Chez Sushi, one of the ﬁrst fast-casual, Japanese dining concept restaurants in Oman, has opened its second outlet in Qurum. With this the total tally of Chez Sushi restaurants in the region has come to six out of which two are in Oman. Earlier this year the concept restaurant was chosen and listed as one of the top 20 restaurants to visit in 2015 by the Caterer Magazine Middle East. Founded in the UAE in the year 2013, Chez Sushi entered the Oman market through its ﬁrst outlet in Al Mouj Muscat, says a press release. Across the region the brand has had a strong following due to its exceptional service and delightful food. The restaurant at Al Mouj has been no exception in terms of offering customers an authentic Japanese experience right here in Oman. Customers can expect the same level of quality at the newly opened outlet in Qurum. In addition to the great food, the restaurant has earned more admirers due to its excellent ambience and

customer-oriented staff who are more than ready to introduce newcomers to the concept of sushi. Delicacies from Chez Sushi can be enjoyed at the restaurant, or can be ordered as takeaway. Customers can also get these delicious Japanese dishes home delivered.

The menu has a range of modern Japanese dishes and customers can customise the order as per their individual tastes. This is to ensure that each Chez Sushi customer enjoys a personalised dining experience in a worldclass ambience.

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5

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M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 3 0, 2015

ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat receives Asset Manager award

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S TAT E - O F - T H E -A R T FA C I L I T Y

Indian envoy opens medical facility for Al Naba employees

set Manager of the Year’ award by Global Investor, says a press release.

Bank Muscat Asset Management is the biggest fund manager in Oman, offering a variety of funds investing in Oman

MUSCAT: In recognition of consistency in performance and strategic investment decisions in the middle of challenging market conditions, Bank Muscat Asset Management has won the ‘Oman As-

Endorsement Abdullah Al Hinai, DGM – Investment Banking & FIG, said: “Bank Muscat Asset Management is proud to win yet another endorsement from Global Investor, reﬂecting the consistency in performance of our mutual funds and the innovative strategies used to consolidate our reputation in a tough market. The award reaffirms the proven ability of our fund managers in challenging situations. In spite of the difficult market conditions, we are optimistic about the growth prospects for the funds under our management.” Bank Muscat Asset Management is the biggest fund manager in Oman, offering a variety of funds

investing in Oman, the Mena region and international markets. The division manages $1.8 billion worth of assets, 60 per cent of which are invested in equity markets, 25 per cent in ﬁxed income and the remaining 15 per cent in real estate and private equities. Bank Muscat Asset management also offers discretionary portfolio management services, targeted to suit diverse clients, including pension funds, Sovereign Wealth Funds, high net worth individuals, corporations and other entities. The Bank Muscat Asset Management maintains its leadership position thanks to its experienced team, research-based decision making process, ﬁnancial strength, and strong systems and processes. Bank Muscat Asset Manage-

ment introduced the concept of mutual funds to Oman as well as index investing to the GCC. The division has a fully automated process for portfolio management, trading, compliance monitoring, performance measurement and attribution. Incorporating new investment strategies, Bank Muscat Asset Management continues to attract investors and increase its assets. The paramount AUM position enjoyed by Bank Muscat Asset Management corroborates the bank’s reputation as a safe and reliable partner for ﬁnancial investment advice. Bank Muscat Asset Management is always on the lookout for strategic investment products, enabling investors to create, manage and grow their wealth in a sustainable manner.

MUSCAT: Indra Mani Pandey, the Indian Ambassador to Oman inaugurated the new state-ofthe-art medical clinic in Ghala for Al Naba staff. Sayyid Khalid, chairman of the group, paid tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, whose wise leadership has changed the global outlook of Oman. He thanked Pandey for paying a visit to Al Naba’s facilities including the head office, new medical centre and support functions, says a press release. Sayyid Khalid reiterated Al Naba’s commitment to employee welfare and medical attention. He added that this new round the clock operational clinic is equipped with all requisite amenities standardised by the Ministry of Health. The clinic has dedicated doctors, nurses, and attendants to handle staff medical emergencies. The team has been supported with in-house pharmacy and ambulance, which is the ﬁrst of its kind. “Such facilities are also planned for our bigger regional centres like Sohar and Salalah.

Our objective is to provide a comprehensive congenial living space for every member of our family and these health centres will play a vital role in their greater well-being. Our rating as the most preferred brand in the past years was solely due to these dedicated ‘Men in Green’. We strive to provide the best facilities to all our staff across board,” he added. The chairman also added that the backbone is the 9,000 plus workforce of Al Naba Holding, who relentlessly deliver committed service in all core business activities like infrastructure development, catering services, trading and integrated facility management. Pandey thanked Khalid for the care shown concerning the welfare of the Indians employed by the company. Dr Lakshman, head of the Medical Services of Al Naba, said that the clinic is open to all its staff members and critical issues are handled in association with other leading hospitals. “We ensure that every employee gets best available medical attention in a short time span,” he said.

GRAND OCCASION

BEC celebrates 45th National Day MUSCAT: Bahwan Engineering Company (BEC) employees celebrated the Sultanate’s 45th National Day at their head office in Muscat on November 18. The event was organised to join in the celebrations of this joyous occasion and to thank His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for his wise leadership, wisdom and vision for the development and prosperity of Oman, says a

press release. The celebration started with the national anthem. Amar Khamis Al Gharbi compered the event. Thuraia Al Maamri in her speech highlighted the successful journey of His Majesty and the development of the nation. The Omani poet Mohammed Al Breiki recited Kasida a short poem praising His Majesty the Sultan and the nation.

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Nerve-jangling win for Australia Paceman Peter Siddle struck the winning runs under the Adelaide Oval ﬂoodlights to seal the series-clinching victory after Australia all but collapsed late on day three of the third and ﬁnal Test MAKING HISTORY: Australian team pose with the Trans-Tasman trophy following their series win against New Zealand in Adelaide. – AP/PTI

ADELAIDE: Australia beat New Zealand inside three days to win cricket’s first ever day-night Test match, wrapping up a three-wicket win on Sunday evening. Paceman Peter Siddle struck the winning runs under the Adelaide Oval floodlights to seal the seriesclinching victory after Australia all but collapsed late on day three of the third and final Test. With the hosts reduced to 185-7 in pursuit of a modest victory target of 187, Siddle pushed two runs past point and his injured batting partner Mitchell Starc hobbled up and down the pitch with a broken foot to complete a nervous threewicket win. “It was certainly a very tense finish. Thankfully we were on the right side,” Australia captain Steven Smith told reporters, praising the inaugural day-night Test as a “great innovation”. “(It was) a great spectacle. To get 123,000 people through the gates in three days is absolutely amazing.”

Big crowds make up for teething issues for pink-ball debut ADELAIDE: Cricket’s inaugural day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand ﬁnished within three days but bumper crowds helped to compensate for the pink ball’s dominance of the bat. Fears for the pink ball’s endurance undoubtedly played a part and the curator prepared a wicket cushioned with grass to ensure it would not degrade too quickly.

Australia took the series 2-0, ending New Zealand’s run of seven consecutive series without loss, dating back to 2013. Australian batsman Shaun Marsh fell just

In the end no team came near to taking a new ball after 80 overs, with the longest innings lasting 72.5 overs. The vagaries of the ball undoubtedly played a big part, however, and it swung more during the evening sessions when it was also tougher for the batsmen to see under the ﬂoodlights. While Smith shrugged off the bowlers’ dominance, opposing captain

short of a half-century with victory in sight but his 49 anchored important stands with Adam Voges and his younger brother Mitchell. Fired by a ﬁve-wicket haul by

T20 SERIES

Battling Oman go down to Afghanistan in series opener MUSCAT: Oman fought well but failed to get the better of the more experienced Afghanistan in the first of their two-match Twenety20 bilateral series in at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. According to news posted on the www.icc-cricket.com website, Usman Ghani’s enterprising half century and combined efforts from the bowlers guided Afghanistan to a 27-run win over Oman. Oman came into the game having already beaten Hong Kong 2-1 in their first ever bilateral T20I series, but its batting collapsed against a spirited Afghanistan attack. After being asked to bat first, Afghanistan rode on Ghani’s 54ball 69 to post 159 for eight. Oman suffered due to lack of significant partnerships and folded for 132 in 18.1 overs. After losing Mohammed Shahzad, the opener, in the first over, Ghani put on a 40-run second-wicket stand with Asghar Stanikzai, the captain. Once Stanikzai was bowled by Ajay Lalcheta, Ghani associated with Karim Sadiq (26) for a 46run third-wicket partnership. Ghani then put on useful stands with Samiullah Shenwari (17) and Shafiqullah Naib (14), before becoming Mehran Khan’s third victim of the day. He struck nine fours and a six on his way to 69. Mehran Khan was the most successful Oman bowler, returning 3 for 30 in three overs. Afghanistan’s bowlers kept chipping away regularly. The Oman batsmen found it tough to put together any partnership of note and were reduced to 97 for 7 in 14.5 overs. Barring Adnan Ilyas (34) and Sultan Ahmed (27), none of the other batsmen managed to get past 19. Sayed Shirzad was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 16 in just three overs, while Yamin Ahmadzai, Rokhan Barakzai and Shenwari claimed two wickets apiece. The two sides will play the second T20I at the same venue on Monday.

In the first of the two-match T20 series, Oman fought well but Afghanistan drew on their experience to record a 27-run victory. Barring Adnan Ilyas (34, in picture) and skipper Sultan Ahmed (27) none of the Oman batsmen showed the grit to resist the Afghanistan bowlers. Both the teams face-off again on Monday at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi starting 10am Oman time SCOREBOARD

AFGHANISTAN M. Shahzad c Z. Maqsood b B. Khan 4 U. Ghani c A. Kaleem b M. Khan 69 A. Stanikzai b A. Lalcheta 8 K. Sadiq c J. Singh b Z. Maqsood 26 S. Shenwari c B. Khan b M. Khan 17 Shaﬁqullah c A. Kaleem b M. Khan 14 G. Naib (not out) 14 M. Nasim Baras run out (Maqsood) 1 S. Shirzad run out (Bilal Khan) 1 Y. Ahmadzai (not out) 1 Extras (w-1, lb-3) 4 Total (8 wikts; 20 overs) 159 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-44, 3-90, 4-120, 5-142, 6-142, 7-149, 8-151. Bowling: Bilal Khan 4-0-27-1; Munis Ansari 3-0-24-0; Mehran Khan 3-0-30-3; Ajay Lalcheta 4-1-18-1; Zeeshan Maqsood 4-0-38-1; Khawar Ali 2-0-19-0. OMAN Z. Maqsood c M. Shahzad b S. Shirzad 19 K. Ali c M. Shahzad b Y. Ahmadzai 2 M. Khan b R. Barakzai 8 J. Singh c A. Stanikzai b S. Shenwari 10

A. Ilyas c M. Shahzad b MN Baras 34 A. Kaleem st M. Shahzad b R. Barakzai 11 Z. Siddiqui st M. Shahzad b S. Shenwari 2 S. Ahmed c & b S. Shirzad 27 A. Lalcheta c sub b Y. Ahmadzai 16 B. Khan c A. Stanikzai b S. Shirzad 0 M Ansari (not out) 0 Extras (w-2, b-1) 3 Total (all out; 18.1 overs) 132 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-22, 3-31, 4-55, 5-78, 6-85, 7-97, 8-127, 9-127. Bowling: Yamin Ahmadzai 3.1-0-31-2; Sayed Shirzad 3-0-16-3; Rokhan Barakzai 3-0-22-2; M. Nasim Baras 3-0-17-1; Gulbadin Naib 2-0-11-0; Samiullah Shenwari 4-0-34-2. Toss: Oman, who chose to ﬁeld Series: Afghanistan led2-match series 1-0 T20I debuts: Sayed Shirzad and Yamin Ahmadzai (Afghanistan) Umpires: BB Pradhan (Nepal) and RR Wimalasiri (Sri Lanka) Match referee: DT Jukes (England) Reserve umpire: Rabiul Hoque

Brendon McCullum felt there was room for ﬁne-tuning. Overall, he thought the match was an emphatic success. “As pink-ball cricket evolves, which I’m sure it will in the global game, I think we’ll see that pitches won’t have quite as much grass on them,” he said. “Under lights, the ball probably responded a bit too much, but I would say that as a batter.” — Reuters

seamer Trent Boult, who swung the specially developed pink ball with venom, New Zealand mowed through the top order and captured late wickets to turn what

should have been a procession into a cliff-hanger. The 187 runs ultimately proved too few to defend and Siddle’s inelegant shot to seal the win sparked a thunderous roar from the crowd of 33,923. Paceman and man-ofthe-match Josh Hazlewood was vital for the hosts, capturing a career-best 6-70 in the absence of injured spearhead Mitchell Starc to limit New Zealand to 208 in the third innings. Boult dismissed Voges for 28 straight after the dinner-break but all-rounder Mitchell Marsh joined his older sibling at the crease and compiled a brisk 28 to push Australia within 26 runs of their target. Mitchell Marsh bashed a six over the head of spin-bowling allrounder Mitch Santner but was out swiping at the next delivery, the skied top-edge well-caught by a scrambling Kane Williamson. Shaun Marsh grew jumpy as victory and his 50 approached and he holed out with a needless push at a Boult delivery which ended in the slips and left Australia 11 runs short of their target. Wicketkeeper Peter Nevill also fell to Boult, caught behind for 10, before Siddle ﬁnally pushed Australia over the line. The match was won earlier in the day, however, when Hazlewood took three wickets as New Zealand could only add 92 runs to their overnight total of 116-5. The 24-year-old struck with the ninth ball of the day to remove wicketkeeper BJ Watling for seven and had Mark Craig nick behind for 15. He later wrapped up New Zealand’s innings by bowling Boult for ﬁve, with Mitchell Marsh capturing 3-59. “It’s pretty hard to separate the two teams over the last two Test matches,” New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum told reporters. “We’ve got mantra. If you are going to get beaten, then make it tough for the opposition to do so.” - Reuters

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand 1st innings: 202 (T. Latham 50) Australia 1st innings: 224 (P. Nevill 66, S. Smith 53) New Zealand 2nd innings: (Overnight: 116-5) T. Latham c Nevill b Hazlewood 10 M. Guptill c M. Marsh b Hazlewood 17 K. Williamson c Nevill b M. Marsh 9 R. Taylor lbw b Hazlewood 32 B. McCullum lbw b M. Marsh 20 M. Santner st Nevill b Lyon 45 B. Watling c Smith b Hazlewood 7 M. Craig c Nevill b Hazlewood 15 D. Bracewell not out 27 T. Southee c Lyon b M. Marsh 13 T. Boult b Hazlewood 5 Extras (b-6, lb-2) 8 Total (all out, 62.5 overs) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-32, 3-52, 4-84, 5-98, 6-116, 7-140, 8-175, 9-192,10-208 Bowling: J. Hazlewood 24.5-5-70-6, P. Siddle 14-6-35-0, M. Marsh 14-2-59-3, N. Lyon 10-1-36-1 Australia 2nd innings: D. Warner c Southee b Bracewell 35 J. Burns lbw b Boult 11 S. Smith lbw b Boult 14 A. Voges c Southee b Boult 28 S. Marsh c Taylor b Boult 49 M. Marsh c Williamson b Santner 28 P. Nevill c Watling b Boult 10 P. Siddle not out 9 M. Starc not out 0 Extras (lb-2, w-1) 3 Total (for 7 wickets, 51 overs) 187 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-62, 3-66, 4-115, 5-161, 6-176, 7-18 Did not bat: J. Hazlewood, N. Lyon Bowling: T. Southee 16-1-58-0, T. Boult 16-3-60-5 (w-1), D. Bracewell 11-2-37-1, M. Craig 6-0-22-0, M. Santner 2-0-8-1 Man of the match: J. Hazlewood Man of the series: D. Warner Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Sundaram Ravi TV umpire: Nigel Llong Match referee: Roshan Mahanama Result: Australia won by 3 wickets

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 30, 2015

SPORTS

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India beat Bangladesh in U-19 final It was an innings to get out of pressure, says Sarfaraz

The triumph would give the Indians a huge morale boost before the U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in January next year

KOLKATA: A stupendous bowling effort coupled with a quickfire half-century by Sarfaraz Khan saw the India Under-19 team beat Bangladesh Under-19 by seven wickets in the tri-series final at the Jadavpur University ground here on Sunday. Having bowled out Bangladesh U-19 for a paltry 116 runs, the Indians were in a spot of bother at 42/3. But then Sarfaraz took matters in his own hands and clobbered the bowlers to all parts of the park to blast an unbeaten 27-ball 59. The Bangalore Royal Challengers batsman was well supported by captain Ricky Bhui who remained not out on 20. The triumph would give the Indians a huge morale boost before the U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in January next year. The hosts got off to a bit of a flyer here with openers Washington Sundar and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant taking the attack to the opposition. But then Bangladesh struck back with three quick wickets. But then it was all about the Sarfaraz show as the burly righthander ensured whatever he could get to would either fly over the ropes or crash to the fence in turn smashed the fastest half-century of the tourney. The ones he mishit also flew past the fielders giving them no chance. The effort also won him the man-of-the-match award. Earlier in the day, the visitors decided to bat after winning the toss, but the

GREAT DAY: India’s Sarfaraz Khan celebrates after completing his 50 with captain Ricky Bhui during U-19 Tri-Series Final against Bangladesh at Salt Lake in Kolkata. – PTI

Indian bowlers bundled them out for a mere 116. They picked up early wickets upfront which left Bangladesh struggling at 13/2. The men in green and red recovered a little from the early struggle as Joyraj Sheik Imon and Najmul Hossain Shanto put on a partnership of 54 runs. But Imon (28) got out thereafter and skipper Mehidy Hassan Miraz could not contribute anything to the scorecard. Next to walk back to the pavilion was the well set Shanto (45) after which the Bangladesh batsmen could not even put up a ﬁve. For the Indians left-arm off spinner Mayank Dagar bagged ﬁgures of 3/32 which was the best of the game. - IANS

SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH M. Saif Hassan b S.K.K. Ahmed 8 P. Ghosh run out 2 J.S. Imon c M.S.W. Sundar b S. Mavi 28 M.N. Hossain Shanto b M.J. Dagar 45 M.M.H. Miraz c Sundar b M.J. Dagar 0 J.A. Anik lbw M.K. Lomror 24 M. Shaifuddin lbw M.J. Dagar 0 S. Sarker c R. Pant b S. Mavi 0 R. Pradhan c R. Bhui b A. Khan 0 S.A.S. Gazi c I. Kishan b M.K. Lomror 1 M.A. Halim not out 2 Extras (w-5, lb-1) 6 Total (all out; 36.5 overs) 116 Fall of Wickets: 1-10, 2-13, 3-67, 4-68, 5-96, 6-96, 7-113, 8-113, 9-114, 10-116 Bowling: Avesh Khan 5.5-2-18-1; S.K.K. Ahmed 6-2-11-1; M.S. Washington Sundar

5-0-22-0; M.J. Dagar 9-0-32-3; Shubham Mavi 7-2-21-2; M.K. Lomror 4-2-11-2 Fall of Wickets: 1-10, 2-13, 3-67, 4-68, 5-96, 6-96, 7-113, 8-113, 9-114, 10-116 INDIA M.S.W. Sundar b S. Sarker 12 R. Pant c S.A.S. Gazi b M.M.H. Miraz 26 A.N. Khare c M.M.H. Miraz b S.A.S. Gazi 0 Ricky Bhui not out 20 S.N. Khan not out 59 Total (3 wickets; 13.3 overs) 117 Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-38, 3-42. Bowling: Saeed Sarker 30-0-23-1 Rifat Pradhan 2-0-15-0 Md.Mehidy Hassan Miraz 4-0-27-1 Saleh Ahmed Shawon Gazi 3-1-35-1 Mohammad Abdul Halim 1-0-16-0 Md. Najmul Hossain Shanto 0.3-0-1-0 Fall of Wickets: 1-38, 2-38, 3-42.

KOLKATA: Adjudged manof-the-match for his swashbuckling 59 from 27 balls, India Under-19 batsman Sarfaraz Khan said it was an innings he played to get out of pressure. “In the last three matches, I could not quite perform. So to get out of pressure I chose to go after the bowlers in this game. As they say attacking is the best form of defence, so I did that. I went out to bat and saw that I was connecting the ball well, so I kept on playing my shots,” the 18-year-old told mediapersons here. “Rahul sir told me to go out there and play my natural game and that is what I was trying to do,” he said. Asked about Dravid he said, “Sir is such a legend. We can’t even believe now that he is really coaching us. When we turn on the television and see some old cricket matches, and we see him (Dravid) batting and now we have him as our coach, which is quite unbelievable. “The best thing about him is that he is very calm. Whenever there’s a match, he does not hold a meeting right after it, he does it after a day, so that helps us regather our thoughts as well. I was having a rough patch through the last few games but he told me to try and learn from my mistakes and nothing else.” The Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman, who had some impressive outings in last season’s Indian Premier League (IPL), also believes they would do well in the upcoming U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in January next year.

“We are a very good team, and we are conﬁdent of doing well. But you also have to have luck by your side, but I believe Rahul sir’s experience is going to help us there and hopefully we will do well,” Sarfaraz said. He added that moving from Mumbai to Uttar Pradesh was a decision taken by his family and he has got no problems with it at all. “It was family decision, and I respect it. I love my family and whatever they have done is correct. I have no problems with it,” he concluded. Core team Rahul Dravid said he was close to identifying the team for the upcoming World Cup in Bangladesh next year. “This was a good tournament as we start preparing for the World Cup in January. Some of the boys have put in strong performances and we are close to identifying the core team for the World Cup,” Dravid said. The former India captain also said there were a lot of decisive factors in the team which can help them in the long run. “There are plenty of X factors in the team now. Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan are just two of them,” he said. Dravid also stressed on the fact that the India Under19’s need to play a lot more bilateral series to enhance their talent. “One World Cup in two years is great. But there needs to but we need to play a lot more bilateral series,” he concluded. - IANS

FOOTBALL

omanoil sponsors National Day football MUSCAT: True to its commitment to support local communities across the Sultanate, Oman Oil Marketing Company (omanoil) sponsored the third annual November 18th Football Championship which recently concluded at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher. Organised in celebration of the 45th National Day, over 16 teams from all over Oman took part in the tournament, which for the ﬁrst time welcomed competitors from the private sector. The weeklong contest drew to a close with The Palestinian Community team defeating Bank Sohar in the ﬁnal round. Omanoil’s support for the tournament falls in line with its strategy of caring beyond the pump. Throughout the

years, the company has demonstrated that commitment through a number of footballing initiatives and activities that have helped the brand earn its place in the hearts

and minds of people in Oman. These initiatives include sponsoring the 2015 edition of the King’s Tournament in Muscat, establishing a dedicated omanoil

Football School, and the omanoil Football Tournament for Muscat Schools, which was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5

SPORTS C O M M E N TA RY

OMAN WOMEN’S TEAM IN QATAR FOR GCC T20 CRICKET TOURNAMENT

Oman women’s cricket team arrived in Qatari capital of Doha to take part in the second GCC Women’s Twenty20 Championship. The tournament is scheduled to be inaugurated with a colourful opening ceremony at Asian Town Cricket Stadium on Monday. The matches in the three-team and ﬁve-day event will be played on a double leg round robin format, after which the top two teams qualify for the ﬁnal to be played on December 3. The Sultanate had hosted the inaugural championship in Muscat in 2014. — Supplied photo

Rosberg ends season on a hat-trick high

GREAT FINISH: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver and winner Nico Rosberg drives during the Abu Dhabi Formula One

Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. Below, he celebrates on podium with the trophy. – AFP

The German’s third win in a row, from a sixth successive pole position, dashed Hamilton’s hopes of a 44th career victory in car 44 on the 44th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates

ABU DHABI: Nico Rosberg wrapped up the Formula One season on a winning high in Abu Dhabi on Sunday with team mate and triple world champion Lewis Hamilton second in a record 12th one-two ﬁnish of the year for dominant Mercedes. The German’s third win in a row, from a sixth successive pole position, dashed Hamilton’s hopes of a 44th career victory in car 44 on the 44th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates. The Briton, who clinched the title in Texas last month with three races to spare, ﬁnished 8.2 seconds behind after an attempt at a different strategy failed to produce the desired result. The win was the 16th in 19 races for Mercedes. “Austin (in Texas) was a tough

weekend and since then I’ve just come back a lot stronger,” said Rosberg from the podium after spraying the sparkling rosewater used instead of the usual bubbly. “I’m excited about how the end of the season went and next year — it can come any moment, it could start tomorrow if it were up to me, no problem. I don’t need any holidays.” Hamilton had asked over the team radio with 15 laps to go whether he could go to the end having made only one pitstop to Rosberg’s two but was left in no doubt that such a move would not work. He then pitted on the next lap, any hopes of a wheel-to-wheel battle over the ﬁnal laps effectively disappearing into the night as he did so. “In hindsight, once Nico had pitted I probably would have backed off a little bit and gone a bit longer...As that didn’t work out, the stop, going too long was probably not the right thing to do, but we gave it a try,” he said.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen took third place ahead of team mate Sebastian Vettel, who started 15th, for only the Finn’s third podium appearance of the season. Rosberg’s win was his sixth of the season, 14th of his career, and a hat-trick first for the German who had never before managed to win three races in a row. Hamilton ended the championship with 10 victories, one fewer than in 2014, but he took more poles and fastest laps than anyone else. “It’s always tough to race Lewis, he’s doing an awesome job,” said Rosberg. “So it’s an even better feeling to win. It’s a great battle internally all the time, that’s what I race for and I look forward to more next year.” Mexican Sergio Perez finished fifth, with Australian Daniel Ricciardo sixth for Red Bull and splitting the Force India cars with Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg seventh. Brazilian Felipe Massa took eighth place for Williams, ahead

of Frenchman Romain Grosjean in ninth in his final race for Lotus before moving to 2016 newcomers Haas. Russian Daniil Kvyat secured the final point for Red Bull. Rosberg, who made a clean start and was never threatened, was only the second driver to win the day-to-night floodlit race from pole position since Abu Dhabi first appeared on the calendar in 2009. Hamilton was comparatively slow off the mark on an opening lap that saw McLaren’s Fernando Alonso collide with Lotus’s Pastor Maldonado. The Venezuelan retired while Alonso, who cannot end McLaren’s worst-ever season fast enough, was given a drivethrough penalty. Finland’s Valtteri Bottas also fell foul of the stewards when Williams released him into the path of Alonso’s team mate Jenson Button at the first pitstops, with the Finn losing half his front wing in the impact. - Reuters

Today’s batsmen need to work on patience and technique

irst things first. The umpiring in the Nagpur Test match was of the highest class and no praise can be too high for the manner in which umpires Ian Gould and Bruce Oxenford dealt with the numerous appeals in the game. On a pitch where the ball was turning and with many fielders close in to the batsman and the goodly crowd being pretty noisy it was not easy to make decisions and yet they got every one correct. More importantly with their good humour they kept the tension down and saw that the game was played without any acrimony. Well done ‘Gunner’ and Bruce. Take a bow. However the same cannot be asked of the batsmen of both teams for they contributed to their demise much more than the so called devil called the pitch. Sure the pitch was not an ideal one but neither was it such that batsmen could not survive if they wanted to as Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis showed in the fourth innings. It was not a 400 plus pitch but neither was it a 79 all out one. Do you think that if India had Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly in their batting lineup that they would have folded so cheaply in both the innings? And if the Proteas had Graeme Smith, Gibbs and Kallis in their ranks would South Africa have been dismissed for 79 in the first innings? No way and with absolutely no disrespect to the batsmen of the current teams it has to be said that the patience and the technique required to bat on a pitch that helped spinners was not on evidence except for the time that Murali Vijay and Duminy in the first innings and Amla and du Plessis were batting. Unfortunately the rest all got out looking to play a limited

Sure the pitch was not an ideal one but neither was it such that batsmen could not survive if they wanted to as Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis showed in the fourth innings

overs shot. Vijay got a beauty from Morkel in the first innings as did Amla in South Africa’s second innings but that is expected when one is playing Test cricket. On the other side of the world 37 wickets fell in three days in the first day-night Test match but will anybody raise a question? The excuse will be made that the batsmen were out to a combination of top seam and swing bowling and also the current malady in Test cricket of batsmen not having the patience and skill to play on a pitch which was not the flat ones like they get in the limited overs format. So if the players are honest and do serious introspection they will realise that they need to work on their patience and their technique. Both in Nagpur and in Adelaide it was inadequate to cope with pitches where the ball did not come straight at you. It’s as simple as that. - PMG

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 30, 2015

SPORTS

D DIVISION: OCT Al Hail A after their win over Professional Trading.

E DIVISION: Sayarti celebrate their victory over Abu Maather.

F DIVISION: White Lotus who defeated Khurshid. – Supplied photos

Al Hail A prevail over Professional Trading claimed three and four wickets respectively for Starcare. In reply, Starcare scored 148 for four in 17 overs with Sarath C. and Pradeesh Kumar scoring with 48 and 41 runs each. Mohammed Ethisham claimed three wickets for Caledonian College.

Professional Trading, who batted ﬁrst, were bowled out for 132 in 19.3 overs. In reply, Al Hail A scored 135 for Asif Al Balushi

Zafar Ghulam

eight in 19.4 overs

MUSCAT: OCT Al Hail A defeated Professional Trading by two wickets in an Enhance-sponsored D Division cricket match at the Municipality Ground II during the afternoon session on Friday. Batting ﬁrst, Professional Trading were bowled out for 132 in 19.3 overs. Chaitanya R. top scored with 33 runs. Hisham and Ismail claimed two wickets each for Al Hail. In reply, Al Hail A scored 135 for eight in 19.4 overs, with Waleed Al Balushi top scoring with 38 runs. Shine N.V. claimed two scalps for Professional. Brief scores: Professional Trading 132 in 19.3 overs (Chaitanya R. 33; Ismail Al Balushi 2/23; Hisham Al Balushi 2/23) lost to OCT Al Hail A 135 for 8 in 19.4 overs (Waleed Al Balushi 38; Shine N.V. 2/30). Points: Hail A – 2, Professional Trading - 0.

Sayarti beat Abu Maather In an E Division match, Sayarti recorded a six-wicket victory over Abu Maather at the Municipality Ground III. Batting ﬁrst, Abu Maather scored of 173 for the loss of ﬁve wickets in 20 overs with Wasim and Nazim scoring 42 and 49 runs respectively. Parthiban claimed two wickets for Sayarti. In reply, Sayarti scored 174 for four in 16 overs for a bonus point win. Achintha and Sunil Kumar scored 48 and 76 not out respectively.

Khalsa United win In an I Division match, Khalsa United recorded a massive 152run victory over Al Hail B at the SQU Ground. Batting ﬁrst, Khalsa United piled up 210 runs without losing any wickets in 20 overs thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 152 by Saifullah Younus and a solid 41 not out by Sushil Kadam. In reply, Al Hail B were bundled out for 58 in 15.2 overs. Chetan Sharma claimed three wickets in Khalsa’s bonus point victory.

J DIVISION: Bronze Rock after their win over OCT Al Nahdha.

STARCARE HEROS: Meesham Ali, Pradeesh, Sarath C and Sidhi.

Brief scores: Abu Maather 173 for 5 in 20 overs (Wasim 42, Nazim 49; Parthiban 2/34) lost to Sayarti 174 for 4 in 16 overs (Sunil Kumar 76 n.o., Achintha 48). Points: Sayarti 3, Abu Maather - 0.

White Lotus down Khurshid In an F Division match played at the Municipality Ground IV, White Lotus defeated Khurshid CT by 67 runs. Batting ﬁrst, White Lotus scored 170 for seven 20 overs. Saﬁr claimed two wickets for Khurshid. In reply, White Lotus bowled out Khurshid for 103 in 16 overs for a bonus point victory. Shibu top scored with 50 for Khurshid. Sachin and Anup managed three

wickets each for White Lotus to complete the win. Brief scores: White Lotus 170 for 7 in 20 overs (Praveen Shetty 41; Saﬁr 2/22) bt Khurshid 103 in 16 overs (Shibu 50; Sachin 3/16, Anup 3/28). Points: White Lotus - 3, Khurshid - 0.

OCT Mabellah win In a G Division match, OCT Mabellah recorded a six-wicket victory over Prime Trading. Batting ﬁrst, Prime Trading scored 143 losing all their wickets in 17.3 overs. Makhdoom and Girish scored 34 and 30 respectively. Asif Abdul Samad claimed three wickets for Mabellah. In reply, OCT Mabellah achieved their

Brief scores: Caledonian College 147 for 8 in 20 overs (Mohammed Sohail 59; Meesham Ali 4/10) lost to Starcare 148 for 4 in 17 overs (Sarath C. 48, Pradeesh 41; Mohammed Ethisham 3/18). Points: Starcare – 2, Caledonian College - 0.

KHALSA UNITED STARS: Saifullah Pasha and Sushil Kadam.

target in 19.4 overs with Shabbir Ahmed and Zafar top scoring with 32 and 56 not out. Brief scores: Prime Trading 143 in 17.3 overs (Makhdoom 34, Girish 30; Abdul Samad 3/28) los to OCT Mabellah 146 for 4 in 19.4 overs (Shabbir Ahmed 32, Zafar 56 n.o). Points: Mabellah - 2, Prime Trading - 0.

MSE defeat Axis Group In an H Division, Mustafa Sultan Enterprises (MSE) defeated Axis Group by ﬁve wickets at the OAC Ground III. Batting ﬁrst, Axis Group scored 142 in 20 overs. Akhtar top scored with 30 runs. Mohammed Sajid claimed three wickts for MSE. In

reply, MSE scored 146 for ﬁve in 17.2 overs with Abdul Suhan and Mohammed Sherif scoring with 59 not out and 45 respectively. Sarath claimed two wickets for Axis Group. Brief scores: Axis Group 142 in 20 overs (Akhtar 30; Sajid 3/29) lost to MSE 146 for 5 in 17.2 overs (Abdul Suhan 59 n.o; Mohammed Sherif 45; Sarath 2/15). Points: MSE - 2, Axis Group - 0.

Easy for Starcare In another H Division match, Starcare defeated Caledonian College by six wickets. Batting ﬁrst, Caledonian College managed 147 for eight in 20 overs with Mohammed Sohail top scoring with 59. Sidhi Viswanatam and Meesham Ali

Brief scores: Khalsa United 210 for 0 in 20 overs (Saifullah Younus 152 n.o., Sushil Kadam 41 n.o.) bt Al Hail B 58 in 15.2 overs (Chetan Sharma 3/10). Points: Khalsa United – 3, Al Hail B - 0.

Bronze Rock shine In a J Division match, Broze Rock recorded a nine-wicket victory over OCT Al Nahdha at the SQU Ground. Batting ﬁrst, Al Nahdha scored 130 in 20 overs. Suman Bhowmick claimed six wickets for Bronze Rock. In reply, Bronze Rock scored the runs in 12 overs for the loss of just one wicket. Mohammed Amran and Suman Bhowmick scored 47 not out and 20 not out respectively to seal a bonus point win. Brief scores: OCT Al Nahdha 130 in 20 overs (Suman Bhowmick 6/29) lost to Bronze Rock 132 for 1 in 12 overs (Mohammed Amran 47 n.o). Points: Bronze Rock – 3 , OCT Al Nahdha - 0.

AL AMERAT FIRST ALL-OMANI TEAM TO RECORD A DIVISION WIN

OCT Al Amerat became the ﬁrst all-Omani team to record a victory in A Division of the ongoing Oman Cricket league season when they defeated Hassan Juma Backer (HJB)in a Khimji Ramdas-sponsored A Division match on Friday. Batting ﬁrst, HJB scored 218 all out in 29.4 overs with Daniel Rudolph top scoring with 82. Haitham Al Sabri claimed three wickets for OCT Al Amerat. In reply, OCT Amerat scored 219 for the loss of six wickets in 29.5 overs with Abdul Aziz top scoring with an unbeaten 59. — Supplied photo

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5

SPORTS

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Yousuf, Fatma emerge winners at Oman Skate Championships The ﬁrst ever roller skating event to be organised in Oman attracted over 200 skaters from across the Sultanate

MUSCAT: Yousuf Ali Al Balushi and Fatma Ali Al Shehi emerged men’s and women’s winners at the inaugural Oman Skate Championships. The ﬁrst ever roller skating championships was organised by Excellence Performance in cooperation with Oman Boys Skate (OBS) at the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) on Saturday. The inaugural event attracted a total of 200 skate enthusists. In the 8km men’s race, which attracted 79 skaters, Yousuf Ali Al Balushi clocked 27 minutes and three seconds (27:03) to clinch the top honours. Abdulrazaq Said Rashid Al Balushi, who timed 27:05, took the

INAUGURAL WINNERS: Top ﬁnishers in men’s and women’s categories pose with their trophies and medals. – Supplied photos

second place while Idrees Juma Hamdoon Al Harthy settled for third place in 28:00. Said Nasser Amour Al Manji (28:03) and Assem Juma Khamis Al Tamtami finished in fourth and fifth places respectively. The women’s race, also an 8km affair, attracted four girls and only two — Fatma Ali Al Shehi and Balqes Ahmed Al Habsi, managed to complete the race. Fatma clocked 36:5 to take the first place ahead of Balqes Ahmed Al Habsi who timed 39:08. The other participants, Shahad

Suroor Al Saadi and Aryam Fahad Al Saadi failed to ﬁnish the race. However, the organisers handed the duo valuable prizes to motivate them to participate in the future events. The organisers also conducted an open 3km fun race which attracted 52 skaters. Muscat 2 Miles On the sidelines of the skate championship, Excellence Performance in cooperation with the Oman Athletics Association (OAA) organised Muscat 2 Miles running race to provide an opportunity for

GOLF

Oman’s middle and long distance runners to show their talent. After a tough competition, Salim Khalfan Al Shukaili won the race in nine minutes and 33 seconds (9:33). He was followed by Balarab Shamis Al Hamhami (9:42), Abdullah Al Quraini (9:44), Younis Abdullah Al Jabri (9:53) and Amjad Khalifa Al Balushi (9:55) in that order. Fahad Abdullah Al Raisi, Director-General of Sports Development and Welfare at the Ministry of Sports Affairs, presided over the prize-giving ceremony and

handed over the trophies. Speaking on the occasion, Excellence Performance Executive Director Rashid Ibrahim Al Kindi said: “We are very proud to have organised this event in the Sultanate.” He also thanked all the sponsors for supporting the event and making it a grand success. Results Oman Skate Championship: Men’s race 8kms: 1. Yousuf Ali Al Balushi (27 minutes and 3 seconds); 2. Abdulrazaq Said Rashid Al Balushi (27:05); 3. Idrees Juma

Hamdoon Al Harthy (28:00); 4. Said Nasser Amour Al Manji (28:03); 5. Assem Juma Khamis Al Tamtami (28:8). Oman Skate Championship: Women’s race 8kms: 1. Fatma Ali Al Shehi (36:05); 2. Balqes Ahmed Al Habsi (39:08); 3. Shahad Suroor Al Saadi (did not ﬁnish); 4. Aryam Fahad Al Saadi (did not ﬁnish). Muscat 2 Miles: 1. Salim Khalfan Alshukaili (9:33); 2. Balarab Shamis Al Hamhami (9:42); 3. Abdullah Al Quraini (9:44); 4. Younis Abdullah Al Jabri (9:53); 5. Amjad Khalifa Al Balushi (9:55).

FOOTBALL

Khalil is Asian player of the year

PET PROJECT: Jade Lucas imparts training to the children at The Sultan School. – Supplied photo

OGC’s schools programme off to a successful start MUSCAT: The Oman Golf Committee (OGC) successfully launched their ‘pet project’ — the schools programme, the ﬁrst phase of which was organised for six weeks in November and December at The Sultan’s School in Muscat. As part of their golf development programme, the OGC in association with Muscat Hills initiated the school programme with the main objective of spotting new talent, and to nurture and build them as future golfers. The programme is 50 percent subsidised by the OGC and the second six-week phase is scheduled to be organised during the months of January and February in 2016. Mundhir Al Barwani, the chairman of the OGC, said: “We are delighted to introduce the school programme and this will certainly be our pet project.” Jade Lucas, the PGA Pro from Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club who is in charge of the programme, said: “I wrote to the schools, proposing the programme. Some of them took interest, some didn’t. So we approached those who were interested.” Jade said: “I approached The Sultan’s School and they agreed to send their students for golf class-

es as an after-school activity.” The children picked up the basics of golf in the first six-week phase. After a round of evaluation, some among those students will be picked for the next phase of training. “The response from the students has been very good. They are enjoying the game and taking interest in it. For them it is more fun now and we are making it fun so that the kids will take it up easily,” the trainer said. Abdullah Al Hashmi, a sixth grade student of The Sultan’s School, said: “I didn’t know much about golf before. I only used to watch it on television. Now I am taking interest after I have come to know how it really feels to hold a golf club. We are having real fun and I am thoroughly enjoying it.” Abdullah came to know about this programme after his parents had an interactive session with Jade at the school premises. He wants to continue his golfing venture in the next phase of the programme. Sounding confident, Abdullah said: “I would tell my parents that I want to continue, let’s see if they permit me to do so.” It’s same with fifth grade student Nouah Haddad.

He said: “I couldn’t ever think that I would get the opportunity to play golf. There could be nothing like getting a chance to play the sport after school at the school ground itself.” Another sixth grade student of the school, Aisha Al Musafi reveals: “I have told my father that I would like to be a member of a golf club. May be he will get me a membership in future. But definitely I will continue to play for a long time.” For those kids who couldn’t think of taking up golf seriously, the OGC has brought this opportunity to them. “This is exactly our mission. We are creating a scenario where the gear is provided, 50 percent fees are provided, training is provided, only that the parents will have to take the decision that their kids should play golf,” said OGC chairman Al Barwani. Al Barwani defines the parents’ role and has called upon the parents to take their kids to the golf course as an extra-curricular activity. “Golf not only makes you fit, but it also helps in building up your character and lifestyle. It makes you a good, well-mannered human being,” he said.

NEW DELHI: Ahmed Khalil of United Arab Emirates (UAE) got a modicum of revenge on Guangzhou Evergrande captain Zheng Zhi when he pipped the Chinese to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year award on Sunday. Khalil’s Al Ahli club ﬁnished runners-up in the AFC Champions League as Zheng guided Guangzhou to their second continental title in three years. But the 24-year-old Khalil won the individual battle in a glittering ceremony on the outskirts of the Indian capital, denying 2013 winner Zheng a second AFC Player of the Year award and also beating compatriot Omar Abdulrahman to emerge as the continent’s top player. “I cannot explain my feeling,”

‘MEAN A LOT’: UAE’s Ahmed

Khalil, right, receives the player of the year award from AFC chief Shaikh Salman Al Khalifa.

Khalil told reporters. “It means a lot to me. It’s not for me only, it’s for all the people of the Emirates.” Khalil became only the third player to have won both the sen-

ior and youth individual accolades and the forward said he would like to play in Europe at some point. “I have goals that I have set for the future and I will try my best to achieve them. “I have ambitions to play in Europe but presently I have a contract with my current club.” Guangzhou won the AFC Club of the Year award, while their Brazilian recruit and AFC Champions League top scorer Ricardo Goulart won the AFC Foreign Player of the Year award. Asian Cup champions Australia won the men’s team of the year award, while Japan claimed the women’s team honour. Ange Postecoglou won the top coach’s honour for masterminding Australia’s home triumph. - Reuters

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 30, 2015

SPORTS

Inspired Murray helps Britain seal Davis Cup

Fittingly for a player who has almost singlehandedly guided his country to a 10th title, Murray ended Goffin’s inspired resistance with a moment of sheer brilliance few could conjure to complete a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 victory

GHENT: The moment Andy Murray has pursued with fanatical zeal arrived, unforgettably, on Sunday when an outrageous lob arced over Belgium’s David Goffin to seal Britain’s ﬁrst Davis Cup title for 79 years. Fittingly for a player who has almost single-handedly guided his country to a 10th title, the indefatigable Murray ended Goffin’s inspired resistance with a moment of sheer brilliance few could conjure to complete a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 victory. It gave Britain a winning 3-1 lead and started a party that hundreds of visiting fans decked out in union ﬂags and Scottish saltires

will keep going long into the night in medieval Ghent. Murray, who looked close to exhaustion at the end of the threehour contest that was far closer than the scoreline suggested, collapsed on to the claycourt before being swamped by his team mates and captain Leon Smith. Sportingly he clambered to his feet to console Goffin who had gallantly clung on to the hope of keeping alive Belgium’s chances of winning the title for the ﬁrst time. Murray then saluted the ‘Barmy Army’, who roared his every winner over a weekend that rubber-

ISL

stamped his place in the chronicles of British sporting greatness. “I never thought we would have the opportunity to do this and I can’t believe we have done it,” an emotional Murray, who became the ﬁrst British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years in 2013, said on court. “The atmosphere was phenomenal. I imagine we’ll have a party tonight.” Absolute superstar World No. 2 Murray, whose return to the Davis Cup team in 2013 sparked Britain’s rapid rise from the depths of the competition, has won 11 live rubbers in this year’s run, matching Ivan Ljubicic’s total for Croatia in 2005. He has won all eight singles he played while teaming up three times with brother Jamie for crucial doubles wins, one of which came on Saturday to put Britain 2-1 ahead. The small Scottish town of Dunblane, where the Murray brothers grew up, could justiﬁably claim its name should be inscribed on the trophy. “Andy has shown himself to be an absolute superstar. He will

be the first to say that it is a team thing but what he has done is astonishing. I am proud of everyone,” captain Smith said. Murray was forced to play some of his best tennis against a dangerous opponent who was roared on by a soccer-style crowd inside the claustrophobic arena. Goffin squandered a break point at 2-2 in the opening set and Murray then pounced, scorching a backhand winner off a weak second serve to move 4-2 ahead. Murray wrapped up the first set with a forehand winner but there was no chance of Goffin’s challenge fading. The Belgian world No. 16 played some sensational tennis to stay ahead in the second set but could not take the few chances that came his way. Murray broke in the 11th game when Goffin netted a forehand and clinched the set with a stupendous forehand winner. He wobbled briefly when he dropped serve early in the third set but the world number two responded to move 5-3 ahead before providing the most spectacular of climaxes. - Reuters

EPL

Chelsea toothless in 0-0 draw with Spurs LONDON: Jose Mourinho dropped his disgruntled main striker Diego Costa for Chelsea’s Premier League visit to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday but the champions still proved toothless up front as they ground out an undistinguished goalless draw at White Hart Lane. The Chelsea manager said before the game that his out-of-sorts Spanish striker was lacking conﬁdence and Costa certainly did not look a happy soul when, late on, he realised he was not going to be brought on as a substitute. Turning his back on the bench, he tossed his bib away behind him in disgust. It landed at Mourinho’s feet. Mourinho told BT Sport after the game that “there was not an issue, not at all” with Costa, who did not warm up with the other substitutes before nor after the game. In midweek, Mourinho had said he shared “a few kisses and cuddles” with Costa after they argued during their Champions League win at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Yet even having produced what Mourinho felt was the best Chelsea performance of the season, a team with Eden Hazard as an unlikely target man still offered only intermittent threats in an unusually tepid London derby.

Spurs enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances and forced some decent work in the first half from Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as they went a 13th straight league game without defeat, their best run since a 14-match streak in 1984-1985. A lively Hazard was handed Chelsea’s best opportunities, heading over the bar from a pinpoint Oscar cross in the 20th minute when he should have done better and volleying crisply to force what the Belgian described as a “beautiful save” low down from Hugo Lloris in the 68th. Yet still the Footballer of the Year saw his Premier League goal drought stretch to 17 games as Mourinho’s side still struggle in 14th place on 15 points. Spurs, unbeaten since the opening-day loss to Manchester United, remain fifth on 25, four points shy of the top of the table. On a cold, blustery afternoon which contributed to a much more mediocre affair than Spurs’ thrilling 5-3 win on New Year’s Day, Begovic had to be on his toes in the first half, keeping out a Son Heung-Min header and a Mousa Dembele drive. Yet it took Lloris’s brilliance to keep out Hazard’s sweet volley. - Reuters

LA LIGA

Real defeat Eibar 2-0 MADRID: A Gareth Bale header and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave Real Madrid a much-needed 2-0 victory over Eibar in La Liga on Sunday, following their hammering by leaders Barcelona last weekend, and put them six points off the top of the standings. The Welshman notched up his ﬁrst goal since the end of August when he nodded in a Luka Modric cross two minutes before half time against the small Basque club who have surprised this season and went into the game with one defeat from eight matches. Real were made to work hard against a battling Eibar but Ronaldo secured the win with a penalty after 82 minutes following a foul by Dani Garcia on Lucas

Vazquez. The win eases the pressure on coach Rafa Benitez following defeats in La Liga against Sevilla and in the ‘Clasico’ last Saturday where they lost 4-0. Third-placed Real now have 27 points from 13 games, two behind Atletico Madrid, while Barca have 33 points. Getafe’s Angel Laﬁta scored one goal and set up another in a 2-0 victory over misﬁring Villarreal, who now have just one win in seven La Liga matches. Villarreal have lost their way after a bright start to the season and lie sixth on 21 points, behind Deportivo La Coruna on goal difference, while Getafe are 13th and level with Rayo Vallecano on 14 points. - Reuters

HARD FOUGHT CONTEST

FC Goa rout Kerala to enter semifinals GUWAHATI: FC Goa’s Brazilian striker Reinaldo struck a hat-trick in a 5-1 mauling of Kerala Blasters here on Sunday to confirm their place in the Indian Super League (ISL) semifinals. Pulga put the Blasters ahead in the second minute of action. Midfielder Joffre equalised 10 minutes later. Goa went 2-1 up in the 29th through Reinaldo who extended the margin on the 50th and the 61st minutes. Goa jumped to the second spot with 22 points from 13 matches after the win. Bottom-placed Kerala Blasters remained stuck on 12 points from as many matches and they are completely out of the reckoning for qualification. Blasters went ahead virtually as soon as the match began. Spaniard Pulga was involved in a nice build-up play to the goal before finishing the move with a volley at the near post in the second minute. But they couldn’t hold on to their lead and conceded just 10 minutes later. A cross from the right flank saw Brazilian striker Reinaldo lay the ball for an onrushing and unmarked Joffre who slotted home to score his

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first goal of the tournament. Goa then seized momentum with their second goal in the 29th minute. Reinaldo finished off with a deft left foot placement a superb interchange of passes also involving Brazilian Leo Moura and left winger Mandar Dessai. Blasters went into the break preserving their lead but also received a huge lift when their opponents were reduced to 10 men. Midfielder Josu’s needless charge towards Joffre earned him straight red card. Josu was fighting for the ball with Joffre, both men pushing and shoving each other when he punched Joffre on the chest to earn the eviction. The home side needed to galvanise themselves after the break being a goal and a man down. But instead conceded a third that virtually killed the contest. Dessai utilised the space offered on the left side by the Blasters to essay a through ball which Reinaldo simply rolled it in. His third goal was similar in style with C.S. Sabeeth providing an assist from the right. Dessai inflicted more humility on the Blasters with a left-footed strike in the 64th. - IANS

Muscat regain Dubai-Muscat Golf Challenge title MUSCAT: The recently concluded Dubai-Muscat Golf Challenge saw two teams with 14 competitors each playing one round at Muscat Hills and another round at Almouj Golf Club with the side from Muscat emerging triumphant after a hard fought contest. An initiative which started eight months ago with a group of associates, is now expected to form a part of the Dubai and Oman golf calendars. The concept saw 28 players from varying business sectors, including the ﬁnance and the oil and gas sectors along with some regional entrepreneurs, all participating in a team match-play format. The tournament was sponsored by National Bank of Oman, who continue to support wide ranging golf initiatives, more notably the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final and Road to Oman Rankings, but in more recent times supporting the “Swing to Perfection Executive Programme” and the ladies golf programme. The ladies golf programme is now an oversubscribed initiative encouraging female participation in golf and was a joint venture with the Oman Golf Committee and Muscat Hills Golf &Country Club.

The Dubai Muscat Challenge was another one of these golf initiatives. The tournament was a friendly yet competitive event with the Muscat team securing 10.5 points to Dubai’s 3.5 on day one. Day two saw the Muscat team needing just four points from two matches to secure the win. They went on to lose just two points all day thus completing the match 23.5 vs 5.5 to regain the Dubai

Muscat Golf Challenge trophy that they had conceded to the Dubai team earlier this year. Sharat Seth and Sanjoli Singh, the captains of the two teams said: “We would like to thank the sponsors NBO, as well as Moosa Abdul Rehman and Botek-ACE for sponsoring the prizes and supporting this initiative. We hope to continue this tradition for years to come and aim for the next Golf

Challenge to be held in Dubai in April 2016.” The presentation ceremony was held at the Almouj Golf Club with Humayun Kabir, General Manager Wholesale Banking of NBO, giving away the prizes to the winners. Daily prizes: Day 1: Nearest the Pin: ManojKapur, Longest drive: Na-veed Munazir. Dat 2: Nearest the Pin: Pawan Singh (twice), ManojKapur and Veneet Mohan. Longest drive: Naveed Munazir.

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RAGINGGOLIATH Story Faisal Mohammed Naim

Everything is big about the Triumph Rocket III Roadster

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; big performance; even bigger road presence, subduing everything else on the road. Maximum head-turns guaranteed with this big, bad, bawdy bike.

M O N DAY, NOVEMBER NOVEMB ER 2015 MON R 3 0, 0, 2 015

LIFESTYLE The Rocket III is designed to be an arm-wrenching thrill to ride, yet easy and unintimidating. The sweet handling chassis, rigid frame, and sophisticated suspension give you the confidence to sweep through corners and change direction with an agility that belies this roadsters’ size.

ewbies and the faint hearted step aside please, for this one is not meant at all for you. Its sheer size might play on your senses, and its brute power might snatch the breath out of you. Ever since muscle cruisers arrived on the scene, delivering the best of both worlds – plush comfort, and awesome power, this one has been the league’s biggest incarnation — the Triumph Rock III Roadster. With sheer force of presence, the colossal Rocket III uses the world’s largest production motorcycle engine, a 2300cc inline-triple, to deliver a simply stunning riding experience unmatched on two wheels. At 367 kilos (wet) the bike is heavy, but all that seems to vanish the moment you settle in the settee seat. A long wheelbase and wide tyres help ease the weight on your legs. The easily reachable handlebars instil much conﬁdence, and things seem pretty

awesome while at it, with a huge ﬂat and wide, fuel tank, burgeoning sideways, sitting between you and the bars, and glossy round instrument cluster sitting atop the handle, right in line with your eyes. Push the ignition, and the bike awakens with smooth grunt. Frankly speaking, the grunt is just too smooth or a macho ride like this. The engine revs pretty much like a car — nothing bikish about it, and I don’t know how to like it. And while I tried to gas it a bit to check the grunt at louder revs, I noticed the shaft driven bike gives a sudden jolt to the right, the moment you twitch the accelerator. Though nothing to worry for a man of my size (5ft10, 100plus kilos), it deﬁnitely might be a scary prospect for the lighter beings amongst us. That said, I plonk the gear-stick, and set out on the road, and the amazement started. The rocket propels menacingly fast, and yet remains so nimble. The surprisingly light feel of the bike awakens

TECH SPECS

Triumph Rocket III Roadster ENGINE 2.3ltr, in-line 3 cylinder POWER 148bhp (5750rpm), 221Nm torque (2750rpm) PERFORMANCE 0 to 100kph – 2.8 seconds Top Speed – 193kph GROSS WEIGHT 367kg Authorised Dealer in Muscat Al Fardan Motors LLC, Wattayah +968 2456 3328 +968 9118 6968

the speed devil in you as you battle the wind in your face faster and faster. The upright ride position is super-comfortable. The foot-pegs are tucked in and nothing cruiser-like. The only problem, again for the smaller riders, is the higher seating stance. At 29.5 inches the seat is pretty high for a big wide cruiser, and the not so vertically gifted might find it quite a daunting task finding ground comfortably during all those stops and halts. The raging bull is powered by the 2.3 litre inline triple mill, which seethes out a gut churning 221Nm of torque, at just 2750rpm. Producing the biggest torque in the world of motorbikes, the Rocket has more torque at idle than most superbikes at full chat. All this power propels the giant juggernaut from 0-100kph in just 2.8 seconds, reaching the electronically governed top speed of 193kph in a few blinks. Highway fun is redefined —

whack the throttle to the max, and hang on. The Rocket III rewards with such monster acceleration, it is impossible to wipe the smile off your face. The 16-inch rear rim wears a meaty 240mm tyre to give you enough traction on the tarmac, enhancing the bike’s agility by leaps and bounds. Despite all the weight and width, the bike balances beautifully even at low speeds. The amazingly neutral steering gives you enough conﬁdence to pace along the twisty roads, and smoothly manoeuvre hairpin bends. The sports-bike like 43mm inverted forks are strong enough to cope with all the forces, the big rocket could deal out. You’ll specially enjoy the forks while riding out a bump at high speeds. You will be amazed how easily they eat it out, minimising the jolt. Four piston calipers grip the twin 320mm big disks and backed up by ABS to help stop the speeding giant efficiently and with great

ease. The rear single disk is 316mm. Few sights match the Rocket’s visual impact — its muscular stance accentuated by a massive engine and triple-chrome headers set against a blacked out silhouette grab the attention instantly. Characteristic twin headlamps and chrome detailing add the ﬁnishing touches to its laid back brutal charm. The conical twin dial chromed instrument cluster compliments the signature twin headlights, and houses all the info you might need while on the ride, including fuel gauge, gear indicator, dual trip metre, and digital clock, among others. The bike drew curious onlookers wherever I parked, seemingly in awe of the monster that it is. Many suffering from the Harley Syndrome went on to ask, which Harley it was. There’s nothing else like it out there: not to look at, nor to ride. Impervious to any intimidations, it invites sheer fancy or envy instantly. faisal@timesofoman.com

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5

LIFESTYLE

SIMILAR YET DIFFERENT S T O R Y

F A I S A L

M O H A M M E D

N A I M

Two new devices join the already much intensiﬁed smartphone bandwagon – the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium and the Huawei Nexus 6P. The Xperia Z5 Premium is your typical Xperia design – squared off like a large slab, with great looks. The Nexus 6P is an all-metal design with round edges, making it quite comfortable to hold. Either one of these beauties should satisfy any smartphone enthusiast, still, which one is more advanced, and has better speciﬁcations and features among the two? Having a lot in common, we put the two phablets head-to-head. The powerful metal and glass Z5 Premium squares off against the new all-metal unibody Nexus 6P.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium vs

Huawei Nexus 6P Design

Display

Processor

The Xperia Z5 Premium has a metal frame with glossy glass covered front and back. It has a ﬁngerprint scanner, positioned at the side and integrated with a big power button, and also features FM Radio. The body of the device comes in three colours: gold, chrome, and black. Last, but not least, the device is water and dust resistant, with an IP68 rating, but cannot be submerged in water. The sturdier Nexus 6P has a full aluminium body and the only point of vulnerability is a small glass panel at its rear over the camera. It has rounded corners and the ﬁngerprint scanner is more conveniently located at the back. The 6P also uses the Type-C reversible microUSB port for faster charging and data transfer, and unlike the Z5, runs pure Android 6.0 Marshmallow ensuring the fastest upgrades possible when new versions come out. As for colours, there are three options available: frost, aluminium, and graphite.

The Z5 Premium comes with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD 4K screen, having a resolution of 3840 x 2160, and an astounding density of 806 pixels per inch, which is unbeatable at the moment. Additionally it has Triluminos colour enhancing technology and the X-Reality Engine to upscale the quality of images and videos. The Nexus 6P has a slightly bigger Samsung derived 5.7 inch AMOLED QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and a density of 518 pixels per inch. The Nexus display runs full-time QHD, while the Sony’s IPS 4K runs 4K only when the content is compatible. Else it runs a 1080p display. Sony says it has done so to increase power efficiency.

Here too, both devices are on the same. There is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset in the Z5 Premium coupled with an octa-core CPU with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz and four Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz along with an Adreno 430 GPU. The Nexus 6P also has the same chipset. Huawei generally uses its own HiSilicon Kirn Processor, but not this time.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium:

Memory

Huawei Nexus 6P:

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium:

Battery Huawei Nexus 6P:

Camera The 12.3 megapixel main camera on the Nexus 6P cannot keep up with the 23-megapixel camera on the Xperia Z5 Premium, which is faster and takes better quality images and video, combined with phase detection autofocus and an LED ﬂash, but still no OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation). For the FFC (Front Facing Camera), the Z5 Premium uses a 5.1MP with wide-angle for selﬁes and video chatting, while the Nexus 6P sports a larger 8MP sensor. Sony Xperia Z5 Premium:

Huawei Nexus 6P:

The Z5 Premium uses a large 3430mAh non-removable battery that Sony claims will get you through two days. The Nexus 6P uses a slightly larger 3450mAh non-removable battery. Both have quick charging.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium:

Huawei Nexus 6P:

The Z5 Premium uses 3GB of RAM and 32GB internal memory, expandable upto 200GB via microSD. The Nexus 6P also uses 3GB of RAM, but does not have the memory expansion option. Instead it offers a default option of 32/64/128GB. Sony Xperia Z5 Premium: Huawei Nexus 6P:

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium:

Huawei Nexus 6P:

CONCLUSION Both the devices are simply awesome. Both have a lot in common; from size to weight to processor, and display, as well as their own unique features. The Xperia Z5 has a 4K display, expandable memory and is dust and water resistant. The Nexus 6P has an AMOLED QHD display, Type-C reversible plug, quick charge, larger 8MP FFC, and the pure vanilla Android with the fastest updates possible. In short, both amaze equally. However, the 6P carries a much lower price tag than Z5, and that might be the clincher. TOO Verdict: The Huawei Nexus 6P – equally exciting, but signiﬁcantly cheaper. faisal@timesofoman.com

C10

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 30, 2015

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

PRAYER TIMINGS

@SHATTI

@RUWI

SUR The Hunger Game - Mockingjay 2 3D (Action | Adventure | Sci Fi ) (PG12) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 7:00 PM Hunting the Phantom (Action) (12+) Cast: Kristanna Loken, Armand Assante 4:45, 11:45 PM Bound to Vengeance (Horror) (18+) Cast: Richard Tyson, Tina Ivlev, Amy Okuda 9:45 PM Tamasha (Hindi) (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Ranbir kapoor, Deepika Padukone 4:30, 6:30, 9:00 PM Anarkali( Malayalam) (Thriller) ( TBC) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaram, Biju Menon, Mia 11:30 PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-2 (3D) (Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 7:30, 11:45 PM Bridge of Spies (Drama | History) (PG) Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 3:15, 6:00, 8:45, 11:30 PM Hunting the Phantom (Action) (12+) Cast: Kristanna Loken, Armand Assante 2:00, 3:45, 10:00 PM Creed (Drama | Sport) (15+) Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 4:00, 6:30 PM Bound to Vengeance (2D) (Horror) (18+) Cast: Richard Tyson, Tina Ivlev, Amy Okuda 11:45 PM Blinky Bill The Movie (2D) (PG) Animation 2:00 PM Tamasha (Hindi) (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 9:00 PM 4 G Algeil Al Rabea (Arabic) (TBC) Cast: hmed Malek, Sherif Ramzy 5:30 PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Bridge of Spies (Drama | History) PG Cast : Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 3:30, 9:00 & 11:30PM Gold Class: 2:45, 8:15 & 11:00PM Tamasha (Romance| Drama) PG12 Cast : Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 12:45 & 8:45PM Gold Class : 5:30PM Creed (Drama | Sport) 15+ Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 6:15 & 11:45PM Blinky Bill The Movie (Animation) U 11:45AM & 4:15PM

Creed (Drama, Sport)(2D)(15+) Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson Timing: 4:00, 9:00, 11:50 pm VIP Lounge: 6:00 pm

Bridge of Spies (Drama | History) (PG) Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda Timing: 3:15, 6:00, 8:45, 11:30 PM

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-2 : 3D (Adventure/Sci-Fi) PG12 Cast : Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 6:15PM Spectre : 2D (Action/Adventure) PG12 Cast : Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz 1:30PM PANORAMA MALL Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2 (3D) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 6:30, 11:30 pm (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2 (Action, Adventure)(MX4D)(PG12) 2:00, 5:15, 8:30, 11:45 pm Creed (Drama, Sport)(2D)(15+) Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 4:00, 9:00, 11:50 pm Creed (Drama, Sport)(2D)(15+)-VIP LOUNGE Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 6:00 pm Blinky Bill The Movie (Animation)(2D)(U) 2:15 pm Miss You Already (Drama)(2D)(15+) Cast : Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette 4:45 pm

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

Cast: Prithviraj, Biju Menon, Mia, Priyal Glor, 5:25, 8:45 PM Spectra – 2D (PG12) Action, Adventure Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz 11:45 PM The Hunger Game : Mocking Jay Part 2 – 3D (PG12) Adventure, Sci-Fi Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 9:15 PM

AZAIBA Tamasha – 2D (PG12) Romance, Drama Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 2:30, 5:15, 8:00, 10:45, 11:30 PM Prem Ratan Dhan Payo – 2D (PG) Family Cast: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor 3:15, 8:30 PM Inji Iduppazhagi – 2D (PG12) Romance Cast: Arya, Anushka Shetty, Sonal Chouhan 6:15 PM Bridge of Spies - 2D (PG) Drama, History Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 2:45, 6:30, 11:45 PM Blinky Bill The Movie – 2D (U) Animation 2:30, 4:30 PM Anarkali – 2D (PG) Romance, Thriller

RUWI Screen 1 Tamasha (Romance/Drama) – PG12 Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM Screen 2 Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (Family) – PG Cast: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM Screen 3 Spectre (Action) – PG12 Cast: Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes 3.45 PM Inji Iduppazhagi – Tamil (Comedy ) – PG12 Cast: Arya, Anushka Shetty, Sonal Chauha 6.45, 9.45 PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

Marmul

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

07:00

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Anarkali (Mal) (Rom/Drama) Cast : Prithviraj, Biju Menon, Mia & Priyal Glor 3-30 & 6-30 Pm At Cinema-2 ; 9-30 Pm Cinema Main Amar Akbar Anthony (Mal) (Act/Drama) Cast : Prithviraj,Jaya surya,Indrajith & Namitha 3-30 & 6-30 Pm Cinema Main; 9-30 pm Cinema -2 Inji Iduppazhagi (Tamil) (Rom/Com) Cast : Arya, Anushka Shetty & Bharath 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 Pm At Cinema-3 Size Zero (Telugu) (Rom/ Com) Cast: Arya, Anushka Shetty & Bharath 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 Pm At Cinema -4 NEXT CHANGE: Pathemari (Mal); Shankarabharanam (Telugu); Rajini Murugan (Tamil) Programmes are subject to change

WITH LOVE

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

35-80% Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/ her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

06:00 06:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

10:25

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

07:00

STAR CINEMA

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

Minimum

Hunting the Phantom (Action / Adventure) Cast: Kristanna Loken, Armand Assante, Jose Rosete 2.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No : 3027 (12+) Creed (Sports / Drama) Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson 4.30, 9.30 & 11.55 pm CP No : 3026 (15+) Blinky Bill the Movie (Animation / Adventure) Voice Overs: Toni Collette, Rufus Sewell, Ryan 2.00 & 6.00 pm CP No : 3024 (U) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (Adventure / Sci-Fi) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth 7.00 pm CP No: 3015 (PG12) Tiger House (Action / Crime / Drama) Cast: Kaya Scodelario, Dougray Scott, Ed Skrein 4.00 pm CP No: 3016 (12+)

SALALAH Bridge of Spies (2D) (PG) (Biography ) Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 10:00AM, 1:30, 6:30, 11:45PM The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2 (2D) (PG12) (Adventure/Sc-Fi) 11:00AM, 4:00PM Creed (2D) (15+) (Drama | Sport) Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 12:30, 4:15, 9:15, 11:45PM Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PG) (Family) Cast: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin 3:05PM Blinky Bill The Movie (2D) (U) (Animation ) 10:15AM, 12:05PM Miss You Already (2D) (15+) (Comedy) Cast: Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette 2:00PM 4 G Algeil Al Rabea (2D) (TBC) (Arabic) Cast: Ahmed Malek, Sherif Ramzy, Hassan 6:15PM (Comedy) Tamasha (2D) (PG12) (Romance| Drama) Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Javed Sheikh 9:00, 11:15PM Inji Iduppazhagi (2D) (PG12) (Tamil) Cast: Arya, Anushka Shetty, Sonal Chouhan 6:45PM Anarkali (2D) (PG) (Malayalam)( Romance) Cast: Prithviraj, Biju Menon, Mia, Priyal Glor 8:15PM

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

28 22

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

BURAIMI The Hunger Game: Mocking Jay– 3D 4:30, 9:00PM Hunting the Phantom– 2D (Action) (12+) 4:30, 7:15, 9:30, 11:30PM Bound to Vengeance– 2D (Horrory) (18+) 11:45PM Creed– 2D (Drama, Sport) (15+) 4:45, 7:00PM Tamasha– 2D (Romance, Drama) (PG12) Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 6:15, 11:15PM Anarkali– 2D (Romance, Thriller) (PG) 8:45PM

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

SOHAR Spectre - 2D (PG12) Action |Thriller 6:25 PM Prem Ratan Dhan Payo - 2D (PG) Family 5:30 PM The Hunger Game : Mocking Jay Part 2 - 3D (PG12) Adventure, Sci-Fi 5:10 PM The Hunger Game : Mocking Jay Part 2 - 2D (PG12) Adventure, Sci-Fi 2:15 PM Bridge of Spies - 2D (PG) Drama | History Cast : Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 2:45, 8:45, 11:30 PM Tamasha - 2D (PG12) Romance| Drama Cast : Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 2:30, 9:15, 11:15 PM Anarkali - 2D (M) (TBC) Romance / Thriller Cast : Prithviraj, Biju Menon, Mia, Priyal Glor, 7:45 PM Miss You Already - 2D (15+) Comedy Cast : Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette 4:45 PM Inji Iduppazhagi - 2D (T)(PG12) Romance Cast : Arya, Anushka Shetty, Sonal Chouhan 9:15 PM Creed - 2D (15+) Drama | Sport Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 6:45, 11:45 PM Blinky Bill The Movie - 2D (U) Animation 2:30 PM 4 G Algeil Al Rabea - 2D (Arb)(TBC) Comedy Cast : Ahmed Malek, Sherif Ramzy

BAHJA CINEMA

4:20 PM Bound to Vengeance - 2D (18+) Horror Cast : Richard Tyson, Tina Ivlev, Amy Okuda 11:55 PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Tamasha – 2D (PG12) Romance, Drama Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Javed Sheikh Timing: 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

Tamasha (Romance, Drama)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 2:00, 6:40, 9:15 pm Bridge Of Spies (Drama)(2D)(PG) Cast : Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 3:00, 6:00, 8:45, 11:30 pm Bridge Of Spies (Biography, Drama)(2D) (PG)- VIP LOUNGE 3:15, 8:30, 11:15 pm

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Destination

12.00pm 3.04pm 5.25pm 6.39pm 5.11am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@PANORAMA MALL

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

MO N DAY, N OV E MB E R 30, 2 0 1 5

C11

LIFESTYLE

THE DON’TS OF MOTORCYCLING S T O R Y FA I S A L M O H A M M E D N A I M

It’s never just dos that matter. The don’ts matter equally too – especially on a bike. Remove your helmet for a minute and read on. It’s really going to serve the purpose

ou have your motorbike; you have the licence, and have miles of experience in your mirrors. You know all the what-tos, and how-tos, safety tips and have all the conﬁdence needed to roll the two wheels in you. In short you are nothing short of an awesome rider. But do you know what not to do with a motorcycle? Yes knowing that makes a perfect rider. And here they are: Don’t Ride Beyond your Limits You must ﬁrst know your limits. Most motorcycles can lean to

T E C H TA L K

Transparent, brighter LEDs may soon become a reality Berkeley researchers have discovered a simple way of making monolayer semiconductors - which are less than a nanometre thick - more efficient and defect free. The finding opens the door to the practical application of monolayer materials, such as MoS2, in devices like LEDs and high-performance transistors. “One could develop highperformance LED displays, that are transparent when powered off and flexible using the ‘perfect’ optoelectronic monolayers produced in this study,” the researchers said. Monolayer semiconductors have generated a great deal of buzz as they hold promise in the development of transparent LED displays, ultra-high efficiency solar cells, photo detectors and nanoscale transistors. But the films are notoriously riddled with defects, killing their performance. The UCBerkeley team found a simple way to fix these defects through the use of an organic superacid. The chemical treatment

led to a dramatic 100-fold increase in the material’s photoluminescence quantum yield, a ratio describing the amount of light generated by the material versus the amount of energy put in. The greater the emission of light, the higher the quantum yield and the better the material quality. The researchers enhanced the quantum yield for molybdenum disulﬁde, or MoS2, from less than one per cent up to 100 per cent. “Traditionally, the thinner the material, the more sensitive it is to defects,” said principal investigator professor Ali Javey. —IANS

30-something degrees, do quarter-mile in seconds, and brake far faster than the average car. But can you handle that much is what matters more. Most motorcyclists will never reach the limits of their bikes. Know your limits, respect and ride within them.

Don’t Lose Focus Don’t lose sight of what’s important while riding. Ignore those attractive elements (yeah you know what I am talking about), as they pass by you in their ﬂashy cars. Your crash on them could lead any truck’s rear to have a crush on you.

Don’t Neglect Yourself Part of the joy of riding is being out with buddies, but the buddies will wear you down. Stay comfortable, hydrated, and fed at all times. Remember, most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the seat.

Don’t Look Down Stuck in an unavoidable nasty situation? Think you won’t make the corner, or have a feeling you’re going down? If you look down you’ll get there quick. Look where you want to go. It might even save you from the calamity actually.

Don’t Ride Someone Else’s Pace This is the biggest dilemma of riding in a group. You keep trying hard to keep up. It is good to learn from the more experienced riders in the group, but don’t feel obliged to keep up the pace, particularly through corners, rough roads, or bad weather. Ride at your own pace; you are not the same as them. Don’t Lose your Head Don’t let it grow faster than your skills. Riding a motorcycle can take you from zero to hero, especially when you have so many riders, riding along, some of them pretty unscrupulous.

Never let your ego swell in riding matters. Never take up to any body’s chiding or challenge. Keep your calm and maintain your pace. Don’t even try to outrun yourself. Only you shall be defeated in any case. Don’t Neglect your Motorcycle Your tyres can go bald, your brake pads can wear out, your fuel lines can clog, and your engine can suffer damage. Any of the above can cause serious problems. Keep a regular check on your ride. Good riding skills combined with a bad bike are of no good to anyone. More next time. Ride safe. faisal@timesofoman.com

C12

M O N DAY, NOVEMB ER 30, 2015

LIFESTYLE

Always Wear a Helmet Choose a helmet that displays the DOT label, which indicates that it meets road safety standards

Be Seen Avoid blind spots and always use your headlights day or night. Also, wear vibrant clothing

Use Both Brakes When braking use both brakes at the same time by applying them slow and steady

Signal Always use the signal indicators while turning

Watch Speed Strictly honour posted speed limits

Safety Tips

Keep Your Distance No one likes a tailgater. Keep a safe distance between your bike and other vehicles. Too close a distance often results in collision

Know Your Limits Both you and your motorcycle have limits. Know them, and act accordingly

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Almost half of all fatal crashes involve alcohol and/or over-speeding

26%

of riders in fatal crashes do not have a valid motorbike driving licence

A predominating cause of motorcycle accidents is failure to recognise the motorcyclist in traffic

44%

of fatal crashes occur on weekends

50%

of fatalities are singlevehicle crashes where no other vehicles are involved

Source: Bisnar l Chase, bestattorney.com

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, N O V E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

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M O N DAY, N OV E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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We have 200sqm Basmat in Al Khuwair. Contact: 93329476/ 99208033

We have 2BHK ﬂat in Ghala. Contact: 93329476/99208033

4 Bedroom Twin Villa for rent in Al Hail South, easy access to Sultan Qaboos Highway Contact 98080822 Brand new 2 Bedroom apartment with maid room for rent in Rimal Bausher with private parking Contact 98080822 One BHK with A/C and one large room for rent in AL Khuwair near Ibis hotel. Contact: 95724975 Rent one room, 1 toilet, big hall, with air-condition Wadi Adai. Contact: 99345137 One ﬂats for rent 2 bedroom all with bath al Ghobrah north near Indian school (hot burger restaurant) tell 9976610 1BHK near medical Darsait Muttrah house R.O 175/- & 2 BHK R.O 220/-. Contact: 98748925 Showroom for rent at Wadi Kabir perfectly suitable for travels, money exchange, Auto parts up holster advertising materials. Contact: 94143636

1.2.3 BHK ﬂats 8 villas. Contact: 97799175 1BHK ﬂat near Star Cinema 220/-. Contact 99358589 /95570288 2 & 3 BHK Al Khuwair. Contact: 99024730

Room for rent near Al Dasar Ruwi. Contact 99797645/ 92099367 Villa for rent 4 BHK, plus 1 sitting room and 1 extra servant room at 18 November road behind Oman Oil. Contact: 99373290/ 24815012

2 BHK with spilt A/C in W.K behind Sana fashion. Contact: 96708000 1 BHK with split A/C in Darsait opposite Muscat Municipality. Contact: 96708000

Beautiful villa directly on beach in best location in Shatti Qurum 1800 OMR. Contact: 95887572

Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99376454

2 BHK with spilt /AC in MSQ opposite AL Fair. Contact: 96708000

One / two, B/R RES / Comm. directly from own ER near medical college Bausher. Contact: 92158031

1BHK ﬂat near Hamriya hotel. Contact: 96500860

House for rent in AL Amerat opposite office Justice, 3rooms, Majlis , 4 toilets, living room ,food hall & kitchen. Contact: 99252494

4 BHK villa for rent Al Khuwair 650/- O.R Contact: 94232344 2 BHK Honda road Ruwi. Contact: 99224748 /99332297 Room, kitchen & bath in north Ghobrah include E/W & AC split 200/- R.O. Contact: 92811110 Excellent office 5 rooms Al Khuwair O.A. Bank building 850/-R.O. Contact: 94232344 Flats in Qurum, Al Wallaj, 3 rooms, Majlis, dining room, kitchen, 3 bathrooms. Contact: 98044421

5 BHK villa at Mabela 7 for Rent. Contact: 99428221/ 99269912 A Bedroom along with separate bathroom available for rent for an Executive Bachelor in Al Khuwair (near Zawawi Mosque). Contact 92138451

1.2 BHK M.B.D. Contact: 92144045 1BHK Darsait I.S.D school R.O 225/Contact: 92144045 Furnished rooms attached bath for Indian bachelor Al Falaj area - Ruwi & for lady in Wadi Kabir near Mars Hypermarket Contact 96202458/96761960 Furnished office, accommodation available Walja. Contact: 96246625

Flat for Rent 1/2 BHK Flat at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from Corniche.Equipped with split unit ACs, internet points, free-to-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking. Rent RO.250/350 per month. Contact: 99229263; 93221054; 95215289 Studio in souk Al Khoud behind of Al Ahali bank with 2 BR toilet+ kitchen in 2 floor 160RO. Contact 99738881 Flats and shops for rent in Ruwi Honda road Mumtaz area. Contact: 97293708 /92433127 New flats for rent Darsait Al Sahel. Contact: 99311525 / 92533356 Villa with 5 rooms, two sitting rooms, 5 toilets and kitchen at Al Hail North. Contact: 91130875

1BHK new bldg with A/C curtains near Khimji mart MBD. Contact: 99061408 /99024039

2.3 BHK Ghobrah R.O 350/- / 400/-. Contact: 92144045

Flat for rent at Wadi Al Kabir next Al Hassan.co, 2 bedroom, 3 WS, 1 sitting room. Contact: 99210008

House in Al Khoud commercial district, 4rooms, Majlis, 2 kitchens, 3 bathrooms. Contact: 98044421

Shops in AL Amerat industrial area near shell station. Contact: 98044421

Single BHK ﬂat available in Honda road Ruwi. Contact - 24833972/ 24833974/99367448

Sohar: 3BHK AND 4BHK FLATS, R.O 200 and R.O 215 respectively. (New Building with CCTV camera with Split A/C). Contact: 99881426 / 92123699 600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact: 91214849/ 99364735 2 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33 1 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33 1 B/R Flat - Fully Furnished @ Salalah Near New Lulu. 2 B/R Flat - Fully Furnished American standard @ Salalah. 5 B/R Villa - Fully Furnished @ Madinat Al Ilam, 5 B/R Villa Unfurnished @ Madinat Al Ilam 5 B/R Villa - Unfurnished @ Al Mawalah North Brand New Please Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC. 24834888, 99249069 / 92888376 92888374 Email: info@alshahiintl.com For Rent Flats in Darsait 94051789-97201688 For Rent Flats in Ghala Heights 94051789-97201688 For Rent Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) 94051789-97201688 For Rent Flats in Wadi Kabir 94051789-97201688 For Rent flats in MuttrahContact – 94051789-97201688 Offices for Rent GalaContact –94051789-97201688

M O N DAY, N O V E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

HOME THEATER & KARAOKE BRING HOME - LIVE MUSIC & CINEMA GENERAL ELECTRONICS SERVICES LLC CONTACT: 99627299 / 93327841

FOR HIRE WITH OPERATORS 1. Back Hoe Loaders (Shovels): 5 Nos 2. 10 Tons Vibratory Roller Compactor: 1 No. 3. 42 Mtrs. Concrete Pump Putzmeister: 1 No. 4. 45 Cbm Tippers: 2 Nos 5. 50 M height, 50 Boom tower cranes: 5 Nos.

Please contact – Mr. Ravi on 96529679 Email – ravi@alliedoman.com / narayan@alliedoman.com

Running furniture showroom for urgent sale. Ladies beauty parlor ƐĂůĞ Ăƚ DƵƩ ƌĂŚ͘

CLASSES

Contact - 91135930

IELTS PREPARATION

FOR SALE

SHARED OFFICE SPACE

FOR RENT AVAILABLE SHARED FULLY FURNISHED OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT WITH SEPARATE ENTRANCE PRIME LOCATION IN AZAIBA. TOTAL AREA 201sq.m. FOR FUTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT ON

95621492/96554579 ACC. WANTED Sharing Accommodation Required for Non cooking Executive Lady in Darsait /Ruwi/Wadikabir. # 99360615

FOR RENT For Rent Duplex villa in Qurum 29- 94051789-97201688 For Rent Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud- 94051789-97201688

FOR SALE Building material and jotun paint shop for sale at Ruwi and Ghala. Contact: 99421228 Urgent shop sale in Wadi Kabir Sanaya. Contact: 95949668 Porta cabin for sale. Contact: 99883502/95398929 We have complete office furniture for sale very nice like new rare use. Contact: 93782735 93329476 Fully equipped running café for sale at Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 99636550 Coffee shop Mabela industrial area for sale. Contact: 92253080

Furnished room for non – cooking bachelor near Softy ice cream Ruwi. Contact: 93120054/91107383 Single room bathroom in Darsait R.O 140/-. Contact: 93289652

Large room with separate bathroom, sharing available in Al Khuwair. Contact - 95250161

Sale house & office furniture & electronic items. Contact : 99834373/ 96642500/22010080

For Rent Flats in Mawalah south-94051789-97201688

For Sale Luxury Apartments in Bousher (35) -Contact 9505680897201688 For sale Fully Furnished apartments in Bousher (35) Contact- 95056808-97201688 A running restaurant for sale near Oman oil petrol Pump Al Uqdah (Barka). Contact: 99059013

RESTAURANT/ CAFÉ

Sharing room available for family /executive bachelor, near Oman house. Contact: 96753740 Furnished rooms attached bath for Indian bachelor in Al Falaj Ruwi & lady in Wadi Kabir. Contact 96202458 /96761960 Single room for expat Indian bachelors near Al Aktham restaurant Al khuwair for RO 120. Water and electricity included. Contact : 98803261 Single bid room with attached bath, separate entrance, Honda road near NBO for ex bachelors. Contact: 91410434

92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

FOR SALE Ŷ ĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĨƵŶĐƟ ŽŶŝŶŐ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚͬ ĐĂĨĠ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ƐĂůĞ ŝŶ ƉƌŝŵĞ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ Ăƚ YƵƌƵŵ͘ tĞůů ʹĨƵƌŶŝƐŚĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚ ĨŽƌ ŝŶƐƚĂŶƚ ůĂƵŶĐŚ͘

WůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗

95126949

ACC. AVAILABLE

Beauty Salon for urgent sale in Azaiba prime location behind Al Fardan building. With sponsor and 1 staff and 1 ready visa clearance. Call: 95318629 / 95169411

For Rent Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum- 9405178997201688

2 BHK ﬂat available for rent in Darsait. Contact: 99357586

For sale villas in Al Khoud 95056808-97201688

Furnished sharing accommodation in ruwi near O.K. Center for non-cooking indian bachelor. Gsm 9880-5474

Ladies saloon with 2 staff for sale in Mawalah. Contact 94197589

For Rent Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah -94051789-97201688

Beauty parlor for sale Muttrah. Contact: 93142676

Running dental clinic in Quriyat for sale Contact: 96534564

For Rent offices in Qurum opposite city center- 9405178997201688

For Rent brand new villas in Al Ansab- 94051789-97201688

For sale 8 Apartments (Total area 850 SQM approximate) in “Bait Al Noor” occupying two full ﬂoors (7th and 8th ﬂoors). The building is opposite to GMC car showroom facing the main road (Sultan Qaboos Road). Excellent location for best visibility of signboard for any corporate. Contact 94194071 for details.

Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE

ACC. AVAILABLE Big room available near Hamriya R/A for Muslim couple / small family / Executive bachelor rent 150/- per month including W+ E. Contact : 99495131 1 Bedroom with attached Bath, fully furnished, separate entrance at Mabela for ladies only. Contact : 99634841

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 WEBSITE

IELTS & TOEFL Academic / General Target Band 8 TQT Institute. Ph # 24480800 / 99347202 Classes for bakery, cup cakes, icing decorations. Contact: 96202458 /96761960 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

COMPUTER

1 Bedroom with bathroom available for rent. Only Indian female. Contact - 92394614 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting room, Kitchen & store including utilities bills at Al hail. Contact 92817777 1BHK fully furnished spacious for rent CBD, ideal for family or two bachelors easy access to Main road near Sheraton hotel with all electronics & furniture. Contact: 96444400 /5pm -10pm Room with bath for executive bachelor near A/C ﬂat, hotel. Contact: 99643845

WEBSITE WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price. Contact: http//webviewoman

LOST Muhammad Jamil has lost Pakistan Passport No. CJ 8202691. Finder please handover to ROP

M O N DAY, N OV E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiďŹ eds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

REQUIRED A SUPERVISOR FĹ˝Ć&#x152; dĆ&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;ĹŻ Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ç&#x2021; Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; ĹľĹ?ĹśĹ?ĹľĆľĹľ Ďą Ç&#x2021;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć?Í&#x203A; Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ^Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?Í&#x2022; ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x; ĹśĹ? Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; dĹ?Ä?ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x; ĹśĹ?Í&#x2022; Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; KĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺś Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? >Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ?Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2022; /ĹśĆ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć? Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Ć?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ĺ?Ć&#x152; s Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝Í&#x2014;

ĹŠĹ˝Ä?Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ?Ç&#x2021;Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Î&#x203A;Ĺ?ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Ĺ˝Ĺľ

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team in Oman for the position of Chief Financial Officer. with at least 5 years experience in the relevant field for a group of companies associated with Petroleum, please apply, with confidence and send your C.V issa@nibrasholding.com Kevin.Dodd@OasisMaritimeServices.com

REQUIRED for a Contracting Co.

- Civil Engineer / Buildings (with not less than 5 years experience).

- Mechanical Engineer Email: haldun.yildirim@icc-oman.com A reputed Dairy Company in Oman is looking for following Vacancies.

REQUIRED for a Contracting Co.

Freelance Civil Engineer / QS Required for preparation of #"3 #&/%*/( SCHEDULE for completed project of approx. area 10,463 Sq. M, (' POMZ

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 97257060

WANTED

Van Salesman:

Civil Engineer (Building Construction) 2 Nos

3 Year experience with NOC

Qualification: BE in Civil Engineering

Drivers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Omani National Only:

Electro Mechanical Engineer (Building Services)1 No.

2 year experience with Valid Omani D/L

Debt collector: Omani National with 4 years experience with Valid Omani D/L Please forward your CVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to

Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ?Ç&#x2021;ĎŹĎľĎłÎ&#x203A;Ĺ?ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Ĺ˝Ĺľ

ADMIN Urgently required Admin / Accountant with minimum 4 years experience with valid Omani driving should be ďŹ&#x201A;uent in Ms Office applications and tally. Fax: 24564459 Email: mhca@mhabibgroup.com

ARCHITECT Engineering consultancy office looking for Architect with experience in Oman (portfolio needed) hr@touchcdc.com 96649374 99441122

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE We are looking for Chief Financial Officer, Male 40- 45 years old, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 - 15 yrs. of experience. Contact: +968 24702133 Email: admin-dept@daud.om

BEAUTY Branded salon in Muscat requires a beautician with skills of: Manicure, Pedicure, Nails techniques, Massage, Facial and waxing. Contact- 98500222

CATERING Urgently Required One General Cook (Experience in Indian/ Chinese) for Hotel Apartment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tel: 99797170 / Fax : 24490735 Email â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hotapaz@omantel.net.om

DRIVER Required locally available Indian national light duty driver for Omani House. Visa readily available. Contact: 99420752 Wanted heavy driver. Contact: 91770195 Heavy duty driver with valid driving license and experience. Contact: 94107090 or 95398929 Email: alkharusi.international@ gmail.com Wanted driver. Contact 91025698

DOMESTIC HELP Full time living House maid required for an Indian female in Al Ghobrah. Contact: 97084023 Need excellent cook & housekeeper. Contact Whatsapp: 95887572 Small Omani family in Muscat requires an educated House maid. Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 98500222 Urgently required a Kerala House maid for small family (2 members) aged around 40-45 visa available. Contact: 99324343

Qualification: BE in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

A group of well reputed Private Schools associated with Cambridge Programs in Muscat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sultanate of Oman Requires following teaching posts: WELL QUALIFIED TEACHERS for IGCSE & CIP for (English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, IT, lab assistant for Chemistry and Physics) - MSc / BSc and M.Ed / B.Ed with (IELTs / TOFEL) and at least 3 years of teaching experience with attested documents.

Mail your CV at: wps1986@yahoo.com VACANCIES FOR HEAVY DUTY TRUCK DRIVERS A excellent grade company is looking for heavy duty truck driver with valid driving license (Oman/ Dubai) Please send CV with copy of license. Fax: 24817276 Mob: 93728515 Email: pankaj@primetrading.co.om

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND WATER TREATMENT SPECIALIST Looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team in Oman for the position of â&#x20AC;&#x153;waste management and water treatment specialistâ&#x20AC;? with at least 5 years experience in the relevant field. And one in-house specialist issa@nibrasholding.com Kevin.dodd@oasismaritimeservices.com

Looking for Ç&#x2020;Ä&#x17E;Ä?ĆľĆ&#x; Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; ^Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;s and Sales Engineers

VACANCY

Oil Service Company is looking for

Finance Manager: HSE Manager & HR Specialist With relevant experience in oil industry.

Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;ĹľĹ˝Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2039;ĆľĹ?Ć&#x2030;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ć?Í&#x2022; Ä?Ć&#x152;ĆľÄ?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć?Í&#x2022; Ć&#x2039;ĆľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Î&#x2DC; ĹľĹ?ĹśĹ?ĹśĹ? Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x161;ĆľĆ?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021;Í&#x2DC; Email:

Send detailed resume to sskpvr@gmail.com

kirill.muromtsev@me.borets.com

ENGLISH TEACHERS WANTED IMMEDIATELY

DÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x; ĹśĹ? Í´ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄ&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? DÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÍ&#x2022; DÄ&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E; ÍžĎÍż

92325542 | 93657915 | 91321880 engominst@gmail.com

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH MEP Engineer with minimum ďŹ ve years PDO / ministry experience. Please send CV to info@globaltechinternational.com Contact: 99150203/91404425 Seeking a well experienced diploma Engineer (electrical) with valid Oman driving license kindly. Contact: 99288664 Engineering consultancy ďŹ rm in Sur looking for graduate Civil Engineers. Interested candidates apply to babupj@ gmail.com or call 99318205 Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com or call Ph:+968 99450811 Civil Engineer with minimum ďŹ ve years, PDO Experience, earth work and building construction (PDO driving license preferred. Please send CV to info@globaltechinternational.com Contact: 99150203/91404425

LAWYER Arab lawyer ďŹ&#x201A;uent in English with ďŹ ve years experience for law ďŹ rm. Contact: 92424593 Required urgently an Indian Legal Consultant /Lawyer for a reputed Law Firm in Muscat & Sohar. Candidates should have 5-7 years experience as Legal Consultant/Lawyer with good knowledge of Computer & should be ďŹ&#x201A;uent in English. Email C V to shejaanil66@gmail.com or contact 99153620 between 8am to 5.30pm

MEDICAL Wanted Lab Technician with MOH license for Ibra clinic. Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 99373493/ Email: jmjmedicare@gmail.com Wanted Nurse and Omani Receptionist for a well established dental centre in Mawalah South. Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 93431024/ Email â&#x20AC;&#x201C; drasyanaseem@gmail.com Urgently required Philipina Nurse with MOH license at prometric parsed. Contact: 99724013 Wanted GP Doctor with MOH license, job location in muscat with good salary and beniďŹ ts. Drop ur cv at careerhr1972@gmail.Com.

Contact:

applyinggchr@gmail.com

VACANCIES Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x; ĹśĹ? Ĺ˝Ä¨ ÍžĹŹĹ?Ć&#x161;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ?Í&#x2022; Ć?Ä&#x201A;ĹśĹ?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Ç Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Í&#x2022; Ä&#x161;Ĺ˝Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ć? Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ć&#x; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?ÍżÍ&#x2022; ĹśĹ˝Ć&#x161; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć? Ďą Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ĺ?ĆľĹŻÄ¨Í&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2021; ĆľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Ĺ?Ĺś ĹśĹ?ĹŻĹ?Ć?Ĺ&#x161;

WĆ&#x152;Ĺ˝Ä&#x161;ĆľÄ?Ć&#x; Ĺ˝Ĺś ĹśĹ?Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;

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Ĺ˝ĹśĆ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x161; Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻĆ? Ć&#x2030;Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝ĹśÄ&#x17E; Í&#x2014; ĎŽĎ°ĎĎŽĎąĎ°ĎŹĎ° Í&#x2022; Ä¨Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x2020; Í&#x2014; ĎŽĎ°ĎĎŽĎĎĎŻĎą e-mail : rgeorge@omantd.com ; atalibus@omantd.com MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Medical CARE Centre, Al Seeb, requires General Practitioners and Pharmacist, Please Mail CVsarita_h23@yahoo.com or call 97884856.

Required Aggressive Sales Executive with B.Com /BBA. Preference to bilingual applicants with experience in luxury products. Interested candidates please send CV to hena_82@hotmail.com

Required General Physician, Gynecology, Lab Technician & Pharmacists. Contact: 95133572 Email: kunoozghala@gmai.com Wanted Canary clinic MBBS Doctor with 3 years experience MOH license holder gets, Good offer salary. Contact 94395199 Email: canarymoh@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Urgently required for a reputed company in Oman (Tyre, Battery & Lubricant division) Sr. Executives/ Executive-5 nos (Sohar, Nizwa & Muscat), Techno Commercial Professional-5nos, Driver (Omani)-1no. Required minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same ďŹ eld with market exposure holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Kindly fwd your CVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to ashwin@taasintl.org Contact: (+968)93891700 Urgently required Omani Nationals P.R.O & Merchandiser cum driver & 3 Ton truck drivers. Please send your resume to foods@manappat.com Contact: 99348211/93203550 A reputed construction company in Muscat urgently requires the following candidates (Omani Nationals only) Civil Engineer & P.R.O & light duty driver. Send C.V to hr.azatllc@gmail.com or call 99344896 Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com or call Ph:+968 99450811

SECT. /OFFICE Personal Assistant, 5yrs experience in Oman or GCC. MBA or equivalent. Part-time preferred. Call 95364625.

Sales man / Interior Designer wanted for prestigious interior design and office furniture Supply Company. Experience and drivers license needed excellent remuneration package. Email: tony@materials-plus.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Experienced Female Senior Accountant looking for suitable alternative. Contact: 99849325 Sr. accountant M.com (ďŹ nance) 2 yrs in Oman seeking suitable placement NOC Available with immediate joining. Contact 92404608 Email: jin_75@rediffmuil.com Indain male Accountant, 8 years experience 4 years In dubai,4 yrs in Muscat. Additional knwoledge in JDE and Tally.9, NOC available ready to join immediately. Contact: 95364896 /92912347 Email: bsdv1978@gmail.com Indian male, 23 years, MBA ďŹ nance MNC 2 years experience in accounts, currently in Oman seeking for suitable position. Contact: Yahya Manager 96930855 Male Indian with 7 years experience in accounting & 6 years experience in sales and marketing very good knowledge of tally currently in Muscat on a visit visa. Contact: 96148427 Email: jijokurianp@gamil.com Indian lady, bachelor degree in Preparatory Programme (BPP) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), completed training course in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook from KTI looking for full time / part time job opportunity in Oman. Contact 92437568, 96795853, Email: linda_navs@yahoo.com

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Use the email -recruitment@aflaggroup.com

VACANCY 1. Service Administrator: A qualified Electro/Automobile/Electric Diploma holder with minimum 2 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience on deskjobs such as preparing quotation, supplier correspondence, warranty claims etc. Age between 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 30.

2. Accountant: A qualified B.Com/M.Com/C.A. Inter accountant with minimum 4 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in accounting with banking knowledge. Age between 25-30. Attractive Salary and terms Offered

Candidates with NOC or on visit visa can apply, please drop your CV at

careerhr1972@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian female, MBA HR & Finance, having 1 year experience, seeking suitable placement. Currently in Oman. Contact: 96052366. Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ ďŹ nance ďŹ eld. On visit visa. Immediately available. Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com 12 years of Oman experienced chief accountant looking for suitable position. Contact: 99513082 Accountant job wanted 8 years experience, 5 years in India, 3 years in Oman knowledge of tally ERP 9 NOC available. Contact: 91162503

ADMIN Senior HR , professional MBA , 12 yr GCC experience at managerial recruitment, administration , policy formulator working with a leading construction co (4000 plus employees) looking for a immediate change over , NOC available. Contact: 94017306 Email: saneesh9181@gmail.com 10 years Gulf & 4 years Oman experience in HR / Admin & logistics ďŹ&#x201A;uent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact 95824598 Male BBA graduate 5 years admin HR document controller purchaser account assistant (tally) experience NOC. Contact: 97015178

Indian male 9 years experienced in storekeeper cum accountant with D/L Oman & UAE. Contact: 97085435 Email: sudhimohd@gmail.com

MBA (HR & marketing) & B.Com, Indian male 28 yrs, 2 years exp in Qatar having Oman driving license, currently on family visa in Salalah (NOC available. Contact: 98138376 Email: subinabraham87@gmail.com

CA Final (Group I), Indian Female, Accountant, 5+ yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exp, in A/ Cs, Audit, Tally, ERPs. Available in Muscat & looking job in A/Cs. Ph:94704800 email id: vinithsavith@gmail.com

Indian female graduate over 6 years experience admin operations service looking for suitable job. Contact: 94231020

Accountant with more than 30 years experience in construction (experience in accounting/administration/HR/material management) and with own car seeks part time or full time assignment preferably in construction either in Oman or UAE. Contact 94674031 Chief Accountant 25 years experienced, for the last 7 years working as Chief Accountant seeks immediate placement. Contact: 95598477/98803439 ACCA affiliate, fresher, Indian male, valid driving license, looking for full time employment in Accounting and Finance, also open to other opportunities, Contact +968 91291520, Email: shahidazeez5@gmail.com Sr. Accountant ( CA- inter) Indian male 31 years having 9 years experience in ďŹ nance & accounts looking for suitable placement. NOC available and valid Oman D/L. Contact: 94108678 Email: vijeshvasu@gmail.com Finance controller 15 years experience in Oman contracting, consultancy, trading oil & gas tourism IT etc project ďŹ nancing feasibility ERP cost control. Contact: 98571309 28/ male MBA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ďŹ nance /B.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; accountant with 4 years of Dubai / India experience looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 90187483 Email: shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, ďŹ nance, banking, L/C, import, export & ďŹ nalization seeks placement. NOC Available. Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

Indian male - 25 years - MBA (HR & marketing) with one year experience on visit visa looking preferably for suitable HR/ ADMIN / marketing jobs .contact : Mr. Harish Ravindranathan / mail ID : payyazhihari1990@gmail.com / 90189964 Female Indian 9+ yrs experience in administration customer support office coordination with good computer skill now on visit visa looking for suitable openings. Contact: 99285440 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position. Contact - 99897280 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 26 yrs male, MBA, 3+ years experience in Administration in MNC, seeks suitable placement. Contact 95041201 Email: noyel55@gmail.com

ARCHITECT /AUTOCAD Interior Designer Experienced knows 3D max Photoshop: Contact 93837973 AutoCAD D/man Experienced. Contact : 93837973 Architect (B. Arch) 5 years experience seeking job. Contact 96146645 Email: anjuovil@gmail.com

DRIVER Indian male driver 3yrs experience seeking for suitable placemen. Contact: 93663493

M O N DAY, N O V E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DRIVER Experienced Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic Well knowledge of Oman Areas Seeking Suitable placement 97950869 2 years exp Light driver. Contact: 97132269 Light driver personal driving, office boy, driver visa required 10 yrs exp N.O.C ready. Contact: 96693290 Three years driving experience in Muscat language known English, Arabic, and Hindi, Bengali. Contact 97462781 Light duty driver looking for job. Contact: 98356230 Looking for driving job. Contact 98219182 Driver looking for job. Contact 91354803 Light driver, looking for job. Contact: 98372745/99090362 Light driver. Contact: 95084826 Looking for Job driving. Contact: 97418036 Driving with car, looking for job. Contact: 97095200 Driver with new car looking for job.contact: 95873286 Heavy duty driver (Exp 3years) seeking suitable job. Contact: 91372623 Driver (light & heavy duty) valid gulf /Indian) looking job. Contact: 95175192

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN 25 years male BA. English , Qualiﬁed as mast in digital animation having 5 yrs ex in character animation specialized Auto Desk mago and motion building software knowledge, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97917357 Professional architect 3ds max (interior, exterior) looking for private work. Contact: 96041201

EDUCATION American female Master’s TESOL 12 yrs teaching exp. EFL Curriculum Developer & Teacher Trainer. Professional Development Specialist & Educational Activity Coordinator. Available February 1st 2016. Email: dellacorte.esl@gmail.com Contact: 99630244 Indian female M.SC B.Ed, 3 years experience looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94420033 Email: binitathanki@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Sudanese female Electrical Engineer graduated with distinction excellent knowledge and interested in protection. Contact: 98133281 Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian male 29 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahmlktr@gamil.com Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975528 Mechanic Tractor Diesel Engines & Hydraulic, 25 years Experience in Multinational Companies. Contact - 91685048 Civil Engineer (4 years ) having total 5 years experience in building construction ( 2 years , 8 months in Oman) looking for suitable placement D/L available. Contact: 94450270

A result oriented professional ͘ ͘;DĞĐŚͿ͕ ϯϬн ǇĞĂƌƐ ĞǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ WƌŽũĞĐƚƐ͕ &ĂďƌŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ͕ Z Θ D ĂŶĚ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͘ ^ĞĞŬŝŶŐ ũŽď ĂƐ 'D͕ K͕ ŽƵŶƚƌǇ ,ĞĂĚ͘ EK Θ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďŝůŝƚǇ͘

WŚŽŶĞ ͗ нϵϭ ϵϳϳϯϴϮϴϲϲϯ͕ EŵĂŝů ͗ ũǀƉϮϵϭϯϲϳΛǇĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ

Well experienced team available to provide feasibility reports & business solutions, product development, risk management methods for startups, progressive, defunct operations. Creating of ERP modules. Contact - 93343251 (PDLO SUR¿ WRPDQ#JPDLO FRP

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Indian male, 29 years electrical engineer, having 5+ years of experience in oil / gas and construction ﬁeld (GCC) having valid GCC license too, looking for a preferable job. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani@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: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Structural Draughtsman having 10 years experience in engineering consultancies N.O.C available. Contact: 00968 97612846 Indian male 24, B.Tech electrical & electronics engineer and P.G. Diploma in automation & SCADA with 2 years experience Kerala electricity board, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95340253 /92914336 Email: seanjohnson176@gmail.com Indian male 21, B.Tech, Mech Engineering + quantity analyzer/ controller looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92914336/ 96585010 Email: deenjohnson94@gmail.com Indian male diploma civil engineer 13 years of professional experience in projects and operations, seeking suitable placement NOC available. Contact: 96328643/96234670 3 years Oman experienced young diploma civil engineer valued L/D with release. Contact: 91978472 Civil Site Supervisor for telecom tower projects across Oman. Send CV to fyjo@spec-link.com or call +968 9946 7227

M.Tech Civil, certificate attested, Indian, 18.8 year experience seeks suitable position. Contact: 98327311 Email: sen.pangode@gmail.com Civil Engineer 11 years experience in construction, having driving license & NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: shiblyrock@gmail.com B.E civil Engineer having 11 years experience with NOC looking for job. Contact: 95690780 Email: sadiq.asrar81@gmail.com Indian male 24, B.E. Civil Eng’g with 2 years experience as Structural Engineer looking for suitable job in Muscat. 97355352 Indian male 27yrs, mechanical engineer (energy engineering M.Tech & HVAC diploma) with 4 yrs experience on visit visa, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98791735 Email: anilengandiyur@gmail.com Indian male 25 years diploma in mechanical engineering having 2.5 years experience in piping fabrication, plumping and fire fighting knowledge in AutoCAD seeking suitable placement. Contact 92733482 Email: sonumm.m2@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects. Contact – 90164912 Engineer Mechanical (BR) Indian male, with NDT Level 2 (ASNT), works, 2 years above experience (as mechanical QC Engineer and SME Engineer) seeking suitable placement (on visit visa). Contact: 90249803 / 00919446048596 Email: naveenbasheer@gmail.com

7Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the ﬁeld of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598

Electrical Engineer 13 years experience HV/ LV in Oman 5 years, Oman valid D/L to NOC. Contact: + 0091- 9946570903 Email: shibualukka@gmail.com Ref: no-Oman 97095094

B.E .Mechanical & Production, Indian male with (QA / QC mechanical) 6 months exp as sales engineer, seeking suitable placement on visit visa. Contact: 94818333 / 99789512/ Email: fred61l@gmail.com

Indian female M.Tech in electronics Engg 2 yrs industrial exp in IT & robotics research seeking opportunities in academy or industry. Contact: 91306841,Email: mariaannajoseph@gmail.com

BSc Civil Engineer having 3 years experience with Construction Company seeking suitable placement. GSM-97409350. GIS Certiﬁed Pipeline Engineer with 3 years experience in diesel power plants and heavy industry. Contact: 93504812 Indian male (B.Tech mechanical) 1 year, experience in planning drawing, inspection, administration looking for suitable job. Contact: 94112207 Email: sabir49@gmail.com Male, Electrical Engineer, ages 53 yrs, working since 8 years in Oman. With a consultant, exp in drawing / MAS work inspections, post contract activities, with NOC & valid Oman D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 968 96243401 Email: sathyugk@yahoo.com B.E civil Engineer, 07 years experience in Oman having D/L, N.O.C available looking for a suitable position. Contact 95961336/93523507 Email: eyousuf04@yahoo.com B.E Electrical Engg with 5 yrs exp in Oman with D/L. Contact: 98425155 Email: rajeevkalaivanan@yahoo.com Hygiene Officer/QC, B.Tech Bio tech. HACCP LVL. 2 &3.Experienced in Food & water industry. 92940218

B.E Biomedical Engineer 5 years experience in the subﬁeld (hospital / company) looking for suitable placement. Contact 92084807 Email: bonnygeorge1005@gmail. com

Electrical Engineer, B-Tech, with 4 Yrs experience in India, 3 YEARS IN MRF and one year in KSEB. Available in Visit Visa looking for suitable Placement as an Engineer. Contact: 94741401 Email:sobinthomask05@gmail.com.

Civil Engineer B.E , 06 years experience in Oman having D/L seeking for a suitable position . Contact 95961336 Email: eyousuf04@yahoo.com

Indian 30 yrs B.E civil Engineer 8 year experience with Oman D/L & NOC available. Contact: 95962450 Email: solanki.ahmed@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Egyptian male B.S degree tourism & hotels (10 years experience) 2 in Oman in hotels management have Oman driving license looking for suitable job. Contact: 91695779 Email: bola.fahmi@gmail.com Dutch male qualiﬁed commercial pilot (Faa-ME-IR certiﬁed) is looking for job openings in middle east. rutjestom@outlook.com

IT Indian male B.Tech IT 3 years experience windows / Ulinux / network administration on visit visa. Contact: 93311963 Email: sajal035@gmail.com Experienced female D. Arch Engg seeking job AutoCAD (2D, 3D), 3D Max, and revit Photoshop. Contact: 98907341 Email: susuhu@gmail.com Female seeking job in graphic designing, admin, MS office Photoshop, CorelDraw, 3D Max. Contact: 94536117 Email: shaiumarba@gmail.com Female 26, B.E in computer science, having 4 years MNC experience as software developer, seeking suitable position in Muscat. Contact: 96784320 Email: preethasathya@yahoo.com Indian male B.Tech (E& C) MCSE, CCNA having 1.5 years of experience seeks job. Contact 99257702 mail: jithu.m.moolayil@gmail.com Age 28 years experience 2years & 8 month in IT accounting technical skill, java, J.S.P tally Peachtree M.S excel, SQL ,Working java programmer India , accountant , Dubai ,Qualiﬁcation MCA, B.C.A mathematic visit visa. Contact: 95673451

MISCELLANEOUS

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Indian male MC.A 2 years experience in software knowledge of Java ASP Net, network in techno park Kerala. Contact: 99210940

Indian female , M.com gradate , 7 years of experience in Oman in accounts administration , secretarial and sales coordination with valid Omani driving license, looking for a suitable placement. Gsm 95134495

Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/ Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/ COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470

Male 31 Years, IT 6 year’s online marketing experience in India seeks suitable placement. Contact-91175265 Net work Engineer with experience degree in computer science, CCNA, MCSA. Contact: 92346191 Indian female, MCA, Oracle & ACL certiﬁed, 5+ years of experience in Data Analysis, IT Administration, Accounting and Office Administration etc. holds valid Oman driving license, seeking suitable opening. Mob: 98579241.

MEDICAL An experienced Indian male GP with MOH license and NOC, looking for good placements in the capital areas only. Pl contact 96386388 Palestinian dentist looking for job in Muscat privet hospitals , polyclinics or dental centers – 15 yrs experience out Muscat at privet hospitals or polyclinics. Contact: 96951750 Male Nurse, Experienced, Pass Prometric (Oman) 93837973 Arabic male general practitioner with MOH license looking for a suitable placement in Muscat. Contact: 95618680

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male B.Com Graduate looking for job in admin sales or accountant with valid Oman driving license ready to join. Contact: 98093949 Indian female, 26, M.sc biotechnology now in family visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95210498/ 99850321/93093466 Omani national with bachelor in management looking for suitable placement please call: 91908052 or Email: saidoburndi257@yahoo.com

Purchase Officer with 8 years exp in Oman having D/L & NOC looking for urgently placement. Contact 96174564 email: azhar_5012@yahoo.co.in Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, omani d/l , seeks suitable placement. Gsm 9880-5474 24 years Indian female MSC Biotechnology 1 year exp.in clinical microbiology, worked in icrisat for project work as Trainee, looking for suitable job. Contact: 92619048 Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualiﬁed to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate. Contact: - 92385033 MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman. Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331 Manager MBA (Finance) 13+ yrs experience in Oman with knowledge of ﬁnance admin purchase logistics costing looking for suitable position with D/L. # 93826090 Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments& transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact :- 92385033

SALES / MARKETING 12 years of experience in Oman; marketing strategies & operations, logistics, government tenders, public relations & dealing with international companies -4 years of experience in UK, engineering CNC & industrial areas, have dual nationality, fluent in English & Arabic speaking and writing , (I can travel abroad easily without visa, for finalizing business or any other purpose). Contact: 94123939 07 years Dubai 02 years Oman experience in sales marketing MBA in marketing diploma in marketing with Dubai, Oman driving license studied in S.E.O online sales & marketing E-commerce looking for job. Contact: 97367321 Indian male MBA 7 yrs ex in sales & marketing with Omani D/L N.O.C available. Contact: 93431039 Indian male, 24, MB Marketing and HR, I year experience. On visit visa. Looking for suitable job. Contact 94014073 10 yrs exp in Oman in logistics/ purchase-have Oman D/L-looking for suitable placementcontact 96410767 email: harishkts@yahoo.com Indian male 25 age, MBA marketing (fresher) PGDM (HR) fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi looking for suitable job currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 97127799 Email: vijnvijioo@gmail.com Indian male 29 , BHM , 6 years overall 3 yrs in Oman in sales with D/L NOC available to join immediately. Contact: 92594055 Sales Engineer 5 years experience looking for a placement. Contact: 91411043

M O N DAY, N OV E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiﬁeds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SALES / MARKETING Sales Manager having 12 years experience M.B.A in sales & marketing having valid GCC driving license seeking suitable placement, NOC available. Contact: 98125226 Indian Male 32, MBA (Marketing & Finance) with 10 years experience in Marketing of Banking Products & Insurance Industry. Seeking for a Job in Oman. Contact: 93576980, 97750460 Email: senthil.cbe83@gmail.com Indian male MBA marketing 2 years Oman experience with valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable position NOC available. Contact: 91202335 Email: mrishad90@yahoo.com Marketing Executive/Merchandiser, Omani License, BA 8 years Experience in Multinational Groups. Contact 97601343

SKILLED / UNSKILLED 8 years exp body ﬁtter and electric welder. Contact: 93015630 Mason, SH / carpenter, steel ﬁtter gulf & Indian exp looking job. Contact: 95175192 Electrician, plumber (exp gulf / Indian) looking job. Contact 95175192

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male B.Eng. in IT, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male, 11 years exp. in accounting, knowledge in tally also. Looking for a part time job. Contact. 98983122 Manager / Working Partner. Indian M.Com with 20 years Dubai experience in media advertising industry, client service, marketing, production, gifts trading, branding with D/L. Contact -93031168 Indian male BE Electrical & electronics and pg in power systems (transmission & distribution) on visit, Seeking placement. Contact – 94669679 Email prsabarish@gmail.Com Sales & Marketing executive MBA with 3 years of experience looking for suitable placement. Contact: 91345727 Indian male 42, 20 years experience building material sales man sales manager seeks suitable placement NOC available. Contact: 97457331 Indian homeopathic doctor, 34 years, 8 years experience in medical industry, seeking job as insurance medical officer / heath care. Contact: 92428547 Email: ushus3@gmail.com Indian 32 years completed M.A. English, having three years experience in teaching filed searching for the suitable job. Contact: 99869535 Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com Accountant Indian male B.Com 15 years (8 years I Oman with valid Oman driving license) experience in accounts up to finalization NOC available. Contact: 94117616/ 91238272 Indian lady, B.com M.com (not completed) with tally and ms office skills, with 8 years experience in Oman in accounts up to finalization seeks suitable position. Contact: 93185841

MISCELLANEOUS Civil Engineer 2 years experience, major experience in Road work, Culverts and structure. Contact: 97427701 Female executive secretary with 29 years experience with financed services & top management & valid Omani D/L, seeks suitable placement. Contact: 96202458/96761960 BE electronics & instrumentation engineer, with one year of experience. Looking for suitable positions. On visit visa. Contact-99339306, e-mail: kannanr101@gmail.com Looking for a part time accounting & admin job. Contact 99196621. Indian (Kerala) Male, 32yrs, looking for a job as Accounts Assistant/ Cashier/ Salesman (indoor), having 5 yrs experience in Oman. Currently on Visit Visa. Contact-94410485, Email: visanthvijay@gmail.com Indian Male 33 yrs, BCA ,10 years experience(India & Oman) IT Support, System administrator/ supervisor looking for suitable Job. #95448561. Indian female accountant 5 years of experience in accounting tally, office coordination,And admin, currently on visit visa. seeking suitable placement Contact: 95684179 Indian male 23yr BA TTM (travel and tourism management) with advanced diploma in supply chain logistics and shipping management, exp in logistics (cha) seeking in suitable placement. currently on visit visa(oman) Contact;90291092 email: iyas.adhur@gmail.com Marketing or Business development-BSC in marketing 5 years of experience looking for suitable position. Contact (99522233) Indian male, 19 years oman exp. in purchase, material coordinator in building/pipe line 9yrs & factory production field 10yrs.good computer skills & D/L & with NOC. looking for suitable placement. mr.victor2015@hotmail.com Contact: 99008101 Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available. Contact 98803439 Indian male B.Eng. in IT, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male B.Eng. in IT, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/ Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian Males 32 years, Dip. In Hardware & Networking with 10 years of hands-on experience. Currently on visit visa seeking immediate placement in IT Support or relevant jobs. Good knowledge of Hardware & Networking. Contact: 9416 9341 / haripulikal@gmail.com Indian male, 19 years experience in purchase, material coordinator in building construction & factory production field, have good computer skills & driving license and NOC. Looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 99008101 Indian male accountant, 12 years experience, looking for a full time or part time job. Experience in tally also. Contact-98983122

Male Accountant Indian, B.com, 2 Year experience currently working in Oman. NOC available, doing accounts in Tally and Excel searching for suitable Job. Email: contactanand31@gmail.com / 91894487, 98789958 Electronics/Electrical/Instrumentation Design Engineer with 2+ years of experience, having a Bachelors Degree in Instrumentation Technology. Seeking for a job, currently on visit visa. Contact- 90142166 / Mail: aksafwan@gmail.com Indian Mechanical Engineer (16 Yrs Exp), Knowledgeable in Monitoring of workshop setup, Workshop run, Business Development, ISO certification, Quotation, Tender, Account verification, Sohar Area, Mb. 94215208’ Indian male, 27 BSC nurse 4.5 years experience in India. Pro metric passed with 61% Data flow processing, ACLS, BLS passed. Now on visit visa. Mob: 98926621, 94361049 e-mail: shemeermk@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, B-Tech, with 4 Yrs experience in India, 3 YEARS IN MRF and one year in KSEB. Available on Visit Visa. Contact: 94741401 :Email: sobinthomask05@gmail.com. Sudanese male...telecom engineer 11 yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing, management .Seeking suitable placement. Contact 91182027 31 years, Indian male PG in HR , with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking for a suitable placement(NOC Available). Contact me on 93488914, emailKaarthickshankar@gmail.com FEMALE SYRIAN ARCHITECT ,new graduate have good experience in architect programs, autocad 3d max ,sketch up , Photoshop ,sketch up, searching for a job full time or part time, for Contact : 97482871 Sales & Marketing/ Business Development Executive: - B.Tech. (Electrical & Electronics) MBA in marketing having 9 years of experience seeking a suitable position. Contact (97043494) Purchase & Stores In charge – Having continues 13 years experience in a single firm, looking for a placement. Contact 99627427, 96154564 Indian male 23 years old graduate with one year experience in Sales & Marketing with valid Oman driving license seeking suitable opportunities.(NOC available) Contact: +968 98240510 Gmail: affanahamed0@gmail.com Indian male, 29 years, B. Tech Electronics & Communication Eng. with 7 year’s experience seeking for a suitable placement, currently in UAE visit visa. Contact 00971 552513735 Email: rahul.rn198@gmail.com Indian male be electrical and pg in power systems (transmission & distribution) with one year experience on visit. Seeking placement contact – 94669679/ email prsabarish@gmail.com Sri Lankan male – 3.5 years experience as a site supervisor & Administration executive in Oman / 2 years experience as an HR executive with Oman driving license. (English/Arabic/Urdu)/ NOC available 97281617

SITUATION WANTED Marketing Coordinator, Indian, Advertising Agency experienced person with D/L seeks good opening. Contact 93031168 Sri Lankan male BSc (Physics) – 5 years experience as a site supervisor & Administration executive with Oman driving license. (English/Arabic/Urdu)/ NOC available 93214717 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT: Indian male, Graduate & CA Article ship completed. 18 Years of experience. Currently on visiting visa. seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97498809, 98569025, Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Male 25 years, B.E. Mechanical with CSWIP 3.1 and ASNT level 2, 3 yrs. of experience in QC in oil and gas industry. Currently working in Oman, NOC available. Contact 91262792. vignesh1503@yahoo.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments& transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact 92385033 Indian female dentist prometric cleared seeking suitable openings in Muscat.Contact 95585807, 92880267 Indian male 23yr BA TTM(Travel and Tourism Management) with Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Logisitics and Shipping Management, exp in Logisitics (CHA) seeking in suitable placement, currently on visit visa(Oman) Contact;90291092 email:iyas.adhur@gmail.com Indian Electrical Engineer B. Tech, female 24 seeking job. presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects. Contact 96897436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com B.Tech (Electrical & Electronic) with MBA in marketing having 9 years of experience seeking a suitable position as Sales & Marketing/Business Development executive. Contact-(97043494)

Indian male, B.E. mechanical, 16 yrs experience, for Quotation, Tender, Accounts, Business development, Sohar Area, Part Time. Mb. 94215208 Digital marketing / ad words/ analytics / SEO expert, exp 5 yrs (male) certiﬁed) , (visit visa). Contact: 93594114 (visit visa). Email: abeyre@gmail.com Hotel exp 4 years F+ B (service) visit visa expires 13/11/2015, B.A Hotel Management. Contact: 91987013 / 96971643 Email: shinekls34@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.Tech with Iosh, Nebosh certiﬁcation having valid Omani driving license looking for suitable job. Contact: 93631625 Mechanical Engineer (UK), 28 years, male having 3.5 years experience, looking for suitable placement with valid Oman driving license NOC available. Immediate availability Contact: +968 97612297 Email: ymirza11@caledonian.ac.uk BE Mechanical Engineer, 23 years, Indian male on visit available for immediate placement please contact: 96145820 or arunsankar.10.92@gmail.com

Young 24 yrs, ACCA affiliate , advanced diploma in Accounting business, seeking suitable placement in accounts finance or audit with valid driving license. Contact 92430152 Email: rau_day@yahoo.com Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95149624 MALE ACCOUNTANT, age 25 years, ACCA UK finalist with 4 years experience in accounting & audit in Pakistan, now in Muscat on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact 90197029, muzammalhafiz16@gmail.com Indian male 23yr BA TTM(Travel and Tourism Management) with Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Logisitics and Shipping Management, exp in Logisitics (CHA) seeking in suitable placement, currently on visit visa(Oman) contact;90291092 email:iyas.adhur@gmail.com

Sales/marketing, Indian male 35, years, having13 years experience, in that 6 years experience of KSA seeks for suitable placement, on visit visa contact: 95954786, Email:syedhameeduddin16@ gmail.com

Senior Accountant ,NOC avaliable,5yr.exp.in oman, Accounting upto ﬁnalisation, computer skills tally9, Sage ERP accpac 500(6.0A), Vcams , Audit ,valid oman driving licence, languages known english , arabic, hindi. can join immediately. Tel: (+968) 96339599, E-mail(ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com)

9 years experience in construction Purchase seeking suitable placement immediately, NOC available. Contact: 97332401

Part time accountant, senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, up to ﬁnalization. contact.95254864

Sudanese / civil engineering Diploma / 5 years experience / deal with most popular computer programs / good in English / ﬂuent in Arabic. Contact: 96995670

Indian Diploma Engineer, NEBOSH Qualiﬁed with valid oman D/L, Seeks placement in HSE. Contact: 97066980

Accountant , Indian (Kerala) male, more than 09 years experience in Qatar (02 years) and New Delhi experience upto ﬁnalization of Accounts & expertise in using Tally ERP-9, MS Office (Word & Excel). Currently on visit visa, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97864890 / 97268429 Email: vinodthomas80@gmail.com

GOOD NEWS FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com

M O N DAY, N O V E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

RENT A CAR

Best Rates for Saloon. Tel: 99826300 / 97869042, rentacar@modernreem.com

TRANSPORTATION

MANPOWER

Muttrah to Bausher. Contact: 99022790/24712088 Transportation. Contact: 96538078 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation. Contact: 95190627 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba. Contact: 91103909

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

MANPOWER dŝůĞ DĂƐŽŶƐ͕ DĂƐŽŶƐ͕ ůĞĐƚƌŝĐŝĂŶƐ͕ WůƵŵďĞƌƐ͕ &ĂůƐĞ ĞŝůŝŶŐ ͬ 'ǇƉƐƵŵ tŽƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ ĂƌƉĞŶƚĞƌƐ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĚ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞůǇ ŽŶ >ĂďŽƌ ƐƵƉƉůǇ ďĂƐŝƐ͘ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ƉĂƌƟ ĞƐ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ

SERVICES

GSM: 96775023 / 96775024

tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽǇƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020

MATRIMONIAL 27 years Kerala boy, Hindu Ezhava (Atham) diploma holder working in Oman seeking suitable alliance. Contact: 95606132 Ezhava divorcee, 37, 5.3”, pharmacist in Muscat. Contact - suryakv2010@gmail. com,+919961176066 35 years Bombay based Sunni Muslim divorcee girl (Degree holder) seeking alliance. Contact: 92886145 Indian male christian 40yrs. working in muscat.looking for life partner.divorced or single. Contact :91429811 Keralite R.C. Boy, 30yrs, 161cm, MBA (Finance) Working in Oman seeking suitable alliance. Contact: 92290247 / 97302978 35 Christian male, LLB, working as project executive divorce. Contact: 97413778

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street Azaiba. Contact: 99639695 / 98342990 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

NRI royal castles

vakathanam, kottayam Luxurious villas in a Gated community with all the modern facili es at Vakathanam By-Pass (MC road-NH 220) Web: www.royalcastles.in email: info@royalcastles.in +968 92855909, +91 9961 11 9988

Plot with three BHK in Calicut city, Kerala for details. Contact: 99735584 Plot, propeties for sale in prime location in pune 95272138,(+918390982975)

MV SALE

House shifting & transporting. Contact 92490422

Cat – D8K, Model 1985, Scania water tanker, model 1993, Mitsubishi bus s28 seat, Model 2003, Hamm roller, model 2003. Contact: 99207592 & 99882570

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807

BMW 318/ 2003 for sale. Contact 96364990

Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

Ford focus, automatic, 2010 model, silver colour, expat driven, 58000 kms, dealer serviced, registration till sep 2016, price ro 2750. Contact- 93207590

DRIVING

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact: 93769089 / 95323517

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chaﬁng Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

Available on rent 2 Bedroom furnished ﬂat in Koregaon Park, Pune and Maharashtra, India. Contact 99374187. 2BHK 1100SQMT ﬂat with 300 SQMT Terrace allotted parking with luxury amenities for sale in Dona Paula Panjim Goa Indian price 95 lakes. Contact: 0091-9823674576 / 00968- 97488872

Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact: 96236476

Learn driving with professional. Contact: 94022250

Available office space in Prime location on 18th November Street, Azaiba Kindly. Contact: 99288664

Cleaning & carpet shampooing, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99884591 Pest control treatments. Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 House shifting. Contact: 99657644/98518013 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722 Water prooﬁng ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

A/C maintenance, installation spilt A.C and maintenance window A/C and ducted and package the reunites. Contact: Asad Abbas 98667326 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Cleaning Sofa shampoo carpet shampoo house. Contact: 92179395 Debt collection services your money we collect value commercial services. Fax: 0096824783669 Contact: 009682479815 /00968- 24701422 /00968- 94665476 Email: salim@valuedbtcollection.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. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064 A/C Maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing. Contact: 99447257 /97014234 / 24504281

M O N DAY, N OV E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiﬁeds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

ABDULHAKIM AL BIMANI TRADING & CONTRACTOR Expert in Shipping cargo by sea & air to Zanzibar, Pemba, Dar es Salam in Tanzania, Burundi, The Philippines, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Reasonable price.

Contact: 97440625/95416662 Email: abdulhakimalbimani@hotmail.com

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