Times of Oman - March 31, 2016

THURSDAY March 31, 2016 22 Jumada Al Thani 1437 AH

6 085010 120010 FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the Graduation of the 1st group of students from the Sultan Qaboos University, 1990

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ Over the years education has increased in quality and quantity. School and pupil numbers have increased many times over and there are several educational levels available. In addition to primary, preparatory, secondary and higher education, several streams and specialisations are also available to meet development needs.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 33

| 40 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

O N S AT U R D AY

Final horse race of season BARKA: Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini Al Said will patronise on Saturday over the final race of the local horse racing season 2015-2016.

The race will be organised by the Royal Horse Racing Club at Al Rahba Racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka. >A5

Passengers ‘won’t pay’ new fee, vows Oman Air REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com

National carrier has assured passengers that it will not off-set air traffic fee hike by increasing fares

MUSCAT: Oman Air has vowed not to pass the cost of a new fee, introduced by authorities ‘without formal consultation’ it says, on to passengers.

Oman’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) announced it was increasing its air traffic fee from April 1 in a move to boost

authority’s revenue by more than 25 per cent.

The authority’s chief executive officer Mohammed Al Zaabi tweeted the same on his official twitter handle last week, but the move has not been welcomed in all corners of the aviation industry, coming on the heels of a recent hike in the airport departure tax.

However, Oman Air has told passengers it will shoulder the

burden of the new cost not them.

“The national carrier will not pass this fee rise to the passengers due to the competitive pricing in the region by other Gulf carriers.

And due to the commitment to stimulate travel to Oman, Oman Air will not off-set these imposed increases by adjusting the fares upwards,” the spokesperson told Times of Oman.

“Any increase from the Authori-

ties applies automatically and fully for the national carrier. No exemptions are made for the national airline,” he said.

“Oman Air respects the increases and will comply accordingly, even though such increases, which are imposed without formal consultation, could affect development of the logistic industry,” the Oman Air spokesperson further added. >A6

MORNING MINUTE M92 FUEL TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

Oman weighs new grade of petrol

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Infiltrator killed REJIMON K FAHAD/AL GHADANI

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An infiltrator was killed in accident when the vehicle overturned near Buraimi. >A3

reji@timesofoman.com fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: One of the largest oil companies in Oman is considering introducing a new grade of Octane petrol in the market, which will fall between regular and super at the

REGION

EgyptAir hijacker

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Egypt has asked Cyprus to hand over the hijacker of its passenger plane. >A8

BUSINESS

Ominvest signs deal

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Ominvest and partners sign deal to buy Oman Arab Bank arm. >B1

Strong response at Big Show event

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I B R I - FA H U D R O A D A C C I D E N T

Move initiated to question minister over major accident

ON SPOT INSPECTION: The accident site on the morning of March 1. – Times file picture

FAHAD AL GHADANI REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A horrific crash, which claimed 18 lives, has led the Majlis Al Shura to initiate a move to question the Minister of Transport and Communications on traffic safety concerns on the Ibri-Fahud road, the Shura member from Ibri has said.

The accident on the morning of March 1 happened as a bus going to Dubai from Salalah and a truck going to Salalah from Dubai crashed into each other.

“Following the accident, a meeting was held with the minister. Now, we have initiated a move to question him. Shura has approved the move.

“It will be conveyed to the ministry soon,” Shaham Al Shahoomi, the Shura member from Ibri, told Times of Oman.

In a response to the accident, Majlis Al Shura had held a meeting with the ministry to address

Shaukat Hassan. – Times file picture

the issue and a team was formed to study the issues relating to the road and come out with a report to find quick solutions.

The suggestions from Shura members included better maintenance of the road, proper lighting arrangements and earmarking a wider area for shoulders along the 214-kilometre road.

Using Fahud-Ibri road saves almost 56km and around 30 min-

utes for time for motorists travelling between Ibri and Dhofar.

This encourages people to avoid the Adam-Nizwa-Thumrait road.

Shaukat Hassan, the driver of ill-fated bus – one of the vehicles involved in the accident – says he is struggling to survive both physically and financially.

“I am literally stranded. With paralysed right hand, the day to day life has become a big hurdle.

There is no money to buy food also,” Shaukat, who is the sole bread-winner of his four-member family, told Times of Oman.

“I have been advised by medic to take rest for one month. That accident was a big blow to me and my family,” Shaukat added, while claiming he has not been contacted for compensation so far.

“I have to visit hospital frequently. We are staying in a rented flat. My children are studying.

I am not fit to go for a job at this stage. Finding money to pay for taxi to visit hospital too has become a big challenge now,” Shaukat further said. >A6

pumps. “We are currently studying the possibility of introducing the M92 fuel in Oman. We see a demand for it in the market,” Hilal Al Hinai, general manager of Orpic, a government-owned oil company in Oman, said.

The M92 fuel will have the quality and price that is between the present M90 (regular) and M95

(super grade). On Tuesday, Ahmed Al Haddabi, vice-chairman of the Shura economic panel, also confirmed that Orpic is evaluating the introduction of M92 fuel in Oman.

“Most of the vehicles in Oman require M92. However, as it’s not available, motorists go for M95 and some compromise with M90,” Orpic’s Al Hinai said. >A6

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

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Our ultimate goal is to try and create a smooth link between the graduates and the labour market Fatma Al Hajri, director general of MoHE’s Graduate Survey Department

Survey to focus on labour needs of private sector Initial indicators from last year’s graduate survey also addressed a number of other issues, such as evaluating the quality of higher education institutions, mode of study and services, transition between universities and the workplace.

“Our ultimate goal is to try and create a smooth link between the graduates and the labour market.

We try to understand the needs to the labour market, qualifications and specialisations that they need from the graduates, we also figure out if there are any courses that we are not offering, the skills that our graduates are lacking and related things,” Al Hajri stated.

Results of the Ministry of Higher Education employer survey will be used to enhance planning in higher education

DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) has started working on an employer’s survey, which will help the graduates in Oman to become more employable, and help private sector companies in finding the right candidates, according to a top official at the ministry.

After conducting the graduate survey last year, which indicated that 66.6 per cent of the graduates are employed by government organisations, 33 per cent started work with the private sector and 0.4 per cent of them started their own businesses, the ministry has now shifted its focus to the private sector companies to find out the needs of the labour market.

The graduate survey was open to students of all nationalities studying in both government and private institutions in the Sultanate. Besides this, it also targeted Omani graduates from universities abroad.

Due to the low percentage of graduates joining the private sector, it was important for the ministry to focus on the sector to find out

We try to understand the needs to the labour market, qualifications and specialisations that they need from the graduates Fatma Al Hajri director general of MoHE’s Graduate Survey Department

the factors for low employability levels of graduates, said Fatma Al Hajri, director general of MoHE’s Graduate Survey Department.

“We are targeting 4,000 big private firms, which have the ability to hire our graduates, the criteria was to go for firms that are classified by the Ministry of Manpower from the first to the consultancy level.”

Factors The employee survey, which is targeted at human resources managers and chief executive officers, will also address the factors that private sector companies take into account while looking for suitable employees. “Is it the grade point averages (GPAs), or other accomplishments, or training and activities that the companies are looking for?”

Currently, the survey is in the initial stage and is expected to get over by the end of April, after which it will be analysed and results will be announced.

“We will use the survey results to enhance planning in higher education, and the results will be shared with entities that plan the higher education process, institutions, graduates, supreme council of planning. Sometimes we go to schools and try to raise awareness about the most employed majors,” she said.

Once the survey is over, recommendations and indications will be given to the ministry about what is happening the labour market.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

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Petrol, diesel prices talk of town as April 1 hike date draws close New fuel prices are going to come into effect from April 1 (Friday). According to the new prices communicated to fuel companies in Oman by the ministry, petrol and diesel are to cost more than what they used to cost in March.

The revised price of regular petrol (M90) will be 145 baisas per litre, super graded (M95) 158 baisas and diesel 163 baisas, as per the communication sent by the ministry. Times of Oman asked a number of motorists what they think of this step and how it affects their budget. While some said that it will not affect them at all, others said that they it will hit them badly.

Text Eric Prins, Pictures OK Mohammed Ali

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PEOPLE

Haj application date Pilgrims can register

2016 FUEL PRICES

online from April 10

All grades of fuel will be costlier from April 1. In baisas per liter Before Jan 15

Jan 15

Feb 1

Mar 1

DIESEL 160 SUPER

Apr 1

TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com

163

160

158 153 150

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Ahmad Al Zadjali, 48, from Oman and a PR director, said he is not much affected. “The increase is very little, so I don’t feel very much affected. I think the prices are now fitting.”

MUSCAT: Omani pilgrims intending to travel to Haj can register their application at www.hajj. om from April 10 till 24, the Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs said in a statement.

“Registration can be done in three ways, either by manually entering the civil identification number, scanning the ID by using a B I L AT E R A L T R A D E

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Pact signed with UK firm at Duqm port

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REGULAR Graphics

Hari Menon, executive secretary from India, said that the hike in petrol prices creates a chain reaction, leading to higher commodity prices as well as increasing transport and trucking costs. “Indirectly, everything is affected. School bus charges will also go up, which will affect us. It affects the business as well.”

Khamis Al Busafi, 30, taxi driver, said he is not happy with the new petrol prices. He said that taxi drivers are affected the most, since they drive all day, whereas many others only drive from office to their homes. “It is not fitting. Omanis have limited income. My monthly fuel bill is rising and that affects our prices. This makes it difficult to get passengers. Many customers ask us why our prices have increased. We tell them again that our petrol costs has increased.”

Said Al Mahrooqi, from Oman and working as a supervisor in the oil industry, said that life has become expensive.

“It’s very expensive. Everything is going up. Taxis for example, are very expensive. When you ask them why, they say it is because of the higher petrol prices. It is the same with shops.”He said that people with bigger cars will be affected the most. “Anyone with a 6or 8-cylinder car, will have a problem, but 4-cylinder is not a problem.”

Daniel Oliver, 34, from India and working as technical engineer, said that ultimately, there is no choice but to increase petrol prices. “There is no choice left for the government. It’s increasing everywhere, in the UAE for example. Me personally, I’m setting aside twenty percent more for more my personal travels. I have to cut costs in some way and spend it on petrol. If I have to work here, then I have to find my way to live on a budget.”

Syed Abdul Majid, from India, responding to the news that there are no plans to cap fuel prices even if oil prices recover, said that petrol prices will have to go down, once the oil prices recover. “It affects my daily expenses a little bit. But the common man is suffering from the [ hike in] petrol prices. Once the oil prices will go up, they should reduce the fuel prices as well.”

Jacob Palamootil, 43 and a training manager from India, said that he will need to find more money to support his family.[909] “It affects everyone.

Fuel prices going up is not a good sign. Definitely inflation will go up, which will impact the economy and the lives of normal people. When fuel prices go up, I need to find more money to support my family or to buy my daily bread.”

Ahmed Al Mahrooqi, 23, an instrument engineer from Oman, said he is not much affected by increased petrol prices, but hopes this will be the last hike. “It does not affect me much, because it does not change so much. The increase is little and I think it’s OK right now. But I hope it will not increase anymore, because the income of Omani people is limited and many go to their hometowns in the weekend.”

Mohammed Khairy, a 27-year-old sales promoter, said he plans to buy a smaller car due to the hike in petrol prices. “My income will be less, but I also need to save money. I now have a 6-cylinder car, but now I will change it to a smaller 4-cilinder car.”

Ligesh T., a manager from India, said that life will be “tougher” keeping in mind the effect of the hike in petrol prices on the prices of other products and services. “It will definitely increase the price of all items and other costs. Life will be tougher.”

Ajay K.V., 45, from India, said that, although it affects him personally, due to a higher fuel bill as well as higher commodity prices, he does not see any problem in a further increase in fuel prices. “It will affect me personally as well, but we have to live by it,” he said.

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MUSCAT: Yahya bin Said Al Jabri, Board Chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) on Wednesday received Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for Defence in the UK and his accompanying delegation, currently visiting the Sultanate.

On the sidelines of the meeting, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Oman DryDock Company (ODC) and Babcock International Group. It aims at providing expertise and technical support in maintaining vessels and military fleets.

The two sides reviewed the bilateral relations between the Sultanate and UK, and issues of mutual interest for the two friendly countries. In addition, the two sides also discussed the role that could be played by such cordial visits in promoting the collaboration between the two countries. — ONA

card reader which uses the PKI encryption system or by entering the mobile phone number which uses PKI encryption for identification,” said the statement.

People will also be able to register through Sanad office and Departments of Endowment and Religious Affairs in all Governorates.

Male must register first, followed by females to ensure the availability of their chosen guardian in the system. The responsible authority will accept the registration through ID numbers given that the card is active for a minimum of 10 months and the passport is active for a minimum of 10 months as well.

“Haj performers must be at least 18 years of age and must provide all the documents necessary for the

Haj when the ministry asks for it,” said the statement.

“Registering for the holy pilgrimage doesn’t guarantee a spot for everyone as the ministry needs to approve priorities and give an opportunity to those who have not performed the Haj before. The ministry will directly and officially contact the persons involved in either cases,” the statement added.

The ministry will take a limited number of people to Mecca for the Haj according to the quota fixed

by Saudi Arabian authorities for Oman. Those who have been given a place to travel to Mecca will be notified by text messages. “The ministry reserves the right to deny any applicant who does not provide the correct information during registration,” said the statement.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

OMAN Shaheen Air to launch flights from Muscat to Islamabad on April 5 SHAHZAD RAZA

shahzad@timesofoman.com

The maiden flight to Islamabad from Muscat will mark a significant milestone for enhancing such ties and also benefit the Pakistani diaspora residing in Oman

MUSCAT: Pakistani expatriates in Oman, a large community, will have more options to fly to the country’s capital as Shaheen Air International launches its maiden weekly flight to Islamabad from Tuesday, April 5.

“Shaheen Air is looking to expand its operations in Oman as part of its growth strategy outlined for the Sultanate,” said Huzaifa Halai, manager, Oman, Shaheen Air. The airline is likely to start a weekly flight to Karachi in the near future.

Having started its operations in 1993 as the first private airline in Pakistan, Shaheen Air currently operates flights to more than 12 in-

The flight NL778 will leave Islamabad every Monday at 12.30 pm and arrive in Muscat at 14.45 pm, while it will depart from Muscat every Tuesday at 7 am and arrive at Islamabad at 10.45 am ternational destinations.

The flight NL778 will leave Islamabad every Monday at 12.30 pm and arrive in Muscat at 14.45 pm, while it will depart from Muscat every Tuesday at 7 am and arrive at Islamabad at 10.45 am, making it very convenient for pas-

sengers who need to travel by road to the interior cities.

“There is an overwhelming demand for travel between Oman and Pakistan due to the existence of strong relations between the two countries. The maiden flight to Islamabad from Muscat will

EVENT

mark a significant milestone for enhancing such ties and also benefit the Pakistani diaspora residing in Oman,” said Halai.

“Expanding operations on the Oman-Pakistan route is in line with Shaheen Air’s growth strategy outlined for Oman,” he added.

The airline will be the first to operate an Airbus A330-200 aircraft on this route. With the launch of the new flight, Shaheen Air will have a total of six flights weekly between Muscat and Pakistan. This includes tri-weekly flights to Lahore, and one weekly flight to Sialkot and Peshawar, respectively.

Shaheen Air also launched services on the Islamabad-Manchester route recently and has further plans to expand its wings to a new destination soon. The airline has also upgraded its equipment on the Muscat-Lahore route to an A330200 for every Monday departures, Huzaifa further elaborated.

National Travel & Tourism is the General Sales Agent of Shaheen Air in Oman and its office is located in Wattayah.

CRIME

Opportunities in Oman showcased Infiltrators’ vehicle and explore the possibilities it offers. He also thanked Indian companies for accepting the invitation of the Embassy to participate in the B2B meeting on Wednesday.

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A seminar for Indian companies was organised by the Indian Embassy in the Sultanate on Wednesday, showcasing opportunities in different sectors in Oman.

The seminar was held under the patronage of Said bin Saleh Al Kiyumi, chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. According to the Indian Ambassador to the Sultanate, India and Oman have significant business potentials.

“The Embassy is making efforts to direct investments in Oman and India because we believe there is a huge potential that is untapped between these countries,” Indian Ambassador Indiramani Pandey said.

“Both countries have very good relations and our political relationship is exceptional, which we describe as a strategic partner-

SHARING INFORMATION: The seminar was held under the patronage of Said bin Saleh Al Kiyumi, chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. – OK Mohammed Ali

ship,” he added. According to Pandey, Oman’s and India’s cooperation in various areas are doing well and the relation is growing.

The Ambassador also offered Omani companies assistance, noting that the Embassy will help

them as they seek to conduct business in India. “We are here to guide you regarding the infrastructure that you need for your investment,” he asserted.

He also asked companies to keep in touch with the Omani market

Expertise shared Experts from different sectors, including the food industry, information technology, and construction and infrastructure, shared their expertise during a Powerpoint presentation about the Omani market. Also, Ranjit Edward from the Al Hajiry group discussed his experience in the information, communication and technology fields in Oman. Additionally, Salim Al Abdali, Business Development Manager of Oman Food Investment Holding Co,reviewed investment opportunities in Oman.

Further, C.R Lakshman, CFO of Larsen and Tourbo Oman LLC,outlined the opportunities and scope of the construction and infrastructure fields in Oman.

MAJLIS AL SHURA

Panel discusses anti-money laundering law Times News Service MUSCAT: A Majlis Al Shura panel discussed the draft anti-money laundering law yesterday.

The draft law on anti-money laundering and combating terrorism funding has been referred to the Legal Committee of the Majlis Al Shura has been holding discus-

sions on referred to it by the Council of Ministers. During the meeting, the draft law was discussed with a number of specialists from the National Commission for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Finance of Terrorism.

The specialists included His Highness Sayyid Murwan bin Turki Al Said, Chairman of the

National Commission for AntiMoney Laundering and Combating Finance of Terrorism; Sheikh Khamis bin Salim Al Khalili assistant public prosecutor and member of the technical committee and Sheikh Sultan bin Mattar Al Azizi member of technical committee.

Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Zedjali, Chairman of the Le-

gal Committee of Majlis Al Shura chaired the meeting. A team was formed to review all the laws related to this law. The members of the Legal Committee of the Majlis Al Shura were briefed by the guests on the draft law which is expected to be discussed during the meetings of the Majlis Al Shura during the first week of April.

overturns, 1 killed Times News Service BURAIMI: A vehicle transporting infiltrators from Wilayat Suwaiq to Wilayat Buraimi overturned, resulted in the death of one infiltrator and injuries for the rest.

An Omani national was arrested after fleeing the scene of the accident near a farm while the injured were sent to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.

According to a senior official with the North Al Batinah Royal Oman Police, investigators had received reports that an expatriate was coordinating with an Omani for transporting the infiltrators, who arrived by sea in North Al Batina, to Buraimi.

Officers monitored the Omani driver as he met with the infiltrators and tried transporting them hastily, which had led to the accident.

Officers also found one infiltrator in possession of hashish.

Drug dealers arrested An African national was arrested by the Directorate of Narcotics Control for possession, peddling and abuse of narcotics in Wilayat Seeb.

Fifty nine capsules of morphine weighing 685 grams were seized from the suspect.

Similarly, in South Al Batinah, an Asian national was arrested for possession, peddling and abuse of narcotics in the Wilayat

Royal Oman Police officers also found that one of the infiltrators was in possession of hashish Barka. He was in possession of 28,000 capsules of a psychotropic substance.

Three arrested for robbery The Directorate General of Inquiry and Investigations has arrested three Omani citizens for robbery in Wilayat Suwaiq, said a senior official at the Royal Oman Police.

The official said the suspects would offer victims a ride to their destination only to divert from the route to a location obscured from public view before abusing and harming the victims, as well as stealing their money and phones, after which the accused would leave them at the scene of the crime and flee.

One of the suspects confessed to stealing eight car tires from a tire shop.

Upon investigation, officers found that the tires used on cars for criminal operations matched those reported missing.

The three suspects have been referred to the public prosecution to continue procedures against them and present them in court.

TRADE PROMOTION

Ithraa receives delegation from Brunei MUSCAT: Dr Salim bin Nasser Al Ismaili, Chairman of the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa) on Wednesday received Dato Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Brunei Darussalam within the framework of his current visit to attend the 16th consultative meeting between the Sultanate and Brunei Darussalam.

The two sides reviewed the bilateral relations in economic and investment areas. They also discussed means of developing such relations during the upcoming stage within the efforts being exerted by Ithraa in attracting investment and developing Omani non-oil exports.

Dr Al Ismaili highlighted Ithraa role as part of its endeavors in enriching the economy through diversifying sources of income, improving the state trade balance and finding new markets for the Omani non-oil exports, in addition to alluring foreign investments and setting up projects to serve Oman, thus contributing in finding new job opportunities. Brunei Darussalam is considered an emerging market that enjoys many opportunities that can be utilised.

The guest expressed his pride and that of his accompanying delegation over this visit due to its positive outcomes. — ONA

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

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AL RAHBA RACECOURSE

< FROM

Final horse

A1 race of

season The race will include five rounds. Four rounds will be allocated for pure Arabian horses and one round for thoroughbred horses. The Royal Horse Racing Club will also organise horse race on Friday at Al Rahba Racecourse with participation of as more as 140 horses.

The race will include nine rounds as three rounds will be allocated for thoroughbred horses and six rounds for pure Arabian horses. — ONA VA C C I N E M A N A G E M E N T

Oman tops in global ranking MUSCAT: Oman, represented by the Health Services, achieved a global recognition from the World Health Organisation (WHO) after passing the comprehensive evaluation of vaccine management by 99 per cent and getting the first position at the world level.

It is noteworthy that the global assessment was conducted in more than 90 countries.

The Sultanate achieved 99 per cent in all evaluation criteria. — ONA

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 The exhibition has maintained a 15 per cent growth in terms of exhibitor participation and sold exhibition space Ahmed Sayed, exhibition manager of OmanExpo

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Oman’s The Big Show event gets huge response visitors Current edition of Oman’s biggest exhibition in the construction sector is a huge success.

We are getting a good response from the exhibitors, as well as the visitors, a top offcial of OmanExpo said

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com Muscat: The Big Show, Oman’s biggest exhibition for building, construction and interior design, is an enormous success, organisers have confirmed.

“The current edition of Oman’s biggest exhibition in the construction sector is a huge success,” Ahmed Sayed, exhibition manager of OmanExpo told the Times of Oman (TOO).

“We are getting a good response from the exhibitors, as well as the visitors,” he added.

According to the organisers, they had received a record-breaking 15,000 visitors during the 2015 edition and expect this number to be surpassed this year.

“The exhibition has maintained a 15 per cent growth in terms of exhibitor participation and sold exhibition space,” Sayed said.

“We have around 250 local and

international companies representing many countries and we have international pavilions from Germany, Turkey, Italy, India, Iran, Egypt and Kuwait,” he added.

New and innovative products and technology from the ceramic and marble, doors and windows, kitchen and bathroom, interior design, HVAC, water technologies, pools and spa, construction tools and equipment, steel, concrete and cement, and wood and woodworking machinery segment, are the features of the exhibition.

“We have added a couple of good features to this year’s exhibition, such as outdoor displays and we have tried to bring new products and technologies in the sector to the Omani market,” Sayed continued.

More features He also pointed out that the organisers plan to add more features to the exhibition when they move to the new convention centre.

“When we move to the other convention centre in the coming editions, we would like to develop some more fields, such as interior decoration and some other area as well,” Sayed said.

According to him, the exhibition is currently attracting two types of visitors.

“We have two groups of visitors coming to the exhibition, such as B2B people, who are coming to do business here and the other is the common man, who just wants to see the new products and new trends in the sector,” Sayed noted.

“I think this is a good platform for B2B because they can communicate with the international brands and get direct deals,” he asserted.

Sayed also pointed out that the exhibitors are happy with the facilities that OmanExpo has provided.

KEEN INTEREST: Dignitaries at a stand at The Big Show. – Pictures by Shabin E & Mohammed Ali /Times of Oman

Ahmed Sayed.

“Facilities, which the OmanExpo has provided are excellent, basically it will help us to promote our brand and our name in this exhibition,” Harroon Rasheed of Reema Building Materials LLC told TOO. Equipped well “We have a good exhibition because not only is it equipped well, but the quality of the companies here is also excellent,” another exhibitor said.

OmanExpo is planning to organise 10 to 12 major exhibitions in 2016.

“Every year, we organise 10

to 12 major exhibitions and this year too, we are planning to do the same by covering most of the economic aspects,” Sayed said.

According to him, they are all set organise the Oman Energy and Water Exhibition Conference this May. “In September, we are planning to organise the Oman Health Exhibition and Conference and later one for Food and Hospitality,” he added.

Speaking about the participation of international delegations in each exhibition, Sayed stated, “We are trying our best to bring international organisations to our exhibitions and we can assure that

each exhibition will have international delegates, based on the nature of the exhibition.”

Exhibitors said they are also receiving a good response from the visitors.

“We are getting good feedback from the visitors; people are very keen to know about the products and new trends in the market,” Ravikumar Thekkat of Panasonic said.

“Some of them (visitors) are ready to talk business and even sign deals,” another attendee asserted. The four-day exhibition will end on Thursday, with and the exhibition hours being 4 pm to 10 pm.

OMAN PRIDE

Carving out a niche for herself on social media DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Halima Al Abdul Salam is a name that every social media user in Oman and the region is familiar with.

She is extremely passionate about social media, to the extent that she recently left her decadelong full-time job at a popular bank in Muscat to pursue her passion for social media blogging.

With a whopping 50,000 plus followers on Instagram, this young Omani has created waves in the social media marketing industry and earned a phenomenal reputation in the market for her innovative ideas and creative posts.

“I always try to be creative, I think that is something which has kept me going strong. After my Instagram account started getting

Halima Al Abdul Salam.

— Supplied picture

popular, there were a lot of people who followed my way and tried to make it big, however most of them failed, probably because of lesser commitment and lack of innovative stuff, and that is my focus,” Salam said.

Apart from social media, Salam

has also opened her own business, which deals with marketing and promotions and even more, she also recently opened her office in Bousher.

“People told me that this was the wrong time to leave my job and start a business, however I trusted my instincts and have faith that everything will go well. I am also planning to do more than just marketing and promotions with my new business but that will be an-

nounced in time.”

Recently, Salam also started the ‘Coffee with Halima’ event, where she meets with about three of her followers each month at a café and discusses things of interest. “I started this because my followers said they wanted to meet me and I thought it was a fantastic idea because it is a great way to learn from them and they can also learn from me.” Currently, she is working on innovating her accounts even more, “Earlier, when I was still working at the bank, the social media business was like a side thing for me, however now this has become my primary source of income, so I will need to focus on it more, along with my business.”

Being a social media celebrity can sometimes be difficult and Salam is no exception. “Sometimes, I used to see comments

and remarks on my Instagram, which were really bad and I used to get very angry and frustrated about them, however as things progressed, I started ignoring those comments and sometimes even block people who post negative remarks.”

Salam has educated herself about social media by reading books and taking short courses in different countries on the same.

“Social media for me is not just any other thing, I love it and I am very much into it, which is why I try to improve myself every day, I try to come up with ideas, which no one else has come up with—even now I am working on getting more video reviews done for social media, which is something new.”

Follow Halima’s stories at: @ Halima.AlAbdulSalam on Instagram

PAC A A N N OU N C E M E N T

A1 ‘Fee hike to affect aviation industry’

O C TA N E P E T R O L

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‘There is

A1 a need for M92 fuel’ The National Centre for Statistics and Information’s February data on fuel consumption at retail outlets in Oman showed that while 1.9 million barrels of M95 were sold, only 640,000 barrels of M90 fuel were sold.

Meanwhile, a Shura member said the introduction of M92 will bring in more money for the government.

“Having a mid-range petrol that is pricier than the regular one will bring in more money for the government,” Tawfiq Al Lawati, a Shura member, said while expecting that the fuel stations will do away with one type and keep only two.

“We doubt that at present the fuel stations have the infrastructure to provide three types of fuel,” Al Lawati added.

A fuel station official said that he had witnessed a slump in super grade petrol sales and an increase in regular grade purchases.

“At one of the stations, we used to sell 45,000 litres of super graded fuel per day. It has come down to 38,000. And in the case of regular, we used to sell only 2,000 per day earlier.

It has gone up to 4,000. People don’t know much about the grade effect on engines. They go for regular only to save money,” an official from Siraj Al Jazeera, which runs fuel stations for two big oil companies in Oman, said.

Saud Salmi, a petroleum engineer at Petrol Development Oman, said there is a need for M92 in market.

“I have noticed that there is a need for M92 in the market as some vehicles require the same.

As it is not available they are compelled to go for other two,” the petroleum engineer said.

Meanwhile, Jaison Mathai, a senior official in the automobile industry in Oman, said that while all fuels contain cleaning additives, those with high octane levels contain more or better detergents to keep the injectors clean.

“In addition, fuels with higher ratings are a few percentage points denser, which allows slightly more power per litre in the vehicle,” Mathai said, adding that engine experts are of the view that using a low octane fuel when your car requires a higher version is just as damaging and will lead to an abnormal combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder.

Citing a circular from the Ministry of Oil and Gas, an official from one of the petrol and diesel distribution companies, said in April, the revised regular petrol (M90) will cost 145 baisas per litre, super graded (M95) 158 baisas and diesel will cost 163 baisas.

In the United Arab Emirates, three types of petrol (M91, M95 and M98) are available.

I B R I - FA H U D A C C I D E N T

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Company

A1 assures support

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Another official from a GCCbased airline had commented earlier that fee increase move will affect the aviation industry and other activities in Oman.

“Airlines will not prefer to fly to Oman if they have to shell out more and more money. This will affect tourism prospects Oman,” the official had said earlier.

A travel agent also had said that any fee hike in aviation sector will have a domino action.

“Airlines are going to see if it’s worth their while flying into Oman. Airlines with more than one flight will re-think their strategy. Should they have fewer flights to Oman or none at all,” the travel agent said.

Recently, the Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) had hiked airport departure tax from OMR8 to OMR10 and Oman Air had raised ground handling charges in response to the increased fees levied on the airline across its network.

However Oman is not alone in the Gulf in increasing air-

port charges. On Wednesday the UAE’s official news agency has reported that , every passenger leaving the UAE from any of Dubai’s airports, including transit passengers, will be charged AED35 as a service fee for using airport facilities.

According to the report, airlines operating in Dubai airports are tasked with collecting the fee while issuing tickets, whether in the UAE or outside the country, effective March 1, 2016 for flights departing Dubai’s airports after June 30, 2016. The collected fees will be transferred to Dubai Airports, and subsequently to the Dubai Government However, the new move exempts passengers below two years and cabin crew from paying the fee in addition to those transit passengers who have same arrival and departure flights.

The move aims to improve Dubai’s airport infrastructure and boost its capacity, which is set to reach 100 million passengers by 2023.

One survivour, who lost three of her brothers in the horrific crash, also claimed she has not been contacted about compensation. MA, who sustained injuries on her head, back and hands in the accident, was travelling on the bus.

‘I lost my brothers’ “I lost my brothers and many other valuable things,” MA further added.

MA was heading to Dubai for shopping with her three brothers. However, when contacted, a top official from the transport company said they are in touch with the relatives of the accident victims and also with the injured.

In constant touch “We are in constant touch with the victims’ relatives and also with the injured. All compensation will be provided according to the law. We are liaising with the insurance company and the Royal Oman Police too. We will not leave the affected ones stranded,” Ahmed Salim Al Mashikhi, a top official from the bus company, confirmed to the Times of Oman.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

OMAN Tenders worth OMR31.6 million awarded to firms Tender board held its 3rd meeting for 2016 under the chairmanship of Dr. Rasheed bin Al Safi Al Huraibi, Chairman of the Tender Board and awarded in all tenders worth OMR31,630,481 during the meeting

MUSCAT: Tenders worth OMR31.63 million were awarded by the Tender Board yesterday.

The Tender board held its 3rd meeting for 2016 under the chairmanship of Dr. Rasheed bin Al Safi Al Huraibi, Chairman of the Tender Board.

During the meeting, the Board awarded OMR31,630,481 worth tenders for the following projects: 1- Operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (water networks, water wells, pumping stations, building and annexes ) in the Governorate of A’Dakhiliyah (OMR7,972,804).

2- Operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (water networks, water wells, pumping stations, building and annexes)

in the Governorate of South Al Batinah (OMR6,283,817).

3- Operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (water networks, water wells, pumping stations, building and annexes) in the Governorate of Muscat (OMR4,153,320).

4- Operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (water networks, water wells, pumping stations, building and annexes) in the Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah (OMR3,596,400).

5- Operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (water networks, water wells, pumping stations, building and annexes) in the Wilayat of A’Seeb in the Governorate of Muscat (OMR3,515,597).

6- Operation and maintenance

of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (water networks, water wells, pumping stations, building and annexes) in the Governorate of Al Buraimi (OMR3,410,100).

7- Development works for the Ministry of Education e-Portal (OMR1,222,370).

8- Additional works for the Operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (above ground) in the Governorate of Muscat (OMR529,565).

9- Providing patrolling security guard service round the residential complexes in the Governorates of North and South Al Batinah (OMR421,200).

10- Additional works for the operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (above ground) in the Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah (OMR234,092).

11- Additional works for the operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (underground) in the Governorate of South Al Batinah (OMR171,314).

12- Additional works for the operation and maintenance of the assets of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (underground) in the Governorate of North Al Batinah (OMR119,903).

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

REGION

Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, bolstered by military victory in the desert city of Palmyra, was quoted by Russia’s RIA news agency as saying a new draft constitution could be ready in weeks and a government that included opposition, independents and loyalists could be agreed.

Cyprus asked to extradite EgyptAir plane hijacker Cyprus court ordered hijacker Seif Eldin Mustafa to be held in custody for eight days on suspicion of hijacking, abduction, threatening violence, terrorism-related offences

CAIRO/LARNACA: Egypt’s public prosecutor has asked Cypriot authorities to hand over an Egyptian man accused of hijacking a passenger plane and diverting it to Cyprus, Egyptian state television reported on Wednesday.

The suspect, whom Cypriot and Egyptian authorities have identified as Seif Eldin Mustafa, 59, surrendered on Tuesday after commandeering a domestic Alexandria-Cairo flight with 72 passengers and crew on board.

Mustafa has told police he acted because he wanted to see his estranged wife and children, saying “what should one do?”.

A Larnaca court on Wednesday ordered him to be held in custody for eight days on suspicion of hijacking, abduction, threatening violence, terrorism-related offences and two counts related to possession of explosives.

Fake explosives belt The latter counts were connected to his claim of being strapped with explosives, even though the belt he wore is believed to be fake, a police source told Reuters.

As he left the court compound

IN CUSTODY: Seif Eldin Mustafa, an Egyptian man who hijacked an EgyptAir passenger plane on Tuesday and forced it to divert to Cyprus demanding to see his ex-wife, wears handcuffs as he leaves the court in Larnaca escorted by Cypriot police on Wednesday. – AFP

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in a police jeep, Mustafa stuck his hand out of an open window flashing the ‘v’ sign for victory. A Cyprus police spokesman and a government official have said that any talk of extradition right now was premature.

Mustafa took charge of the

early morning flight by showing what appeared to be a belt stuffed with plastic wires and a remote control, directing the flight to the holiday island where he asked for the release of female prisoners in Egypt, and to come in contact with his Cypriot ex-wife.

“When someone hasn’t seen his family for 24 years and wants to see his wife and children, and the Egyptian government doesn’t allow it, what should one do?,” he told Cypriot police in a statement.

Details of his claimed predica-

ment were not available.

All hostages were released unharmed after a six-hour standoff.

The suspect allegedly commandeered the aircraft 15 minutes after takeoff from Alexandria.

He approached a flight attendant and showed off the belt, attached to a remote control he held in his hand, investigating officer Andreas Lambrianou told the court.

“The suspect asked all passengers and crew to hand in their passports, then gave two messages to a member of the crew, asking

that the pilot be informed that he was a hijacker and wanted to land at an airport in Turkey, Greece or Cyprus, but preferably Cyprus,” Lambrianou said. “In a note, he stressed that if the airplane landed on Egyptian territory he would immediately blow the plane up.”

In Cyprus, Mustafa dropped an envelope on the runway addressed to a Cypriot woman, later ascertained to be his ex-wife. In the letter, the suspect demanded the release of 63 female prisoners held in Egypt. — Reuters

FIGHTING GRAFT

Iraqi premier to present new cabinet lineup today BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi said he would present to parliament on Thursday his new cabinet lineup aimed at fighting corruption, in keeping with a deadline set by the legislature earlier in the week.

Abadi announced more than six weeks ago that he wanted to replace current ministers with independent technocrats but has faced resistance from rivals who fear it could weaken the political patronage networks that have sustained their wealth and influence for more than a decade.

Failing to deliver on long-promised anti-corruption measures could weaken Abadi’s government just as Iraqi forces are gearing up to try and recapture the northern city of Mosul from IS militants.

“Parliament must make up its mind and proceed with reforms including the cabinet reshuffle which it and citizens have been calling for,” Abadi said in a statement posted on his website on Wednesday. “The council of representatives should clarify its position. Does it want ministers from the political blocs or technocrat ministers from outside the blocs and quotas?” he said.

It was unclear whether the parliament would approve the new cabinet lineup.

On Tuesday Abadi had appealed to lawmakers for guidance on whether to appoint party politicians or independent technocrats to the cabinet, but parliament speaker Salim Al Jabouri said on Wednesday it was for Abadi to decide. Powerful Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, who started a sit-in near parliament on Sunday and leads a bloc with three ministers in the current government, is pushing Abadi to appoint nominees unaffiliated with political parties.

A separate sit-in staged by his supporters has locked down central Baghdad for most of the past week. — Reuters

UNITY GOVERNMENT

Libya’s UN-backed Presidential Council reaches Tripoli TRIPOLI: Members of Libya’s UN-backed Presidential Council reached Tripoli by ship on Wednesday, defying attempts to keep them out of the city and prevent them from installing a unity government.

Seven members of the Council including Fayez Seraj, its head and the new government’s prime minister, arrived from Tunisia at Tripoli’s Abusita naval base amid tight security, a Reuters reporter witnessed. A separate self-declared government also based in Tripoli and armed groups that back it had warned the Council and the unity government not to travel to the capital. Tripoli’s airspace was closed for several hours on Sunday and Monday, a move the Council said was designed to prevent

it from reaching Libya. Seraj told Reuters that the council members had travelled in a Libyan navy vessel from the Tunisian port of Sfax, a 12-hour journey.

“There are challenges ahead of us, including uniting Libyans and healing divisions,” he said after arriving. “Young people are the ones we must bet on for Libya’s future.”

The unity government emerged from a UN-mediated deal signed in December aimed at ending the country’s political impasse, resolving its armed conflict and tackling a growing threat from IS militants.

Western powers have recognised it as Libya’s sole legitimate government, but it has faced continuing opposition from hardliners in both eastern and western Libya. Since 2014 Libya has had

AGAINST ALL ODDS: Libya’s UN-backed Prime Minister-designate, Fayez Al Sarraj, right, is greeted by unidentified officials upon his arrival in Tripoli. – AFP/HO/Libya’s Prime Minister Facebook Page/Handout

two competing pairs of parliaments and governments, both backed by loose alliances of armed brigades. The government in Tripoli was brought to power by armed

factions that won a battle for control of the capital in 2014.

Tripoli, home to many armed factions, has seen sporadic clashes in the past few days. Early on

Wednesday, loud explosions followed by heavy gunfire were heard over the city.

Ahead of its arrival, the Council said it had negotiated a security plan with police and military forces in Tripoli, and with some armed groups. The road outside the naval base was heavily secured with checkpoints and armoured vehicles on Wednesday. Security forces were also stationed inside the base, and some guards arrived with the Council members.

The Council has called for an immediate transfer of power to the unity government, though both the Tripoli and eastern-based governments oppose this.

The unity government’s 18 members have so far failed to secure a vote of approval from

Libya’s eastern, internationallyrecognised parliament, as required under the UN-mediated deal, and Fathi Al Mrimi, a spokesman for eastern parliament’s president, said its arrival was “premature”.

“They have entered by force under foreign protection, and Libyans won’t accept anything imposed on them by force,” he told Reuters. UN Libya envoy Martin Kobler welcomed the Council’s arrival, saying the international community was “ready to provide the required support and assistance”, and that all Libyan security actors had a responsibility to ensure its safety. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said it was “a unique opportunity for Libyans from all factions to reunite and reconcile”. — Reuters

BOLSTERED BY VICTORY

Assad says he can form new government with opposition MOSCOW/BEIRUT: Syrian President Bashar Al Assad said it would not be difficult to agree a new Syrian government including opposition figures, but his opponents responded on Wednesday that no administration would be legitimate while he remained in office.

Assad, bolstered by military victory in the desert city of Palmyra, was quoted by Russia’s RIA news agency as saying a new draft constitution could be ready in weeks and a government that included opposition, independents and loyalists could be agreed.

While the distribution of portfolios and other technical issues would need to be discussed at Geneva peace talks, which resume next month, “these are not difficult questions”, Assad said.

Opposition negotiators immediately dismissed Assad’s remarks, saying that a political settlement could only be reached by establishing a transitional body with full powers, not a government under Assad.

“The government, whether it’s new or old, as long as it is in the presence of Bashar Al Assad, is not part of the political process,” said George Sabra of the High Negotiations Committee.

“What Bashar Al Assad is talking about has no relation to the political process.”

Syria’s crisis erupted five years ago with protests against Assad which were put down with force. It descended into a civil war which has killed more than 250,000, drawn in global military powers and helped IS establish its self-declared caliphate. Nearly 5 million refugees have been driven abroad. Assad told RIA the war had cost more than $200 billion in economic losses and damage to infrastructure. That is in line with a UN-backed body which estimates physical damage at $90 billion, with an additional $169 billion of accumulated losses from a collapse in GDP to less than half the 2011 level.

Russia’s six-month-old intervention in Syria helped swing

military momentum in Assad’s favour, reversing last summer’s gains by insurgents including Western-backed rebels and helping government forces drive IS out of Palmyra on Sunday.

The recapture of the Palmyra and its military airport, in the central Syrian desert, opens up the road further east to the IS bastions of Deir Al Zor province and Raqqa. “After liberating Palmyra it is necessary to move into the nearby regions which lead to the eastern parts of the country, for example, Deir Al Zor,” Assad said. “At same time, we need to start in the direction of Raqqa, which is currently the main IS stronghold.”

Any offensive on Deir Al Zor or Raqqa however would likely need significantly more firepower than the Palmyra assault. “It’s an open question whether or not the Syrian army is going to be able to push any further to the east,” said US Army Col Steve Warren, Baghdad-based spokesman for the USled coalition against IS. — Reuters

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C H H ATT I S G A R H

INDIA

Floor test in Uttarakhand Assembly stayed till April 7 The order came after

WRECKAGE: Mangled remains of a CRPF vehicle in the aftermath of a Naxal attack on a CRPF convoy passing through Malewada in Dantewada on Wednesday. - PTI

Seven CRPF men killed in landmine blast RAIPUR: Seven CRPF men were killed on Wednesday and their weapons looted after Naxals carried out a deadly landmine blast on their vehicle in the jungles of the worst Naxal-affected Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

Officials said the incident occurred near the Basaras-Kuakonda axis in the Melawada village in the said district when a Tata-709 mini-truck of the force went over a landmine at about 4pm and all the seven occupants were killed from the impact of the blast.

The landmine was planted cleverly by Maoists under the ‘black top or puccka’ road and the troops were travelling in a three-vehicle convoy, they said.

The vehicle and the troops were blown to smithereens and a fourfeet crater has been created at the place were the blast took place, they said. They said the troops belonged to the 230th battalion of the force deployed in south Bastar area for anti-Naxal operations.

Preliminary reports said the squad was led by a sub-inspectorrank officer and was moving on an administrative task as they were not in uniform.

“All the weapons of the troops have been looted by Naxals. Reinforcement squads have reached the spot,” they said. - PTI

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, strongly opposed Tuesday’s order saying courts cannot interfere with the Presidential proclamation

BRIEFING: Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat addresses the media in Dehradun on Tuesday. - PTI

NAINITAL: In yet another twist to political developments in Uttarakhand, the Division Bench of High Court on Wednesday stayed till April 7 the floor test in the Assembly that was slated for today.

Staying the order of the single judge U. C. Dhyani, the two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice K. M. Joseph posted the matter for April 6 for final hearing on the writ petition filed by ousted chief minister Harish Rawat challenging the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

“In view of the consent of the parties that the writ petition be posted to 06-04-2016 for being disposed of finally, we direct that the order, which is impugned in these appeals will be kept in abeyance till 07-04-2016,” said the bench, also comprising Justice V. K. Bist, in a brief order.

The order came after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, strongly opposed Tuesday’s order saying courts cannot interfere with the Presidential proclamation.

“How can a floor test be ordered

BJP welcomes court’s division bench order NEW DELHI: BJP on Wednesday welcomed the Uttarakhand High Court Division Bench order staying Thursday’s floor test in the Assembly, saying it has offered clarity and lifted the uncertainty caused by the order of a single judge of the court Tuesday.

“We welcome the order.

The order delivered yesterday (Tuesday_ for holding the floor test tomorrow (Thursday) had created a lot of uncertainty.

The Division Bench’s order

when a Presidential proclamation is in force and the Assembly is in suspended animation,” Rohatgi said. The bench noted that the AG and senior advocate Abishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Rawat, agreed that the writ peti-

has given clarity,” BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said reacting to the order.

Attacking Congress, he said it has been caught in its own trap and should not blame the BJP for President’s Rule because no government can be run when a majority of MLAs are against its continuation.

“The Governor’s report also mentioned about the horse trading involving the then Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

He was caught offering

tion which has given rise to these appeals may be “withdrawn to this bench” and be finally disposed of.

The AG said the Centre’s counter affidavit, along with that of centrally-ruled Uttarakhand, would be filed by April 4.

L O A N D E FA U LT C A S E

Mallya offers to repay Rs40b to banks NEW DELHI: Facing legal proceedings for alleged default of loans worth over Rs90 billion from various banks, liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Wednesday expressed willingness in Supreme Court for a settlement by offering a proposal to pay back Rs40 billion by September this year.

The proposal submitted in a sealed envelope however covers a loan amount of Rs69.03 billion, a senior advocate appearing for the consortium of banks led by State Bank of India, said.

He said the proposal also mentions an additional amount of over Rs20 billion on the basis of a pending suit filed by Mallya’s businesses, but did not give details of the lawsuit.

The proposal was placed jointly

by Mallya and his companies — Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd and Kingfisher Finvest (India) Ltd. A bench comprising Justices Kurian Joseph and R. F. Nariman allowed the consortium of banks a week’s time to respond to the proposal and posted the matter for further hearing on April 7.

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LEGAL WOES: Vijay Mallya who is abroad, has told Supreme Court through his lawyer on Wednesday that he is willing to pay up Rs40 billion to the banks by September 2016. - PTI file photo

At the outset, senior advocate C. S. Vaidyanathan, appearing for Kingfisher and Mallya, submitted that they have given a proposal to the consortium of banks as to what can be done under the given circumstances. He said the copy of the proposal was given on

Wednesday to the consortium of banks for their consideration.

The senior advocate appearing for the banks said he would like to go through the proposal and then respond. Vaidyanathan requested the bench that the proposal should be kept in a sealed cover

for the time being, as negotiations were going on for the settlement and media hype could vitiate the atmosphere.

He said the proposal has been prepared after discussions with Mallya, currently in United Kingdom, through video conferencing.

Taking note of the submissions made by Vaidyanathan and senior advocate Parag Tripathi, who appeared for the UB Group, the bench told the consortium of banks to look into the proposal and respond.

“It is for you to tell us whether you reject this or not,” the bench said. It also asked whether Mallya is back in India or not. “Where are you? Are you back in India,” the judges asked the counsel, who said Mallya was still abroad and he had a video conferencing with him on Tuesday.

“Media has vitiated the atmosphere. The atmosphere is so surcharged against me. There are cases in which media created such a surcharged atmosphere that even beatings have taken place... the less said the better,” Vaidyanathan said. - PTI

allurements to his own party MLAs. Congress has shamed democracy. Actions of its government necessitated President’s Rule” he said.

Rawat was involved in political “intrigue” against former chief minister and Congress veteran N. D. Tiwari, Sharma alleged, adding that he “worked for the removal” of former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna. “Now, he is facing rebellion. He should not be blaming BJP for it.” - PTI

The court gave 24 hours to petitioner Rawat to file a rejoinder affidavit to counter affidavits.

Earlier, the trust vote was slated for March 28 but the Centre imposed President’s Rule on March 27, citing “breakdown of Consti-

tutional machinery” in the state.

This was challenged by Rawat before the single judge U. C. Dhyani of the High Court.

The single judge, while ordering the floor test on March 31, had also allowed nine disqualified rebel Congress MLAs to participate in the voting. Congress was unhappy and had planned to challenge this aspect of the order.

Ordering the floor test on Tuesday, Justice Dhyani had observed that invoking of Article 356 of the Constitution by the Centre was a “colourable exercise of power”.

“Democratically-elected Houses should not be demolished in such a fashion. Floor test is the only test to prove the majority,” he had said even though he ruled out staying the effect of the proclamation under Article 356 at this stage.

Advocate Nalin Kohli, who was part of the lawyers’ team representing the Centre, said the Centre will file its counter before the Division Bench on April 4 for which the other side will file its reply the next day.

Meanwhile, Justice Dhyani put off hearing on a plea by rebel Congress MLAs challenging their disqualification by Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal after President’s Rule was imposed.

Posting hearing on the disqualified MLAs’ appeal to April one, Justice Dhyani said as per the interim order issued by him on Tuesday they have already been given relief by being allowed to vote during a floor test despite being disqualified.

The court also told them that although they have been allowed to vote in the assembly during floor test their votes will not be treated on par with the rest of the MLAs. An appeal was filed on Wednesday by six of the nine rebel MLAs against the Speaker’s action questioning its validity on the ground that the action had been taken after imposition of President’s Rule and suspension of the Assembly. - PTI

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

INDIA

When they had ruled the state, it was known for anarchy and extremism. If such people came to power, the era of peace and development which continued for last 15 years will come under threat Sonia Gandhi, Congress president

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various partnership after the March 22 terror attack here in which at least 32 people were killed.

possibility between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Belgian businesses can make their global supply chains more cost effective by manufacturing in India WARM GREETINGS Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel shake hands ahead of a meeting on Wednesday in Brussels. - AFP

BRUSSELS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday strongly pitched for resumption of talks on a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and other instruments to combat the common challenge of terrorism during his talks with Belgian premier Charles Michel, days after a series of terror attacks in the Belgian capital that left over 30 people dead.

During the talks, the two leaders covered whole spectrum of bilateral ties.

Modi, who arrived here on Wednesday on a day-long visit, invited Belgian government and companies to pro-actively as-

sociate with India’s ambitious projects including ‘Digital India’, ‘Start Up India’ and ‘Skill India’, asserting that combination of Belgian capacities and India’s economic growth can produce promising opportunities for businesses on both sides.

Referring to various partnership possibility between the two countries, Modi said Belgian businesses can make their global supply chains more cost effective by manufacturing in India.

“Clearly, it is not just diamonds that can bring shine to our partnership,” he added.

Ahead of his talks, Modi laid a wreath of white flowers at the Maalbeek Metro station in the Belgian capital where a suicide bomber blew himself up killing scores of passengers, including Raghavendran Ganeshan, an Infosys employee from Bengaluru.

“Last week has been a sad week for Belgium. Let me say Prime Minister that we share the depth of sorrow and grief that the people of Belgium have experienced in the last 8 days...Having experienced terrorist violence ourselves on countless occasions, we share your pain.

“Prime Minister, in this time of crisis, the whole of India stands in full support and solidarity with the Belgian people. I deeply appreciate your welcome and the time that you have devoted to me despite pressing demands on you.”As part of our efforts to respond to this common challenge we could resume discussions on a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. Negotiations on Extradition Treaty and a Treaty on Exchange of Sentenced Prisoners could be concluded expeditiously,” Modi said after his talks with Belgian leader.

Modi’s visit comes just days

Partnership Describing India as “one of the brightest economic opportunities” in the world today, Modi said its macroeconomic fundamentals are robust, and at 7 per cent plus, the country was one of the fastest growing economies of the world.

India’s goal to modernise infrastructure, especially railways and ports, and building of 100 plus smart cities also presents a unique investment opportunity for the Belgian companies, he said, adding that these partnerships can help the two countries reach new heights in their trade and commercial partnership.

Modi said he has invited Prime Minister Michel to visit India with Belgian businesses to see first-hand the reality of India’s economic and political promise.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges before mankind and the two countries have agreed to enhance their cooperation in renewable energy, he said.

“We would also build partnerships in areas such as harnessing waste for energy, small wind turbines and zero emission buildings.

Advancement in S&T and high technology areas is of particular importance for India’s development priorities,” the prime minister said. - PTI

P O L I T I C A L A N A LY S T S

‘Insurgency situation has improved in last 18 months’ DULIAJAN (Assam): Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday claimed that the insurgency situation has improved considerably in the last 18 months since BJP came to power at the Centre and appealed to all militant outfits in Assam to give up arms and come forward for talks.

“The insurgency situation in the country has improved considerably and is under control during the last 18 months and I am not making this claim myself but political analysts have been pointing this out,” Singh told an election rally here.

It is a fact that “incidents keep happening in Assam and when Adivasis were killed by militants in 2014, immediately rushed to Guwahati and in a meeting with the chief minister had clearly stated that violence and terror will not be related at any cost”, he said.

“As the union home minister, I want send a message to all militants to give up the path of violence and arms.

“If they have any problem, they must end violence and talk to us.

We are prepared to hold talks and settle all issues only if there is no violence and killing of innocent people,” Singh said.

He said, along with infiltration, there has been huge inflow of fake currency notes from Bangladesh and it is a matter of great concern as it ultimately ends up controlling the economy.

“Congress never paid attention to this problem but we are committed to solve this problem and will check the entry of fake currency from the neighbouring country,” Singh said. - PTI

C A M PA I G N T R A I L

Modi insulting Assam, BJP-led alliance communal, divisive: Sonia SIVASAGAR/AMGURI: Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Partyled alliance in Assam as coming together of “two dangerous forces of communalism and divisiveness”, Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “insulting” people of the state and going back on promises of development.

The Congress president also took potshots at the prime minister for his remarks linking his humble origin as a tea seller with Assam tea and said “those working in the tea gardens as well as tribals are asking when will the good days (achche din) come.” ‘Achche din’ was Modi’s poll slogan in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Repeatedly claiming “insult” of Assamese and North-East people

by BJP, Sonia said the composite culture of the state was in “danger” and if BJP-AGP-BPF alliance government came to power in the state, the “era of peace and development”, which she claimed was brought during the 15-year-rule of Tarun Gogoi in the state, would be under “threat”.

Talking at length about the con-

tribution of Congress in bringing peace and prosperity in Assam, Sonia said “this time the composite culture of Assam is in danger because two dangers have come together here. One is communal and the other is divisive.”

Positioning Congress as the counter-force to these powers, Sonia asked, “Why so they oppose the Congress party and its workers? Because they know it well that Congress represents all sections of the Assamese society. They know that in 15 years of Gogoi’s rule, Assam has emerged as a peaceful and progressive state.”

“When they had ruled the state, it was known for anarchy and extremism. If such people came to power, the era of peace and development which continued for last 15 years will come under threat.”

‘Discrimination’ BJP’s ally was in power in Assam twice in the past. She alleged “discrimination” against Assam by Modi government, and said, “After all, why brothers and sisters of North East and Assam are being insulted so much? Why Tarun

WOOING VOTERS: Congress president Sonia Gandhi addresses the gathering at an election rally at Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur district of Assam on Wednesday. - PTI

Gogoi is being insulted this much?

Why people of Assam are being insulted so much.?

Sonia ‘s emphasis on the alleged “insult” of Assam, Assamese and the state chief minister is somewhat akin to the strategy adopted

by Nitish Kumar in Bihar, who had made an issue out of certain remarks by Modi projecting them as insult of Bihar.

The Congress president’s all

out attack on the BJP has come at a time when some opinion polls and experts have given the BJP an edge in Assam, where Congress is battling an anti-incumbency of 15 years. Sonia said that she wants to ask BJP’s friends here whether they remember the “discrimination” done by Modi government to Assam.

“Can anybody forget that how Modi government had refused

to provide funds for relief during floods in Assam? Can you forget that Modi government has reduced the funding of schemes made for the uplift of Assam during the UPA government? Can you forget how Modi government snatched the special state status of Assam, which was given by the UPA government during the prime ministership of Manmohan Singh.

“We had given a very good system of autonomous council for Assam’s development. What has Modi government done? What are they doing? Modi government is making all efforts to finish the autonomy of this council. Prime Minister Modi did not think of talking to Assam or other states of North East on the Naga accord.

Now nobody knows what happened to this accord,” Sonia said, accusing the BJP government at Centre of repeatedly “insulting” Assam.

Sonia took a jbe at the prime minister, who had an election rally a few days ago recalled that he sold Assam tea to energise others and therefore shared a special bond with the people of the tea-

producing state. “Prime Minister Modi praises Assam tea but those working in the tea garden are passing through tough times during his rule. Those working in the tea gardens and the tribals are asking Modiji when will our good days come.

“Modi government is trying to snatch the right of cheap foodgrains available to the tea garden workers,” she alleged and congratulated Gogoi and Congress leader Anjan Dutta for “having opposed and stopped” such a plan.

She also said that Modi should tell when he will SC status to tea garden workers. “I would ask the prime minister why did he reduce the budget for minorities and tribals. What is happening ever since Modi-led NDA government has come to power. Price rise is breaking the back of people. The prices of even essential medicines have gone beyond the reach of common man,” Sonia said.

The Congress president also reminded that BJP, which had first opposed the land boundary agreement with Bangladesh, later changed track and signed it. - PTI

FA S T - U N T O - D E AT H

Irom Sharmila acquitted in 2006 attempt to suicide case NEW DELHI: Manipuri rights activist Irom Sharmila was on Wednesday acquitted by a Delhi court in a case of allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar here in 2006 demanding scrapping of AFSPA. After the judgement was passed, 42-year-old Sharmila who has been on fast for the last 16 years in Manipur demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act(AFSPA), said her struggle would continue till AFSPA is revoked.

“The accused is acquitted in the case,” Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh said while pronouncing the order.

Talking to scribes outside the courtroom, Sharmila said, “My struggle will continue till the time AFPSA is repealed. It does not matter whether I am released from the jail or not.”

The court asked her to furnish a personal bond of Rs10,000. However, she refused to furnish the bond saying, “I am following the

RELIEF: Police escort social activist Irom Sharmila as she leaves the Patiala House court after a hearing in a case of attempt to suicide in New Delhi on Wednesday. -PTI

path of Mahatma Gandhi.”

Her counsel V. K. Ohri tried to pursuade her outside the courtroom to make her understand the purpose and importance of furnishing personal bond. She, however, replied, “I am not convinced.” After the court was informed about it by the counsel, the magistrate said that personal bond furnished by her when she

was granted bail in this case is extended by six months.

“Since she is in judicial custody in some other cases and her presence could be secured before the appellate court, in case the present order is challenged, and that she was earlier granted bail in the present matter, the personal bond furnished at that time is extended for six months,” the court said.

When Sharmila left the court premises, a number of people accompanying her, raised slogans in her support and demanded repeal of AFPSA. Sharmila was put on trial on March 4, 2013, for allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar on October 4, 2006.

She had earlier told the court that she was ready to end her fast if the controversial AFSPA was repealed.

Sharmila, who is fed through nasal tube, was put on trial after she refused to plead guilty to the charge of attempting to commit suicide (section 309 of IPC). - PTI

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GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

Clinton’s tack to the centre? It’s just talk O

ne bit of conventional 2016 campaign wisdom is that Bernie Sanders has pushed Hillary Clinton far to the left. It seems so obvious that even the socialists are celebrating.

Like a lot of conventional wisdom, it’s partly true. Clinton’s words on taxes, trade, minimum wages, immigration and Wall Street do sound a lot like those of the socialist Sanders. But look past the stump speeches and something more significant becomes clear: Clinton’s rhetoric may have changed, but her policy positions haven’t. That means her anticipated pivot toward the centre for the general election is also likely to be more oratorical than substantive.

So far, Clinton has pulled off a neat trick. She has gone toe-to-toe with Sanders by calling for higher taxes on the rich, more generous health-care subsidies and criminal-justice reforms. She positions herself to his left on gun control, equal pay for women and immigration.

Even his most steadfast supporters are convinced. “Thanks to Bernie Sanders,” says Adam Green, the co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a liberal grassroots group, “Hillary Clinton was made a better candidate.” He cites her support for debt-free college, more generous Social Security benefits and jailing Wall Street bankers who break the law as examples of how she moved in Sanders’s direction and “remolded the Democratic Party.”

But an analysis of her speeches, debates and white papers shows that she’s been a careful tactician. On issue after issue, she has left an escape hatch and declined to say things that might cause voter whiplash later. Once she clinches the nomination, Clinton may not need to tack back to the centre much at all.

One example is the minimum wage. When Sanders called for a nationwide $15 minimum, she responded by backing a higher wage too. But hers was for $12, citing economists who say a $15 floor could invite more automation and job losses in depressed and rural areas.

Her escape clause? Unlike Sanders, she would let the states decide. She allows that a higher minimum wage might work in more expensive cities and states -- and they are free to enact one if they choose.

She similarly responded to Sanders’s call for

free college, one of his trademark issues, by touting a new tuition-subsidy plan of her own. It’s less costly and more complicated than Sanders’s, involving free community-college tuition for lower-income students and debt-free public college programs for others. Her plan is less generous and means-tested so that the well-off -- including Donald Trump’s kids, she likes to say -- wouldn’t get the taxpayer subsidy.

She’s sharpened her anti-Wall-Street rhetoric, claiming to be tougher than Sanders when it comes to banking regulation. Yet in the fall, her positions aren’t likely to get in the way when she taps financiers’ wallets to compete against, say, a self-financed Donald Trump.

Unlike Sanders, she doesn’t call for breaking up big banks, a position that might demand modification in a general-election campaign. Instead, she proposes to close loopholes in the 2010 DoddFrank financial reform law and bring lightly regulated groups, including high-speed traders and private-equity firms, under closer supervision. And despite Sanders’s constant criticism of her wellpaid speeches to Goldman Sachs, she has never vowed to refuse Wall Street’s money.

Clinton has flipped from a supporter of trade liberalisation when her husband Bill Clinton was president to a quasi-anti-trade position. She has said, for example, that she can’t support the TransPacific Partnership in its present form, even after helping to negotiate it as President Barack Obama’s secretary of state. Yet she’s never said she couldn’t eventually favor it, leaving wiggle room when Congress hammers out the details, possibly in a lame-duck session after the election.

Both Democratic candidates speak passionately about reducing inequality. But they have vastly different approaches. Sanders favors huge, acrossthe-board tax hikes on the wealthy. Clinton matches his rhetoric, but her tax hikes are more selective. For higher-income taxpayers, she would raise taxes on the sale of stocks, bonds and other investments held for less than two years, limit the value of income-tax deductions and impose a 4 percent income-tax surcharge on those earning above $5 million. - Bloomberg View

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MARCH 2001 Needed: A body to control prices of farm products MUSCAT: Traders, dealers, farmers and consumers alike, who are dealing with the vibrant Al Mawaleh fruits and vegetables market in Mawaleh, are demanding an immediate end to the unhealthy forces that are believed to be causing the hike on two, high demand, but currently less available vegetables. They also called for an authoritative body, like now defunct Pamap (Public Authority for Marketing Agricultural Produce), to control the prices and check the alarmingly shrinking rates of almost all other vegetables.

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1836: The first monthly instalment of The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens is published in London.

1889: The Eiffel Tower in Paris officially opens on the Left Bank as part of the Exhibition of 1889.

0

1917: US purchases Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25m.

1966: 200,000 anti-war demonstrators march in New York.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

A13

PAKISTAN 120 exhibitions for local products to be held abroad Texpo 2016 would be held in four halls with 230 exhibitors representing the entire value chain of the textile sector; from yarn makers to other value-added products manufacturers

Speaking at the soft launch of the Texpo 2016, Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan said a ‘one-of-a-kind, four-day, textile only exhibition’ that would be held at the Karachi Expo Centre from April 7 till 10

KARACHI: The government will organise 120 exhibitions in different countries this year to market local products and improve the country’s image that has been dented by terrorism incidents, said Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan.

Speaking at the soft launch of

the ‘Texpo 2016’ at a local hotel, he said his ministry and its subordinate bodies have planned to organise a ‘one-of-a-kind, four-day, textile only exhibition’ that would be held at the Karachi Expo Centre from April 7 till 10 this year.

The exhibition would be held in four halls with 230 exhibitors representing the entire value chain of the textile sector; from yarn makers to other value-added products manufacturers.

“Despite all security issues;

especially after the recent Lahore blast, the government has decided to stick with its plan for Texpo 2016. We want to tell terrorists that they cannot stop us,” said Dastgir. He said his ministry was also launching an aggressive image-building campaign for the country through overseas exhibitions. These exhibitions have been planned in Iran, CentralAsian and other established countries to explore new markets for Pakistani products.

“We have learnt through experience that sector-specific exhibitions can help Pakistan attract buyers and business,” said Dastgir, shedding light on the purpose of arranging such an expo.

“We are hopeful that Texpo 2016 will be a successful event in terms of attracting foreign buyers and generating useful business deals,” he added.

Commenting on the current decline in exports, Dastgir said it was not a Pakistan-specific prob-

lem. “China, India, Turkey and Thailand, all have experienced significant drop in their exports mainly because of the global economic slowdown.”

Promote exports The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), government’s body to promote exports, has already organised nine exhibitions in Pakistan.

TDAP Secretary Rabiya Javeri Agha, giving further details on the upcoming expo, said that over 750 foreign delegates have been registered for the upcoming event, out of which 400 have confirmed their participation.

“These delegates are from 52 countries including Australia, Holland, Japan, China and Russia.

“The largest delegation, constituting 67 members, is coming from China while the British Business Centre United Kingdom (UK) – set up by the UK to facilitate bilateral trade and investment between UK and Pakistan – is bringing a 25-member delegation under the leadership of Baroness Nausheena Mubarik,” informed Agha. “We also have 20 people coming in from Kazakhstan for the event, brought by the USAID,” she added. — Express Tribune

CONTROVERSY

PPP to pay for Zulfikar’s anniversary, says Bilawal KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman on Wednesday took notice of reports regarding Sindh government’s decision to release Rs25 million for an event on party founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s death anniversary.

According to a statement, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari ordered Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to conduct an inquiry into the matter, saying all costs for the event on April 4 will be borne by party’s own resources.

“The government will not pay a penny from its funds,” the PPP chairman said, as he ordered Ali to investigate the matter.

Official documents earlier said the funds were released by the finance department after a summary was approved by the chief minister.

In the document released on Monday, finance department section officer (B and E-VII) referring to the chief minister’s summary said, “The amount has been sanctioned in anticipation of budgetary provision 2015-2016 and will be released from law and order budget.”

However, PPP Sindh information secretary Waqar Mehdi had rejected the claim. — Express Tribune

A 14

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

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NLD lawmakers were

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

emotional at the scale of the achievement after decades of struggle, including years when many of them were jailed or, like Suu Kyi herself, put under house arrest

NAYPYITAW/YANGON: Members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s victorious National League for Democracy (NLD) were in tears on Wednesday as Myanmar swore in its first president with no military ties in more than half a century.

Htin Kyaw, a close friend and confidant of the Nobel peace prize laureate, was hand-picked by her to run Myanmar’s government

HANDOVER CEREMONY: Myanmar’s new President Htin Kyaw, left, receives the presidential seal from outgoing president Thein Sein during the handover ceremony at the presidential palace in Naypyitaw on Wednesday. - Reuters/Ye Aung Thu/Pool

because a constitution drafted by the former junta bars the democracy champion from the top office.

In a short address to the chamber, Htin Kyaw reiterated Suu Kyi’s stance on the importance of changing the 2008 charter, which entrenches the military’s powerful position in politics, and called for national reconciliation.

NLD lawmakers were emotional at the scale of the achievement after decades of struggle, includ-

ing years when many of them were jailed or, like Suu Kyi herself, put under house arrest.

“I couldn’t sleep last night. Our president U. Htin Kyaw’s speech is something we have never heard before in the country,” NLD lawmaker Thiri Yadana, 28, said.

“He promised that he will work for the country with the respect to our leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It’s such a big step and this has happened because everybody pushed

together forward.” Relations between the armed forces and Suu Kyi will define the success of Myanmar’s most significant break from military rule since the army seized power in 1962.

“Our new government will implement national reconciliation, peace in the country, emergence of a constitution that will pave the way to a democratic union, and enhance the living standard of the people,” said Htin Kyaw, sporting the NLD’s traditional burnt orange jacket.

“We have the duty to work for the emergence of a constitution that is appropriate for our country and also in accordance with democratic standards.”

Tension had simmered in the run-up to the November election and as the NLD prepared to take power. Suu Kyi wants to demilitarise Myanmar’s politics but effectively needs the support of the military to do so. The armed forces are guaranteed three ministries and control a quarter of parliamentary seats - enough to give

them a veto over constitutional amendments and potentially limit the scope of Suu Kyi’s reforms.

Suu Kyi is poised to steer the government from within, acting as a super-minister overseeing education, foreign affairs, electric power and energy - and the president’s office.

Before Htin Kyaw addressed the parliament, he and two newly elected vice presidents held the junta-drafted constitution in their hands and took the oath simultaneously, repeating after the parliament speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than: “I will always be loyal to the Union of Myanmar and will always put non-disintegration of the union, national unity and perpetuation of sovereignty at the forefront,” read the first line of the oath.

Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing attended the ceremony. Htin Kyaw, elected by the NLD-dominated parliament this month, runs a charity founded

by Suu Kyi and has been a trusted member of her inner circle since the mid-1990s. He is not a lawmaker.

Hundreds of diplomats and representatives of non-governmental organisations attended the ceremony. - Reuters

HIGH COURT RULING

Malaysia Airlines’ bid to strike out MH370 suit dismissed KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian court on Wednesday dismissed a bid by national flag carrier Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) to throw out a suit filed by relatives of three passengers who went missing on flight MH370, opening the way for other relatives to sue the airline.

MH370 disappeared on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, with 239 passengers and crew on board.

More than 50 suits have been filed in the Malaysian courts over the plane’s disappearance, while others have been filed in the United States, Australia, and China.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling is likely to come as a relief for relatives, many of whom had feared they would not be able to get compensation from Malaysia Airlines Systems (MAS) after it transferred all its assets and operations to MAB in a restructuring exercise last year.

MAB had argued that it had no liability as it was set up eight months after the aircraft disappeared. But the court did not accept that, instead ruling that MAB’s liability would be determined in a trial, government lawyer Alice Loke Yee Ching told reporters. - Reuters

BANGLADESH

Court issues arrest warrant for Khaleda Zia DHAKA: A Bangladesh court issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for former prime minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia over a deadly firebombing attack last year, a prosecutor said.

The court also issued arrest warrants for 27 leaders and activists of Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party in connection with the petrol bomb attack on a bus during a party protest in Dhaka in January last year.

“The court passed the order after accepting the charges against them,” public prosecutor Shah Alam Talukdar said.

Early last year, at least 120 people were killed and hundreds injured in political violence, most in petrol bomb attacks on vehicles, amid transport blockades and strikes by the opposition aimed at toppling the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladeshi politics has been

Khaleda Zia

mired for years in rivalry between Hasina and Khaleda.

Both women are related to former national leaders, and they have alternated as prime minister for most of the past two decades. Khaleda, 70, was not immediately available for comment.

She and leaders of her party have denied the accusations of responsibility for the fire saying it was politically motivated. - Reuters

PROPOSAL

China warns Taiwan over new law governing cross-strait relations BEIJING: The Chinese government warned Taiwan on Wednesday that the passage of a proposed new law governing relations between the two could seriously damage the basis for talks, and that Beijing opposed any obstacles to developing ties.

China has looked on with suspicion at Taiwan since Tsai Ingwen and her pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won presidential and parliamentary elections in January on the back of a wave of anti-China sentiment.

In 2014, hundreds of students occupied Taiwan’s parliament for weeks in protests nicknamed the Sunflower Movement, demanding more transparency and fearful of China’s growing economic and political influence on the democratic island.

The protests over the 2013 Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, which aimed to open up investment from both sides in industries such as banking, healthcare, and tourism, were the largest display of anti-China sentiment in Taiwan in years.

The DPP is proposing Taiwan’s parliament first passes a socalled cross-Taiwan Strait super-

vision law before it will consider agreeing to the trade pact.

Worried China is worried that the law would stymie future agreements with Taiwan.

Asked about the law, a spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said the basis for talks between the two sides should not be damaged.

“Anything that damages the basis for consultations and negotiations between the two sides of the strait, interferes in or impedes relevant progress or puts up manmade blocks on the development of ties, we will resolutely oppose,” spokesman An Fengshan said at a regular briefing.

He did not elaborate.

The trade deal has stalled in Taiwan’s parliament, although the manner in which the selfruled island moves forward in the current February-to-May session will be seen as a sign of how Tsai will steer Taiwan-China ties.

China’s trade minister last month urged Taiwan to pass the trade pact. China considers Taiwan a wayward province, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. - Reuters

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 The lion was the third in recent weeks to stray from Nairobi National Park on the outskirts of the capital. No injuries were reported in the first case on February 19, but one man was injured in the second, on March 18.

WORLD

Migrant arrivals to Greece rise sharply despite deal More than 51,000

UN secretary-general urges nations to resettle Syrian refugees

refugees and migrants are currently stranded in Greece following border closures across the Balkans

ATHENS: Arrivals of refugees and migrants to Greece from Turkey rose sharply on Wednesday, just over a week since the European Union and Turkey struck a deal intended to cut off the flow.

Greek authorities recorded 766 new arrivals between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning, up from 192 the previous day.

Most arrived on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos.

Italy reported an even larger jump in arrivals on Tuesday, when officials there said 1,350 people mostly from Africa - were rescued from small boats taking the longer migration route over the Mediterranean as the weather warmed up.

The EU Commission said on Tuesday that the flows in the last week had reduced, with only 1,000 people arriving from Turkey on Greek islands, compared to an average of 2,000 a day in the last couple of months. It was not clear why numbers had dropped, but the Aegean Sea had been hit with bad weather and gale force winds, making the journey from Turkey on small rubber boats even more dangerous. Under the deal in effect since March 20, migrants and refugees who arrive in Greece will be subject to being sent back once they have been registered and their individual asylum claim pro-

GENEVA: UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon called on countries on Wednesday to re-settle nearly half a million Syrian refugees in the next three years, though only Italy, Sweden and the United States immediately announced concrete plans to play a part.

Ban, at the start of a ministerial conference hosted by the UN refugee agency UNHCR in Geneva, said: “This demands an exponential increase in global solidarity.”

The United Nations is aiming to re-settle some 480,000 refugees, about 10 per cent of those now in neighbouring countries, by the end of 2018, but concedes it is battling to overcome widespread fear and political wrangling.

APPEAL: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the meeting at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Legal pathways Ban urged countries to pledge new and additional legal pathways for admitting the refugees, such as resettlement or humanitarian admission, family reunions, as well as labour and study opportunities.

“Success at this high-level

cessed. The returns are to begin from April 4. More than 51,000 refugees and migrants, among those Syrians, Afghans, Iraqis and other fleeing conflict in the Middle East and Asia, are currently stranded in Greece following border closures across the Balkans.

Nearly 6,000 people remain stuck at the country’s biggest port of Piraeus port near Athens, having arrived there on ferries from Greek islands close to Tur-

meeting today will drive momentum in the months ahead,” Ban told reporters, pointing to a series of upcoming conferences. Italy and Sweden were

key before the deal. Scores have found shelter in passenger waiting lounges while hundreds more sleep in the open, either in flimsy tents or on blankets spread on the dock. Queues for the few portable toilets are long, and scuffles have broken out in recent weeks over mobile phone chargers and food distribution. International rights group Human Rights Watch has described conditions at the port, including basic hygiene, as “abys-

K E N YA N W I L D L I F E

Stray lion shot dead near Nairobi NAIROBI: Kenyan wildlife rangers shot dead a stray male lion in the outskirts of Nairobi after it attacked and injured a local resident, the Kenya Wildlife Service said.

A mob had gathered around the lion, forcing the rangers to shoot it to avert further injuries, a spokesman for the agency said.

“It had injured somebody.

There was a crowd that had formed around it, so it was practi-

cally impossible to capture it the way we planned to,” Paul Udoto, communications manager for the wildlife service, told Reuters by phone. The lion was the third in recent weeks to stray from Nairobi National Park on the outskirts of the capital. No injuries were reported in the first case on February 19, but one man was injured in the second, on March 18.

Images on social media showed

the lion in the latest incident walking in a grassy area next to the fence of the national park around 9am local time.

“The mob had formed and in the process somebody got injured, and by the time the veterinary and security teams got to the ground it was already beyond salvation,” Udoto said. “With that commotion we risked more injuries or even possible deaths.” — Reuters

A15

among very few countries to make new concrete pledges to resettle refugees at the morning session, an annual increase of some 1,500 and 3,000 refu-

mal” and says the situation is akin to a “humanitarian crisis”.

Among those stranded in Piraeus on Wednesday was Mariam El Musa, a 37-year-old teacher from Aleppo, Syria. “The problem here is the psychology of the people,” she said. “People are angry and depressed because the borders are closed, because it takes ages to have a meal and because we are dirty, we can’t have a shower. We Syrians thought we would stay in

gees respectively, but not all of them would be Syrians.

“Sweden has continued to provide a safe haven for people fleeing the war and persecution in Syria, as well as other parts of the world. Last year over 163,000 people, 51,000 of those from Syria, applied for asylum in our country - the highest number per capita in all of Europe,” said Sweden’s justice and migration minister Morgan Johansson.

US Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom said: “We have reviewed our resettlement procedures and are taking steps to shorten the timeline for resettlement without compromising the robust security screening procedures in place.

“We have significantly increased the number of interviewing officials at our refugee processing centers in the region so that we can resettle at least 10,000 Syrian refugees by the end of September,” she said, referring to commitments already announced by the Obama administration. — Reuters

Greece for only two-three days.”

A fellow Syrian hoping to reach Holland, 24-year-old Haisam Mahli, has spent the last three weeks at the port, after landing on the Aegean island of Chios from Turkey a month ago. He plans to join a protest march to central Athens later on Wednesday against the EU-Turkey deal. “We will protest to parliament to help open the borders and improve conditions here,” he said. — Reuters

DESPITE ARREST

Trump vows to stand by campaign manager WASHINGTON: US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump vowed on Wednesday to stand by his campaign manager despite the aide’s arrest over a misdemeanour battery charge, drawing criticism from rivals.

Trump, in a round of television interviews, played down the incident involving a reporter and campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, 42, who was arrested in Florida on Tuesday.

Trump also stood by comments he made Tuesday night that he was abandoning his pledge to support whoever eventually wins the nomination to be the party’s presidential candidate for the November 8 election.

Police in Jupiter, Florida, charged Lewandowski with intentionally grabbing and bruising the arm of Michelle Fields, then a reporter for the conservative news outlet Breitbart, when she tried to question Trump at a campaign event on March 8.

Trump and Lewandowski had both initially denied the incident occurred.

Trump, a New York real estate magnate, is front-runner to be the Republican nominee after running an insurgent campaign that has alarmed many in the party establishment. Opponents have criticized not just his proposals on issues such as trade and immigration but his streams of insults toward rivals and the aggressive tone of his rallies.

On Wednesday, Trump defended Lewandowski and went further to allege that the reporter had grabbed Trump. He said he was considering legal action in response. “I’m sure there will be a counter-claim coming down the line,” he told ABC News.

“She made up this story,” Trump added on NBC. He told Fox News that Lewandowski had likely grabbed the reporter “unknowingly.” — Reuters

A 16

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

WORLD

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France drops plan to strip citizenship from terrorists Hollande proposed measure days after Paris attacks, proposal hit obstacles in parliament over workability

PARIS: President Francois Hollande on Wednesday abandoned plans to strip French nationality from people convicted of terrorism, climbing down from a tough stance he took days after the November attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

Although a proposal popular with voters, and one that gave the Socialist president an opportunity to reach out to the right, the constitutional reform failed to find the necessary support of both houses of parliament.

Hollande also abandoned a proposal to insert into the constitution a set of rules governing a state of emergency, blaming the opposition for torpedoeing his plans, even though some members of his own party had opposed them too.

Hostile “Parts of the opposition have been hostile to a revision of the constitution. I deplore this attitude,” Hollande said after a weekly cabinet meeting. “I have decided to end this debate.”

The climbdown is likely to further damage Hollande’s already low chances of re-election in 2017, said Frederic Dabi at the pollster Ifop. “It’s going to revive the perception of a president who is not determined, who lacks authority,

CLIMBDOWN: French army paratroopers patrol near the Eiffel tower in Paris, France, on Wednesday. French President Francois Hollande also abandoned a proposal to insert into the constitution a set of rules governing a state of emergency. – Reuters

whose hand is shaking,” Dabi said.

“It also reinforces the feeling of a term during which reforms have dragged on, got bogged down.”

A poll by Ipsos-Sopra Steria for Le Monde newspaper, conducted before Wednesday’s announcement but published on the same day, showed Hollande would get 16 per cent of the vote in the first round of elections, down four points from a month ago.

That would put him in third place and out of the contest should he be standing against Marine Le Pen of the far-right National

Front on 27 per cent, and Nicolas Sarkozy of the mainstream right on 21 per cent. The passport initiative hit a big snag last week after the opposition-controlled upper house of parliament approved a different version from the one adopted by the Socialistcontrolled lower house.

To change the constitution, the proposal needed to be approved by each house in exactly the same terms.

While the government’s version was meant to apply to any French person, the Senate sought to ad-

dress the fact that stateless persons cannot be expelled from the country, by restricting the law to those with dual nationality.

Critics say that would have created two categories of French citizens - those that could have their citizenship revoked and those that could not - something that they said could fuel racial tensions.

Putting forward his plan three days after the shootings and bombings of November 13, Hollande won a standing ovation at a rare joint meeting of both houses in the Palace of Versailles.

But after the shock of the attacks began to fade, many on the left of the ruling Socialist party criticised the measure.

The most spectacular consequence of the rift within the party was the resignation of Hollande’s justice minister, Christiane Taubira. “The president is being dealt a blow by his own political friends,” a former prime minister and conservative senator, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, said on iTele. “The president’s authority over his own troops is being challenged.” — Reuters

TRAGIC END

Canadian ex-minister killed in plane crash MONTREAL: Former Canadian Cabinet minister Jean Lapierre died on Tuesday in a plane crash that also killed his wife and three of his siblings on the way to his father’s funeral in eastern Quebec.

The provincial coroner said in a statement all seven people on board the aircraft were killed in the crash, including Lapierre’s wife, two of his brothers and a sister. The other two people killed were crew members, the statement said. The TVA network, for which Lapierre worked as a political commentator, said his twinengined chartered aircraft crashed in bad weather as it was coming in to land on the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

Lapierre, 59, had been traveling to the Iles de la Madeleine for the funeral of his 83-year-old father, it said. Photos from the scene showed the Mitsubishi plane lying in several pieces in a snowcovered field. Canada’s Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash but that, due to the bad weather, its team of experts would not reach the site until Wednesday. The ebullient Lapierre, known for his good humour and animated style on air, made a second career in the media after serving as transport minister in Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Liberal government from July 2004 to February 2006.

He also acted as Martin’s lieutenant in the mostly Frenchspeaking province. “We’re going to miss him terribly,” a visibly upset Martin told CTV television. “He was a very good political analyst, he was one of the best, but he was also a superb political figure in this country and it was a great privilege to work with him,” he said.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, who was in the Liberal caucus with Lapierre from 2004 to 2006, said his former colleague was a natural communicator and a good listener who loved politics. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THU RS DAY, MARCH 31, 2016

SPAIN’S GDP RISES

MARKE

Spain’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita rose to highest level since 2008 last year in a sign the country’s economy is improving. After plunging to the worst economic crisis since democracy returned in 1978.

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Muscat 5,467.36 - 73.54 - 1.33%

Dubai 3,311.53 + 36.42 + 1.11%

Abu Dhabi 4,394.66 + 76.14 + 1.76%

Kuwait 5,257.20 - 8.61 - 0.16%

Saudi Arabia

6,220.78 + 43.94 + 0.71%

Bahrain 1,139.95 - 22.22 - 1.91%

Qatar 10,306.29 - 10.38 - 0.10%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.27 Pound ........................................... 1.79 Indian Rs ............................. 172.09 Pakistan Rs ........................267.52 Bangla Taka....................... 201.01

Indian Rs ................................... 171.90 Pakistan Rs ............................. 271.80 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.50 Phil Peso .................................... 119.55

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......15.80

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$35.20 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$35.20 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) .........$38.10 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$34.20 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$39.65

* Rates are as of Mar. 30 Source: Bank Muscat

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$38.90

* Rates as of Mar. 30 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Ominvest-led group to buy OAB’s investment division New shareholding structure of OABINVEST will comprise Ominvest 36%, Arab Bank (Switzerland) 34% and Oman Investment Fund 30%

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman International Development and Investment Company (Ominvest), together with its strategic partners Oman Investment Fund (OIF) and Arab Bank (Switzerland) (ABS), has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Oman Arab Bank (OAB), to acquire OAB’s Investment Banking Business (OABINVEST).

The deal is subject to satisfactory due diligence and necessary approvals from the regulators.

With a successful track record spanning over two decades, OABINVEST is one of the largest asset managers in Oman. It serves leading institutional and ultra-high net worth (HNW) clients and has a healthy pipeline of corporate finance deals involving initial public offerings, debt placements and advisory mandates, according to a press release.

Fee-based income The new shareholding structure of OABINVEST will comprise Ominvest 36 per cent, ABS 34 per cent and OIF 30 per cent, said AbdulAziz Al Balishi, group chief executive officer of Ominvest. Al Balushi added that Oman’s evolving economy presents significant opportunities for high-quality investment banking services and products. There has been an acute need for a larger local player with top-tier capabilities to effectively serve public and private sector clients.

Al Balushi said that this deal is also a major step towards building fee-based income sources for Om-

invest and further diversifying its revenue streams.

In the midst of challenging economic situation and difficult market conditions normally arise attractive business and investment opportunities. This deal illustrates that a like-minded group of long-term value investors is capitalising on such opportunities and seizing the chance to buy and build profitable and durable businesses in keys sectors of the economy.

Prospective shareholders of OABINVEST intend to further grow this platform to create employment opportunities for Omani nationals, help finance new ventures and create value for their stakeholders.

It is an encouraging development that foreign investors are demonstrating serious interest in buying Oman-based businesses, underpinning their confidence in the potential of Omani market and commitment to partner with local institutional investors.

Nasri Malhame, chief executive officer of Arab Bank (Switzerland), said that ABS is pleased to join hands with Ominvest and Oman Investment Fund to acquire

E X PA N D I N G T R A D E

Oman, India focus on deeper bilateral trade, investment MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman and India are focusing on expanding bilateral trade and investment, said the Indian ambassador to the Sultanate.

“Our efforts are very much focused on increasing bilateral trade and investment,” Indira Mani Pandey, Indian ambassador, told Times of Oman on the sidelines of a Business-to-Business meeting here to promote bilateral exchanges between the two countries.

“There is a huge untapped potential and this B2B meeting is a step in that direction,” he added.

According to the ambassador, Indian embassy is taking efforts to make Indian companies aware of the opportunities in Oman and vice-versa.

“India is offering immense opportunities for doing business, including making investments,” the ambassador asserted.

He also pointed out that Indian economy is the only economy which has been growing at a fast pace of more than seven per cent.

According to him, bilateral trade between India and Oman witnessed a decline last year.

“Last year, we have some decline in bilateral trade but that is because of the decline in the value of some products like petroleum and other commodities,” he said.

Indira Mani Pandey, Indian ambassador to the Sultanate.

– SHABIN E./Times of Oman

He also confirmed that a delegation from Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) will be visiting next month for a meeting with their counterparts at Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI).

“This meeting is just a beginning and we have lot of opportunities between our countries,” he added.

Oman-India connectivity He said that Oman has a good connectivity with India than any other country.

“Every week, we have flights available with more than 21,000 seats and 11 Indian destinations are connected with Muscat,” he added. “We also have a good connectivity among our ports. We can easily reach our destination in

two or three days,” he explained.

He also said that recently Omani enterprises signed agreements two manufacturing projects in India.

According to Suleiman Al Mukeri, assistant director general of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Oman is a land of peace and opportunities. “Relationship between India and Oman is continued to grow in a positive way and this B2B will enhance our bilateral exchanges,” he said.

According to Mohit Hans of FIEO, India is an emerging economy. India has witnessed various levels of economic expansion along with countries like China, Russia, Mexico and Brazil,” Hans said.

“India’s cost-effective and labour-intensive economy and a strong manufacturing and export oriented industrial framework make it an attractive investment destination,” he added. Hans also pointed out that Oman is also an attractive market and is India’s largest trade and investment partner with exports worth $2.37 billion in 2014-15.

According to the delegates, this is a good initiative from the Indian Embassy in Oman. “This is a very good platform for Indian and Omani companies to find out what are the opportunities available in both countries,” Palaniappan S, country manager of Kaar Technologies, told Times Business’.

OABINVEST. He further said that ABS will provide strategic support to OABINVEST in building a multi-asset operation covering international markets by scaling up OABINVEST’s resource base in regional and international set up.

Malhamé said that it was a great opportunity for ABS to contribute to the development of Oman’s economy and capital markets and that ABS stands to ultimately play an active role in the strategic positioning of the business.

Global vision An important aspect of this deal is that Oman Investment Fund, a major shareholder in Ominvest, is also co-investing in the transaction. Sheikh Hassan Al Nabhani, chief executive officer of Oman Investment Fund, stated that acquisition of OABINVEST is a major step towards realising their vision of creating a premier asset management company out of Oman – with global reach and capabilities.

He expects the new OABINVEST to cater to the investment needs of major institutional investors in Oman and across the region. Sheikh Hassan elaborated that OIF is highly supportive of

such platform acquisitions to create larger and more efficient businesses under Ominvest’s umbrella, creating economies of scale and realising synergies amongst OIF’s major portfolio companies.

Oman Investment Fund has been focused on building highly competitive Omani institutions having profound impact on economic diversification, creating high-quality durable jobs for local professionals, leading the private sector and ensuring sustainable development of the nation.

Oman Arab Bank, established in 1984, is one of the largest banks in Oman with a balance sheet of around OMR2 billion.

Amin Al Husseini, chief executive officer of Oman Arab Bank, said that they were pleased to enter into an MoU with Ominvestled consortium of highly reputed Omani and international institutional investors for the sale of its OABINVEST.

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

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......15.20 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 147.50 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............138.50 * Rates as of Mar. 30 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

JANUARY 2016

Bank credit grows 8.8% in Sultanate Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s commercial banks have achieved a year-on-year growth of 8.8 per cent in total credit at OMR18.44 billion by Januaryend, over the same period last year.

The incremental credit growth of all banks in absolute terms was OMR1,494.9 million, which is slightly lower than the growth figures last year, according to monthly statistics released by the Central Bank of Oman.

Funding projects The demand for credit from the corporate sector is mostly for funding projects, which are either state-owned entities like Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) or semigovernment firms.

Several state-owned firms are also looking at overseas markets for their long-term funding requirements. The pipeline of credit is still strong, which will continue for another two more quarters since local banks are also actively participating in syndicated loan facilities for project funding.

Total deposits of Omani banks also rose only by 2.2 per cent (OMR384.8 million) by end of January 2016 at OMR17.82 billion.

B2

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,540.90 ...............5,465.31 ....................5,467.36 ...................5,540.90................-73.54 .................. -1.33 Financial Index ..................................... 7,037.62 .............. 6,944.12 ...................6,944.22 ...................7,034.46............... -90.24 .................. -1.28 Industrial Index ....................................6,691.93 ...............6,677.34 ....................6,691.61 ...................6,693.40...................-1.79 .................. -0.03 Services Index ...................................... 3,108.22 .............. 3,088.99 ................... 3,089.02 ................... 3,107.86................-18.84 .................. -0.61 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................846.36 ..................841.22 ...................... 842.22 ......................844.54..................-2.32 .................. -0.27 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 15,628,827 ..................2,461,301 .....................765 ............... 16,439,775,944 .................. 9 ......................17 .................... 13 .........................39

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

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

OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 1,206,832 .......237,713..................... 65 ............0.195 ...........0.205 ...........0.190............0.197 ............. 0.187.............0.010 ............. 5.348 ................0.190..............0.190...................0.194...................39,400,000.........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ..................................................... 31,878 ............. 13,971......................11 ........... 0.432 ...........0.440 ...........0.432........... 0.438 .............0.432 ........... 0.006............. 1.389 ................0.440..............0.432...................0.440 ..................26,499,000.........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ......................................................................30,797 .............16,199........................8 ........... 0.526 ...........0.528 ...........0.524........... 0.526 .............0.522 ........... 0.004............. 0.766 ................0.524..............0.524...................0.528................. 290,805,224 .......0.100

MSM ends in red zone

OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .........................99,500 .............17,882......................12 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.178 ........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.178 .............. 0.178...................0.180................... 17,107,200 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 200,000........... 51,000........................6 ........... 0.255 ........... 0.255 ...........0.255........... 0.255 .............0.255 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.255..............0.252...................0.256..................376,069,225........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ...................................................... 72,017 ............... 7,263........................8 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.100............0.101 ............. 0.101............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.102..................202,031,592 .......0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE............... 20,000 ...............3,920........................3 ............0.196 ........... 0.196 ...........0.196 ............0.196 ............. 0.196............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.196 .............. 0.196...................0.198...................39,200,000.........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 186,714 .............11,445......................18 ........... 0.062 ...........0.062 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 ............. 0.061............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.062 ..................12,636,234 .........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ..................................... 1,000 ...............1,900........................1 ........... 1.900 ........... 1.900 ...........1.900........... 1.900 .............1.900 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.900............. 0.000...................1.900..................180,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 467,983 ........... 86,053..................... 30 ............0.184 ........... 0.184 ...........0.183 ........... 0.184 .............0.184 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.184..............0.182...................0.184................... 53,479,788 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL.............................................. 50,000 ...............3,600........................6 ........... 0.072 ...........0.072 ...........0.072........... 0.072 .............0.072 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.072..............0.072...................0.073...................12,600,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................... 1,000 ..................207........................1 ........... 0.207 ...........0.207 ...........0.207........... 0.207 .............0.207 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.207..............0.207...................0.210.................. 139,701,698 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ........................................................186 .....................69........................1 ........... 0.370 ...........0.370 ...........0.370........... 0.370 .............0.370 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.370..............0.364...................0.368...................19,425,000 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 793,099 .........300,905......................31 ........... 0.382 ...........0.382 ...........0.378........... 0.380 .............0.382 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.524 ...............0.380..............0.380...................0.382 .................948,575,098........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 502,188 ............97,130..................... 43 ............0.191 ........... 0.195 ...........0.190............0.193 ............. 0.195............-0.002 ........... -1.026 ...............0.193 .............. 0.193...................0.195 ...................28,964,475.........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 3,459,286 ......276,640...................146 ........... 0.080 ........... 0.081 ...........0.077........... 0.080 ............. 0.081............-0.001 ............-1.235................0.080..............0.080...................0.081................... 23,198,451 .........0.100

Al Hassan Engineering, up 5.41 per cent, was

OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................96,490 ...............7,500........................9 ........... 0.079 ........... 0.079 ...........0.077........... 0.078 .............0.079 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.266 ...............0.077..............0.077...................0.078....................2,340,000..........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ......................... 42,000 ...............5,964........................4 ............0.142 ........... 0.142 ...........0.142........... 0.142 .............0.144 ...........-0.002 ........... -1.389................0.142..............0.142...................0.144....................17,735,510..........0.100

the top gainer while BankDhofar was the day’s

OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 1,199,337....... 316,299..................... 62 ........... 0.267 ...........0.267 ...........0.261........... 0.264 .............0.268 ...........-0.004 ............-1.493................0.261 ..............0.261...................0.262 ..................26,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 542,298 ...........94,902........................6 ............0.175 ........... 0.175............0.175 ............0.175 ............. 0.178............-0.003 ............-1.685................0.175 .............. 0.175...................0.180..................249,381,325........0.100

top loser, down by 7.98 per cent.

OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................ 22,000 ...............6,952........................2 ............0.316 ........... 0.316 ...........0.316 ............0.316 .............0.322 ...........-0.006 ............-1.863................0.316 .............. 0.316...................0.320 ..................15,800,000.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............84,970 ...............8,837........................8 ............0.101 ........... 0.105 ...........0.101 ........... 0.104 .............0.106 ...........-0.002 ............-1.887................0.104..............0.102...................0.105....................9,360,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 324,170 ..........101,703..................... 49 ............0.318 ........... 0.318 ...........0.310........... 0.314 .............0.322 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.484 ...............0.310 ..............0.306...................0.312....................6,594,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 3,525,334 ...... 489,727...................108 ............0.140 ........... 0.142 ...........0.137 ............0.139 ............. 0.143............-0.004 ........... -2.797 ...............0.141 ..............0.140................... 0.141 ..................220,396,176........0.100

MUSCAT: Dividend stripping on index heavyweights weighed on the MSM 30 Index which closed at 5,467.36 points, down by 1.33 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index declined by 0.27 per cent to close at 842.22 points.

Bank Sohar was the most active in terms of volume and turnover. Al Hassan Engineering, up 5.41 per cent, was the top gainer while BankDhofar was the day’s top loser, down by 7.98 per cent.

As many as 765 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating turnover of OMR2.4 million with 15.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, nine advanced, 17 declined and 13 remained unchanged.

Omani investors were net buyers for OMR418,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR312,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors for OMR106,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index retreated by 1.28 per cent to end at 6,944.22 points. Global Financial Invest-

ment, Bank Nizwa, Al Izz Bank and Ominvest gained by 5.35 per cent, 2.74 per cent, 1.69 per cent and 0.77 per cent, respectively.

BankDhofar, Oman & Emirates Holding, Bank Sohar, Muscat Finance and Al Sharqia Investment slid by 7.98 per cent, 3.81 per cent, 2.80 per cent, 2.54 per cent and 1.89 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index remained stable at 6,691.61 points, down by 0.03 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering, Oman Flour Mills and Voltamp Energy increased by 5.41 per cent, 3.73 per cent and 1.39 per cent, respectively. Oman Fisheries, Gulf International Chemicals, Al Jazeera Steel and Galfar Engineering declined by 3.39 per cent, 2.48 per cent, 1.39 per cent and 1.23 per cent, respectively.

Services Index ended negatively at 3,089.02 points, down by 0.61 per cent. Ooredoo, National Gas and Phoenix Power declined by 5.26 per cent, 1.86 per cent and 0.69 per cent, respectively.

OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING.............33,000 ...............3,333........................3 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.101 ............0.101 .............0.105............-0.004 ........... -3.810................0.101 .............. 0.101...................0.104...................12,309,375 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO.........................................................................15,000 ............ 10,800........................3 ............0.720 ........... 0.720 ...........0.720........... 0.720 .............0.760 ...........-0.040 ........... -5.263 ...............0.720.............. 0.712...................0.720..................468,679,846 .......0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ..............................................................41,880 .............10,148........................5 ........... 0.242...........0.249 ...........0.242 .......... 0.242 .............0.263 ...........-0.021 ............-7.985................0.249............. 0.242...................0.249 .................411,206,739 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 13,048,959.......2,182,063 ............649 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......27........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 265,155.............20,712.....................24 ........... 0.076 ...........0.080 ...........0.076........... 0.078 .............0.074 ........... 0.004............. 5.405 ................0.079..............0.078...................0.079....................5,866,224 ..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS .................................................30,225 .............15,103........................5 ........... 0.488 ...........0.502 ...........0.488........... 0.500 .............0.482 ............0.018 ............. 3.734 ................0.502..............0.486...................0.502 ..................78,750,000 .........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 875,152............ 65,294......................31 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.075 ...........0.073........... 0.075 .............0.073 ........... 0.002............. 2.740 ................0.075..............0.074...................0.075..................112,500,000........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 642,217 ........... 38,242......................21 ........... 0.059 ...........0.060 ...........0.059........... 0.060 .............0.059 ............0.001 ............. 1.695 ................0.060..............0.060...................0.061...................60,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001301 ............DHOFAR CATTLE FEED .......................................... 499,561.......... 114,899........................3 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.230 .............0.230 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.230...................0.000 .................. 17,710,000 .........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 62,400 ...............2,102........................5 ........... 0.034 ...........0.034 ...........0.033........... 0.034 .............0.034 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.033..............0.033...................0.034 ...................2,890,000..........0.100 OM0000001939 ............NAT. PHARMACEUTICAL IND. ......................................20 .......................2........................1 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 .............. 0.110...................0.000 ...................5,500,000 ..........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 112,283.............16,214......................11 ............0.145 ........... 0.145 ...........0.143 ........... 0.144 ............. 0.145............-0.001 ........... -0.690 ...............0.143 ..............0.143...................0.144..................210,614,610 ........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE......................................................10,270 ............... 1,186........................2 ............0.115 ........... 0.116............ 0.115 ............0.115 ............. 0.118............-0.003 ........... -2.542 ...............0.116 .............. 0.116................... 0.119 ...................30,672,292.........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................63,500 ...............3,636........................5 ........... 0.058 ...........0.058 ...........0.057........... 0.057 .............0.059 ...........-0.002 ........... -3.390 ...............0.057..............0.057...................0.058.................... 7,125,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,560,783 ...... 277,389...................108 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......10........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 .....................10,434 .................. 958........................4 ............0.091 ...........0.092 ...........0.091 ........... 0.092 .............0.090 ........... 0.002.............2.222 ................0.092..............0.092...................0.099...................29,822,868.........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ..............................................8,651 ...................891........................4 ............0.103 ........... 0.103 ...........0.102........... 0.103 .............0.102 ............0.001 .............0.980 ................0.102..............0.102...................0.106...................32,923,196 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................... 19,085 ...............1,849........................8 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

- Bloomberg News

INDIAN MARKETS

S O H A R FA C T O RY

Sensex zooms 438 points; rupee gains again MUMBAI: Sensex surged ahead by 438.12 points to regain the psychological 25,000-level to finish 25,338.58, while the broader Nifty recaptured the key 7,700-mark following heavy buying by funds and retailers after United States Federal Reserve dovish signal soothed nerves of World stock market.

Barring Telecom segment which saw slight profit-booking, buying in key frontline shares led realty, metal, banks, capital goods, industrials, utilities, power, IT, healthcare, oil and gas and infra

sectors, while broader midcap and smallcap shares also witnessed strong buying activity.

The 30-share Sensex opened gap-up at 25,062.06 and traded between a high of 25,358.84 and a low of 25,055.42 before ending at 25,338.58, showing a rally of 438.12 points, or 1.76 per cent.

The 50-share Nifty too ended higher at 7,735.20, climbed by 138.20 points, or 1.82 per cent.

Stockwise, shares of Tata Steel rallied 6.75 per cent on government extending safeguard duty of up to

20 per cent on certain steel products for domestic industry against cheaper import from China, while recently battered Pharma major Lupin gained by 5.21 per cent and ICICI Bank surged 6.31 per cent.

Rupee appreciates The rupee continued its upward march against the American currency for the fourth trading day, surging by another 17 paise to close at 3-month high at 66.37 per dollar on sustained selling of dollars by banks and exporters. - PTI

PDO supports Omani firm to make pipeline accessories Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s first factory specialising in the manufacture of cleaning and inspection tools and products for pipelines has been opened in Sohar with the support of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).

The workshop has been designed to supply not only Oman but also to export to neighbouring countries, said a company release.

It will lead to In-Country Value (ICV) opportunities through the employment of Omanis, the transfer of technology and the production of vital equipment in the Sultanate.

LiN SCAN Oman is a joint venture between UAE-based LiN SCAN International and local community contractor Shaher United Trading and Contracting Company, a 100 per cent Omani firm, which offers a range of services, including electrical engineering, plumbing and excavation.

LiN SCAN International has been serving the oil and gas industry worldwide providing in-line inspection and integrity support services for more than a decade.

It possesses a huge fleet of cleaning, gauging and intelligent equipment designed for the cleaning and inspection of pipelines. All of it is designed and fabricated inhouse and covers the full range of pipeline diameters.

The opening of the factory on the Sohar Industrial Estate will enable the manufacture of such tools, accessories and pipeline intelligent inspection spare parts for the first time in Oman.

A number of PDO representatives attended the official inauguration of the plant, including ICV development manager Mohammed Al Ghareebi and ICV opera-

IT’S OPEN: Oman’s first factory specialising in the manufacture of cleaning and inspection tools and products for pipelines was opened in Sohar with the support of Petroleum Development Oman. - Supplied picture

tions manager Khalfan Al Busaidy.

“This is a great ICV manufacturing milestone in Oman.

PDO and other operators, both at home and abroad, can now procure vital equipment cleaning, maintenance and inspection from a local manufacturer working to international standards and specifications. Additionally, this manufacture will create work opportunities for Omanis,” said Abdul-Amir Al Ajmi, external affairs and value creation director at PDO. Local supply chain “PDO has worked hand-in-hand with LiN SCAN Oman guiding and supporting them to set it up and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved for their sterling work to deliver ICV across PDO so that more of the wealth of our industry is retained in the Sultanate. Having a reliable and professional local supply chain makes good business sense, especially in the current challenging low oil

price environment.”

“We have committed to ICV and delivered on it. We also believe that the Ministry of Oil and Gas and the oil and gas sector are seriously committed to ICV. With close collaboration, we can indeed achieve the ICV strategic goals in terms of job creation and bringing capability and technology in-country,” added Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Al Bathari, Director of LiN SCAN Oman.

“Thus, we would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks and sincere gratitude to PDO and its ICV and pipeline teams for their outstanding and unfailing support from the outset until inauguration moment which reflects their ICV leading role not only in the oil and gas sector, but across the Sultanate at large.”

“Pipeline Intelligent Inspection and Pigging Technology” is one of 53 oil and gas industry ICV opportunities which were identified in the ICV blueprint strategy conference at the end of the 2013.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

B3

MARKET CRUDE OIL

Kuwait, Saudi agree to restart joint oil field RIYADH: Kuwait agreed with Saudi Arabia to resume production at an offshore oil field shared by the two Opec members, the official Kuwaiti news agency reported, without giving a specific time for the restart.

The two countries are preparing to start maintenance at Khafji, Kuwait News Agency reported, citing the nation’s acting oil minister, Anas Al Saleh, speaking in parliament. Production will start initially in “small quantities, which would be increased taking into consideration environmental concerns” before returning to normal levels, according to Kuna.

Production at Khafji halted in October 2014 because of environmental concerns.

Opec meeting The plan to restart Khafji comes as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are set to attend a meeting of Opec members and other producers in Doha, Qatar, next month to discuss a proposed freeze in output. The participants including Russia are seeking to prop up prices that have slumped since mid-2014.

“I’m skeptical until I see some confirmation from the Saudi side or some signs that work is being done at the field,” said Robin Mills, chief executive officer at Qamar Energy in Dubai. The plan to restart Khafji won’t affect the Doha meeting because production probably won’t have started in major quantities by then, Mills said.

Production in the shared area between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia reached 600,000 barrels a day in 2011, including output from Khafji and the onshore Wafra field, according to data. - Bloomberg News

Sultanate’s five projects win accolades at quality awards This is Oman’s best performance in the awards, with five projects winning the national winner accolade compared to only three in last year’s edition

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman achieved a major breakthrough when five of its highest quality projects were named national winners at the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, in association with Mashreq.

With a combined project value of $350 million, national winners from Oman include the Muttawar Omani Company’s Lamar Bausher Muttawar residential development project (nominated by Larsen & Toubro) as Residential Project of the Year; Public Authority of Electricity and Water Sultanate of Oman’s construction of emergency water storage reservoirs project as Power and Water Project of the Year and Al Taher Group’s Oman Avenues Mall-stage 2 project (entered by SAM Engineering) as Retail Project of the Year.

The other two projects are Lycee Francaise De Mascate’s

COST-CUTTING

MAGNIFICENT: The five winning companies from Oman will now compete at the regional level against national winners from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for GCC-wide recognition in various categories. - Supplied picture

construction of New French School, Muscat project (jointly nominated by 23 Degrees North and SAM Engineering) as Social, Culture & Heritage Project of the Year; and Muscat Municipality’s design and construction of underpasses and flyovers Darsait-Al Wadi Al Kabir Road (entered by Larsen & Toubro) as Transport Project of the Year.

John Iossifidis, executive vice president, Group Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Mashreq which is the headline sponsor of the awards says, “Oman’s construction industry is projected to exhibit sustainable growth prospects in the next few

years. This industry experienced enormous investments from the public and private enterprises during the past few years and there are optimistic signs that this will continue. We congratulate all the winners for delivering and contributing towards the growth and sustainability of the industry.”

Evaluation of projects This is Oman’s best performance in the awards, with five projects winning the national winner accolade compared to only three in last year’s edition. They will now compete at the regional level against national winners from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi

Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for GCC-wide recognition in various categories.

“The projects were evaluated by an esteemed judging panel against criteria that included not only engineering and construction excellence; but also sustainability and innovation,” says Richard Thompson, editorial director at MEED. “They are a testament to the quality of projects being built throughout the Gulf and MEED is honoured to be able to recognise these achievements to highlight their contribution towards the future development of the projects industry in the region,” added Richard Thompson.

The winners of the 2016 MEED Quality Awards for Projects, in association with Mashreq will be announced at a ceremony on May 25 that will serve as the culmination of the MEED Construction Leadership Summit, a high-level gathering of the Gulf’s construction leaders, which seeks to promote open dialogue between stakeholders to explore the strategic direction of the construction industry.

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

AV I AT I O N

Oman selects Lockheed’s solution for Muscat, Salalah international airports to forecast and effectively manage the impact of this steep growth curve on both strategic planning and day-to-day operations and will help the airports generate accurate resource plans to ensure passenger experience is never compromised.

Times News Service

Boeing plans to cut 4,000 jobs soon CHICAGO: Boeing plans to cut about 4,000 jobs from its commercial airplanes division by mid-year as part of a broader effort to reduce costs amid fierce competition from Airbus.

The United States planemaker doesn’t plan any involuntary layoffs, for now. Rather, the savings will come from 1,600 workers who elected to leave the company under a voluntary programme announced last month, Marc Birtel, a Boeing spokesman, said by e-mail. Another 2,400 positions are either vacant or will be shed through attrition.

The commercial airplane division, which accounted for 68 per cent of Boeing’s 2015 profit, is also flattening its management structure to create a “more streamlined and nimble organisation that can respond to marketplace demands,” he said.

The effort to revamp Boeing’s sprawling commercial jetliner manufacturing unit comes as new chief executive officer Dennis

Muilenburg starts to make his mark at Boeing.

Muilenburg used cost-cutting measures to bolster profits in an era of constrained defense spending in a previous role as chief of Boeing’s defence unit.

The company is also looking beyond labor for savings. Boeing is renegotiating supplier contracts, consolidating programmes, slashing business travel and working to boost productivity, quality and reduce excess inventory, Birtel said.

The number of job cuts could ultimately be effected by the success of those initiatives.

While the planemaker earned record revenue of $96.1 billion in 2015 and delivered 762 commercial planes, the most in its history, its adjusted profit fell 13 per cent to $7.74 billion from a year earlier.

Contributing to the decline: accounting losses related to the development of KC-46 tanker and declining 747 programmes.

– Bloomberg News

MUSCAT: To support the ambitious growth plans of both Muscat and Salalah international airports as well as Oman Air, Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) has agreed a seven-year contract with US-based aerospace and security giant Lockheed Martin for its suite of Beontra forecasting solutions.

Having welcomed more than 10 million passengers to Muscat International airport in 2015, OAMC is on the way to achieving its vision of becoming a top 20 global airport by 2020 having demonstrated impressive 18 per cent year-on-year growth.

“We achieved record growth last year surpassing 10 million passengers for the first time. To help us continue this trend, we wanted to work with a partner who has a global reputation for product innovation, successful delivery and first-class support. The team at

AGREEMENT SIGNED: The Oman Airports Management Company has agreed a seven-year contract with United States-based aerospace and security giant Lockheed Martin for its suite of Beontra forecasting solutions. – Supplied picture

Lockheed Martin absolutely fits each criteria,” said Aimen Ahmed Al Hosni, chief executive officer of Oman Airports Management Company, after the signing of the

agreement at Passenger Terminal Expo in Cologne, Germany.

Oman Airports Management Company will use the Beontra tools, B Tactical and B Strategic,

Among top 20 airports The Beontra suite used for airports around the globe will play a key role to support decision-making and will enable greater collaboration between the commercial and operational departments to optimise existing infrastructure.

“OAMC has a single-minded vision of becoming one of the world’s top 20 airports by the end of the decade. It’s an impressive objective and I have no doubts that our team will have a positive impact on how Oman Airports Management Company achieves its goal,” added Mark Cooper, managing director (Transportation) at Lockheed Martin.

B4

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

FEATURE

J

apan’s home rooftops are emerging as the th next hot spot in what for years has w been one of the bigb gest solar markets in the world, marking a move beyond the utility- scale projects in rich industrial nations that have fueled most of the industry’s growth.

Because of the change, Japan may not remain the second leading solar market behind China beyond next year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecasts.

Developing nations such as China, Brazil, Egypt and India will pick up the slack as photovoltaics move beyond a toy of rich industrial nations into a competitive power source for places where it’s costly to import fossil fuels.

The government in Tokyo is encouraging more energy-efficient buildings that combine solar panels with some form of storage and other devices like fuel cells. That change also underscores what happens when authorities curtail incentives that have spawned sprawling projects, each covering acres of countryside.

“The market will be shifting from mega-solar to rooftops” because of the lack of large, open spaces, said Izumi Kaizuka, head of the research division at RTS Corp., a solar research company in Tokyo. “As the tariff gets further reduced, the market will focus more on how to use solar power on site.”

Shocked by the atomic meltdown in Fukushima after the earthquake in 2011, Japan lavished some of the most generous incentives on cleaner alternatives. Solar capacity surged sevenfold to 37 gigawatts in the four years ending in 2015, according to BNEF, a London-based industry researcher.

Buoyed by the incentives, growth is set to peak with 14 gigawatts of new installations forecast this year before beginning to taper off as enticements are cut back, BNEF says. By comparison, China’s growth in photovoltaics is expected to remain steady, leaving it the biggest solar market, with 19 gigawatts of additions this year, 21 gigawatts in 2017 and 23.5 gigawatts the following year, BNEF says. By 2018, Japan may not even rank among the top five markets worldwide, according to the forecaster, which says its estimates may be too pessimistic.

Cut in incentives Beginning next month, solar farms in Japan will become much less attractive to develop. Tariffs paid for power from the projects will drop to as much as 40 per cent below where they were four years ago after a government decision designed to pass the impact of lower system costs through to energy consumers.

Solar installations may fall 19 per cent in 2017 compared with the previous year, then another 85 per cent in 2018 to just 1.7 gigawatts during a year when no utility-scale projects are expected to come online, according to BNEF data. Kaizuka of RTS said Japan’s

market probably peaked last year with 11 gigawatts of added capacity and RTS is projecting a more gradual decline.

Still, industry executives say they’re hopeful an abrupt dropoff can be avoided.

For the utility-scale projects that spearheaded the recent expansion, the peak may come in the three years through March 2017, according to Yuichiro Kawabe, who heads the new energy promotion department of Shinsei Bank Ltd., which has been providing project finance loans for solar.

The driver will be a rule change that is expected to prompt developers to complete their projects as quickly as possible, he said. Developers who have already won project approval but haven’t secured grid access before April 2017 will need to get a second approval from the trade ministry.

Market to stabilise Japan has authorised many more solar projects than developers have been able to complete to date. Of the 80 gigawatts approved since July 2012, only 24 gigawatts have begun generating power. The government intends to get 7 per cent of Japan’s electricity from photovoltaics by 2030, which will require 64 gigawatts of capacity, according to trade ministry figures released in July 2015 when the government set out its long-term ambitions for fuel use.

“The market will gradually become stable” at about 4.5 gigawatts a year around 2020, said Kaizuka of RTS. Residential panels will account for about a half of that.

The system where feed-in tariffs are offered to any developer whose projects qualify has led to quick booms in installations from Germany to Spain along with other markets where it’s been tried.

Panel makers in Japan such as Kyocera Corp. and Sharp Corp. saw a dramatic pickup in their solar sales after the system started there. “A few years ago, we were able to sell more and more panels,” said Ichiro Ikeda, who is in charge of solar energy marketing at Kyocera Corp., a Kyotobased maker of panels and electronic equipment. “There were even times we didn’t have enough supply.”

But times are changing. Major panel makers are branching out, developing and offering such products as fuel cells and storage batteries. Sharp, for example, is now focusing its energy business on “energy solutions” and has withdrawn from solar panel production outside Japan.

The market related to smart house and zero-energy homes is projected to grow to nearly 1.2 trillion yen ($10.7 billion) by fiscal 2020 from 865 billion yen in fiscal 2013, according to a 2014 report

by Yano Research Institute Ltd. The segment includes seven types of equipment, including solar panels, fuel cells, and smart meters.

“The fundamental challenge for these players is to offer products and services consumers want at prices consumers are willing to pay,” Ali Izadi-Najafabadi, a Tokyo-based analyst for BNEF, said by e-mail. – Bloomberg News

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B5

ROUND-UP

Splash showcases its new summer collection

O M A N U N I T E D I N S U R A N C E C O M PA N Y

Titled ‘Splash Fashion Xcess’, the summer 2016 fashion show brought together colour, embellishments, textures topped with grunge inspiration MUSCAT: This season Splash embraces the other end of the style spectrum and celebrate the resurgence of Maximalism. Allowing your eclectic side to break loose, you open up the possibilities to think big and experiment with your sartorial choices.

Titled ‘Splash Fashion Xcess’, the summer 2016 fashion show brought together colour, embellishments, textures topped with grunge inspiration. Splash Fashion Xcess’ Show, which was held in Asater, Atlantis Palm Jumeirah, proved to be a big draw, according to a press release. With two sub stories - Mod Maximalism and Grunge Maximalism taking centrestage, a little bit of everything seems just about

the right way to enter the season.

What you get in the collection is a modern hybrid between neat designs with a maximalist edge.

Exploring a new venue with Asater, the guests were welcomed into a pre-function area which was nothing short of a feast to the senses. A walk through the tunnel with multicoloured heart facets, one was immediately transported to an eclectic dimension. Adorned with mirrors and raw bulbs on either side, the replication of things exemplified the Maximalism theme.

The pre-party zone complete with archways and elements inspired by the grunge culture like metal chains set the mood for the show. The energy was palpable with trap and dubstep tunes creating an electric ambience.

Making way into the runway dotted with LED screens, one was able to get a glimpse of the theme through a lucid graphic display.

The collection presented on the runway will be available from April 15 in stores while most looks from the catwalk will be available on www.landmarkshops.com/ splash. You can revisit moments from the show visiting Splash Facebook page - Splash Fashions.

The two dominant trends featured at summer ’16 fashion show were: Mod Maximalism: Catering to a set of sophisticated individuals this collection comprises tailored and oversized silhouettes.

• Fabrics include linen, denim and cotton.

REACHING OUT

• Key pieces include suits, distressed denims and long tees.

• Colours range from pastels to summer darks.

Grunge Maximalism • Youth centric with dominant presence of denim, embellishments, biker stud details.

• Women make a strong statement in suits sets, skater skirts, asymmetric dresses with eyelet details.

• This trend will see colours like gold, gun metal black.

• Distressed denim and a grunge aspect including chain detailing, sequins, studs.

• Fabrics array from net, denim and iridescent material.

• Prints are big too with colour blocking, print on print and polka dots for women.

OUIC honoured best leading insurance company in Oman MUSCAT: Oman United Insurance Company (OUIC), one of the leading insurance companies in Oman, was recently honoured as the best leading insurance company in the Sultanate of Oman by the International Standards Organisation.

The award was presented to Sayyid Nassir bin Salim Al Busaidi, managing director of OUIC, by Abdul Khalid Raouf, the chairman of General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) during the International Economic Forum for Banking & Insurance Risk Management event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,

says a press release.

Established in 1985 Oman United Insurance Company, established in 1985, serves the Oman’s insurance industry which cater motor insurance, fire insurance, personal accident, travel insurance, life and medical insurance, workmen’s compensation insurance, marine hull and cargo, machinery insurance, Himaya Plan (domestic worker) and credit life insurance.

OUIC has also maintained the BBB stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services Agency.

G E N E R AT E S AWA R E N E S S

MEC hosts electronic engineering forum

OAB gets connected to customers with its social media channels MUSCAT: Oman Arab Bank (OAB) recently brought its official social media channels online to ensure customers and members of the public can stay connected to the bank at all times at their own convenience. Within the first month since launch, OAB attracted over 5,000 followers on Facebook and over 500 on Instagram, according to a press release.

OAB can now be reached directly through popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and

YouTube. Customers can benefit from the bank’s enhanced presence, engage through many digital channels and learn about its latest developments on the go including new products and services as well as network updates.

New corporate website “I am confident that our recently introduced social media channels will prove invaluable to customers as they can now reach out to us in real-time wherever they may be at a click of a button,” said Amin Al

Husseini, chief executive officer of Oman Arab Bank. “We are also finalising the bank’s new corporate website which we plan on launching very soon to enrich the OAB digital experience further.”

Since its inception, OAB has consistently expanded its reach to meet customers’ various requirements in the best way possible.

Today, the bank has a comprehensive online footprint that is supported by over 65 strategically located branches and 123 ATMs and CDMs.

MUSCAT: Middle East College (MEC) organised the 6th Electronic Engineering Forum from March 28 to 30 to gather innovators and entrepreneurs.

Dignitaries from the government and private sectors, and students and faculty members from educational institutions across the country attended the various activities during the forum.

It aimed to generate awareness among school students and students in higher education in the Sultanate of Oman about the significance of innovation and entrepreneurship, says a press release.

The forum focused on innovation and entrepreneurship in its 6th version where a range of activities and workshops were organised in various areas.

Hilal Al Siyabi, an Omani inventor who has about 152 inventions to his credit, presented a workshop on ‘Turn Your Idea into a Product’. Moreover, other workshops were presented on topics related to innovations and Electronic Engineering like ‘Arduino Programming’ workshop which was presented by the Arab Lab Institute, and ‘Raspberry Pi Programming’ workshop presented by the Engineering Village Club.

In addition, a robot contest was held during the inauguration ceremony where participants competed in the two categories of the contest, ‘Challenge’ and ‘Idea and Answer’. The contest aimed

to create a challenging environment for the competitors to motivate them towards finding innovative technical solutions for the community’s issues.

Yahya Al Balushi, Faculty, Electronics and Communications Engineering Department and a supervisor of the Electronics Club at MEC, commented: “As we celebrate the 6th forum this year, I’m very happy that we have continued to host this successful event. This year’s forum aimed to promote innovations and entrepreneurship which included different activities and workshops organised in these areas in order to give all the participants a chance to discuss their ideas and solutions for all the society’s issues.

“Being the president of the Electronics Club at MEC and one of the organisers of the forum, let

me add that we started working and planning for it quite a few months in advance to ensure that we successfully meet our targets.

The main goal of this forum is to motivate the students to apply what they learn in what serves our country through innovative ideas and solutions.”

Aysha Saleh Al Azri, a student in Electronics and Communications Engineering Programme, and the President of Electronics Club at MEC said, “It is worth mentioning that MEC offers the electronics and communications engineering programme along with other programmes in the engineering field for students who are seeking to specialise in this area. In addition, it provides opportunities for students to improve their knowledge, talents and skills through the 18 different student clubs.”

ARCHITECTURE FIRM

Hoehler+Partner announces official name change to Hoehler+AlSalmy MUSCAT: Hoehler+Partner (H+P) Architects and Engineers, an Omani-German joint venture, announced an official name change to Hoehler+AlSalmy (H+S), incorporating the name of Muhammad Al Salmy, the managing director and lead partner, says a press release.

Ernst Hoehler, partner and representative of Hoehler+Partner (Germany) remarked, “Hoehler+Partner are known worldwide for our vision and creative contributions to architecture.

In Oman, we have established a niche for ourselves by delivering a number of landmark projects and Muhammad Al Salmy has been the driving force behind these success stories. His experience echoes the best of Omani talent with a global perspective – bringing in the best of both worlds for the benefit of our clients. We are proud to recognise his achievements and officially rename our Oman enterprise as Hoehler+AlSalmy.”

Founded in Muscat in 2009, Hoehler+AlSalmy (H+S), have become a leading name in the Omani architecture and design scene ow-

ing to their ability to create modern, sustainable designs inspired by the Sultanate and its rich culture. This name change reflects the success of the company’s operations in Oman and underscores the increasing role played by the Omani architects and designers within the firm.

Muhammad bin Sultan Al Salmy was the youngest Omani architect to establish an international architectural firm in the Sultanate of Oman at the age of 29. Muhammad gained his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2003 at Oklahoma USA and began his Ph.D. in the conservation and preservation of historic sites in Oman. He became the managing director/partner of Hoehler+AlSalmy (H+S) Oman in 2009; the first Omani-German partnership of its kind. “My journey with Hoehler+AlSalmy (H+S) has been aimed towards making the Sultanate of Oman home to iconic architecture with a keen eye on sustainability and innovation. We are constantly working towards growing and nurturing a culture of bright, inspired Omani

architects,” Muhammad said during the announcement.

Muhammad solely nurtured H+S to grow from one man in 2009, to over 30 architects, project man-

agers and engineers by 2012. His commitment to unique and innovative ecofriendly designs is what gained the trust of the key clients both locally and internationally,

enabling him to win numerous contracts for highly prestigious projects - some of which include the conference and exhibition hall at GUtech, the University of Buraimi, the Porsche Centre Muscat, the German Embassy in Muscat, the Jawad Sultan Headquarters in Qurum and a new development in Madinat Qaboos, as well as other selected private and commercial projects. The services offered by Hoehler+AlSalmy (H+S) span from architectural and interior design to project management and environmental planning.

The company has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the most innovative architectural firms in the Sultanate. At the recently held German Design Awards 2016 in Frankfurt, the company was recognised with the ‘Special Mention Award’ for their unique and sustainable German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) project followed

by Muhammad Al Salmy receiving the Al Roya Economic Award as an appreciation for his great efforts, outstanding contribution,

and infinite giving in service of the private sector and the national economy in Oman.

Since the success of the GUtech campus, Hoehler+AlSalmy (H+S) has been growing at a rapid pace.

The company has won various awards and certifications in the past; they were named best Consultant of the year at the Construction Week Awards in Oman 2013, received the MEED Quality Awards as the national winner in 2014 for the ‘Social Project of the Year, followed by the New-York based IAIR Global Excellence and Sustainability Award in 2015 and Best Performing Medium size Enterprise at the Omantel Business Excellence SME Awards 2015.

Additionally, Hoehler+AlSalmy (H+S) also received the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Certification on 14th April 2015 to ensure the delivery of internationally recognised standards of quality to its clients.

This is an exciting time for Hoehler+AlSalmy (H+S) as the team strives towards building upon its current success stories.

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ROUND-UP Bank of Beirut honoured with Traffic Week Trophy The trophy recognises Bank of Beirut’s deep-rooted involvement in helping raise people’s awareness in traffic safety issues

MUSCAT: In recognition of its support for the Traffic Week initiative, Bank of Beirut was awarded with a trophy. It was given to Ramy Zambarakji - CEO, Bank of Beirut Oman by Major General Suleiman Al Harthy, assistant general inspector for the Administration

& Financial Affairs at the Royal Oman Police, in an official ceremony held recently.

One of the Sultanate’s most successful traffic safety campaigns, Traffic Week encourages responsible behaviour among different

segments of society, so that all road users respect road safety rules in line with the highest international practices. It includes activities and initiatives aimed at deepening traffic awareness and making it part of a culture that positively

Smile Hypermarket - Saham, commenced ‘Smile Shopping Festival’ which will continue until April 6. Omani traditional dance, flash mob by the staff, camel safari, surprise gifts, roadshows and other entertainment activities were the main highlights of the celebration. As part of the celebration, Smile Hypermarket has announced exciting offers on all the items. — Supplied picture

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

PROPERTY SHOW

Piramal Realty roadshow starts tomorrow MUSCAT: Piramal Realty, the real estate development arm of the $4 billion Piramal Group, is organising a roadshow tomorrow and the day after at Haffa House Ruwi, says a press release.

It has over 10 million square feet of commercial and residential projects under development in prime areas of Mumbai, such as Byculla, BKC, Mulund, Thane, and Worli.

Recently, Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus, two international equity partners, have invested approx. $434 million in the company, at the entity-level.

Piramal Realty has recently launched Piramal Aranya, a luxurious residential high-rise in Byculla, South Mumbai and Piramal Vaikunth, a new community for natural and holistic living at Balkum, Thane. The key projects are: Piramal Aranya is Piramal Realty’s signature project located in Byculla. Spread across 7 acres, it presents a new perspective on exceptional living in Mumbai. It will be one of the tallest developments in the city which will be upto 70 storeys, offering breath-

reflects the government’s efforts to reduce accidents and traffic violations, says a press release.

The trophy recognises Bank of Beirut’s deep-rooted involvement in helping raise people’s awareness in traffic safety issues, whether in limiting accidents or decreasing the mortality rate. It endorses the bank’s support for a new culture of safe driving that enhances the promotion of responsible traffic practices and safe driving habits.

Zambarakji commented, “We are proud to make traffic safety an integral part of our social investment programme. It reasserts our commitment to meaningful community development initiatives across all aspects of Omani life.” He continued, “The tragedies precipitated by preventable traffic mishaps affect us all. Our aim is to protect Oman’s most valuable resource – its people – by working to reduce fatalities and serious injuries resulting from road accidents.”

ATTRACTIVE OFFERS AT SMILE HYPERMARKET, SAHAM

taking views of the 60 acres of lush botanical gardens on the west and the picturesque Mumbai skyline and Mumbai Harbour on the East.

Piramal Vaikunth is spread over 32 acres near metropolitan Mumbai. It is a mixed-use complex designed by Chicago-based architectural firm, HOK. The project features in the 2014 HOK Design Annual, amongst 40 other projects from around the world. It is also HOK’s winning project in the Delivery category, where Building Information and Modelling (BIM) has been used to achieve a high level in design and delivery process, as well as design and construction integration. The project received strong customer response on the Phase 1 launch.

The company aims to be the gold standard in design, quality, safety and customer centricity in both residential and commercial real estate domain. Piramal Realty’s developments, while being cutting edge and contemporary, focus on embracing a more intuitive definition of luxury, which celebrates nature, greenery, space,

light, ventilation, art, culture, and community living.

Piramal Realty’s advisory board includes Deepak Parekh, Chairman of HDFC, Nitin Nohria, Dean of Harvard Business School, Robert Booth, former CEO of EMAAR Properties Dubai and Subbu Narayanswamy, director of McKinsey & Co. and head of the real estate/infrastructure practice in Asia. The company is currently collaborating with the world’s leading architectural practices, including Make, HOK, KPF, and Callisons and partners with world-class contractors, such as L&T and Eversendai.

Piramal Group is one of India’s leading conglomerates with interests in pharmaceuticals, financial services, information management, glass packaging, and real estate. It is founded by Ajay Piramal. Driven by its core values of knowledge, action and care, the group’s mission is “doing well and doing good.” Piramal Foundation, the philanthropic arm, has initiatives in healthcare, education, water, and women empowerment across 19 states of India.

Danube Home introduces ‘franchise opportunity’ in Middle East, Africa

Danube Home is excited to introduce franchise opportunity in the Middle East and Africa. The idea came to life with our growing popularity across markets however we would be cautious in our approach as we believe that every franchisee needs to adhere to some basic management skills such as hard work with a desire to succeed, good people skills, excellence, honesty, and integrity Adel Sajan Director, Danube Group

MUSCAT: Danube Home, onestop retail destination for complete home solutions, including both soft and hard furnishing including a complete range of living, bath, lighting, kitchen, garden, and outdoors, announced the opening of ‘franchise opportunity’ for the Middle Eastern and African markets.

Danube Home will provide every franchisor an opportunity to establish and expand the business through full service franchise development, consulting, marketing, operations, and implementation. The global presence along with big market share allows Danube Home to offer the franchise opportunities with gusto, according to a press release.

Adel Sajan, director, Danube Group asserted, “Danube Home is excited to introduce franchise opportunity in the Middle East and Africa. The idea came to life with our growing popularity across markets however we would be cautious in our approach as we believe that every franchisee needs to adhere to some basic management skills such as hard work with a desire to succeed, good people skills which includes business, management and customer service skills, high personal standards: excellence, honesty and integrity.”

Danube Home serves multicul-

tural middle to high-end income customers. The size of a typical Danube Home Boutique store is between 2,500sqft and 3,500sqft.

The size of a typical Danube Home Mega store is between 25,000sqft and 40,000sqft. The average customer flow is 50 – 80 customers per store per day.

“Danube Home is a one stop solution for home improvement products - specifically anything and everything a home needs.

Ours is an unmatchable concept in terms of legacy, operational capability, brand equity and to top it all brand recognition. We are looking for investors who believe in our concept and in turn their potential gives us confidence to set up these market specific Danube Home stores.

“Franchising provides benefits for both seller and buyer. In this light, many view franchising as a commitment much like marriage.

A good match between franchisor and franchisee, sharing mutual goals over the long term, is essential to the success of each franchise unit, and thus the brand as a whole - an essential factor that must be considered seriously,” said Sayed Habib, DGM Buying and Business DevelopmentDanube Home.

Danube Home management will provide ongoing training and support in many areas critical to

the success of the franchisee’s business, including unit operations and maintenance, customer-service techniques, product ordering, suggested pricing guidelines, and administrative procedures. Prior to approving a site for Danube Home outlet, Danube Home Management will provide franchisees with clear guidelines for a suitable location.

Danube Home will require franchisees to follow these instructions to ensure that an appropriate site is located. Danube Home Management coordinates development of advertising materials and strategies for the benefit of all members of the franchise network. It should also supply franchisees with consumer marketing plans and materials for use at the local or regional level, and retains the right to approve all local advertising materials that the franchisee chooses to develop.

Reporting directly to administration, this department is responsible for the financial and legal oversight of franchisees. Danube Home Management continues to research methods and techniques for franchise operations (including purchasing and promotional schemes) that enhance unit-level profitability. Danube Home Management provides the overall coordination and planning for the Danube Home franchise system.

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2016 Toyota RAV4 now comes with cashback offer The ‘Summer Surprises’ offer ends on April 30

MUSCAT: The Toyota RAV4 is a global model that is sold in more than 150 countries and regions.

The 2016 Toyota RAV4 promises even more fun with its thrillingly new attributes that include sporty leather seat material, 6.1” display audio with 6 speakers, LED rear combination lamps, power back door, 6-speed multi-mode automatic transmission and a TFT multi information display.

The RAV4 also has another treat for its customers during the ‘Summer Surprises’ offer. There is a cashback gift of OMR800. (Scheme ends on April 30) Conditions apply; full details are available at the showroom, says a press release.

“Now, the RAV4 is even more tempting to own, given the exciting offer,” says a spokesperson for the brand in Oman.

The current generation RAV4 has been ‘Fungineered’ by Toyota

engineers. Its unique design, emotional appeal and appointments are testimony to Toyota’s clever innovations.

The exterior has been recreated to be more dynamic, bold and upscale –18” alloy wheels set off a sleek new grille and bumper along with new Bi-beam LED headlamps and attractive daytime running lights, aero stabilising fins, aerodynamic roof rails - all add to its unique external design.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine in the RAV4 uses Dual VVT-i technology that enhances power delivery efficiency via a 6-speed gearbox. The technology works by controlling both intake and exhaust timings to produce 177 horsepower.

The RAV4’s interior has a premium, urban look with soft-touch accents and driver-centric controls. The high-tech features include HDD type 7” navigation system, display audio with a 6.1-inch.

Touchscreen, AM/FM/CD, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and AUX mini-jack, and six speakers.

Apart from these, there are many exciting features adding to RAV4’s overall interior appeal - as well as to its functionality. These include the smart entry and start system, rear view camera with back guide monitor, leather seat material, power driver seat with tilt and slide function, automatic climate control with pollen-removal type clean air filter and re-

EXHIBITION

Panasonic showcases its strength in electrical solutions at Big Show

MUSCAT: Panasonic, a global leader in technology, in collaboration with Oman Marketing and Services Company (Omasco) is demonstrating its energy solutions which feature the latest in electrical product segment at the Big Show 2016, the annual international exhibition for building and construction industry in Oman.

The Big Show being held at the Oman International Exhibition Centre in Muscat from March 28 will end today. Panasonic is present at stand 441, says a press release.

Panasonic is highlighting its innovative systems from its - Eco Solutions Division, under homes & living category - ranging from energy creation, indoor air quality to lighting solutions.

Tatsuya Kumazawa, director and divisional head, Eco Solutions Division, PMMAF commented, “Energy sector is undergoing an unprecedented growth with huge investments being pumped into the sector over the coming years thereby offering the industry players a challenging yet competitive business environment. Smart cities are the future and this concept is inevitable in

this region, with the local government playing an active role to make it part of the basic infrastructure.”

“With its expansive range of products, Panasonic has been a pioneer in innovative energy solutions and has been a trusted brand for decades. The Big Show Oman is the perfect platform for us to highlight the latest sustainable living concepts which form the core of our businesses. We are committed to support the B2B and B2G sectors with our innovative, energy saving and environment friendly solutions,” he further added.

Kishore Chandrasekharan, as-

sistant general manager-Projects & Enterprise Sales, Omasco believes that diversification of business into products and solutions will be the key to its success in the near future.

He says, “Air conditioners, in particular VRF systems, are becoming more and more popular in Oman. With the introduction of the new Panasonic FSV EX VRF Systems at the Big Show 2016, we intend to be the market leader in this category as well. The fact that Panasonic room air conditioners are the No. 1 air conditioners in the country also will help the success of FSV EX. “These products would be sold through our strong AC Projects sales teams as a separate business category. Big Show 2016 will be a platform for showcasing this new product category and also will be a catalyst in growing our sales in this category which will identify with every customer in the construction industry.”

“The building and construction industry is comparatively very stable in Oman. We believe that our strategies will spread into new areas and avenues, enhancing further growth,” he added.

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tractable power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators.

The RAV4 builds on the very highest standards of occupant safety and pedestrian impact protection evolved over three generations of the compact Toyota SUV. It has class-leading six airbags and is packed with a host of safety features like Traction Control (TRC), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Brake Assist (BA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Downhill Assist Control, Front & Rear Parking Sensors, Hill-Start Assist Control and Front & Rear Parking Sensors.

Visit the nearest Toyota showroom to take a closer look at the thrilling 2016 RAV4.

All specifications listed above are standard Toyota equipment.

Safety kit is a dealer installed non-Toyota item provided on applicable Toyota model grades as standard equipment. Vehicle specifications may change without prior notice.

In Oman, the nationwide parts and service network of Saud Bahwan Automotive supports Toyota’s outstanding product quality. No wonder then that today, Toyota is one of the most trusted and well-known brands.

SPECIAL EDITION COLLECTION

Pure Gold launches nature inspired diamond pendants

MUSCAT: Drawing inspiration from the myriad colours of Spring, Pure Gold Jewellers, the award winning jewellery retailer and the only world diamond mark certified retailer in the GCC, has launched a collection of diamonds and coloured stone pendants in the shape of butterflies.

The colourful pendants are a tribute to the season of fun and frolic that Spring ushers in.

In the special edition collection is a butterfly pendant with wings accented with coloured stones in honey yellow, green and brown, shaped like water droplets representing the first hues of spring. With a diamond sparkling on the wing set in white gold, the pendant is priced at OMR189, ac-

cording to a press release.

Commenting on the special edition Spring collections, Karim Merchant, CEO and MD of Pure Gold Jewellers, says: “Our collection, inspired by nature in its full bloom during Spring, reminds one of the fun and enjoyable moments spent with friends and family during this beautiful time.”

The collection also features a spectacular butterfly pendant with a frontal wing accentuated with diamonds set in yellow gold, and the wing beneath set in glittering pink coloured stones. The softer shade of pink signifies femininity, love, and beauty. This exquisite butterfly shaped pink stones and diamond pendant, is priced at OMR219.

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Majlis Meethaq forum hosts chairman of WJ Towell Group Highlighting the challenges and achievements in life, Hussain Jawad Al Lawati, highlighted the role played by large family businesses in the economic development of Oman

MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, hosted Hussain Jawad Al Lawati, chairman of WJ Towell Group, at the ninth Majlis Meethaq evening, a unique social

forum aimed at facilitating interaction with prominent personalities sharing inspirational aspects of their life and career as well as views and perspective on the economy and important social and cultural issues.

The gathering held at Bank Muscat head office was attended by dignitaries and a large turnout of corporate representatives, ac-

cording to a press release.

Highlighting the challenges and achievements in life, Hussain Jawad Al Lawati, highlighted the role played by large family businesses in the economic development of Oman. The private sector is making a significant contribution to the development march in Oman, he said adding that they must pay more attention to social

STRENGTHENS TEAM PERFORMANCE

responsibility, supporting events and activities benefiting Omani society. Recalling his experiences in life and career, Al Lawati called on Omani youth to take advantage of the opportunities in the field of small and medium enterprises. He also spoke about his personal and academic achievements.

Majlis Meethaq is a monthly gathering in which a well-known

economic, social, religious or cultural persona having influence on Omani society from the Sultanate or abroad is hosted. The interaction between the guest and the audience is aimed at focusing on aspects of the presenter’s personal life, success in career and views on issues facing the country and community.

As the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman, 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 Sharia compliance certification by the Sharia Supervisory Board and is created in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Oman.

Meethaq offers a full suite of Islamic banking products and services, including savings account, current account, home finance, auto finance, credit card, mobile banking, and internet banking. Presently, Meethaq has 18 branches across the Sultanate and plans to expand the network as well as launch new products and services to complement the unique Islamic banking experience. Its strategy is to sustain its leadership position and attract customers, distinguished by innovation of products and operational efficiency. Meethaq is well positioned to make a difference in Islamic banking with emphasis on social responsibility, economic justice and developmental commitment.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Omantel Olympics initiative enhances staff engagement MUSCAT: Omantel, the leading provider of integrated telecommunication services in the Sultanate, has concluded the second edition of the Omantel Olympics, a staff engagement programme that enables Omantel staff to meet, socialise and engage in friendly competitions and in doing so boost morale, reward achievements and promote a healthy lifestyle.

The Omantel Olympics was conceived by Omantel HR department as a tool to strengthen team performance and enhance the overall company culture and work environment in line with Omantel’s future aspirations, says a press release.

Commenting on the event, Dr Ghalib Al Hosni, Omantel’s vice -president of Human Resources noted, “Company culture and employee satisfaction play a key role in the innovative 3.0 transformation strategy, which directly impacts every aspect of our business, and most importantly customer service. With this in mind we created a programme of staff activities and events that ultimately serve to enhance individual and team performance within the company.

“The Omantel Olympics is one such event. This year marked the completion of second edition of the event, of which the first proved to be enormously popular and successful. The Omantel Olympics promote teamwork, communication and problem solving skills and strengthens relations between employees and their managers.”

Muna Al Mamari, Omantel’s Press & Media manager and chairperson of Omantel Olympics committee also noted, “This edition of Omantel Olympics has been even more successful and enjoyable than before. For the first time children of staff were allowed to participate, an addition that helped to boost the sense of community and strengthen bonds between staff and the company.

“This time we also introduced a number of exciting new activities to the programme, including a desert challenge. Also, in line with our ongoing commitment to growing the SME sector, we employed the services of many local small businesses for the execution of the

NBO approves 17% cash dividend, 10% cent stock dividend at AGM

This year marked the completion of second edition of the event, of which the first proved to be enormously popular and successful.

The Omantel Olympics promote teamwork, communication and problem solving skills and strengthens relations between employees and their managers Dr Ghalib Al Hosni Vice president of Human Resources, Omantel

events and supply of materials and food and beverages. In this way, the benefits of the initiative are felt beyond Omantel and our employees.

The number of participants

in Omantel Olympics this year reached 1,037 compared with 844 participants last year, marking a 22 per cent increase and reflecting the growing success and popularity of the programme.

Furthermore, in the second edition, women supervised the events, an addition that saw a significant increase of the participation of female staff, recorded a growth of 50 per cent compared to last year.

Dr Ghalib Al Hosni added, “This year the programme aims to really explore employees’ talents by encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones. We have in fact discovered many talented athletes, many of who were not even aware of their special talents prior to the event.”

“The programme has helped to shape staff ’s skills and has resulted in great performances and achievements, such as the Omantel karting team, which achieved stellar results this year. The participation of families is also a great addition, as this will help staff explore their abilities even more and will help in fostering a greater Omantel community spirit, serving to enhance our overall productivity and quality of work across all aspects of the business.”

The second edition of the Omantel Olympics began in November 2015 and concluded in March this year. The closing ceremony and final awards celebrations will take place on Sunday.

Today, Omantel boldly innovates to deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction, the broadest and most reliable nationwide network while investing for Oman’s future development.

MUSCAT: National Bank of Oman (NBO) announced recently that a distribution of a 17 per cent cash dividend of the paid up capital (Baisa 17 per share) and 10 per cent stock dividend (one share per each 10 shares) was approved following the conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently, at the Grand Hyatt in Muscat.

During the AGM, the shareholders approved the report of the Board of Directors and of the auditors for the financial year ending December 31, 2015. The shareholders also approved the bank’s corporate governance report, balance sheet and profit and loss accounts for the same period, says a press release.

For the 12 months ending December 31, 2015, NBO reported a record performance with net profit of OMR60.1 million, an increase of 20 per cent compared to OMR50.3 million in 2014, demonstrating the success of the bank’s expansion strategy and ability to

deliver sustainable growth.

Net interest income from conventional banking and revenues from Islamic financing activities grew by 15 per cent to OMR94.7 million, while loans and advances grew by 9 per cent, demonstrating the bank’s prudent management of assets and liabilities.

“The strong financial results delivered by NBO in 2015 reflect the success of our ongoing transformational journey to be the Sultanate’s bank of choice, and we are delighted to share this success with our shareholders through a very healthy dividend,” said Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi, chairman of NBO. Ahmed Al Musalmi, NBO’s chief executive officer, added: “Driven by innovation, service and a commitment to excellence, NBO delivered exceptional performance across the business in 2015. Customers responded superbly to the many newly launched products and services in 2015, and we look forward to

exceeding their expectations again over the next 12 months.”

Al Musalmi concluded: “Our financial performance over the last two years underscores the effectiveness of our five-year growth strategy, which places the customer at the heart of our business. In particular, we are fully committed to leading the industry through technological innovations and the delivery of a superior banking experience. Our success in 2015 was further underlined by the six major industry awards and accolades won across the business.”

During the AGM, the shareholders were notified about the Sharia Supervisory Board report on Muzn Islamic Banking services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, the shareholders also approved the appointment of Ernst and Young as the external auditors for the company and external Sharia Auditor for the current fiscal year and fixed their remuneration.

R O YA L P R E M I U M H O S P I TA L

Shifa Al Jazeera set to invest more in healthcare sector MUSCAT: Shifa Al Jazeera, the leading healthcare group in the GCC, is set to invest more in the healthcare sector as part of its expansion plans which include premium hospitals, polyclinics and chain of pharmacies.

According to K. T. Rabeeulla, the chairman and managing director of Shifa Al Jazeera, the group plans to set up a royal premium hospital dedicated for mother and child at Azaiba, offering superior clinical care and ultra-modern facilities, says a press release.

The proposed hospital sprawling over 3,000 square metres would offer the latest in healthcare and the best of facilities including crown royal suite to cater to the needs of mother and child. The hospital would be operated by M Care Group under the able leadership of Sheikh Udaifa Al Gazzali as the chairman and K. T. Rabeeulla, as the vice-chairman.

Initially M Care has identified seven cities in Oman to establish its presence. Hospitals are

planned for Ruwi and Al Khoudh in the Muscat region, while a premium poly clinic is being completed at Al Khuwair and scheduled to open in June. The hospital at Ruwi is fast progressing and expected to be operational by October. Subject to approval from

authorities concerned, the group plans to offer consultation at a nominal charge of OMR1.

Apart from this, the group has joined hands with Zahrath Group and is planning to open premium polyclinics Badr Al Thamaam, across Oman.

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Roy on rampage as England storm into World T20 final Roy, who had set the tone with a 16-ball43 against South Africa, produced an exhilarating array of shots to knock the stuffing out of the New Zealand attack, which had looked potent till now

NEW DELHI: England stormed into the final of the ICC World Twenty20 with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand, riding on opener Jason Roy’s blazing 78.

After restricting New Zealand to 153 for eight with an impressive death bowling effort, it was then turn of right-handed Roy to pulverise a potent Black Caps attack into submission with a superlative 78 off 44 balls as the winners finished the match in only 17.1 overs.

Roy, who had set the tone with a 16-ball-43 against South Africa, produced an exhilarating array of shots to knock the stuffing out of the New Zealand attack, which had looked potent till now.

In all, Roy hit 11 boundaries and two sixes. He teed off with four boundaries in the first over bowled

by Corey Anderson and the graph only went upwards after that.

The 25-year-old Surrey batsman literally slapped fast bowler Adam Milne for a six over long-off.

The boundaries just kept coming as his 50 came off 26 balls with nine boundaries and a six.

The team’s 100 came in 10.2 overs and New Zealand by then had been all but knocked out. Roy’s innings was an example of perfect hand-eye co- ordination with minimalistic footwork against fast bowlers. With no lateral movement, it was easy for the South Africa-born batsman to hit through the line.

To make matters worse, he did not let left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner settle down hitting him CRICKET

India likely to tour West Indies in July MUMBAI: India will visit the West Indies for a four-match Test series later this summer, which will revive bilateral ties between the two teams after almost a two-year hiatus.

The tour is likely to take place in July-August, although the dates and venues are yet to be announced. “The official word is that the tour is on. We are just awaiting confirmation of the venues now. And once we have done that, we will send out a release with the dates, the venues and everything,” West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron told ‘Cricket Radio’ in Nagpur.

Bilateral series between the two teams remained suspended since the West Indies abandoned their tour to India mid-way in June 2014. The announcement puts an end to the uncertainty that has surrounded the series - listed on the ICC’s Future Tours Programme - ever since the BCCI suspended bilateral engagements as a penalty.

The likely dates means the tour would clash with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which is likely to begin in late June, and finish in the first week of August.

“Yes, it will (clash with the CPL). The unfortunate thing is that the international calendar is packed. And the only window for this tour to come off is during that time.” - PTI

for two boundaries in his first over.

Such was Roy’s dominance that his opening partner, the normally attacking Alex Hales (20) looked pale in comparison during their 82-run first wicket stand.

By the time, Roy was bowled missing the line of an Ish Sodhi leg-break, England had more or less pocketed the match with only 44 runs adift of the target.

Eoin Morgan (0) was adjudged leg before first ball but Joe Root (27 not out) and Jos Buttler (32 not out off 17 balls) guided the team home with minimum fuss.

The last 28 runs came off seven deliveries as the England duo finished with a flourish.

Having played some brilliant cricket at the league stage, New Zealand under Kane Williamson could not deliver the killer blow when it mattered the most as they were out of the contest after the first 10 overs of their batting innings.

Their bowling held the key throughout but as per law of averages, they were to have a bad day which unfortunately came in the semifinals. Earlier, New Zealand batsmen frittered away a fantastic start in front of some splendid death bowling by England to post a below par 153 for eight after being put into bat.

The England bowlers came under the pump during the first 10 overs giving away 89 runs but were once again brilliant at the death conceding only 64 runs in the last 10 overs to stop New Zealand from setting an imposing target.

Electing to field, England staged a strong comeback in the second half of New Zealand’s innings to restrict their opponents to a modest 153 for eight.

After dangerous opener Martin Guptill fell in the third over, Colin Munro (46) added 74 for the second wicket with Williamson (32) to lay the foundations for a big total.

England, however, applied the brakes with some disciplined bowling and tight fielding.

Anderson made 28 down the order but New Zealand eventually fell well short of the 175 total that looked reachable at the halfway stage. Ben Stokes (3-26) was the pick of the England bowlers, again showing how good he is in the latter stages of an innings.

England, the 2010 champions, now meet the winners of Thursday’s match between India and West Indies on Sunday. - PTI, Reuters

JASON ROY

78

runs from 44 balls 11 fours, 2 sixes

NEW ZEALAND M.Guptill c Buttler b Willey 15 K. Williamson c&b Ali 32 C. Munro c M. Ali b L. Plunkett 46 C. Anderson c Jordan b Stokes 28 R. Taylor c Morgan b Jordan 6 L. Ronchi c Willey b Stokes 3 G. Elliott (not out) 4 M. Santner c Jordan b Stokes 7 M. McClenaghan run out 1 Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-6) 11 Total (8 wkts; 20 overs) 153 Did not bat: I.S. Sodhi, A. Milne.

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-91, 3-107, 4-134,

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

5-139, 6-139, 7-150, 8-153.

Bowling: D. Willey 2-0-17-1; C. Jordan 4-024-1 (w-2); L. Plunkett 4-0-38-1 (w-2); A. Rashid 4-0-33-0 (w-2); B. Stokes 4-0-26-3 (w-2); M. Ali 2-0-10-1.

ENGLAND J. Roy b Sodhi A. Hales c Munro b Santner J. Root not out E. Morgan lbw b Sodhi J. Buttler not out Extras (lb-1, w-1) Total (3 wickets; 17.1 overs)

78 20 27 0 32 2 159

Did not bat: B. Stokes, M. Ali, C. Jordan, D. Willey, A. Rashid, L. Plunkett Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-110, 3-110 Bowling: C. Anderson 1-0-16-0, A. Milne 3-0-27-0, M. McClenaghan 3-0-24-0, M. Santner 3.1-0-28-1, I. Sodhi 4-0-42-2, G. Elliott 3-0-21-0 Toss: England, who chose to field Man of the match: J. Roy (England) Umpires: K. Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and RJ Tucker (Australia) TV umpire: B. Oxenford (Australia) Match referee: D. Boon (Australia) Reserve umpire: J. Wilson (West Indies)

WOMEN’S WT20

Australia enter fourth straight final NEW DELHI: Defending champions Australia made a dramatic comeback against old foes England to enter their fourth successive Women’s World Twenty20 final with a five-run win here on Wednesday.

Chasing 133, England were cruising at 87 for one before they self destructed against their fighting opponents to end at 127 for seven in 20 overs.

Put in to bat, Australia captain Meg Lanning (55 off 50 balls) guided her team to 132 for six before the bowlers led by medium pacer Megan Schutt (2/15) pulled off a sensational victory for the team that has pocketed the last three World T20 titles. England needed 13 off the final over but Schutt bowled miserly to seal the issue for her side. It was hard to imagine an Australian win with the start that English team had got.

The in-form opening pair of Charlotte Edwards (31) and Tammy Beaumont (32) provided a brisk start to take England to 50-run mark in just seven overs.

This kind of stroke play was seldom seen in the tournament prior to Wednesday’s game but England openers gave the sparse crowd at the Feroz Shah Kotla plenty to cheer for.

Edwards, the team’s leading run-getter in the tournament, carried her sublime touch to the crunch game and was ably supported by Beaumont.

Beaumont started with a fine flick off medium pacer Ellyse Perry in the second over before smashing her for a six over square leg three overs later.

Edwards was not to be left far behind as she combined elegance with innovation.

She struck a copybook straight drive with as much ease as she orchestrated a reverse sweep. It seemed England were running away with the game until Australia got the much needed wicket of Edwards, who was caught cleanly at the extra cover.

With the fall of their captain, England were 67 for one in 10 overs and needed just another 66 from the last 10. It was imperative for England to keep going after Edwards’ departure.

All England needed was some sensible batting to see them through but they kept losing wickets to be reeling at 103 for five from 89 for one. - PTI

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

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SPORTS C O M M E N TA RY

India start favourites but this format can make ‘pundits’ look like idiots in a jiffy

I

ndia go in to the semifinals at probably their least favourite venue, the Wankhede Stadium. It was at this venue a few months back that the South Africans massacred their bowling to score 438 runs in a limited overs game.

That said, the bowling is now way different with the inclusion of the wily experienced Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.

Nehra and Bumrah not only get wickets at the beginning but bowl exceedingly well in the slog overs to put the brakes on the opposition scoring. Pandya has the happy knack of picking wickets even though he gives runs away in the final overs.

More importantly he has the luck factor going for him which is so crucial. If a bowler picks wickets off full tosses then it’s nothing but luck as was seen in the game against Bangladesh.

Dhoni will not leave him out of the team for he knows that

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India bank on spin to blunt Windies weapons Dhoni faces the

There is a case for going with an extra spinner but the Wankhede pitch is less likely to assist spin so there won’t be much of a change in the Indian team Pandya can belt the ball and with his fielding save the runs that he gives as a bowler.

Yuvraj Singh’s fitness will be a factor and India is likely to go with Rahane who has been sitting in the wings patiently awaiting his chance. There is a case for going with an extra spinner but the Wankhede pitch is less likely to assist spin so there won’t be much of a change in the Indian team.

The Windies on the other hand have brought in the experienced Lendl Simmons who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and so is familiar with the pitch. He and Gayle form a formidable opening pair

and Dhoni will once again use Ashwin to bowl to Gayle who is happier when the ball is coming on to the bat than when he has to wait for the ball as he has to when facing Ashwin.

Virat Kohli has pulled the fat out of the fire for most of India’s wins in this tournament and it is about time the others take a cue from his approach and begin to make a contribution.

If the openers get India off to a good start then Kohli can come and play the shots as only he can and get India a big score on the board. India start as the favourites but the T20 format is known for making ‘pundits’ look like idiots in a jiffy. - PMG

prospect of lifting a third World Cup for India after leading them in 2007 and again for the 50-overs title in 2011 GEARING UP: With Yuvraj Singh ruled out, Ajinkya Rahane (in training) will get his chance to play. – AFP

MUMBAI: The second World Twenty20 semifinal is likely to hinge on who emerges on top in the battle between the big-hitting West Indian batsmen and India’s wily spinners when the former champions clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

India, the world’s top-ranked side in the shortest format, arrived at the sixth edition of the tournament with 10 wins from 11 matches in 2016 and were considered overwhelming favourites by fans, opposing captains and bookmakers alike.

But while an opening Super 10 stage defeat to New Zealand, who reached the semifinals unbeaten, was a wake-up call, the home side’s credentials came into question in a one-run win over Bangladesh, who lost three wickets in the last three balls.

Virat Kohli’s wide blade was then called on to see off a stiff challenge from 50-over world champions Australia in a winnertakes-all contest to reach the last four, his masterclass glossing over some major batting flaws for the 2007 champions.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have failed to build a solid foundation for the hosts and their opening stands of five, 14, 42 and 23 have put pressure on the middle and lower order to provide a bulk of the scoring.

Left-hander Suresh Raina’s scores of one, zero, 30 and 10 have not been overly helpful either, and calls for the number four batsman’s omission from the team

FA C T B O X

Match starts: 1730 Oman time World T20 head to head: Played: 3; West Indies won: 2; India won: 1 *** WEST INDIES World ranking: Three Squad: Darren Sammy (Captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Evin Lewis Coach: Phil Simmons Best overall performance: Champions (2012) Road to semifinal: * Beat England by six wickets * Beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets * Beat South Africa by three wickets * Lost to Afghanistan by six runs Top scorer: Fletcher (106 runs)

have only gained momentum.

Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out with an ankle injury he picked up in the win over Australia, opening the door for either Ajinkya Rahane to play at his home ground or the recalled Manish Pandey to stake a claim in the starting side.

“You can’t rely on one batsman, yes the others have contributed, but still at the same time, if we can do a bit more with the bat at the top of the order and the middle overs, I think we will feel the pressure slightly less,” India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said

Top wicket-taker: Russell (seven wickets) *** INDIA World ranking: One Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Pawan Negi, Ashish Nehra, Hardik Pandya, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Manish Pandey Coach: Ravi Shastri Best overall performance: Champions (2007) Road to semifinal: * Lost to New Zealand by 47 runs * Beat Pakistan by six wickets * Beat Bangladesh by one run * Beat Australia by six wickets Top scorer: Kohli (184 runs) Top wicket-taker: Pandya (five wickets)

after the Australia triumph.

“Also, it will be good, because still we feel we are batting at 65 percent, barring Virat (Kohli).”

Dhoni faces the prospect of lifting a third World Cup for India after leading them in 2007 and again for the 50-overs title in 2011, the wicketkeeper lauded for his exceptional calmness and savvy against Bangladesh as India stole victory.

A win on Thursday will take India to a third final in the World T20 under Dhoni after they went down to South Asian rivals Sri Lanka in the last edition. - Reuters

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

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SPORTS WORLD T20

Unfancied Windies out to win back respect, says Sammy MUMBAI: West Indies’s tumultuous build-up to the World Twenty20 has knit the players together and they will have no better stage than Thursday’s semi-final against India to express themselves, captain Darren Sammy said on Wednesday.

India, the world’s top-ranked side in the format, came into the sixth edition of the tournament having won 10 out of their 11 matches in 2016 and were considered overwhelming favourites by fans, opposing captains and bookmakers alike.

West Indies, the 2012 champions, on the other hand were busy sorting out a contractual dispute with their board just weeks ahead

of the start and did not play a single international Twenty20 before arriving in India.

“The issues before the tournament, the lack of respect for our T20 team... a lot has been said about this team and we as a group that brought us closer together,” Sammy told reporters on the eve of the match.

“We saw a lot was against us... we think it’s us against the world.

It’s only us in our own little circle and that’s the way we have gone out and played. Tomorrow is no bigger day to express that.”

A number of West Indies players are in their 30s and play only the shortest format of the game and, with the next World Twen-

ty20 scheduled in four years’ time in Australia, the current campaign could be the swansong for a few of them.

Sammy felt it had made the players more focused.

“Looking at the calendar year after this World Cup, I don’t see any T20 internationals scheduled,” said the ever-smiling Sammy. “It might be a while and the next T20 World Cup is in four years.

“We really put in our all in this tournament and the guys in the dressing room are aware of what’s at stake.

“The guys who predict the results and stuff I think say it’s 80:20 in favour of India. So it feels like David versus Goliath but people

tend to forget David won the fight.”

West Indies’ top-order batting has shouldered the burden of chasing down targets in their first three matches, which has been very pleasing for Sammy.

“The key word was responsibility. It is one of the main words we use in the dressing room. Someone taking the responsibility to bring the team home, not leave it for anyone,” the 32-year-old said.

“We’ve not played the perfect game. We’re stressing on rotation of strike and stuff. It’s clear we’re a big boundary-hitting team and we look at the dot ball percentage (which) is 40-50 percent for us. Maybe we could improve on that.” - Reuters

Indian top order must deliver now: Shastri Shastri hoped that batsmen such as Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, after an indifferent run, step up and show their mettle at the Wankhede

HARD OR SOFT? India cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni inspects the pitch at The Wankhede Cricket Stadium. – AFP

MUMBAI: India’s team director Ravi shastri on Wednesday called on the side’s under-performing batsmen to raise their game in the ICC World Twenty20 semifinal against West Indies here, saying the hosts can’t rely on one or two individuals at this stage of the tournament.

Shastri hoped that batsmen such as Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, after an indifferent run, step up and show their mettle at the

Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

“I still believe we have played only 70 per cent to our abilities in this tournament. There are still areas where we can improve.

Let’s hope it happens tomorrow (Thursday),” Shastri said at the match-eve media conference.

“In a semifinal you got to get your A game in. You can’t depend on one or two players, you need 6-7 players to step up to the plate.

It has not happened so far in this tournament. Let’s hope it happens tomorrow (Thursday).”

The former captain was referring to the misfiring top-order, barring Virat Kohli who has been outstanding.

Effusive in his praise for Kohli’s unbeaten 82 against Australia in the quarterfinal at Mohali, shastri said the Delhi stalwart turned around his fortunes through sheer hard work after an indifferent show in England in 2014.

“It was outstanding innings, one of the best you will ever see in T20 cricket, considering the occasion, the pressure. The kind

SAILING

Oman Sail teams make best of Spi Ouest storms in France MUSCAT: Three Oman Sail teams had their mettle tested by storm force winds at Spi Ouest in La Trinite sur Mer last weekend as they kicked off their 2016 campaigns in Europe but left France knowing they are on track for a rewarding season. Only one day’s racing was possible across all classes as Storm Katie swept in from the Atlantic to batter northern France. Two days were abandoned before the fleet even made it onto the race track — with wind speeds of 55 knots recorded — while the final day was cancelled shortly after the boats left shore.

The racing they did manage to get proved fruitful for Oman Sail’s three teams with Thierry Douillard’s crew on the new Diam 24 Oman Airports by Oman Sail opening their campaign with a top 10 result, which was welcomed since they had only stepped onto the boat a few days previously. By the end of the day they were lying in 12th place after five races with another two top 10 results from a

fleet of 28 contenders. It was an encouraging start, said Abdulrahman Al Mashari, one of two Omanis on board the 24-foot trimaran who will be campaigning the boat for the 2016 Tour de France a Voile in July.

“This was my first time ever on the boat and I really liked it. We liked it more with each race so we were frustrated that we were only able to do five races,” he said. “From those races, we are confident we are on the right track for the Tour de France a la Voile and are looking forward to the next Diam event in Pornichet next month.”

Fahad Al Hasni’s 100 percent Omani crew on the Grand Surprise were also frustrated to see the Spi Ouest programme curtailed by storms after they achieved a superb third place in the second race. “We were very happy with our 3rd place as an all Omani crew for the first time, but would have liked to have more racing – we are looking forward to the next opportunity to better our

13th place overall,” he said.

Only three races were possible in the Grand Surprise class and Al Hasni’s Oman Sail Men’s Team, with a team of well-known Omani names including Oman Air’s star GC32 bowman Nasser Al Mashari, finished in 13th place overall from 33 starters. For the Oman Sail Women’s Team, campaigning their J80, the Spi Ouest event was all about developing skills and the testing conditions of Quiberon Bay certainly gave Dee Caffari and her crew of Marwa Al Khaifi, Tamadher Al Balushi, Annemieke Bes and Ibtisam Al Salmi a good work out to start their season with a best placed 32nd to open their account.

According to Nico Honor, Oman Sail’s European project manager overseeing the squad in France, there were plenty of positives to draw from Spi Ouest.

“This was a difficult event since only one day of racing out of four was possible due to very strong winds so the boats had a very long day on the water on Friday.”

of cricketing shots he played was unbelievable. “I had absolutely no doubt when I took on the job, seeing the form he was in, knowing fully well that he will be back on track. It was just case of mind over matter. You got to give him the credit for really believing that he can be right up there with the best and putting in the hard yards.

“No one trains harder than Virat. If he’s as successful as he has been over the last 18 months, credit must be given to him for putting that much of hard work and believing in his ability.”

Shastri said the team will miss injured Yuvraj Singh, both as a batsman and bowler, and will have a good look at the net session on Wednesday before deciding on who will be his replacement in the playing XI. “It will have an impact. He’s had his moment and I thought his three overs were brilliant in the last game (against Australia) that really put the checks and brakes on the scoring and allowed us to come back into the contest.

“After the first four overs (when Australia had raced to 53 for no loss) it was a no contest. At one stage it looked that (target for India would be) 200 or 200-plus which would have been very difficult to chase on that pitch.” - PTI

IN GOOD MOOD: West Indies cricket team captain Darren Sammy, left, speaks with coach Phil Simmons during the training session at the Wankhede Cricket Stadium in Mumbai. – AFP

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

SPORTS FOOTBALL

Oman now needs to focus on Asian Cup final round qualifiers MUSCAT: With their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign coming to an end with a 2-0 away defeat to Iran on Tuesday, Oman will now be looking to continue their quest for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup berth.

Juan Ramon Lopez Carocoached Omanis were among ‘the 27 teams that didn’t make the cut for the third round of qualifiers for Russia 2018 World Cup’.

According to news posted on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website, the 27 teams learned their position on the qualification road for the next edition of Asia’s flagship tournament.

DPR Korea’s 3-2 loss to the Philippines and Jordan’s 5-1 hammering at the hands of Asian champions Australia saw the duo finish one point behind China in the rank-

ings for the four best second-placed teams, with the 2004 AFC Asian Cup hosts ending Qatar’s 100 percent record with a 2-0 win in Xian to advance to the third round of World Cup qualifiers as well as sealing their place at UAE 2019.

The North Koreans and Jordan will take part in the 2019 Asian Cup final round qualifiers along with Oman and Lebanon, who finished second in their groups behind Iran and Korea Republic respectively.

The quartet will be joined in the final round by all the third-place finishers in Round 2 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifiers as well as the topfour fourth-placed sides.

Meanwhile, the four lowest ranked fourth-placed teams will join those that finished last in their

CONTINENTAL TARGET: A file photo of Oman team.

groups in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifiers playoff round.

The draw for the two-round playoffs will take place at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on April 7,

five days before the draw for the final round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian qualifiers takes place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, also in the Malaysia capital.

AFC chief congratulates Meanwhile, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated the 12 teams that secured their spots in the final round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. With the new qualifying format, the 12 teams are also the first teams to have booked their places for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

“I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all 12 teams for edging closer to the world biggest sporting spectacle. All of them have shown great determination and tenacity and truly deserve their places amongst the continent’s best,” he said.

The AFC chief went on to note the progress of the developing nations.

OGC to launch Junior Open golf tournament on April 15 The OGC will oranise the inaugural edition of the Oman Juionr Open, with the support from Oman LNG and Trowers & Hamlins, at Almouj Golf on April 15

MUSCAT: The Oman Golf Committee (OGC) is all set to tee off a brand new tournament for junior golfers in the Sultanate, the OGC Junior Open.

The governing body of Oman golf will oranise the inaugural edition of the championship, with the support from Oman LNG and Trowers & Hamlins, at Almouj Golf on April 15.

The tournament is open to young golfers aged between six and 16 years, both Omanis as well as other nationalities residing in

FULL OF ENTHUSIASM: Children of Oman Golf Committee’s Development Squad speak to the officials and their coach during a training session. – Supplied photo

the country. The event will feature a total of 54 participants.

Mundhir Al Barwani, the Chairman of the OGC, said: “We are happy to announce that for the first time, we are going to organise a golf tournament exclusively for juniors. We have been planning for this kind of tournament for long. We are happy that finally it is here to come.”

The OGC has been running its junior programmes at various levels at its four affiliated clubs throughout the year. The OGC’s junior programme is fully subsidised and the kids get free training from PGA Pro coaches like Milo Breitenwischer.

The OGC’s other successful junior programme which was launched last year is the School

Golf Initiative where the OGC coach goes out to schools to introduce golf to the kids and train them in the basics of the game.

Hailing the event, Al Barwani concluded: “We have our junior programmes at various levels. So we wanted the kids to be in competition mode.

“They will be introduced to the tournament rules and regulations,

field experience and feel the competition. We hope they will enjoy this fun game and it will be a successful event.”

Players from all the OGC affiliated units, Ghala Golf Club, Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club, Almouj Golf and Ras Al Hamra are set to participate in this fun competition.

The tournament will be played at the academy par-3 course of Almouj Golf and is open strictly for kids without any handicap. There will be two participating groups under-9 as well as 9-16 years group.

The Under-9 group kids, who will be playing in a 5-hole game, would tee off at 10 a.m. and the rest will tee off at noon for a 9-hole competition.

Almouj Golf and the OGC welcome the participation of parents as well as volunteers. The one-day event will end with a prize distribution ceremony at 2.30 p.m on the same day.

Ahmed Al Jhadhamy, the ViceChairman of the OGC, said: “We would like to have parents as volunteers for the event, because kids need their parents beside them all the time. It would be a great experience for the parents as well.”

The registration for the competition will begin next week and will close on April 12.

“The new qualifying competition format has been designed to expose Asia’s developing football nations to greater, high-level competition.”

“I am pleased to note the valiant efforts of our aspiring nations throughout this hard-fought campaign and I wish them the very best as they continue to compete for a place in the 2019 Asian Cup in Qatar,” he added.

Teams in 2019 Asian Cup final round qualifiers: North Korea, Jordan, Oman, Lebanon, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong, Turkmenistan, Singapore, Vietnam, Kuwait, the Philippines, Guam, Myanmar, Bahrain and Afghanistan.

Teams in 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers playoff round: Tajikistan, Chinese Taipei, Maldives, Malaysia, Laos, India, Yemen, Timor Leste, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Bhutan.

FOOTBALL

Beach Soccer Cup receives good response MUSCAT: The Oman Oil Beach Soccer Cup scheduled to be held over four weeks in April across the various regions of the Sultanate – has been receiving overwhelming response.

According to the information received from the Oman Football Association (OFA), the tournament has attracted ‘an unprecedented number of entries’.

The tournament will be organised in four legs, in Sur on April 9, in Sohar on April 16, in Salalah on April 23 and in Muscat on April 30.

Each leg of the tournament will be attended by Oman national beach soccer coach Talib Hilal, who will be scouting for top players for the preparatory camp for the Asian Beach Games later this year.

Talib Hilal said: “It is very encouraging to receive such a good response. Oman has a wealth of talent and it will be interesting to see it on the pitch in this tournament.”

Alister D’Silva, Head of Marketing, Brand and Events at the OFA, said: “The response has been overwhelming. We are looking at possible options to accommodate as many teams as possible so that everyone gets a chance to participate.”

OMAN CRICKET REVIEWS TEAM’S PERFORMANCE, DEVELOPMENTS Oman Cricket held its Annual General Meeting at Al Falaj Hotel on Tuesday evening. During the meeting, the members reviewed the performance of the national team right from the ICC World T20 Qualifier in Ireland/Scotland to the ICC World T20, which is currently undergoing in India. The members also reviewed the infrastructure development that took place in the last few months. Meanwhile, Oman Cricket Secretary Madhu Jesrani presented honoured national team member Amir Ali for his exploits at the World T20 preliminary round matches played in the north Indian city of Dharamsala. It may be mentioned that Amir Ali played a stellar role, winning the man of the match award, in Oman’s thrilling victory over Ireland in Dharamsala. — Supplied photos

LIFESTYLE

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Culture WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

The Exhibition Section Section 1: Musandam Musandam is located in the far north of the Sultanate, and is characterised by its strategic location. In the exhibition, Musandam represents the gateway to the world of art and fashion, accompanied by song Bidaa Al Ward which is the theme of the exhibition.

Section 2: Al Batinah North Al Batinah occupies the Northern regions of the Sultanate, through which we enter into the world of roses, starting with seed collection. This section recognises the costumes of these distinguished regions.

Section 3: Al Batinah South This region represents the rose cultivation and is depicted by a ploughing vehicle and is embodied in five paintings.

Photography Supplied

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SECTION

Story Asmaa Al Balushi

Section 4: Buraimi Buraimi is located in the northwest corner of the Sultanate.

Since water is the lifeblood of all living organisms, pot water irrigation is embodied in five paintings.

Section 5: Muscat Roses draw its life from leaves as a basic constituent in the growth process. Muscat is the lifeblood of the Sultanate and is the capital of Oman. The paintings are inspired by this brilliant idea of rose leaves to highlight the costumes and bright colours.

Section 6: North Al Sharqiyah This region has the mix of three environments, each with its own distinctive flavour in Al Sharqiyah, where the buds emerge from the stalk of the plant, including the Al Sharqiyah costumes in three paintings.

Section 7: South Al Sharqiyah The south of Al Sharqiyah is part of the north and the roses get shading on distinctive colours. Red, which derives passion through the aesthetics of the costumes, is depicted in six paintings.

Thuria Abdullah Al Rahbi’s paintings, reflecting the rich heritage of Oman, were showcased at an art expo in Paris recently.

T

huria Abdullah Al Rahbi’s love of painting came as a gift. Right from early childhood she evolved her ideas of drawing and her art too moved forth with her life. Having conducted several exhibitions at school level, she later on joined the Omani Society for Fine Arts, as an affiliate in the assembly participating in workshops and technical sessions and art exhibitions.

Thuria’s abstract style embodies many layers which are persistent in the bold lines of her works, reflecting the heritage that the beautiful Sultanate has in abundance.

For long Thuria had been working on the idea of establishing an Omani exhibition abroad, and finally her dream saw the light of the day in Paris. On March 23, her creations highlighting the beauty of the Omani art and way of life were showcased in the exhibition titled “Bidaa Al Ward” (Creativity of Roses).

The exhibition reflected the development and originality of Omani fashion through the unique designs of fashion designer Fatima Al Jahwari. Another attraction at the exhibition was the plastic paintings inspired from the classic 1944 song Bidaa Al Ward inspired by the poetry of famous Hilmi Hakim, and sung by the Egyptian singing sensation of yesteryears, Asmahan. Composed

by Farid Al Atrash, the song is a beautiful narration of the life of roses.

The paintings by the 26-year-old Thuria, integrate

the Omani authentic costumes from all regions of the Sultanate which retain the identity and authenticity of Omani aesthetic values. The exhibition also included the works of nine other Omani artists and craftsmen highlighting the Omani traditional craft industry, a legacy passed on from generation to generation. This festival is particularly important in terms of its objectives of multicultural exchange facilitating exchange of ideas between artists and creative individuals, and highlighting rich Omani fashion and handicrafts on international platform through contemporary art.

Aims of the exhibition: 1. To revive the popular heritage of Oman and showcase the treasures. Also to highlight its importance through presentation of paintings linked to Omani costumes, crafts, and traditional handicrafts.

2. To define the cultural and social heritage of Oman and developments in the Omani heritage, by making modern art blend with the past.

3. Showcasing the Sultanate through cultural events of art mixed with music and Omani fashion, and to promote Oman as a tourist destination, abroad.

4. To strengthen the link and integration between the fields of contemporary music and visual art and fashion.

5. To open new trade prospects between the Omani pioneers and France.

—asmaa@timesofoman.com

Section 8: Al Dakhiliyah This region unique with its distinguished nature has the most popular cities which are considered as centres of culture and science in ancient Oman. Roses for the exhibition here take yellow colour expressing jealousy, characterised by this region’s costume in six paintings.

Section 9: Al Dhahira Al Dhahira region is home to the civilisation of the Omani heritage and a bridge for trade caravans and a commercial outlet to the world outside. This region represented by the white roses, the colour of chastity and love, is characterised by the region’s costume in six paintings.

Section 10: Al Wusta The region mediates the Sultanate; it separates the north and south. This region is the beating heart of Oman and is characterised by its costumes in five paintings.

Section 11: Dhofar Dhofar is the land of frankincense and is rich in beauty and charming natural wonders, which differentiates the Sultanate from the rest of the GCC countries, and the exhibition concludes with Dhofar in 45 paintings.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

C6

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL @ SHATTI

10 Cloverfield Lane (Horror | Thriller ) ( 12+ ) Cast : John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr. 7:30, 11:45 PM High Rise (Drama | Sci - Fi | Action) (15+) Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Iron 3:30, 6:00PM. Vettah (Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Kunchako Boban, Manju Warrier.

8:15 PM. Ki & Ka (Romance) (TBC) Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 10:30 PM.

@ SOHAR

@ RUWI

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Eddie the Eagle (Biography | Drama) PG Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman 2:45, 7:00PM 10 Clover field Lane (Drama |Horror) 12+ Cast: John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr. 11:45PM High Rise (Drama | Sci- Fic | Action) 15+ Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons 4:45 & 11:30PM Queen of the Desert (Biography) 12+ Cast: James Franco, Nicole Kidman 6:45 & 9:15PM Ki & Ka (Romance | Comedy) PG12 Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 9:00PM Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice – 3D (Action, Adventure, Fantasy) PG12 Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 2:30, 5:30, 8:30 & 11:30PM Kung Fu Panda 3 – 3D (Animation) PG Voice Overs: Jack Black, Bryan Cranston 3:00 & 5:00PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice – 3D (PG12) Action, Adventure, Fantasy 12:00, 2:50, 5:45, 8:45, 11:45 PM Gold Class – 2:30, 5:20, 8:15, 11:15 PM Ki & Ka – 2D (PG12) Romance | Comedy Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 9:00, 11:30 PM Kung Fu Panda 3 – 3D (PG) Animation 1:00, 5:00, 7:00 PM Zootropolis – 3D (PG12) Animation | Action| Voice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba 2:55 PM PANORAMA MALL Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice-

Eddie the Eagle (Biography | Drama) PG Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman 2:45, 7:00PM

Ki & Ka (Drama/ Comedy/ Romance) –PG12 Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 2.30, 5.30, 8.30, 11.30 PM

Queen of the Desert -2D (Biography) (12+) Cast: James Franco, Nicole Kidman 3:00, 9:15PM

3D (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 3:15, 6:15, 9:00, 11:45 PM Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice3D (Action, Adventure) (PG12)-VIP LOUNGE 3:15, 6:00, 8:45, 11:30 PM Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (Action, Adventure) (MX4D) (PG12) 3:00, 5:45, 8:30, 11:15 PM Kung Fu Panda 3-3D (Animation) (PG) 2:45, 4:45 PM Misconduct-2D (Drama, Thriller) (12+) Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino 5:30, 11:30 PM Eddie the Eagle -2D (Biography) (PG) Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman 3:00, 9:30 PM Queen of Desert-2D (Biography) (12+) James Franco, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson 7:00, 11:15 PM High Rise -2D (Drama, Sci-Fi) (15+) Cast: Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller 6:30 PM Ki & Ka-2D (Romance, Comedy)(15+) Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 6:30 PM

AZAIBA Batman vs Superman:Dawn of Justice (3D) (Action |Adventure | Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 3:15, 6:15, 9:00, 11:45 PM Kung Fu Panda 3 (3D) (Animation| Action | Adventure) (PG) 2:30, 4:30 PM Rocky Handsome (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Hassan 3:30, 11:15 PM Ki & Ka (2D) (Romance | Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Amitabha Bacchan 2:45, 5:15, 7:45, 10:15, 11:30 PM Vettah (2D) (Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Manju Warrier, Kunchako Boban 6:00, 9:15 PM Thozha (2D) (Comedy | Drama) (PG12) Cast: Nagarjuna, Tammanah 6:15, 8:15 PM

Screen 2 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Action/Adventure) –PG12 Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 3.30, 6.15, 11.45 PM Kapoor & Sons (Drama / Family) –PG12 Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, Rishi Kapoor 9.00 PM Screen 3 Rocky Handsome (Action/ Thriller) –12+ Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Haasan 3.30, 11.45 PM Kapoor & Sons (Drama / Family) –PG12 Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, Rishi Kapoor 6.15 PM Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Action/Adventure) –PG12 Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 9.00 PM

RUWI Screen 1 Ki & Ka (Drama/ Comedy/ Romance) –PG12 Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 2.30, 5.30, 8.30, 11.30 PM

SUR Batman Vs Superman 3D (Action | Adventure | Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams.

3:15, 9:30 PM.

SOHAR Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice– 3D (Action, Adventure, Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30PM Eddie the Eagle – 2D (Biography) (PG) Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman 2:45, 5:00, 7:15 PM Misconduct – 2D (Drama, Thriller) (12+) Cast: Josh Duhamel, Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino 6:45,11:45PM Kung Fu Panda 3 – 3D (Animation | Action| Adventure) (PG) Voice Overs: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman 4:45PM Degrade– 2D (Arabic, Drama) (PG) Cast: Hiam Abbas, Maisa Abd Elhadi, Huda Al Imam, 5:15PM Queen of the Desert -2D (Biography) (12+) Cast: James Franco, Nicole Kidman 3:00, 9:15PM High Rise – 2D (Drama, Sci- Fic, Action) (15+) Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons 3:00, 11:45PM Rocky Handsome – 2D (Action, Thriller) Cast: John Abraham, Nishikant Kamat 7:00PM Ki & Ka– 2D (Romance, Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 8:45, 11:45PM Vettah – 2D (Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Faha Manju Warrier, Kunchako Boban 9:15PM BURAIMI Kung Fu Panda 3 (Animation |Action|) (PG)

Voice Overs: Jack Black, Bryan Cranston 5.00PM 10 Clover field Lane (Drama |Horror) (12+) Cast: John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr. 3.00, 5.15, 11.45PM High Rise (Drama | Sci- Fic | Action) Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons 3.00, 6.45, 9.30PM Batman VS Superman 3D (Action) PG 12 Cast: Ben Affleck,Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 3.30, 6.15, 9.00, 11.45PM Ki & Ka (Romance | Comedy) TBC Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 9.00, 11.30PM Vettah (Thriller) PG12 Cast: Manju Warrier, Kunchako Boban 7.15PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

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

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

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

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

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

31 24

Daily Daily

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily

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

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

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

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

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

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

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

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

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

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 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

Oopiri (Telugu) (Comedy & Drama) Cast: Nagarjuna, Karthi & Tamanna 3:00 PM Cinema Main\ 6:45 & 9:45 PM Cinema-3 Vettah (Mal) (Thriller) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Manju Warrier 3:45PM Cinema -3 \ 6:30 PM Cinema-2 \ 10: 00 PM Cinema Main Thozha (Tamil) (Comedy \ Drama) Cast: Karthi, Nagarjuna & Tamanna 3:30 & 9:30 PM Cinema-2 \ 6:30 PM Cinema Main Action Hero Biju (Mal) (act\ comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly & Anu Emmanuel 3:45 & 9:45 PM Cinema - 4 Maheshinte Prathikaram (Mal) ( Comedy & Drama) Cast: Fahad Faasil & Anusree 6:45 PM Cinema-4 Next Change: Sardaar Gabbar Singh (Telugu) Programmes are subject to change

Minimum

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

80-30%

VISHAK .V March 31 Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

LISTINGS

11.45 13.30 14.00

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

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

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

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

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

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

STAR CINEMA

HARVIN CHERIAN BINU March 31, 2013

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Degrade: (Arabic) (Drama) Cast: Hiam Abbas, Maisa Abd Elhadi, Huda Al Imam 2.00 & 6.00 PM CP No: 407 (PG)

0

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

10 Clover field Lane (Horror / Drama) Cast: John Goodman, Mary Eliozabeth, John Gallgher Jr. 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.45 PM. CP No: 406 (12+)

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

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

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: (Action / Adventure / Fantasy) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 12.45, 3.30, 6.15, 9.00 & 11.45 PM. CP No: 375 (PG12)

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

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

WITH LOVE

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

BAHJA CINEMA

SALALAH Batman Vs Superman (3D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 11:30AM, 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30PM Kung Fu Panda 3 (3D) (PG) (Animation) Voice Overs: Jack Black, Bryan Cranston 4:45PM Eddie the Eagle (2D) (PG) (Biograph) Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman 11:00AM, 3:00, 11:45PM 10 Clover field Lane (2D) (12+) (Drama) Cast: John Goodman, ohn Gallagher Jr. 1:05,5:00PM Queen of the Desert (2D) (12+) (Biography) Cast: James Franco, Nicole Kidman 2:15, 7:05PM Misconduct (2D) (12+) (Drama / Thriller) Cast: Josh Duhamel, Anthony Hopkins 12:15, 6:35PM Ki & Ka (2D) (PG12) (Romance | Comedy) Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan 8:45PM Rocky Handsome (2D) (12+) (Action | Thriller) Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, Nishikant Kamath 11:15PM Vettah (2D) (PG12) (Mal) (Comedy / Drama) Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Soubin Shahir, Aparna Balamurali 9:25PM

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

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

12.16pm 3.43pm 6.27pm 7.38pm 4.44am

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

CINEMA SCHEDULE

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

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

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

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

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

PHARMACIES (ROUND THE CLOCK) Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334 Apollo Medical Centre,

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

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya 24787766, 24787780

Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra 22004000, 94267068/97049520 Al Hayat Clinic, Al Hail 22009455

AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE BRIEFS

Rocky S excited to share fashion tips on his new online shop PHOTO WIRES

With an aim to open the world of fashion and stylish trends, fashion designer Rocky S will enter the virtual realm with a show titled Conversations with Rocky. The designer, who is styling megastar Rajinikanth for his upcoming film Robot 2, has teamed up with One Digital Entertainment, a digital video and creator network, for the show.

“Creativity is something that I look for within all aspects of life and being a part of the designing world fulfils my hunger to create, and getting into the digital world will help me expand those horizons even more by reaching out to the global audience,” Rocky S said.

JLo gives dance tips to ‘JCo’ James Corden “The Late Late Show” host James Corden celebrated one year on the air with singer-actress Jennifer Lopez giving him some dancing tips. Lopez appeared on his “Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special” episode. Corden first shared a few nicknames with Lopez.

“You’re JLo, I could be JCo,” he suggested. “I think we should make a rap group together,” Lopez replied. — IANS

Create Memories for a Lifetime Wedding Fair on April 22 at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa

S

hangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa will be hosting an exclusive Wedding Fair event on Friday, 22 April 2016 at the Barr Al Jissah ballroom. As Shangri-La Muscat has become a highly popular destination for weddings, locally and internationally, there’s no more perfect venue to host such an extensive Wedding Fair than the resort. Showcasing the best the resort has to offer, coupled with the finest offerings of the exhibitors participating, this event is not to be missed.

The Wedding Fair itself will follow an exquisite garden theme throughout and will include exhibitors such as fashion designers, florists, photographers and events management companies. This will be a truly spectacular event with special surprises throughout the day for brides-to-be, an exclusive fashion show, as well as the opportunity to meet over 40 wedding specialists to help plan the perfect wedding.

With various picturesque wedding locations available within the resort, from scenic outdoor venues

This will be a truly spectacular event with special surprises throughout the day for brides-to-be

The Strong Tide of My Conscience

SALEH AL SHAIBANY

SO TO SPEAK

I

t does not often happen but this week it did, to me. The overworked sales girl literally shoved the change in my hand so she could serve another customer.

I was aware that she was slightly rude to almost every customer who was queuing up to pay. Since it was not my business to reprimand her, I pushed the trolley away and found a corner where I could stuff the change in my wallet. It was then that I realised that I had too much change in my hand.

I checked the receipt and

checked it again. The silly girl gave me half of the things I had in the trolley free. Rich supermarkets don’t pay counter girls much money and the manager would surely dock it from her wages. In a way, it was ironic and perhaps poetic justice when you come to think that usually big supermarkets overcharge people. It was tempting to walk away but my conscience wouldn’t have it. So I wheeled back the trolley and managed to attract her attention by waving the receipt in the air. She looked at me and scornfully mouthed the words, “What?” while she furiously shoved food in a bag.

I tapped the receipt and said I had to pay her back money. She thought I had a complaint and asked me to go and see the complaint desk. I was aware that people were staring at me. I backed out and had a quiet discussion with my troubled conscience. Why should I make myself a fool in front of a couple of dozen people? So I reached a compromise with the stupid ethics that sometimes rule my head. I walked away but straight to the complaint desk.

A bored looking young man listened carefully at me and then gave

the receipt a good look. “What are you? The last of the saints?” But the fear of getting the sack prompted him to say, “This is not a complaint.

I would need to call the manager.”

I told him that it would probably cost the girl her job if the manager knew about it. He shrugged his shoulders and called the manager anyway. It took a quarter of an hour for the manager to show up. By then, I already regretted the decision of reporting it to him. I had people waiting at home and my frozen food was thawing very fast.

The manager snatched the receipt from my hand and walked quickly to the cash register. I was left stranded at the complaint desk not exactly knowing what to do next. It took another quarter of an hour to get the whole thing settled.

I felt like I was held hostage during the half-an-hour ordeal.

Well, at least, I said to myself as I was driving home, I would sleep easy that night. Returning little money to a rich business is a drop in the ocean but you and I are not exactly powerful swimmers when it comes to a strong tide of our conscience.

to the luxurious ballroom that can accommodate up to 800 guests, customised charming wedding decorations to exquisite dining offerings, weddings held at ShangriLa Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa are magical events and create memories for a lifetime.

The event will start from 2pm onwards and will be held at the Barr Al Jissah ballroom located in Al Bandar Hotel. For more information and enquiries, call Events team on +968 2477 6213 or email slmu.events@shangri-la.com.

— lifestyle@timesofoman.com

C8

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

LIFESTYLE

HER MIND IN FLAMES Last chance to see Soile Yli-Mäyry’s ‘Asphalt Light’ exhibit at Stal Gallery, ending tomorrow

T

Story Patricia Groves Photos Shabin E

here she was amid her art at Stal Gallery dressed in a spectacular hand-printed gown that made it seem as if she had walked out of one of her paintings, taking with her its flaming colours and striking imagery. Soile Yli-Mäyry’s contemporary Tudor-style gown was splashed with bright sunflower yellow and distinguished by indecipherable black markings as are her paintings. Her impossibly tiny waist and the ballooning lines of the fluted skirt turned Soile and her gown-painting into a living sculpture.

All around Soile were blasts of colour on canvas. Colour is one of the hallmarks of Soile YliMäyry’s art. She sees primary colours (red, green, blue, yellow) in their jewelled essence – ruby, emerald, sapphire, and the yellow sun. On her canvases, Soile releases each colour into its inner spectrum of bright hues.

Ruby is a rainbow with shades of crimson, scarlet, deep pink, and light burgundy. Emerald comes in radiant waves of lagoon green, freshly risen grass, and subtle apple hues. Sapphire is expressed in optimistic shades of blue – the colour of the sky in spring, robin’s-egg turquoise, aquamarine, and deep, rolling cerulean blue from the waters of the South Pacific. Yellow emerges from the

sun-drenched earth as daffodils do, and as golden-orange flames rise from fires in the darkness of night. But colour, no matter how dramatically expressed, is nothing without form and implication.

Soile’s brilliant sense of design and expressive symbolism take colour into another dimension.

The existential theme that guides the work of this artist is the alienation of the human being from nature in the modern urban context where more than half the global population exists. The percentage is much higher in developed countries such as in Finland, Soile’s home country, where eighty-five per cent of the population lives in cities. Titles of Soile Yli-Mäyry’s paintings, such as Burning Concrete and Asphalt Dreams illuminate this vital theme.

Solitary figures of human beings, sometimes depicted up-sidedown or sideways are sketched in a primitive style that suggests not only the drawings of children, but also those painted in caves many thousands of years ago, as she brings the ancient past to bear upon the present. These figures and similar ones of animals and birds are squeezed into elongated forms by compositional forces of colour and texture. As I studied a panorama of Soile’s paintings in a book on her art, Climate of the Soul by the renowned British art

critic, Edward Lucie-Smith, it was with pleasure that I began to see Soile in some of the figures – the upward slant of an eye, a quizzical mouth, a line of trailing hair.

Hidden self-portraits.

Soile works exclusively with a palette knife, innovatively using the sharp end as well as the flat blade. Hours and hours are spent crafting eloquent textures and the finest of fine white lines — with symphonic results. Literally millions of white lines seem to form a thin, translucent sheet of water flowing almost musically over some of the canvasses. In a contrasting technique, paint is carefully sculpted into forms in bas-relief, often representing the head of a person. The artist’s ingenuity is such that each painting is a world unto itself. This exciting and sumptuous exhibition also includes small totemic sculptures in richly coloured Murano glass.

Over the past three decades, Soile Yli-Mäyry has exhibited in some 30 countries with more than 300 solo exhibitions in the Americas, Asia and Europe. And in Finland, Soile’s homeland, there is a beautiful Museum bearing her name and dedicated to her art. The exhibition, titled Asphalt Light, continues until April 1st 2016 at Stal Gallery, located at Villa 221, Al Inshirah Street in Madinat Qaboos.

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

SECTION

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

RENT

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VACANCY

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

FOR SALE Used Concrete Pump Sany43 Meter,Model 2011 in very good condition @ 100000/-Riyal Omani.

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CARGO

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T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

FOR RENT

DĂĚŝŶĂƚ ^ƵůƚĂŶ YĂƐ ͗^ŚŽǁƌŽŽŵͬKĸĐĞ Ăƚ 'ƌŽƵŶĚ &ůŽŽƌ͕ ϯϰϬ ^Ƌ Mtr. Facing main Road HAR Complex MSQ : 2,3-BHK Flats and 2 & 3 BHK villas with

ͬ ͕ĐĂƌ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ͕ ^ǁŝŵŵŝŶŐ WŽŽů ;'ĂƚĞĚ ŽŵƉůĞdžͿ Qurum : 6 BHK villa with garden, split Acs, shaded car parks, servant rooms DĂďĞůůĂ ͗ Ϯ ,< &ůĂƚƐ ǁŝƚŚ ;ďƌĂŶĚ ŶĞǁ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐͿ Darsait : 1 & 2-BHK Flats with AC & Shop Ruwi : 2-BHK & 3-BHK Flats and shops Al Amerat : 2 & 3-BHK Flat , 3 & 4-BHK Villa with A/C

For viewing please call 99466729, 99316410, 92841690, 91313271, 24694088 or email us on :hartc@omantel.net.om

*Tourist visa arranged

MONTHLY RENT NEAR AL FALAJ HOTEL FURNISHED DELUXE 1 B/RM WITH 2 bathrooms, SPLIT A/C, BUILT IN WARDROBE,PRIVATE TERRACE.

Contact : 990 49 722

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT AT AZAIBA Prime location on service road (previously occupied by A'Saffa Foods) near Al Turky and Mazda showroom.

Store space in Al Wattayah.

- 2 BHK flat available directly from the owner, at Azaiba.

Contact 99382489 / 99263443 3 Rooms, 2 Toilets Flat for Rent. 18 November Street. Near Mars Hypermarket and The Chedi. Ghobrah -Good for Commercial or Residential use.

OMR 295/- month. Call 94477222 Conditioned room with toilets in Al Khuwair. #92620858 /92605500 2B/R with 3 toilets directly from owner, near Dolphin Complex Bausher. Contact 92158031 2 BHK fully furnished flat at Ruwi MBD area. #93211557 / 24814853 4 BHK, 2 bathroom private terrace at Ruwi opposite Oman Express Restaurant rent 360/-PM , 2 BHK one toilet, one bathroom separate at Darsait walkable to ISM rent 200/pm. Contact : 99354975 / 99065900 Flat in Wadi Al Kabir 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 family hall, kitchen & 3 bathrooms. Contact: 99277787 Modern office space for rent at MBD area, near Atlas Hospital with full local support by Omani if required. Contact 92882029 / 98825806, info@rns-group.com 3 BHK flats and shop in Ruwi near KM Trading rent 350/- pm each.

Contact: 99350946

Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346

Flat of 3 BHK in Al Ghobra South opposite Royal Hospital. RO 380/-.

Contact – 91776665

For rent 3 bedrooms, 2 toilets, living room, kitchen & store in Darsait. Contact: 92328142

Clean flat of 2 BHK in Al Khuwair 33. RO 330/- Contact – 91776665

1000 sq mtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120 / 92584715 2 bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 92584715 / 24700120 Flat at Bowshar, 2 bedroom,1 maid room, 4 toilets European kitchen for rent / sale. Contact: 99325263 Office for rent 880 sqm at Al Khuwair. Contact: 99325263

Apartment for rent at Amerat phase one with A/Cs, 3 bedrooms & bath rooms, big kitchen 220/OMR. Contact: 97782228 Luxury flat of 3 BHK in Al Watayah. RO 500/-#91776665 2BHK Wadi Kabir R.O 300/-. Contact: 92144045

1 BHK flat with 1split and 1 window AC, next to Indian School Ghubra for rent at RO 270/-. Contact: 98867658 / between 4pm - 10pm Villa at Azaiba 7 rooms with attach bath on 18th November road.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 Amazing flat of 2 BHK in Remal Building. RO 550/- #91776665

2BHK Al Khuwair R.O 375/-. Contact: 92144045

Shops / flats available in Honda Road, Ruwi & Mabellah Industrial area. Contact 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448

2BHK at Ghubra R.O 325/-. Contact: 92144045

Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99376454

1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-. Contact: 92144045

5 floor building for rent in Al Khuwair near Muscat Dunes hotel each floor, 3 flats each flat with 2 BHK. Contact : 93223324

1,2,3 BHK Flats. #92144045 1BHK Darsait. Contact: 92144045

2 bed rooms for family with split units with car parking shaded at Al Hail North. Contact: 92676707

2BHK available in Ghubra near Al Maha Hotel and Mumtaz area Ruwi. Contact: 99269751

1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in Al Khuwair. #95154331 2 BR, 2 bath, a kitchen, a yard , with AC, separate enterance, AlKhuwair near ibis hotel. PDC. RO 250 .. Call 97056443 Readymade office space for rent (240sm) in Bank Melli Iran Building, MBD area, Ruwi, opposite Center point. Contact: 99011352

Villa in Al-Khuwair 33. Quality Finishing. Consist 5 Bedrooms, 1 Living room, 3 Lounges, All with A/C, Kitchen and storage . #90665135 2,200 sq mtr factory area & 800 sq mtr store with 8 accommodation rooms and 10 office cabins available for rent in Barka industrial area. Contact 91398381 / 80 / 78, email - agsan2005@gmail.com 3 storey villa at Mawaleh 7 bedrooms + 6 attached, toilets + 2 Kitchens. Contact: 93697325

Contact: 99229263, 93221054, 95215289

Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 Cold storage available for rent at Nizwa, capacity – 40 ton. #99371732 or nfillc77@omantel.net.om Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 Flats, shops and basement in MBD area and Honda road.

Contact: 92433127/96291778/ 92589235/97293708 2 BHK flats /office & shops available in a new building at Honda road .Contact: 91165807 Commercial land in Ghala 2500sqm for rent #93506187 / 97684266 2 BHK & 1 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house S/ AC. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241 New flats for rent at Darsait near to Ministry of Sports, Mumtaz area the flats includes, 1 living room, 2 bedroom, kitchen, 3 toilets, every rooms with split A/C high quality finishing rent per flat is R.O 340/- .

Interested candidates please Contact : 00968 92225523

Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. #97007934 / 92629232

Commercial flats of 3 & 2 BHK in Al Ghobra North 18 Nov street RO.650/- & 450/- #91776665

Two bedrooms flat in Al Ghobrah near Oman Oil of 18 November Street.

OMR 330 Monthly. #99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

Four bedroom two floors luxurious and spacious residential villa in Al Hail North, near to the sea and Oman oil. Each room has its own bathroom. It has splits A/C’s and shaded car park. OMR 750 monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

2 BR flats with 2Baths Kitchen Al Amerat Aster Hospital #99366142 Luxury villa of 5 BHK in Al Khuwair 33 RO.650/- contact 91776665 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 3BHK in Qurum P.D.O high 350/Monthly. Contact: 99342661 2 BHK – modern & spacious flats with split ac for rent in Qurum near PDO gate no. 2. contact 94057023 Store with cold store in Wadi kabir. Contact: 99374977 For rent and investment Land industrial shops in Rusayl.

Contact: 99323957 / 95490842

1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair. #95154331

2 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33 1 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 5 B/R Fully Furnished villa @ Madinat Al Ilam 5 B/R Fully Furnished villa @ Madinat Al Ilam. For Daily, Weekly, monthly or Yearly contract.

Please Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent a Car LLC 99249069 / 994617563/92888376 / 24834888E mail: info@alshahiintl.com

2 BHK flats with split Ac available for rent at Al Khuwair 33. #94057023

Dental chair and mobile dental X Ray for sale. Contact: 92737149

2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. Contact: 99342661 600 M2 showroom or office in Bousher in front of Dolphin complex.

RO.3.5 per m2. Contact 91776665 Brand new 4 BHK villa in Al Fai compound Al Khoud. RO.475/Contact – 91776665 Villa of 3 BHK and sitting area in Al Ghobra North. RO.525/Contact – 91776665 Luxury and brand new semi furnished 2 BHK flat in Remalbowsher. RO.550/- #91776665 Spacious 1 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with all split A/C’s and parking.

RO.300/-Contact – 91776665 Flats available for rent 1 BHK & 2 BHK good condition with split AC Al Khuwair near Muscat Holiday.

Contact: 94227178 1BHK at Al-Hamriya, B-2397,

Way-5935 near Muscat Pharmacy.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank

Muscat, Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT Flat for rent 3 bedrooms + hall with split units air conditioning at Al Amerat near Aledl Mosque Ibn Sina road Al Mahaj house No. 105.

Contact: 99312628 / 95098277 1BHK new bldg with A/C, Curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99061409 / 99024039

FOR SALE

FOR SALE Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly contact +968 96725423 for viewing the items.

HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Required Used Generator 350-400 KVA used Generator(preferabl y enclosed type) is required in Salalah.

Contact 95821052 AVAILABLE

ACC. AVAILABLE Big room with separate bathroom, couples family working lady at Badr Al Sama Clinic Al Khuwair. Contact 99796500 / 97318878

For sale.25 year old well running clinic for sale in Amerat..Someone interested to invest and run the clinic also may contact Tel 99874336 Window A/Cs & other house hold items. Contact 92622506 Ice Cream Juice shop prime location Ruwi for sale suitable for beauty parlour. Contact: 92150455 Furniture and other treatment items for Ayurvedic clinic. Contact: 97986525 Shop for sale at Ruwi center.

Contact: 98787853 600 sq mtrs residential land in Maabela Phase 4 Block 3 OMR 65 Thousand.CONTACT 99333479 or 95215360 600 sq mtrs residential land in Maabela Phase 4 Block 4 OMR 65 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Zanzibari coffee shop for rent or sale in Barka Souq road, at Prime location. Contact: 99814411 2 storey villa, 5 rooms with attached bath,1 hall & kitchen at Madinat Sultan Qaboos under finishing. Contact 99778773 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair.CONTACT 92881849 /What`s up No 97290565 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale CONTACT 99273774/ 99202278 Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter. Photos can be sent 95865457 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Mabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 165 Thousand.

CONTACT 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 A well running pharmacy for sale at prime location. Contact99627621, 93240949 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430 Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Separate room available Al Khuwair near Blue Radisson sharing kitchen, toilet rent R.O 120/-. Contact: 96930219 Furnished Bedroom with attached bath and kitchen separate entrance for Executive bachelor for R.O 150/- per month all inclusive in a villa, opp. Star Cinema. contact 99314807 Sharing accommodation available behind Honda showroom, Wattayah for Executive Bachelor / single lady. Contact: 96390334 2 bedrooms flat near Kuwait Masjid Wadi Kabir. Contact: 97608564 / 98498823 Single room B/K sharing Mumtaz area. Contact : 95212017 Small old house for rent in Al Ghoubra. Contact : 97165972 Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail. #96234708 Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah. Contact 99336776 Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir. CONTACT 97167857 Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan village. contact 93687466 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. CONTACT 96202458/96761960

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

BUYING Bobcat available for rent. CONTACT 97623299 Buying cars for cash. CONTACT 90202090

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steambath, obesity, spondylitis. Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).Contact:24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www. siddhayur.com 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

MATRIMONIAL

Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794 Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir Contact 93049849 Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please contact 92680041 Mr. Altaf

LOST Mohmmed Saraj has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AC 9706592 .

Finder please handover to ROP

TRANSPORTATION

NRI

DRIVING

MATRIMONIAL KERALA-NAMBIAR BOY28yr/175cm from Kannur. Working as Pharmacist in Muscat, seeks suitable alliance 92042355.

Graduate Syrian Orthodox girl 26 years working in Oman MOH as Staff Nurse seeks proposals from parents of suitable boy, preferably those working in Oman. Contact: 95907146 / +91 8904329166

Nair boy 31 /175 cms working in Muscat Pooram star wants suitable bride. Contact : 95501263

Transportation pick and drop with Nissan Sunny 2012 model A/C. Contact: 97224035

Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman. #968 98267338, 0091 9287215726

Transportation. contact 91703829

Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single. CONTACT 96059801.

Transportation. contact 92015894

Transportation. Contact 99508282

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

TRANSPORTATION Pick and Drop Al Khuwair to Rusayl. Contact 96733572 / 91287470 Picking and dropping any time.

Contact: 97403088

FOR HIRE Grader, roller, bobcat, JCB 3CX, JCB 4CX with breaker & water tanker for rent. contact 93218705 / 24478450

Housing in a well developed area for sale in Mangalore 100 meters from Main road at: Malaraya Temple Road, Chilimbi Near Urva stores, Mangalore -Karnataka, India Land: 181.60 Sq.mts, House built in the year 1986 consisting of ground floor and first floor. Total build up area around 2000 Sq.ft with car parking. Separate water and electricity connections. Contact: Anil Kumar: +91 97418 85128 (between 12 noon till 10 pm).

Flats villas land for sale in Pune Contact: 95272138/ 918139098275

WANTED IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

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T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiďŹ eds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT Babylon Medical Services L.L.C, a leading medical services company in Oman is looking for the following staff for its newly opening branch

1. Gynecologist 3. Physician 5. General Practitioners 7. Male Nurse 9. Lab Technician 11. Insurance Coordinator

2. Pediatrician 4. Dentist 6. Female Nurse 8. X Ray Technician 10. Pharmacist 12. Accountant

Interested candidates kindly send CV to athira@babylon-om.com, info@babylon-om.com, Fax: 24486147

Following staff required Immediately at various location around Muscat to be based at site Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; )(-.,/ .#)(Ĺ&#x2022; ( ! ,Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; þôÄ&#x201D;þÚĹ&#x2022; ,-Ĺ&#x2022; 2*ÞÿĹ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022; 1#."Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x2014; - &#( .#)(Ĺ&#x2022;*,)$ .Ĺ&#x2022; 2* ,# ( Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022; #*#(!Ĺ&#x2022; (!#( ,Ĺ&#x2022;Ä&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; #(þôĹ&#x2022; ,-Ĺ&#x2022; 2*Ăž Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; (!#( ,Ĺ&#x2022;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x2026; ĂżĹ&#x2022; "ĂžĹ&#x2022;Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2022; +/#*' (.Ä&#x203A;Ĺ&#x2022;Ä&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022;áÄ&#x201D;ĂšĹ&#x2022; ,-Ĺ&#x2022; 2*Ăž Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; /* ,0#-),Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x161; Ä&#x2026; ĂżĹ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022; #*#(!Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2022; "ĂžÄ&#x203A;Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; þôÄ&#x201D;þÚĹ&#x2022; ,-Ĺ&#x2022; 2*Ăž Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022; (-* .),Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x161; Ä&#x2026; ĂżĹ&#x2022; "ĂžĹ&#x2022; Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2022; +/#*' (.Ä&#x203A;Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x2022;Ĺ&#x2022; ĂšÄ&#x201D;ĂťĹ&#x2022; ,-Ĺ&#x2022; 2*Ăž

An Excellent Grade Contracting Company has the following positions.

A Leading chain of International Franchise Restaurant Requires:

1. Mechanical Draughtsman with MEP 5 yrs min. Exp. 2. Electrical Draughtsman with MEP 5 yrs min. Exp. 3. MEP Site engineer (Electrical) min. 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 yrs exp.

4. MEP Site engineer (plumbing) min. 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 yrs exp.

5. HVAC Senior engineer with 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 yrs exp. in chiller execution.

6. Senior MEP engineer min. 10 yrs exp.

7. HVAC design engineer 5 yrs exp.

8. Senior civil engineer min. 10 yrs exp. in building construction. GCC experience mandatory.

Operation Manager: An Operations Manager will oversee all aspects of operations including but not limited to managing, staffing, planning, budgeting, procuring & training, responsible for revenue, proďŹ tability & maintaining quality goals laid down by the company.

Kindly forward your CV to the email : mep.jobsoman@gmail.com

Store Keeper: Store keeper keeps track of food stock, food rotation & ingredients checklist with expiry monitoring, follow up with suppliers for supply, accounting knowledge will be an added advantage.

All positions require 5 to 7 years of experience in F& B, has valid Oman D/L, good ERP knowledge, MS Office, good communication skills & transferable visa are mandatory.

CANADIAN CO.- FREE CONSULTANCY FOR LEGAL JOB - For Hotel Staff, Construction Staff, Medical, Gas & Oil Staff.

- Free recruitment - free tickets, accommodation, work visa, contract for 2 (two) years.

Contact : 93392630 Send CV on muslimatservices@gmail.com

NOC REQUIRED Interested Candidate may forward their updated CV to â&#x20AC;&#x201C; somesh786@gmail.com / sandeep.svgo@gmail.com call # +971566699815 / +96895323264 Send your CV before 01st April, 2016

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ENGINEER/MECHANIC.

Looking for a young dynamic Accountant with knowledge of AX Package for a multinational shipping company. Email your CV to: shippingseas@yahoo.com

Constructions Jobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Engineerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s , Diploma Engineerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s . All Kinds of Constructions staff required. towershr70@gmail.com , Office Tel NO. 24548382

Required experienced Accountant preferably Indian Nationality.

Send your resume : admin@aljazeeraglobal.com Tel: 968 24494748

Decoration Company looking for Interior Design Engineer with experience in 3D and Supervision.

Send your CV with the design which you have done and after the implementation. Email: alrih16@ hotmail.com

DOMESTIC HELP MEDICAL Wanted house boy for an Indian doctor family. Interested may contact 94765020.

DRIVER Required Graduate with light driving license, present in Oman contrast basis. Contact: 99454425 Wanted driver. Contact : 91025698

DRAFTSMAN Required Draftsman for Consultancy office. 3-5 years experience in Architectural Structural Drafting. Email careerssabla@gmail.com

ENGINEER/MECHANIC. Required Bachelor of Civil Engineering for Supervision for Consultancy office. 5 years experience in Supervision PMC duties in Oman preferred.

Email : careerssabla@gmail.com Required urgently for Mechanical Engineer, B.E / Diploma having good experience in Automobile & Engineering workshop. Contact: 98919238 Email: nnoel1977@gmail.com I.T.I Electrician experienced in Industrial L.T & H.T category work preferably in Oman with NOC. contact 99454425 A well reputed building material & contracting Company in Oman is looking for staff: Project Manager (more than 10 yrs experience), Engineer (more than 5 years of experience), Purchase Manager (more than 10 yrs of experience). Contact: 99808868 Email: amtcbarka@gmail. com Diploma in Automobile Engineering / Mechanical Engineering with 10 years of relevant experience preferably Gulf returned.

Only preferable for possessing NOC / Release letter. Candidate should have good controlling / leadership / good communication skills. Interested candidates send resume to hr@aljood-oman.com Fax: 24437007

MANAGER Required an experienced Store keeper for a leading building material trading & fabrication company in Ghala. Send CV to Email: admin@areenoverseas.net

Required following Medical Staff for a clinic in Muscat female GP Doctor male, female Nurse (preference for Philippines). Contact: 24595956 / 95189584 Email: medicare@fusionlogicoman.com Lab Technician, Omani Female PRO cum Receptionist, Male Receptionist cum Insurance Coordinator, Specialist Doctor Radiologist, General Practitioners, Cont.95220350, bmdcsg@yahoo. com Doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Nurses, Pharmacist, Lab Tech, any Nationalities. For Dreams Clinic : Towershr70@ gmail.com , Tel No. 24548382 Required for a reputed Medical Center in Al Khuwair, Medical Marketing Executive with experience.

Please send CV : absmc2013@ gmail.com FAX: 24488660 Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq. #95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with DataďŹ&#x201A;ow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934

MISCELLANEOUS Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers. Candidates with Omani driving license preferred. #99273774/99202278

SALES / MARKETING A Construction Chemicals Manufacturing company is looking for Stores Cum Purchase Assistant for Sharjah factory. Candidates with Min. Bachelor degree with 2 years working experience with tally knowledge can send CVs on: sharjahgic@gmail.com An Interior ďŹ t out company is looking for Sales Executive with 5 years experience, diving license & local release. contact 94619086

Required Temporary

LABOR WANTED!

Instructor

Wanted experienced masons for a reputed construction company, handsome package is offered. VISA AVAILABLE IMMIDIATELY.

for summer camp Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022;Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2022; Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2022;

Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2022;

95739143 Email :admin@omanihome.com

SALES / MARKETING

IT

Required Sales Executive : 2-3 years of outdoor sales experience in spare part., Indian, Male 25 to 35 year age. Diploma holder in any discipline â&#x20AC;&#x153; mechanical engineer preferredâ&#x20AC;?. Email: mohammad.jwabreh@bearingcitysc. com Tel: 24509477 Fax: 24509312 Proactive Sales & Marketing professionals with Oman D/L, own car required for leading IT & Media Solutions enterprise. Fresh MBAs also can apply: jobs@interacoman.com Urgent required Salesman with minimum 2 years of experience in Sales & marketing for gift articles shop. Contact: 96917952 Email: swapneelbhatt@gmail.com Urgently Required a Self motivated sales person for a leading Printing & advertisement Co. Minimum 5 Yrs exp with valid Omani/GCC Driving License. Contact: 99412020, 95728453, Email: Baharalsuwaihara@gmail.com A reputed organization requires an experienced expatriate lady Sales Executive with valid Oman D/L for marketing luxury products. Contact: 24212307 or send CV with a current passport size photo to Email: awadiest@omantel.net.om Note: Only candidates who have NOC can apply.

Required Salesman, tailor and barber.

Contact: 91114884 Urgent required Salesman with minimum 3 years of experience in building materials (tiles & sanitary wares) with valid GCC license. #96917952, swapneelbhatt@ gmail.com Urgent required Salesman with minimum 3 years of experience in printing line with valid GCC license. Contact: 96917952 Email: swapneelbhatt@gmail.com Required Sales and Marketing Manager must possess excellent communication skills. Fluent English speaking, Arabic speaking is preferred. Minimum of 2 years of professional experience. Candidates are requested to send their CVS to polyplas@omantel.net.om A leading company in the sale of heavy machines in the Sultanate of Oman looking for job promoter commercial and salesperson to conduction.

Send your CV to Email: 184059738@ qq.com #+968 96329918

SKILLED LABOUR Electrician cum Plumber, Maintenance Supervisor with D/L, Building Material Salesman, C.C.T.V Technician. #99383044.

E mail: helplinellc123@yahoo.com

To apply, please send your CV to email â&#x20AC;&#x201C; rawaďŹ dllc@gmail.com

Clinic Manager / Clinic Administrator needed immediate vacancy - Well experienced - Speaks and writes English & Arabic - Likes to work in a team - Respectful, caring & friendly - Takes criticism well - Has good professional attitude

Please send CV to: hds_accounts@yahoo.com

Urgently required A leading Electro Mechanical & Civil Contracting Company in Oman urgently required an Assistant General Manager with minimum 8 to 10 years experience.

Send CV : recruitmentmuscat2015@gmail.com

Contact number:-

For further details kindly contact Mr.babu 99380374 or fax 24593277

Wanted a Salesman & Sales lady for a new lifestyle store opening shortly in MGM mall. Send CV : lifestylemct@gmail.com

Accountant cum Admin: A qualiďŹ ed accountant has experience in accounts, cost controls, inventory, procurement & ďŹ nance upto ďŹ nalization and general administrations. Excellent knowledge of Tally ERP-9.

Required for a software development ďŹ rm (1) Software Developers - experience in ASP. NET and / or VB. NET (2) Software Support Executive - experience in software / hardware, support knowledge of ASP. Net will be an advantage. Email: CV to softwarejobsman@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ ďŹ nance ďŹ eld. On visit visa. Immediately available. CONTACT 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com 28/male/MBA - ďŹ nance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement. #90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT.WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian Female recently pass out BBA+MBA (Dual degree) International Business and Finance, looking for suitable opportunities, presently in Muscat on family Visa.

Contact no. +968-95907828. Email Id: stuti28sinha@gmail.com Male 36 MBA 7 yrs GCC exp.

Quickbooks tally ERP, looking for accounts and admin post. Valid driving license. Contact 96763275/ 91992367 fazee1980@gmail.com Asst. Finance Manager (Indian male) MBA Finance, CIMA with 9 yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman experience. Seeks placement with NOC. call:97694976 Mail:muhammedsadikmba@gmail. com Indian female,26 MA Economics on family visa seeking suitable position in Accounts/Finance, HR/ Admin Contact: 91473174 Indian male 27, MBA, B. Com with 6 years experience in Finance and Accounting upto ďŹ nalization seeking suitable position. Contact 98035831

Indian male 28 yrs MBA ďŹ nance/ marketing and graduate in computer experience 3 yrs seeking suitable job, now family visit visa.

Contact: 93195378 Email: faisalme.beg677@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian male with 26 yrs exp 1.5 yrs in Oman in HR / Office / Administration/ Sales/ seeking for suitable placement. contact : 93112346, Email: sibyambadan70@gmail.com Teacher female 27 yrs, MCA 5 yrs experience in teaching in India currently on visit visa seeking for a suitable placement. Contact: 96709509 Email: viyannifd@gmail.com Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817 Omani National looking for a suitable placement in Sales or Administration. Contact: 94700691 Male BBA 25 administration ofďŹ cer, accounts, purchaser with valid NOC. Contact 91329571

Indian male, 24 yrs, Graduated with specialization in Accounting 2 years experienced C.A.CPT completed. #94628086 / 97315091

Data entry, MS Word, Excel, Accounting Installing software and windows, also know repairing system 1 year and 6 months work in sports in Pakistan language, Urdu, English, Spanish, bachelor of arts BA. Contact 94879732

Indian male 29 M.Com, MBA, SAP B1, Tally, MS Office, Sage 5 years experience in Oman, India currently working in Oman, NOC available. Contact: 92840519

10 yrs of Oman experience capable of handling large accounts, looking for suitable placement in senior sales / business development position. Contact : 98987654

Female ACCA affiliate B.Com fresher with Oman driving license seeks placement in auditing / accounts and ďŹ nance. #92264638 / 93108343 Email: mira.somya@gmail.com

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman. Ready to join immediately. #98263394

Indian Male â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MBA (HR) & Engineering graduation with total 9 years of experience in HR & Admin ( 3 yrs of Oman Exp.) along with hands on experience in technical bid submission for all Government & PDO tenders ready to join immediately with NOC. #@ 91240251/ Email; kvaradhan@hotmail.com

Indian female 32, MBA Finance, 7 yrs of experience in one of the leading bank in India in Treasury(in FX, derivatives and money market), Risk and Asset Liability Management , with valid Oman D/L seeking suitable placement contact 92206513 Post Graduate with experience in accounts Upto Finalization, Valid GCC Driving License, Immediate Joining Possible. Mob.92432748 Male/25-ACCA & B.com ďŹ nalist, advance diploma in accounting with 5 years experience in audit and accounts. Good command in Tally, peach tree and SAP, looking for suitable placement. #97190575,email mairaj_hasan@msn.com Indian male:25 Yrs. MBA HR ,BBA with 6 Months Exp seeking for suitable placement. Now on visit visa Contact 90653362

Male Accountant M.Com Accounts & ďŹ nance, 3 yrs exp in accounts looking for suitable job on visit visa.

Contact: 94648575 Fresher 24, ACCA Affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or Audit with Oman driving license. #- 92430152 Email - raju.rd619@gmail.com Indian CA ďŹ nalist, 7 yrs exp having driving license with visa looking for ďŹ nance / accounts position Email: rameesnm@gmail.com, 98097009 B.Com Graduate, Indian male 24 yrs, 3 yrs exp in Oman looking for Accounting, Sales, suitable jobs.

NOC Available. Contact:90615814.

Mail : adhilrahman.a@gmail.com

Accounting ďŹ xed asset inventory reconciliation software installation support service. Contact: 97703143

Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement. contact 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com

24 years, male Indian MBA completed seeking job opportunities for suitable placement. #95061789

ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in ďŹ nance. #99284193

Indian male 26 yrs MCA, 2 yrs experienced in System Admin & data base controller. Contact: 92835125

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 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288 B.Com 3 years business process outsourcing. Contact: 94657273 Indian, 26 yrs , female , 5 yrs exp in HR/ Admin with valid Oman D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98236033 Indian male, MBA with 3 years GCC experience seeks job in Muscat.

Posses Valid Oman D/L. Currently under visit visa and can join immediately. E mail : tssavad@gmail.com contact: 00968 98896847 Filipino male with 13 years HR and Administration managerial experience. MBA & CIPD holder. Currently looking for job in Oman. Interested employer Contact - 97728418.

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

DOMESTIC HELP

Indian male, MCA

Office cum shop cleaner available on contract basis. Contact: 94262954

Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Please contact 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

Contact 92319677, Email : ismabsc@gmail.com

Contact - 92789995

Contact-93361624, Email-

Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

dheerachpadikkala@gmail.com

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com

Indian female, 25 yrs M.Tech Structural Engineer 3 yrs experienced in Analysis design & RCC structures seeking for suitable placement. # 97163040 / 96357196

Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available. #96789711

Job Site Supervisor 11 yrs experience 7 years of Oman Education Diploma in Civil Engineering driving license of Oman (LTV) Oman experience building and road structure.

Contact : 96972527

2D autocad Drafting (free lancer / part time) arch, MEP, Shopdrawing.

Contact : 97103168

CAD Technician Looking for Job Diploma holder. experience: 5.5 oman+Total12 years. #96534071

Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR PH :92279784 Interior Designer Seeking suitable job. On visit visa in Oman.

Contact - 92166130

DRIVER Driver light vehicle from Bangladeshi 5 years experience in Oman, 24 years, Omani driving license looking for job. Contact: 98591812

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.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 Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com

Indian male (23), completed B.E Electrical and Electronics Engineering have no experience and studied MEP, E-CAD AutoCAD P6 now on family visa looking for a desirable job. Contact: 98209070 Email: panivinlal@gmail.com BE Mechanical Engineer having 6 years exp in piping and structural work in India and Oman. Release available. Contact: 96115463 Email: jijoraju085@yahoo.com Sudanese Civil Engineer holding bachelor with 2 years of experience in Oman have valid driving license and residency with NOC looking for job. Contact: 94393880 Associate Engineer with 5 years on EHT, HT, LT underground cable testing, good communication skills, NOC available. Contact: 92342124

An experienced Chartered Accountant

SALES / MARKETING

with over 25 years in varied industries, presently working with a reputed group in Muscat, looking out for a suitable change.

Indian male, 45 yrs, 15 years Saudi experience, 1 year Qatar experience as driver / salesman with valid Qatar D/ License, currently in Oman on visit visa, looking for suitable placement. Contact : 90653714 / 99881264

96491030 MEDICAL

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

AutoCAD Civil Draughtsman looking for job (12 yrs Oman experience). Contact: 99830785

Indian History graduate with diploma in Safety with valid Oman Driving licence seeks suitable placement.

Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres), holding valid Oman D/L.

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN 3D & Multimedia Designer looking for job, currently using family visa. Contact : 95844940 Email: chrisrimas@yahoo.com

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

seeking suitable placement anywhere in Oman, now on visit visa.

(Post Graduate) fresher

BE CS, 23 yrs male, Indian looking for suitable job. Contact 90658834 Male Dip.Civil Engineer, having 20 yrs exp (building & road) looking for suitable job. Contact: 94720782 Network Engineer CCNA-MCSA exp computer science with NOC. Contact : 92346191 Procurement Engineer (27 years single male with Oman Driving License) having 7 years experience (UAE 2, Oman 3) with expertise in MEP, Water, Electromechanical, Instrumentation seeking suitable placements. Contact 95852033, mail: hemal1988@gmail.com Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization. contact 96570891 Male, NDT, QA/QC Supervision Mechanical 10 yrs experience seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96954202, Email : nasirarain86@yahoo.com

5 years of Experience in Digital Sales/Research Engines and Patient Experience Executive at Reliance Hospitals India, Pvt. Ltd. Looking for any suitable vacancy, currently on a visit . #90503494 email : lasradomelwyn@gmail.com Indian female (MSC – Microbiologist) seeking suitable job. Contact: 96791162 / 90618567 Indian female dentist with MOH license having 3 years experience seeking immediate placement.NOC available Contact: 96678476/90343750, Email: jayakrishnak8@gmail.com Indian Bsc Female Nurse with 6.5 years exp, 4 years in KSA. Passed Oman Pro Metric with 69%, completed data flow. Presently in Muscat in visit visa looking for a suitable placement. Contact 94744900, 94742834, jincyalphonese@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills. Holding Oman Driving license. Looking for suitable placement. #99709336

Family driver available. Contac: 92943094

Light duty driver seeks job. Contact: 94182497 Looking job for light driver. Con-

HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+Diploma Safety+NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement, Mob:97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com

tact: 94435912 / 94802988

Pakistani male light vehicle driver with 5 years experience looking for job. Contact: 92171166

Electrical Engineer, 7 years exp, NOC, GCC driving license looking for suitable jobs in MEP services, O & M of high voltage systems, FMS. Contact: 96137008

Looking for light driver. #99753474 Light car driving. contactc 99578213

Looking for light driving job 2 years exp. Contact: 91625977

Driver. Contact : 94087276

Civil Engineer 6 years experience, 4 years in Oman, with driving license available. Contact 92553263 Electrical Engineer, 8 years experience GCC with driving license, seeking jobs, can join immediately, have knowledge of all kind of MEP projects. Contact 96535204

Pakistani male light Vehicle Driver with car looking for job. contact 99630504

Pakistani male light vehicle driver

Indian female Quantity Surveyor Civil 11 years experience, local release available NOC. #95719108 Email: jishashibunair@gmail.com

looking for job. Contact: 99521033

EDUCATION/TRAINING Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact : 99739415 / 92091528 BA in English, BCA exp. 3 yrs including Oman, having valid Oman driving license. Contact 96330962, uneyism@gmail.com Indian female 29 yrs MSc, MED science on family visa 2 yrs experience in teaching field looking for a suitable placement. Contact : 93717403 Email: sharipanidcer08@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer, 6 yrs experience with Omani driving license, local release available. Contact: 91693008 Civil Engineer with 9 years experience 7 years in Gulf with oil and gas field experience valid Oman D/L. NOC available seeks suitable placement. Contact: 91195257 Email: mjanoyon@gmail.com Indian male, Post Graduate (Instrumentation) seeks suitable placement. Contact 0091 – 9633718099/ Email : rajithmr@yahoo.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available.

Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Civil Engineer 11 yrs exp in construction field having Oman driving license & NOC. Contact – 94194399 / shiblyrock@gmail.com Engineer has 10 years local & international experience in ready mix concrete also in Oil & Gas field also in marketing & sales field , has Omani driving license. contact 92534098

Syrian Civil Engineer Graduate 2012 with Oman experience with license. Contact : 92967785 16 years exp Engg document controller, material controller HR related job with D/L. Contact: 96028635 / 92386043 An Electrical engineer with 4+ yrs of experience in Electrical network (MT, LT) with professional computer skills seeking for work.

Contact: 99841736 / 93955381/ +149922698343 Email: e.kmmh@ hotmail.com Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 2 years experience, fire fighting HVAC on visiting visa. Contact : 95630047 Electrical Engineer fresh Graduate NOC available, can speak Arabic & English with driving license. #: 94879092 Mechanical Engineer 7 years experience and 4 years experience in pipeline projects. NOC available.

Contact: 91117089 Electrical Engineer 4.5 years experience sub stations, water projects, oil & gas, fluency in Arabic & English with driving license. #: 99525856 Civil Engineer male 26 years, experience 3 years. Contact: 96319928 Electrical & electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit. PH:93837973 Indian B.E Civil Engineer, 25 years experience in Gulf looking for a suitable job. N.O.C & driving license available. Contact: 94867039 Site Engineer Education BSc Civil Engineer experience 1 year AutoCAD primavera P8.1, MS Excel Google sketch up can use having Engr visa to Oman having 2 yrs validity.

Contact : 94561195 BE Mechanical & Diploma with 4 yrs experience in India looking for suitable job. Contact 90542737

A Young Mechanical Engineer with PGDM in Marketing and Operations (Rajagiri Business School) looking for suitable job placement in a reputed company, currently working in a startup (food- tech industry in India) handing diverse roles of the business (visit visa). Contact 96961635 Email: rohanmg@live.com Indian male M.SC in Structural Engineering (U.K) B.Tech in Civil Engineering (India), currently in Oman on visit looking for a suitable job. Contact : 93699710 Email: faisal0814@gmail.com Indian male, 29 yrs, B.Tech (EEE) with 5+ yrs of experience from reputed firms in the field of Electrical Site Execution & Project Coordination in HL, LT for various EPC Projects, now on visit, seeks suitable placement in related industries.#92310762, email : write2man@gmail.com B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, on visit visa looking for job, who has done certification courses in quality control, basic pipeline engineering, ASNT NDT level II, also good knowledge in HVAC.Contact:94743373 email:akasharavind1@gmail.com Engineer with 5 years technical sales experience among leading brands in Oman construction market D/L. Contact : 93985140 Male QC Inspector Mechanical, NDT 20 years experience valid Oman D/L, NOC available. #91001104 B.Sc Civil Engineer 27 yrs Oman exp as project manager, structural engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC/local transfer available. Contact: 99349578.

Email:farooqatm@hotmail.com Pakistani male, 2.5 yrs experience in AutoCAD Electrical design, estimation, installation commissioning, operation maintenance of switchgear panels MV, LT, MCC, HVAC, Gen Set, fire alarm panels, available on visit visa before 2nd April 2016 looking for suitable placement. #92012760, Email : ahmed.abdullah29@yahoo.com Indian male, 27 yrs, Electronics Engineer (B.Tech) & MBA, Project Management with 5 years experience in electronic security system, optical fiber, project planning installation. Contact 94819139, usamahaq@gmail.com B.Sc in Civil Engineer having 10 yrs experience in structural designer in RCC structure & steel structure in Dubai having Municipality approval & Dubai driving license looking for suitable position. Email : engr.masud.civil@gmail.com ndian male 35yrs BE - Engg 15 yrs exp in UAE Site Manager looking for job. Contact 95802614, Email : vinoj_1979@yahoo.co.in Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. contact:98921022

IT Sudanese Network Engineer holding IT Bachelor with 1 year experience CCNA, CCNP, MCSA certified have valid driving license. contact 92394485 Male, 31 years, M.I.T, CCNA, 9 years exp in Qatar as assistant IT manager, network administrator, server management and knowledge of developing website. Qatar D/L and available in Oman on visit visa. Contact:00968-98179462.

0097477237607, Email: mohsin2022@gmail.com INDIAN FEMALE COMPLETED M.C.A seeking for suitable jobs. Contact: 91409481 / 97308719

MANAGER Qualified and experienced Indian female Manager, 28 yrs with 12 years experience in B.P.O Insurance and banking looking for a suitable placement. Contact : 95166496 Male Manager Resource planning Oman experience 11 years in Purchase Accounts, HR local release available. Contact: 98895039 Email: binulukechacko@gmail.com Egyptian male 36 years Warehouse Manager, 7 years in Sultanate of Oman, 1 year in UAE, and 3 years in Egypt. Contact: +968 97200468 Email: ayman_mano1979@yahoo. com General/Divisional Manager MEP & Civil, MBA Operation, BE Electrical, 10 years experience in Oman & 10 years in India. Valid DL, release available. GSM. 92447102 Indian MBA having 12 years experience looking for job Property Manager with Oman driving license, NOC available. Contact : 93714141 Purchase/Planning & Logistics Manager MBA (Finance), 14yrs.

Oman Exp. with D/L, NOC available, looking for suitable position.#93826090, jskanchan01@ gmail.com Building Site Supervisor with Oman D/L working in Oman since 2010 looking for suitable placement. Contact: 91507828 15 years Oman experienced procurement manager with good knowledge of material and market.

Contact 96549399 Operations & Accounts Manager Indian 18 years experience in Oman finance, purchase, sales, HR, Admin looking for Senior position.

Contact : 99044724 Production Manager 9 years experience in Oman manufacture and development factories .GRB. GRC. GRG rubber molds and false ceilings, fiberglass and executive at site emadadly2000@yahoo. com 96149081

Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment. Call: 95244761

B.Com, specialized in marketing, SAP - FICO, Tally ERP 9 2 yrs exp in sales and accounting ph : 90226336 Indian male having 10 years of exp in sales & customer service also worked as IT Technician CCNA Certified. Graduate seeks suitable placement. #92490127 Indian male MBA having 12 years of Sales experience in Oman seeking suitable position, good in Arabic and having valid D/L. NOC can be obtained (as per new rule).

Contact : 98908634 Pakistani male, fresh Graduate & Diploma in hotel management & tourism, computer literate, interested in Sales & Marketing, Accounts, available on permanent visa, seeks placement with visa.

NOC available. Contact 91439870, Email : waqaxmooxa@gmail.com

TOURS & TRAVEL Indian female BA IATA, 7 yrs exp in travel industry knows SABRE AMADEUS GALILEO on family visa seeks opportunity in Oman. Contact 93531170. E mail: claudiatresa17@gmail.com Filipina lady having exp in ticketing and preservation, call center, secretarial and real estate is now looking for job please call.94054080

MISCELLANEOUS SALES / MARKETING 10 yrs exp in procurement, tenders, importing, marketing and sales, organizing events. Have car NOC available. #94123939 Young Indian male, 24 yrs, having 03 yrs marketing experience in Oman, looking for suitable placement. Holding valid D/L. NOC available. Contact: 93172979 Indian male Graduated in Business Management having 4 yrs exp in marketing & trading, dealt with international companies and product also having good knowledge in logistic & Admin looking forward to join immediately, having GCC driving license and car NOC available. Contact : 93639385 Email: faizenqidwai@gmail.com Indian male, 5 yrs exp in marketing & trading (Oman), dealt with International companies & product also having good knowledge in logistic and Admin with D/L & car, NOC available. Contact 93639385 Email: faizenqidwai@gmail.com Male, 26 yrs, B.Com with Valid GCC D/L, 5 years Experience in Sales, Good(Arabic/English) on Visit Visa 96970027 Indian male 40 yrs SSLC, PDC knows MS Office & Tally 1 year Oman experience in Accounts & 2 yrs marketing experience valid Oman D.L. NOC available seeks suitable placements in marketing. #92409891 Email: danomon@yahoo.co.in Indian male 45 years with 10 years software IT Marketing GCC experience Oman license, NOC visa transfer facility require urgent placement. Contact: 91719892 E mail: mmjoman@gmail.com Indian male, looking for sales & marketing job with Qatar experience & driving license. Contact 0091 8297578893, Email : mohdsaif459@gmail.com M.B.A (Marketing) With experience in FMCG & Other Sales, Valid GCC Driving License. Immediate Joining Possible Mob.92432748 Indian male 33 yrs, 11 yrs exp of Oman in Sales and hospitality looking for suitable with NOC. Contact: 91607889 MBA, Executive Post, Omani Driving Licence,14 years Experience in Multinational Groups in Sales & Marketing. M.Z. 91685048 Indian male 30 years, Gulf exp.

GCC license looking for job sales Administration. contact 94423288 Email: ferozhussain70007@gmail. com

Indian Female on a visit visa having master degree seeking suitable placement in any field, 1 ,5 year experience in HR .Contact : +968 91467576.

MBA Marketing, 10 years in marketing, consulting strategy, corporate communications, content management, UX , Product launch, digital marketing. Indian female on visit. Contact : 95431357 Indian 32 years passed M.A. English , M.Sc Psychology and B.Ed in English having 4 years experience in teaching searching suitable job.

Contact: 99869535 Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com Indian male,16 years Oil & Gas experience ( Down Hole Tools ), 3 years in Oman, Dip. Mechanical Engineer, Having D/L and NOC. Email – jajisuni@yahoo.com, Mob : 965 956 18.

Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store In-charge cum Logistic Manager in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605. email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com 8 plus years of experience in Events /Marketing Communication /conferences / Trainings / Media representation. Having UAE D/L. seeking Suitable Placement: Contact: 95792820. suheal.ma@ outlook.com Physiotherapist with MOH license looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92617235 Software Engineer Indian, 31 yrs, 8.5 years experience (IBM, Emphasis, cognizant), Oman driving license looking suitable placement. Contact: 93221395 Indian male, 19 years Oman exp in purchase, Material control in building construction & factory production have good computer skills & D/L & with NOC, looking for suitable placement. #99008101 Email: mr.victor2015@hotmail.com Engg/ Tech/ Mech, ME. Mechanical Engineer Indian male, 24 years looking for suitable job, area of interest Unconventional machining process, transmission system used in automobile quality control. Contact: 90444038 / 96736912, ilango2507@gmail.com Indian Male,Kerala,B.COM & B.PE having 13Years of Physical Education Teacher experience. Currently on visit visa Looking for a suitable job. Contact:- 968 94106834. email:-akhilrajkj@ gmail.com.

D6

T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/COMPUTER/WEBSITE

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

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

in Azaiba and Ruwi

Any time available transportation solution for house office shifting, TV fixing, carpenter all type of maintenance.#Indian person : 95194801 / 96594592 Whatsapp

• Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

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

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED MISCELLANEOUS 25 year old male B.Com and insurance graduate with 6 year experience looking for an opening in accounts, finance or operations related only. Driving license and NOC available. Contact-lilommca@ gmail.com and 95236312.

14 year experience in 5 star hotel as sales manager in UAE & INDIA on tourist visa looking for suitable opportunity please contact mobile # 91305978 Admin Assistant. Having 5 years experience in admin department in reputed companies, presently working in Muscat (NOC Available). GSM. 00968-98404122, Email - panduru.jeevankumar@ gmail.com BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com Filipino Male, 24 Years Old..looking for job, have experience in Cargo & Logistics/ Rent a Car/ Real Estate/ Finance & Accounts/customer service and as Travel Agent.

Hard working and with good computer and communication skills.

GSM: 95370052 Indian Female on a visit visa having master degree seeking suitable placement in any field, 1 and half year experience in HR .Contact : +968 91467576 .

Experienced B.Com graduate + IATA Diploma holder looking for Accounts/Admin/Travels related job. Mob. 91142997. NOC available.

Indian Female, 24 MA Eng. Litr with 2 yrs experience in teaching & 14 months in Administration cum Secretary, Currently on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 92613704/99260702, Email:rohinis2010@gmail.com Sri Lankan Male 34 BSc. (Physics) 5 years experience as a site manager and administration supervisor in Oman with valid D/L looking for a suitable position. Contact 99153061 or v.chandramohan@ yahoo.co.uk

Female Junior Architect Graduated from School of Planning & Architecture, Vijayawada. Excellence in Autocad, Sketching & Modelling. Internship - KHAM Designs, Bangalore. Presently with Atulya Architects & Associates.

Email saatvika.frozenmusic@ gmail.com #00968-94057427.

2 years experienced male seeking job related to safety. M. Tech in HSE, MSc in Environmental Science and IOSH certified. Contact : 94653264 Indian male 37 YEARS, BSC COMPUTER SCIENCE having More than 8yrs of experience with well exposure in PDO, DALEEL & OXY as IT SUPPORT / DESKTOP SUPPORT ENGINEER. Seeking suitable placement. Contact rangaraj_vck@yahoo.co.in / 968-99758320 Indian Female Electronics System Eng. UK Graduate. Programmer Micro Controller Robot, Eng. Analysis, Instrumentation & Control, Eng. Projects, Integrated Circuit Eng., Electrical and Fluid Drives, Analogue Electronics, Wireless Systems. Seeking suitable post. Contact: 97848075, s.dinesh1508@gmail.com 6 YEARS EXPERIENCE HR/Finance Indian female[29Years] MBA. On family visa, Seeking suitable placement-93908191, email:aswathi.wnd@gmail.com 32year Indian Male MSC,MBAHR having 8yrs Exp(HR / Payroll / Admin) with Oman valid DL. Seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/ backend jobs. Contact:00968-99322978 Sudanese male, 5 years experience in warehouse management and logistics services#90644186 Electrical Engineer Indian male 23 yrs, 2 yrs experience HV/LV Design experience in Oman based projects experience in HV testing (220/110/11kv) presently on visit visa. Contact : 99729860 Email: vivekcet888@gmail.com

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control building. Cleaning tiles / Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Indian female B.C.A, B.E.D, IELTS experience in Oman teaching primary & secondary looking for job. Contact : 97384206 Email: rani_sweet786@live.com Indian female, having 10 years experience in logistics and sales coordination, exp in SAP, MS Office valid D/L currently on visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact : 95251911 Accountant 31 years Indian male, 6 years experience in Dubai & Bahrain with driving license good computer skills seeking for suitable position. Contact : 92791218 Email: vmp2485@gmail.com Sr Material controller, having 13 years experience in material controlling in reputed companies.

Presently working in Muscat (NOC Available). contact 0096892944026, Email charanjeet35@ yahoo.co.in Indian/male (25)/ MBA/2 years experience in channel sales and distribution management. on visit visa. available for immediate joining. Contact: 96914068, E mail: mailanasap@gmail.com Indian, BE Mechanical Engineering with 1 yr exp as service Engineer, looking for suitable positions. Contact-90637918, E mail: aquasharath@gmail.com

Senior Accountant, 5 yrs Oman, 10 yrs UAE experience in manufacturing & construction valid D/L immediately available. Email: irfan_syed2000@hotmail.com, call: 95389018 MCA, Indian female, experience in IT & Administration. #94133849 Email: abpraveena16@gmail.com

House shifting. Contact: 99708138

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

Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing. Ocean center LLC.contact 99344723

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

Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064 Split A/C servicing R.O 10 only.

Contact: 94217681 / 99210141

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile Indian male with 1 yr exp looking for polishing, pest control & anti-terjob in I.T as Web developer, presently mite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, in Muscat on visit visa. #92312978 shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Indian Male ,MBA Finance & MarContact: 24810137, 99450130 keting 28 yrs,6+ Exp, with oman D/L & NOC, Hospital ,Pharma ,Herbal Fixed asset verification inventory ,FMCG, F&B Markeing ,construction control software installation supA/c & sales , 93379044 port services. Contact: 97703143 HSE Engineer, Indian male, 4 plus years experience in oil & gas, Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles working in shclumberger Nebosh, polishing, carpet shampooing, ISOH & NDT certified, M. Tech in HSE. contact-krish.569@gmail.com maintenance. Contact ABU QAmobile- +91 9867016808 BAS- 99320217 /24788722 BE Mechanical Engineering with one year experience now on visit visa, looking for suitable positions. #90637918 / 99335742,email: aquasharath@gmail.com Indian/male (25)/ MBA /2 years experience in channel sales and distribution management. on visit visa. available for immediate joining.

Contact: 96914068, email: mailanasap@gmail.com

Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC contact 99344723

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED Indian male, 8.5 yrs experience, B.Com Graduate with GCC exp & valid driving license looking for better job opening in Muscat. Contact: 92609935 / 94771365

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance.contact 93769089 / 95323517 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. contact 93769089 / 95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 A/C maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing. #99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281 A/C Technician, cold store, freezer, chiller all kinds of A/C & refrigeration installation & service.

Contact: 92279370 / 92459357 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC CONTACT 99344723 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. contact 24793614/ 99314807 House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

TOURS

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTED BUSINESS ONE STOP SHOP BUSINESS SERVICES Public relation services (PRO), Formation new companies, LLC companies, investor visa, business setup, prepare business & companies accounts, legal services, representing you and your company.

Investment Required Minimum OMR 500,000 to transfer 5 Excavators big + 5 Tippers 2015 Astra, working on good profitable Excavation projects. Assured income 36 %.

98867530 / 99120532 engrfaheem@hotmail.com

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR 25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898

MV SALE Expat selling Toyota Corolla, Silver, 1.6, Automatic 2009, with new tyres and manual window, excellent condition, 110,000 KM for RO 2900. Contact – 92769735

Contact Saleh: 96723485 Toyota Prado 3 nos. for sale. Contact: 99454425

MANPOWER ACC WANTED Furnished apartment required immediately for one month. Contact: 95612708 Looking for a villa in Amerat area.

Contact : 95405033

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

RENT A CAR Best Rates for Saloon Contact: 97869042 / 95730550 sales@modernreem.com

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T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED DINING DELIGHTS

SITUATION WANTED DINING DELIGHTS