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TUESDAY, August 18, 2015 / 3 Dhul Qa’ada 1436 AH timesofoman.com wtimesofoman.com facebook.com/timesofoman twitter.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com ISO 9001:2008 Certifi ed Company

REJIMON Kreji@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Hundreds of oil and gas sector workers in Oman have lost their jobs, and others are on the verge of losing it with the crude oil price continuing its downward trend, say trade union leaders.

“Due to the slump in crude pric-es, companies are either shelving their future projects or are not willing to renew current con-tracts. As a result, a large num-ber of employees have been laid off ,” said Saud Salmi, chairman of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) trade union, and chairman

of oil and gas sector unions.“Crude oil prices in the re-

gion have dropped around 40 per cent from their peak last year. Every day, we get complaints from workers, mainly involved in drilling and hoist works. Visiting manpower offi cials to resolve the issues has become a regular prac-tice,” said the union leader.

However, a PDO spokesperson said that currently the PDO is staying on course with a robust growth programme despite the low oil price environment and has no plans to cut jobs. “Indeed, even where contracts have ended or naturally expired without renew-al, we have worked with contrac-

tors to relocate personnel to other contracts wherever possible,” the spokesperson said.

Communications manager from BP Oman said they are still in the development phase of their major Khazzan gas project and there has been no impact on job numbers.

“We currently employ directly and through contractors, and we expect that at the peak of con-struction, we will have around eight to ten thousand people working at the site,” the commu-nication manager said.

Times of Oman’s attempts to get a comment from other oil compa-nies in Oman went in vain.

Meanwhile, Saud Salmi said that job loss is happening for workers with contracting com-panies. “It’s appreciable that the PDO is trying to absorb the laid off workers in diff erent ways. But many other companies are not doing the same. We want compa-nies to follow what PDO is doing. Recently, a few laid off workers whose contracts were not re-newed staged a rally. Government should initiate social protection measures in such crisis situation,” Saud added.

From 2010 to mid-2014, world oil prices had been fairly stable, at around $110 a barrel. However, since June, prices have more than halved. >A5

While big players such as BP and PDO

are pressing ahead, jobs are going at

other oil contractors, say trade unions

DIFFICULT TIMES: The slide in crude oil prices has hit everyone hard. – Supplied photo

OMANTragedy, comedy in ROHM’s operas

2The 2014-15 season at ROHM has a number of productions that will be

impress the audience. >A4

REGIONMore than 80 killed in Yemen fighting

3Heavy fi ghting between government loyalists and rebels for control

of Yemen’s third city Taez has killed more than 80 people. Pro-government and rebel forces have for months fought over Taez, seen as crucial gateway to the rebel-held capital Sanaa. But clashes in the city have intensifi ed in recent days after pro-government forces made sweeping territorial gains. >A7

OMANOmani falls from mountain, dies

1 A national was found dead after he reportedly fell from a mountain in the wilayat

of Dima Wa Taeen, according to a reliable source at the Royal Oman Police (ROP). The source said that the ROP operational centre received a call at around 10 am on Sunday morning saying that a man had fallen off a mountain located in Al Rahba area in the wilayat of Dima Wa Taeen. >A3

T O P T H R E E I N S I D E S T O R I E S

B1Oman sovereign fund acquires Paris hotel

Call to allow Omani women to obtain licences for taxisTARIQ AL HAREMItariqh@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Unemployed Omani women who know how to drive can earn a living by ferrying women and children in taxis des-ignated specifi cally for women, ensuring the safety of female passengers.

However, Omani law is clear that only Omani men are allowed to own taxis. While issuing guide-lines to be followed while apply-ing for taxi licences, the Royal Oman Police recently tweeted that women cannot apply.

“There are many women who are unemployed. They can ben-efi t from driving women and children which is safer for both, the passengers and the driver,” said Shukoor Al Ghamry, former president of Oman Women’s Association.

“You do not need an academic degree to drive, so why can’t

they?” she asked, while also ques-tioning the rationale behind per-mitting women to teach people the nuances of driving but not allowing them to own a taxi or ap-ply for a licence.

“Women passengers will feel safe knowing a woman is driving them to their destination, but the driver must work under certain limitations to make it safe for herself as well,” said Al Gham-ry, and suggested that women should be limited to a wilayat or an area of operation and only at certain times of the day.

Driving a taxi could prove sig-nifi cantly benefi cial for unem-ployed women and guarantee employment, fl exible hours and extra income since they would own their own taxi.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Ibrahim, a local taxi driver, sug-gested that the only way women could ferry passengers is through some sort of booking system. >A5

S T R I C T G U I D E L I N E S

Oil industry begins leaking jobs: Unions

Dhaka embassy opens helplineREJIMON Kreji@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: In a move to support its workers in Oman, the Bangladesh embassy in Muscat has introduced two dedicated phone lines, said an offi cial from the embassy.

“Bangladeshi workers, including amnesty-seekers, can seek help by calling the two dedicated numbers. They can get advice for labour complaints, passport and consular services, document authentica-tion, and sending mortal remains

and special assistance to sick and injured people, in addition to re-covery of legal dues and compen-sation etc,” said the offi cial. The two numbers are 80081234 (toll-free) and 24603514.

Telephones “These telephones will be manned at the embassy in Shati Al Qurum during the weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm and the time could be extended to non-business hours in the days ahead,” said the offi cial. According to government data in

July, Oman is home to 559,626 Bangladeshi nationals.

The helpline has been set up by Ministry of Expatriates’ Wel-fare and Overseas Employment (MoEW&OE) of Bangladesh with funds from the ILO.

“Setting up a helpline is a good initiative on the part of the em-bassy. We will try to share these numbers through our network. Now, Bangladeshi workers can get help by a phone call without going to the embassy,” said Mohammed Sanaullah, a social worker.

F O R W O R K E R S I N D I S T R E S S

More clinics needed in Oman to handle miscarriage casesELHAM POURMOHAMMADIelham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: More specialised clin-ics and specialists are required in Oman to provide medical and emotional support to women who experience a miscarriage, says a specialist.

Miscarriage, which means loss of pregnancy usually before the 20th week, can be a ‘devastating’ and ‘traumatic’ experience, Dr Rahma Al Ghabshi, a senior con-sultant at the Royal Hospital, told the Times of Oman.

Dr Al Ghabshi, who is a repro-ductive, endocrine and recurrent miscarriage specialist, believes that there are not enough clinics in Oman to off er services concerned with both physical and psychologi-cal management of miscarriages.

According to her, specialised

clinics are only available in two or three major hospitals.

There are women who may need help but are not able to get an ap-pointment because of the limited number of these clinics and spe-cialists, said Dr Al Ghabshi.

Such clinics should be estab-lished all over the country to make their services accessible to peo-ple living in remote areas as well, she added.

Need for specialistsIn order to set up more specialised miscarriage clinics, specialists are required, said Dr Al Ghabshi, and added that it is a new special-ity worldwide and there are only a few people in Oman who are sub-specialised in this fi eld.

“If we have more specialists, then we can have more clinics,” she noted.

Dr Al Ghabshi also highlighted the important role of specialists in handling miscarriage cases.

They investigate all aspects of the situation, including why, when and how the miscarriage happened, how the woman had

got pregnant as well as her age and medical and family history, she said.

Right treatmentAll this information is crucial in fi nding the possible causes of miscarriage, providing the right treatment and off ering preven-tive measures when possible, she added.

For example, if the pregnancy loss is due to genetic factors, the care and treatment will not be the same as the one given to another woman who has suff ered a mis-carriage due to other reasons, ex-plained Dr Al Ghabshi.

A woman who suff ers a miscar-riage due to genetic factors will even need a diff erent type of preg-nancy and should undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF), she added.

In addition, miscarriage can

lead to anxiety, stress and depres-sion and sometimes the woman is made to feel that it is somehow her fault instead of getting sym-pathy and support, which may cause other family problems, said Dr Al Ghabshi.

Care is neededSo sensitivity and tender loving care is required in assessing and counselling couples, she noted and added that family support is very important as well.

The research conducted in other countries shows that women who received emotional support af-ter miscarriage recovered much quickly than those who did not, es-pecially in recurrent miscarriage cases, she said.

Dr Al Ghabshi noted that the limited number of specialised clinics is one of the reasons why

no statistics are available on the number and rate of miscarriages in Oman.

Other reasons include the fact that not all the women register themselves when they get preg-nant and register in late stages of pregnancy, while some women do not visit medical centres after they suff er a miscarriage, she said.

There are also women who do not seek help regarding miscar-riage unless it becomes recurrent, added the specialist.

However, she said that the mis-carriage rate in Oman is similar to the rest of the world given the common causative factors.

According to her, internation-ally, 50 per cent of all conceptions fail, with most of them being un-recognised pregnancies, meaning that the woman did not know that she had been pregnant. >A5

M E D I C A L A I D

Dr Rahma Al Ghabshi, senior

consultant at Royal Hospital.

HM sends condolences

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to President Ab-del Fattah El Sisi of Egypt on the death of his mother.

In his cable, His Majesty the

Sultan has expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to President El Sisi, praying to Al-lah the Almighty to rest her soul in peace and grant her family pa-tience. -ONA

E G Y P T

GraphicsSource: InfoMine

ONE YEAR OF FREE-FALLCrude oil price per barrel 2014-2015

August 12014

August 172015

$49.14

$105.32

$46.20January 13

2015

A2 T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

OMAN

Ministry defi nes new criteria for cosmeticsTimes News Service

MUSCAT: In a major decision, the Ministry of Commerce and In-dustry (MOCI) has defi ned a set of 52 quality standards for a range of cosmetics, including aromatic lo-tions, creams, deodorants, oils and shampoos, for the Gulf region.

Shaymaa bint Khamis Al Bal-ushiah, quality control specialist of chemical products, at the Di-rectorate General for Standards and Metrology in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said the obligatory procedure for releasing or approving the import of cosmet-ics as prescribed by a ministerial decision requires every consign-ment to be accompanied by a cer-tifi cate proving that it conforms to these standards.

“Documents proving that the consignment conforms to relevant standards are mandatory, which include release application, appli-cation for approving the import of cosmetics, copy of the commercial registration certifi cate and an ex-amination report issued by a pri-vate laboratory registered by the Directorate General for Standards and Metrology or the laboratory of the manufacturing company,” ex-plained Al Balushiah.

“These documents should be approved by a government author-

ity at the manufacturing company. They should also include a label-ling card of the product, a purchase bill and a certifi cate notifying the importer or the manufacturer that the product conforms to the approved standards. This form is available at the Ministry of Com-merce and Industry,” she added.

Al Balushiah indicated that the cosmetic items not covered by an obligatory ministerial decision should be accompanied by a docu-ment confi rming the integrity and veracity of the product informa-tion issued by the manufacturing company and the product label issued in either Arabic or both in Arabic and English, according to the requirements of the standard-ised international Gulf standards No.: GSO ISO 22715 for cosmetics, packaging and labelling.

She stressed the importance and necessity of clearly displaying labels on cosmetic products kept for sale that state the name of the product and also its purpose if that is not clear from the method of preparation of the product.

The label should also contain the manufacturer’s name, trade-mark, country of origin, ingredi-ents and any warnings related to the product, as well as instructions for use, date of production, batch number, and expiry date.

H E A L T H N O R M S

CONSUMER SAFETY: Every cosmetic consignment needs to be

accompanied by a certifi cate proving it conforms to the approved

quality standards.

Modi enthrals Indian expatriates in Dubai

REJIMON Kreji@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: While a majority of Indians in Oman were disap-pointed over missing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Dubai, a few lucky ones who managed to book seats online through their friends in Dubai were thrilled to listen to him.

“I booked my seat with the help of my friends in Dubai. The online booking website was not working properly in Oman. However, as I did not want to miss his speech, I acted intelligently. I took one-day off from my offi ce, drove to Shar-jah, stayed with my friends, and late in the afternoon itself I stood in a queue at the gates,” Sreeram MV, an ardent fan of Modi in Oman, told the Times of Oman.

“Braving the scorching sun there were thousands seen standing in a queue for hours,” added Sreeram.

Modi, who was on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emir-ates, addressed the ‘Marhaba Namo’, which was being touted as another Madison Square Garden-like event.

The ‘Marhaba Namo’ was hailed as unprecedented in the history of the UAE where for the fi rst time a visiting head of state has been allowed a reception on this scale.

The seating capacity inside the stadium is 30,000, an addi-tional 15,000 were accommo-dated outside the stadium, where food stalls, DJs and two large video walls broadcast Modi’s speech live.

Seeing the unprecedented re-sponse, the organising commit-tee had issued an alert that reg-

istering online is not a guarantee for admission into the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

Modi’s messageAddressing the gathering Modi said the blue-collar workers in the Gulf is the biggest sacrifi ce In-dia has made.

“Dubai is not just mini Kerala but mini India. There are 700 fl ights to Gulf but an Indian PM took 34 years to get here. Crown Prince and His Highness show-ered me love. It’s a matter of pride. This courtesy is not for one man

but all and every Indians. I’m heartfelt with gratitude towards the rulers of UAE.

“My two-day trip, the kind of trust that has built is amazing. Abu Dhabi will invest 450 lakh crore rupees in India. I can say trust between India, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will last generations, “ Qouting Modi, Sreeram told Times of Oman from Dubai.

Earlier in the day, while ad-dressing an investor meet in Mas-dar City, a zero-carbon city, the Indian prime minister said there is an immediate investment op-portunity of $1 trillion in India.

Modi said that his govern-ment has got some problems in legacy and his immediate prior-ity would be to kick-start things which were stalled by the “inde-cisiveness and lethargy” of the past governments.

Modi also said that though there are 700 fl ights between In-dia and the UAE, it took 34 years for an Indian Prime Minister to visit, adding “I promise this will not happen again.”

Indira Gandhi was the last prime minister to visit the UAE in 1981.

The prime minister said all major global institutions such as IMF, World Bank and Moody’s agree that India is the world’s fastest growing economy and it has huge development potential.

Talking about no Indian Prime Minister having visited the UAE in the last 34 years, Modi said, “We have lost 34 years. I want to erase the defi cit of these 34 years. I want all of you to come to India and make 21st Century Asia’s century.” Modi said there are 700 fl ights between India and UAE, but it took 34 years for an Indian Prime Minister to visit. “I prom-ise this will not happen again,” he said. Those present in the meeting included members of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and In-dustry, top government offi cials and Indian origin industrialists.

The Indian prime

minister, who was

on a two-day visit to

the UAE, addressed

the ‘Marhaba Namo’

rally in Dubai,

touted as another

Madison Square

Garden-like event

GULF BROTHERHOOD: The ‘Marhaba Namo’ event was hailed as

unprecedented in the history of the UAE where for the fi rst time a

visiting head of state has been allowed a reception on this scale.

Below, Oman resident Sreeram MV with his friend at the stadium.

– Photo PTI and Times of Oman contributor Sreeram MV

I booked my seat with the help of my friends in Dubai. The online booking website was not working properly in Oman.

Sreeram MV, Oman resident at Modi’s Dubai speech

A3

OMANT U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

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Three citizens arrested for setting car on fire in Suwaiq

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Three citizens were arrested by the Directorate General of Inquiries and Inves-tigations in Al Suwaiq of the Royal Oman Police (ROP), for al-legedly setting fi re to a car in Al Makhtam area.

“The station received a report of a vehicle catching fi re in the yard of a house. The suspects trespassed into the house and poured gasoline on the bonnet of

the car and set it ablaze,” said the source at Al Suwaiq ROP.

After investigations and in-quiries, the offi cers arrested the three citizens who confessed to their crime. They have been re-ferred to the Public Prosecution.

Legal provision“Setting fi re to anything is con-sidered one of the biggest crimes in the Oman Penal Code since it could harm people and proper-ties,” said the source.

According to the Oman Penal Code, Article 270, intentionally starting fi re in a private or public establishment or on land, air and naval transports, oil wells, other establishments or in residential and non-residential areas, irre-spective of whether it is his prop-erty or property of others, will re-sult in imprisonment from seven years to 15 years.

Smuggling Meanwhile, an attempt to smug-gle people out of the Sultan-ate was foiled by the police at the Wadi Al Jizi border post in Wilayat Buraimi.

The Directorate General of Inquiries and Investigation of the ROP received a report that an Omani citizen was helping to transport illegal aliens from So-har to Buraimi to enable them to leave the country.

In co-operation and co-ordi-nation with Wadi Al Jizi bor-

der offi cers, the suspect was arrested.

Police found an Arab national in the trunk of the vehicle.

He later confessed that he had entered the country illegally, said police sources.

Omani falls from mountainAn Omani national was found dead after falling off a mountain in the wilayat of Dima Wa Taeen, according to a reliable source at the ROP.

The source said that the opera-tion centre of the ROP received a call at around 10 am on Sunday saying that man had fallen off a mountain located in Al Rah-ba area in the wilayat of Dima Wa Taeen.

By the time the authorities reached the spot the man was al-ready dead.

“A helicopter belonging to the ROP transferred the body in the afternoon,” he said.

Women found unconsciousIn another incident, a woman was found lying unconscious on the street in Ibra on Sun-day morning, according to the ROP source.

He added that the operation centre at the ROP received a call at around 9 am reporting the case.

The investigations are still un-der way.

Citizen arrestedNarcotics control offi cers arrest-ed a citizen for possession and use of narcotics in the Buraimi Governorate. They found 6750 Tramadol tablets in his posses-sion which he intended to sell.

The Royal Oman Police has urged residents and citizens to report any erroneous actions by drug traffi ckers by calling the hotline 1444 or by requesting as-sistance by calling the emergen-cy line 9999.

According to the provisions of Oman Penal

Code, Article 270, intentionally causing fi re in

a private or public establishment will result in

imprisonment ranging from seven to 15 years

PUBLIC DANGER: According to the legal provisions, setting fi re to anything is considered one of the biggest crimes in Oman Penal Code since it could harm people and

properties.–Photos supplied by ROP

Top officials hold talks with IAF chief MUSCAT: Lt. Gen Ahmed bin Harith Al Nabhani, chief of staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), received Arup Raha, air chief marshal and chief of air staff of the Indian Air Force, and his accompanying delegation cur-rently visiting the Sultanate, in his offi ce at Mu’askar Al Murtafa’a on Monday.

At the meeting they exchanged viewpoints and discussed a num-ber of issues of common concern in military co-operation between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Matter bin Ali Al Obaidani, air vice marshal and commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), senior SAF offi cers and the military attaché at the Indian Embassy in Muscat.

Mohammed bin Nasser Al Ras-bi, secretary general of the Min-istry of Defence received Arup Raha, and his accompanying del-egation currently visiting the Sul-tanate, in his offi ce at Mu’askar Al Murtafa’a yesterday.

Cordial exchangeThe meeting witnessed cordial exchanges on a number of is-sues of common concern, and reviewed the good bilateral relations between the two friend-ly countries.

The meeting was attended by Mattar bin Ali Al Obaidani, air vice marshal and commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Hamdan bin Murshid

Al Lahori, air commodore and military attaché of the Sultanate’s embassy in India and the military attaché of the Indian Embassy in Muscat.

Visit to MTCArup Raha visited the Military Technological College (MTC) on Monday.

The guest along with his delega-tion watched a visual presenta-tion on the MTC, its various facil-ities and utilities. They were also briefed on the general curricula of the college and its various techno-logical majors.

The visiting guests toured the college’s library, a number of workshops and sections of the de-fence establishment.

G L O B A L I M P A C T

NCSI holds staff training programmes

MUSCAT: A training programme in Statistics was hosted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) for its em-ployees, titled ‘Statistics for non-Statisticians’, on August 16 and 17.

A second training for the NCSI staff is under way at the Centre, which focusses on ‘The Provision and Publication of Data.’

This programme will end on Au-gust 20. According to NCSI sourc-es, various government units will be involved in the next training programme scheduled for the fi rst week of September, 2015.

These programmes aim to help the participants acquire a clear understanding of the importance of Statistics, and the role of the Centre in the subject. -ONA

M A N P O W E R S K I L L S

SMEs’ subsidy department set upMUSCAT: A ministerial decision has been issued by Sheikh Abdul-lah Nasser Al Bakri, minister of manpower, establishing a new Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) subsidy department in the department of accounts and fi nance at the Directorate General of Administrative and Financial Aff airs of the ministry.

This decision aims at assigning work to SMEs with the authori-ties concerned at the Ministry of Manpower.

Mohsin Saif Al Maamari, head of the accounts and fi nance, said, “The idea behind creating this department comes from the wise guidance of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, to support SMEs by assigning them work that the ministry needs to get done.”

“The department will be ready

to receive off ers from entrepre-neurs who fall under the umbrella of Public Authority for the Devel-opment of Small Enterprises, ac-cording to ministry regulations,” he added.

He also said that the SME De-velopment Department works at connecting entrepreneurs to the purchasing department at the Ministry of Manpower as well as supervising and following up on easing procedures for implement-ing the assigned work, in addition to documenting it.

The subsidy support depart-ment will also constantly co-or-dinates with the Public Authority of SMEs and follow up with large corporations to guarantee that subsidiary work is assigned to SMEs amounting to 10 per cent of the tender value. -ONA

P U B L I C S U P P O R T

GROWTH PLANS: The subsidy support department will also coor-

dinate with the Public Authority of SMEs and follow up with large

corporations.–ONA

DEFENCE BROTHERHOOD: The offi cials exchanged viewpoints and discussed military cooperation

between the two countries.–ONA

Dhofar launches ‘manners’ drive

SALALAH: A campaign aims at integrating moral principles of dif-ferent segments of the society to promote constructive participa-tion and provide sound solutions to many problems facing individuals.

Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar, patronised the ‘Proud of My Manners’ cam-paign, organised by Omani Wom-an Association, in Salalah.

The campaign, which will run until February 17, 2016, also aims at activating the role played by the government and NGOs in integrat-ing the spirit of cooperation.-ONA

‘ P R O U D O F M Y M A N N E R S ’

A4 T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

OMAN 2014-15season includes romance, tragedy, Spanish patriotism and comedy, and shines a spotlight on the works of Gaetano Donizetti, with three of his popular operas.

New ROHM season to offer variety

SARAH MACDONALDsarah@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: With music, sing-ing, acting, beautiful costumes and often elaborate sets, operas and musicals are the ultimate in performing arts, and the 2014-15 season at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) has a number of a productions that will be sure to impress the audience.

The season includes romance, tragedy, Spanish patriotism and comedy, and shines a spotlight on the works of Gaetano Donizetti, with three of his popular operas. Turandot and The Csardas Prin-cess bring the love, Lucia Di Lam-mermoor and Werther bring the tragedy, L’Elisir D’Amore and La Fille du Regiment bring the com-edy, and Viva Madrid celebrates all things Spanish.

Zeffi relli’s Turandot For the fi rst time since the ROHM opened four years ago, this season doesn’t begin with an opera. Fans will have to wait until October 1, 3, and 4 but it will be well worth the wait, since it’s a chance to see the opera that opened the venue in 2011, Franco Zeffi relli’s staging of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot. Per-formed once again by the Teatro Arena di Verona, it will bring back warm memories for many, and be a chance for others to be enchanted for the fi rst time by the romantic Eastern love story of the cold-hearted Princess Turandot who is won over by the clever Prince Calaf. The elaborate production has stun-ning sets and costumes that were made especially for the ROHM.

The Csardas PrincessOn November 12 and 14 the Buda-pest Operetta Theatre will bring Hungarian composer Emmerich Kalman’s operetta The Csardas Princess (The Gypsy Princess) to the ROHM. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, it’s an intense love story about a cabaret singer and her manager, whose family wants him to marry

someone else. Filled with lively dancing and energy, it’s no sur-prise it’s one of the most popular operettas around.

Viva MadridOn December 13, 14 and 15 the stage will be fi lled with the rich traditions of Spain’s zarzuela, an art that unites opera and popular songs and has both sung and spo-ken dialogue, as well as dancing and music. With Viva Madrid, the Teatros de Canal brings the history of Madrid to life through song and

dance in a musical performance that is sure to entertain everyone.

Lucia Di LammermoorJanuary 14, 15 and 16 sees Lucia Di Lammermoor, the fi rst of three operas by Donizetti at the ROHM this season. It is the tragic tale of Scottish woman who goes mad when she is forced to marry a man she doesn’t love. It’s best known for its third act, in which Lucia, having stabbed her husband to death, sings of past memories. For many sopranos it’s a chance

to shine vocally. This production is by Genoa’s Teatro Carlo Felice and staged by Italian fi lmmaker Dario Argento.

L’Elisir D’AmoreOn February 17, 19 and 20 Doni-zetti’s lighter side will entertain comedic opera fans when Venice’s Teatro la Fenice brings their pro-duction of L’Elisir D’Amore (The Elixir of Love) to the ROHM. The poor Nemorino, hopelessly in love with the rich landowner Adina, spends all his money on a love po-

tion to make her fall in love with him. Adina isn’t interested in Ne-morino and to teach him a lesson plans to falsely marry someone else. With more love potion, an un-expected inheritance, and Adina’s change of heart, it’s a happy ending for Nemorino and a lot of great fun for the audience.

Jules Massenet’s WertherJules Massenet’s tragedy Werther will be performed by the Vienna State Opera on April 14 and 16. A heartbreaking tale of unattainable

love, it tells the story of a young poet Werther who falls hopelessly in love with Charlotte, who is al-ready promised to someone else. After Charlotte marries, Werther can’t get over her and continues to yearn for her until his heartbreak is too much to bear and he takes his own life. Werther, considered one of Massenet’s masterpieces, is marked by beautiful music and two of French opera’s most beauti-ful arias.

La Fille du RegimentThe fi nal opera for the season, Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment (The Daughter of the Regiment), will be performed May 11, 12 and 14. Just as the season began with an opera staged by Zeff erelli, it will also end with one of the legend’s productions, this one performed by Teatro Massimo Palermo. An-other comedic opera, this one fea-tures Marie, who was found on a battlefi eld as a baby and raised by a regiment of soldiers. When she falls in love with the civilian Tonio, she has to choose between him and her family, breaking social bound-aries and having fun along the way. La Fille du Regiment is best known for its aria “Ah! mes amis, quel jour de fête!”, in which the tenor must hit nine high Cs, no easy feat.

Whether you want to laugh, cry or simply be entertained, the seven operas, operettas and musicals at the Royal Opera House Muscat this season promise to deliver all varie-ties that opera off ers. With great music, beautiful voices, and won-derful costumes and sets, opera real-ly is the ultimate in performing arts.

Whether you want to

laugh, cry or simply

be entertained,

the seven operas,

operettas and

musicals at the Royal

Opera House Muscat

this season promise

to deliver it all

Takatuf honours individuals, companies for excellence

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Takatuf gathered several leading companies in the Sultanate to celebrate and rec-ognise excellence in the fi elds of empowering people, pioneering opportunities for national eco-nomic growth and strengthening organisations, in Muscat.

At the event, held under the patronage of Salim Al Aufi , under-secretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Takatuf recognised the eff orts of individuals and corpo-rate initiatives that are setting an example for others while building a greater future for themselves, their organisations and Oman.

It also recognised students and professionals graduating from ‘Mawahib Takatuf’ and ‘Takatuf Essentials of Management’ pro-grammes and honoured those organisations pioneering their in-dustries with the ‘Takatuf Excel-lence Awards’.

Brad Boyson of the Society for Human Resource Management and Khalid Al Rawahi of Awtad International, were speakers at the event, and contributed even more to the evolving topic of ex-cellence with their professional wisdom, insight and academic contributions.

This event showcased how Takatuf and Omani leading com-

panies represented at the event are ‘Building Pride’ at all levels of Omani society, enabling the most valuable resource and assets, our people, to become the wealth of the nation.

The Takatuf Excellence Awards (TEA) is an initiative by Takatuf, aimed to recognise organisations for their excellence in Human Resources and In-Country Value (ICV) practices and programmes. Simultaneously, the initiative provides educational opportuni-ties for HR and ICV practitioners to learn more about the standards and benchmarks that defi ne ex-cellence in the development and delivery of these services.

E X C E L L E N C E A W A R D S

FUTURE PROSPECTS: The event showcased how Takatuf and leading Omani companies represented

at the event are ‘Building Pride’ at all levels of Omani society, enabling the most valuable resource

and assets, the people, to become the wealth of the nation.–Supplied photo

COLOURS OF OPERA: Turandot and The Csardas Princess bring the love, Lucia Di Lammermoor and Werther bring the tragedy, L’Elisir D’Amore and La Fille du Regiment

bring the comedy, and Viva Madrid celebrates all things Spanish.– Photos courtesy ROHM

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Project to train Omanis as scuba diving guides begins

SARAH MACDONALDsarah@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Professional As-sociation of Diving Instructors (PADI), the biggest scuba certifi -cation company in the world, has launched a new pilot programme that will train Omanis to become scuba diving guides, a move that will help local sea tourism compa-nies meet the growing demand for their business.

At the launch held at Al Mouj Marina at The Wave Muscat on Sunday evening, Mark Spiers, Vice President, Sales, Field Ser-vices, Marketing and Business Development for PADI Europe, Middle East and Africa, said in the past year the number of PADI

scuba diving certifi cates issued in Oman increased by 23 per cent so there is a growing need for diving guides here.

The programme, which will be-gin in January, aims at increasing the number of Omanis working as scuba diving guides

“Oman has some of the most beautiful diving I’ve seen...and we want to see more Omanis working as guides,” said Spiers.

The programme, which can take up to six months, will provide training in Arabic for Omanis to fi rst become certifi ed scuba di-vers, if they’re not already cer-tifi ed, and then off er the more advanced levels of PADI certifi ca-tion to become qualifi ed guides.

As guides they will be able to take other certifi ed scuba divers to the many beautiful diving sites which Oman has to off er.

Spiers said he hoped some Om-ani would even become qualifi ed diving instructors.

“We’d like to see them training their fellow Omanis,” he said.

ScholarshipsOmanis will be able to apply for scholarships to cover the costs of the programme, which will make it more attractive both to individ-uals and businesses who want to have Omani guides on staff .

Karin Straub, Managing Direc-tor of Euro Divers, said she hoped the scholarships would encour-

age many Omanis to sign up for the training.

“I think if they have the oppor-tunity to do it as a scholarship I think we’ll fi nd a lot. We hope to have at least 30 or 40 the fi rst year,” she said.

Straub added that the pro-gramme will make a big diff erence for her business. The Omanisa-tion rules require her to have 50 per cent Omani staff , and cur-rently there is a great shortage of Omani guiding dives.

“If we manage to get more Oma-nis into a professional level it’s a big help for us. At the moment there are not enough Omanis,” she said. Sami Al Riyami, owner of Daymaniyat Diving, said all

diving companies in Oman are in need of more Omani guides. Often they can’t meet their customers’ demands since they don’t have enough Omani staff .

Dive centres“We have the sea and we are close to Europe. If we had more Oma-nis and more dive centres, there would be enough tourists to fi ll them,” he said.

Al Riyami has been working as a diving instructor and guide for years. When he started out, he had to go abroad for training. He said the programme will make it even easier for Omani to join the indus-try since they can do it locally and in Arabic.

PassionAl Riyami said he would defi -nitely encourage Omani to be-come diving guides, a job he said he wouldn’t change for anything. Though he started out diving as a hobby, it soon became a passion and then a good business.

“It’s the only job where you can wear shorts, a T-shirt, go diving and swimming everyday. It’s like a holiday but it’s work. That will at-tract people,” he said.

Over the past few years Oman has become an increasingly popu-lar destination for scuba tourists. For scuba divers who come to Oman, having Omanis as guides will be an asset, too.

“The local guides always know much, much the places because expats are coming and leaving. The locals know every kind of place and know where to go so it’s a huge diff erence,” said Straub.

Over the past

few years, Oman

has become an

increasingly popular

destination for scuba

tourists. For scuba

divers who come to

Oman, having Omanis

as guides will

be an asset, too

Oman has some of the

most beautiful diving

I’ve seen...and we want

to see more Omanis

working as guides. We’d

like to see them training

their fellow Omanis

Mark SpiersVice President, PADI

Oil price dip starts hurtingHossam Al Ismali, an oil and gas sector worker, who lost his job recently, told the Times of Oman that the situation in the sector is worsening.

“I do not know what to do. I am literally stranded as I have to take care of my family. Many of my colleagues are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.

Last Tuesday, oil prices fell as much as 5 per cent after China, the world’s second largest oil consumer, devalued its currency, while a new estimate showed non- OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) producers are more resilient than expect-ed in keeping output up despite low prices.

“We are trying our best to save their jobs. But the crisis is wors-ening. Even hiring, trainings and promotions have been aff ected,” added the trade union leader.

Last Sunday, the Oman oil price October delivery declined by $1.12 to $48.85 per barrel at the Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME). The average price of Oman oil August delivery has stabilised at $61.84 per barrel, $1.78 lower than the July delivery.

The drop in crude prices has hit everyone hard. Oman posted a budget defi cit of OMR1.50 bil-lion ($3.90 billion) in the fi rst fi ve months of this year, swinging from a OMR232.9 million surplus a year earlier, revealed data from the fi -nance ministry.

A board member from the Gen-

eral Federation of Oman Trade Union (GFOTU) said that cur-rently at least 120 workers in the oil sector are facing job losses.

“We are trying to resolve the issues in 10 individual cases and those of another 110 workers from one company. Workers are in a fi x. We are trying our best,” said Mo-hammed Al Khaldi, board member of GFOTU.

“Companies should not be given a free hand in fi ring employees depending on the market fl uctua-tions. The oil sector is the largest sector which provides employ-ment to nationals and expatriates. It should follow the labour law strictly and should be worker-friendly,” added Mohammed.

Profi t hitAn oil stock trader said that the oil price drop has aff ected the profi ts of both producers and oilfi eld ser-vices companies.

“Oil prices of around $60 are fi ne for one year, but if that is the long-term price of crude, then tertiary recovery projects such as steam fl ooding, oxidation and fracking would be looked at more closely. There is a possibility that activities in fi elds that are expen-sive to produce will be slowed down or postponed until oil prices recover,” Kenneth Ljung, an oil in-vestment trader in Sweden, who is also engaged in trading oil stocks from Oman.

Meanwhile, a fi nancial expert in Muscat said Oman and the

Middle-East producers will prob-ably see sizeable defi cit in rev-enues from oil, which could drain their foreign exchange reserves substantially.

“The low price is leading to a whole series of secondary eff ects (debt defaults resulting from de-fl ation, job loss, collapse of oil exporters, loss of letters of credit needed for exports, bank failures) that indirectly lead to a much quicker decline in oil production,” said Dr Anchan C K, the managing director at World Wide Business House, an International Business Advisory Firm.

The Sultanate of Oman is a small independent producer, and not part of OPEC, but its crude is part of the benchmark price for millions of barrels per day of ex-ports from the Middle East pro-ducers to Asia.

Last Thursday, the Ministry of Oil and Gas said that the daily pro-duction of crude oil and conden-sate oil rate last July exceeded the barrier of one million barrels per day, the highest fi gure in the his-tory of Oman’s oil production.

The total oil production rate last July stood at 1,001,081 barrels per day, a rise of 0.48 per cent, during which time the country exported more than 24 million barrels.

In 2013, Oman exported an es-timated 833,400 bpd of crude oil and condensate, of which nearly 60 per cent went to China, accord-ing to the US Energy Information Administration.

L O S S O F J O B S

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A1Philippines launches drive to attract Middle East touristsTimes News Service

MUSCAT: To promote the Phil-ippines as an ideal holiday des-tination for families seeking leisure, relaxation and fun, the Philippine Department of Tour-ism (PDOT), in co-operation with travel partners from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qa-tar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait launched the second edition of the ‘Kids Go Free’ campaign.

The campaign, which is exclu-sive to visitors from the Middle East, forms part of a long list of special promotions, campaigns and events being held as part of the Visit Philippines Year 2015 celebrations.

The ‘Kids Go Free’ campaign was fi rst held within the Mid-dle East between August and October 2014 and was a resound-ing success.

As a result of the campaign visi-tor numbers from the Gulf Coop-eration Council region increased by 17 per cent compared to the same period in 2013.

Following on from last year’s success the campaign has been re-launched in 2015 and made big-ger, better and longer, with more luxury hotels, resorts and tour op-erators joining the campaign with extended complimentary off ers and special promotions.

Additionally, the campaign’s

validity has also been extended from July 2015 until March 2016, and will include the Eid Al Adha holidays.

Family destinationThe ‘Kids Go Free’ campaign is an original initiative that focuses on introducing the Philippines as a family destination by off ering holiday packages coupled with exceptional value.

The campaign packages in-clude six-nights/seven-days stays at three, four and fi ve- star prop-erties, during which two children per family under the age of 11 can enjoy an exciting array of activi-ties, food, accommodation and

other experiences all on a compli-mentary basis.

The packages have been tai-lored to showcase the very best that the Philippines has to off er and include a three-night stay in Manila followed by an additional three-night stay in a regional par-adise destination such as Cebu, Palawan, Boracay, and Bohol, in addition to Davao or Bicol.

Also included within the packages are airport and ho-tel transfers, daily breakfast, half-day tours of Manila and the chosen regional destination, English-speaking guides and complimentary Holy Quran for Muslim guests.

H O L I D A Y P A C K A G E S

TOURISM INITIATIVE: ‘Kids Go Free’ campaign of the Philippines

is exclusive to visitors from the Middle East. – Supplied photo

Miscarriage rate is rising worldwide, says doctor

“What happens is that they miss their period for three weeks for example and then get their period and they will think that it was only delayed,” said Dr Al Ghabshi.

The senior consultant added that global statistics show that 13 to 15 per cent of recognised pregnancies are lost, with 90 per cent of them happening be-fore 12 to 14 weeks. The miscar-riage rate worldwide is increas-ing, partly due to environmental and lifestyle factors, she noted.

Commenting on the risk of recurrent early pregnancy loss in young women, Dr Al Ghabshi said that the risk of miscarriage in the next pregnancy for wom-en who have had at least one

live born infant and have had no prior miscarriage is 12 per cent.

The risk of miscarriage in the next pregnancy for women who have had at least one live born infant and have had 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 prior miscarriages is 24 per cent, 26 per cent, 32 per cent, 26 per cent and 53 per cent, respec-tively. The risk of miscarriage in the next pregnancy for wom-en who have not had at least one live born infant and have had two or more prior miscarriages is 40 to 45 per cent.

That is why every case is dif-ferent and should be studied thoroughly by specialists so that the right care and treatment is provided for the woman, said Dr Al Ghabshi.

C A U S E F O R C O N C E R N

GraphicsSource: Royal Hospital

THE RISK OF MISCARRIAGERecurrent early pregnancyloss in young women

Women who had at least one live born infant

Women who have not had at least one live born infant

Numberof previous

miscarriages

Risk ofmiscarriage

in nextpregnancy

0 121 242 263 324 266 53

2or more 40-45

%

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A1

Female taxi drivers

“You will rarely fi nd women wav-ing down taxis. They would need to have a system where women can book their slots. Only then will women benefi t from it,” he said.

When asked how it would aff ect the ‘regular’ taxi drivers’ wages, he replied, “We will not get aff ected. You won’t fi nd too many women on the streets, plus it is also uneth-ical for a woman to transport men around. Also, she would not be as safe as she might want to be.”

“But I do believe that women could benefi t since many of them are unemployed,” he added.

Some feel that women should not be limited to driving women only but rather be given the option when booking a taxi.

“Given the culture, I think it would be a great idea,” said a fe-male German expatriate.

“I am, however, against segre-gation. This should not imply that only female taxi drivers can ferry women and vice versa, as that is far from practical,” she said.

“It could be a simple case of ask-ing when booking, if the passenger prefers a male or a female driver, when a woman calls to book a taxi,” she explained.

She also said that school bus drivers should be replaced with females due to their maternal con-cerns for the safety of children.

Some women, though, did not think it made much of a diff erence, whether they were being ferried by male or female taxi drivers.

“For me it does not matter whether it is female or male in the daytime. At night, it would be a good idea and one would feel safer, especially if you book a female taxi driver. They should know the city well, run a reliable service, and must be punctual,” said a Croatian expatriate.

T R A N S P O R T

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REGIONT U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

More than 80 killed in Taez battle

ADEN: Heavy fi ghting between government loyalists and rebels for control of Yemen’s third city Taez has killed more than 80 peo-ple in the past 24 hours, military sources said on Monday.

Pro-government and rebel forc-es have for months fought over Taez, seen as crucial gateway to the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

But clashes in the city have in-tensifi ed in recent days after pro-government forces made sweeping territorial gains against the rebels in southern Yemen.

BodiesSources in the city told AFP that the bodies of 50 rebels and allied fi ghters were recovered from Taez on Monday and that 31 pro-gov-ernment fi ghters had been killed.

Backed by air strikes from a Sau-di-led coalition, the loyalists have been pushing hard to take Taez, seizing several strategic locations on Sunday.

Coalition strikes continued to hit rebel positions in the city on Monday, witnesses said, as well as in other Yemeni provinces.

The battle for Taez is expected

to be diffi cult for the loyalists, ana-lysts say, with recent victories by pro-government forces in Yemen’s south likely the result of rebels pulling their forces back to the city.

Yemen has been wracked by confl ict since March, when the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against the rebels as they advanced on the main southern

city of Aden, after seizing the capi-tal in September.

Forces loyal to President Abe-drabbo Mansour Hadi, in exile in Saudi Arabia, have in recent weeks retaken Aden and several southern provinces.

On Sunday the loyalists seized sites including the local intel-ligence headquarters, a fortress

from which the rebels had been shelling Taez and the highest peak overlooking the city, according to Rashad Al Sharaabi, spokesman of the pro-government militia there.

Military sources in Taez re-ported fierce fighting using heavy weaponry around the re-bel-held presidential palace and the city’s airport.

The sources said that loyalists were advancing in the north and east but rebels still controlled entrances to Taez, including its eastern gate to Sanaa. Heavy fi ghting also took place in a town on the northern gate of Taez, witnesses said. The town is a stronghold for troops loyal to for-mer president Ali Abdullah Saleh — a key backer of the Houthi rebels. Other clashes also raged in the oil-rich eastern province of Marib as well as Baida in central Yemen, resi-dents reported.

Modern equipmentMilitary sources say the coalition has provided Hadi’s supporters with modern heavy equipment, including tanks and armoured personnel carriers, and Yemeni soldiers trained in Saudi Arabia.

Sources also reported earlier this month that hundreds of Gulf Arab troops from the coalition had entered Aden to assist the loyal-ists. The rebels, originally from Yemen’s remote north on the Sau-di frontier, have retaliated against the kingdom with cross-border attacks. Two Saudi border guards

were killed in an attack from Yem-en by the rebels on Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s offi cial SPA news agency and a rebel-run news site said.

This brought the number of peo-ple killed in shelling and skirmish-es on the kingdom’s side along the frontier with Yemen to more than 50 since the coalition campaign began on March 26.

Most of the casualties have been soldiers. In Yemen, the confl ict has cost nearly 4,300 lives since March, half of them civilians, ac-cording to UN fi gures, while 80 per cent of the country’s 21 million people have been left in need of aid and protection.

On Monday, Yemeni authori-ties had to evacuate more than 140 wounded fi ghters from the government-run “May 22” hos-pital in Aden after an electricity generator exploded, sparking a fi re that spread to a nearby Red Cross hospital, the city’s health chief Al Khader Laswar said.

Authorities have been struggling to restore order to Aden, which was left devastated by heavy fi ght-ing. Aden’s central bank governor Khalid Zakaria said on Monday that it was operating again for the fi rst time in months and that long-frozen payments of state employ-ees’ salaries would resume. He told reporters that during the fi ghting in the city the rebels had blown up one of the bank’s coff ers and “confi scat-ed” funds equal to some $600,000 (540,000 euros). — AFP

Backed by air strikes

from a Saudi-led

coalition, the loyalists

have been pushing

hard to take Taez,

seizing several

strategic locations

UN aid chief ‘horrifi ed’ by Syrian raidsDAMASCUS: The toll in Syr-ian government air strikes on a rebel-held town outside Damas-cus neared 100 on Monday, as the UN’s humanitarian chief ex-pressed horror and appealed for civilians to be protected.

Sunday’s series of raids on the town of Douma, in the rebel bas-tion of Eastern Ghouta, was one of the bloodiest regime attacks in Syria’s four-year war.

They came almost exactly two years after devastating chemi-cal weapons attacks on the same region that much of the interna-tional community blamed on the Syrian government.

The National Coalition, Syria’s main opposition body in exile, condemned both the air strikes and the “lukewarm response” by the international community to-wards the war’s civilian casual-ties. At least 96 people were killed in the 10 air strikes on a market-place, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor. Another 240 people were wounded, and the death toll continues to rise as some of those in a serious condi-tion succumb to their injuries.

Observatory head Rami Ab-del Rahman said government aircraft carried out another four air strikes on Douma on Monday morning, but he had no immedi-ate details on casualties.

Worst attackAn AFP photographer on Sunday described the attack as the worst he had covered in the town. He saw dozens of bodies lined up on the bloodied fl oors of one of Douma’s makeshift clinics, as medics struggled to treat waves of wounded. Two young boys with bloodied faces sat on a stretcher as they awaited treatment, one resting as though exhausted while the other cried.

On Monday, the photographer said residents were burying vic-tims of the previous day’s attack.

“They went early to the cem-etery to begin the burials,” he said.

“After each massacre, they bury the dead one on top of each other. Gravediggers have had to create a

mass grave that is four layers deep to accommodate the dead.”

Eastern Ghouta, a rebel bastion regularly targeted by government air strikes, has been under a suff o-cating siege for nearly two years.

Amnesty International last week accused the government of committing war crimes there, say-ing its heavy aerial bombardment of the area was compounding the misery created by the blockade. On Monday, the UN’s humanitar-ian chief Stephen O’Brien, on his fi rst trip to Syria since taking the post in May, fi ercely condemned attacks on civilians.

At a news conference in Da-mascus, he said he was “horrifi ed by the total disrespect for civilian life in this confl ict”.

“I am particularly appalled by reports of air strikes yesterday causing scores of civilian deaths and hundreds injured right in the centre of Douma, a besieged area of Damascus,” O’Brien said.

“I appeal to each and every party to this protracted confl ict

to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law.”

The Observatory’s Abdel Rah-man described Sunday’s Douma attacks as part of the regime’s “scorched earth policy”.

“The regime wants to show that it can kill as many people as it wants, without caring about the international community,” he said. At least 240,000 people have been killed in Syria’s war, which began in March 2011 with pro-tests against President Bashar Al Assad’s regime.

Deliberate targetingIn a statement, the opposition National Coalition accused the government of “deliberately” tar-geting civilians in Douma.

“The air strikes were deliber-ate in that Assad’s jet fi ghters fi red missiles on marketplaces at (a) busy time when they are densely crowded with the intention of infl icting as many civilian casu-alties as possible,” the statement read. But it also said the interna-

tional community’s failure to re-spond to such atrocities contrib-uted to the violence.

“The UN Security Council and the international community’s lukewarm response is a contrib-uting factor in the escalation of massacres against Syrian civil-ians,” the Coalition said.

It criticised international bod-ies, including the Security Coun-cil, for failing to condemn the massacres or do more to protect civilians in Syria.

And Coalition head Khaled Khoja said the Assad regime’s “boldness in committing massa-cres against civilians for 53 con-secutive months depends on in-ternational silence that amounts to complicity”.

Elsewhere, rebel fi re on the pro-vincial capital of Assad’s coastal heartland Latakia killed six peo-ple and wounded 19 on Monday, Syrian state TV said.

The Observatory confi rmed the attack in Latakia city but said three had been killed. — AFP

T O L L N E A R S 1 0 0

‘Assad’s future is matter for Syrians’

MOSCOW: Russia and Iran said on Monday that Syrian groups must decide the future of Bashar Al Assad, with Moscow oppos-ing any pre-negotiated exit of the Syrian president as part of a peace deal.

Speaking at a joint news con-ference, Russia’s Foreign Minis-ter Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, reiterated their countries’ backing for Assad in the confl ict, which has killed around a quarter

of a million people since 2011.The future of Assad remains a

sticking point in diplomatic ef-forts by regional and global play-ers to end the Syria crisis — one that talks in recent weeks be-tween Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States, among others, have failed to resolve. Syrian op-position groups, Arab Gulf States and the West want Assad to go. “If some of our partners believe that we should necessarily agree in ad-vance that at the end of an interim

period the president will leave his post — this position is not accept-able for Russia,” Lavrov said. He said the fate of Assad could only be agreed in talks between represent-atives of his government and their rivals, comments echoed by Za-rif, who added that foreign states “should only facilitate that”.

Russia says all sides must now join ranks to fi ght IS, a militant group that has captured a vast territory in Syria and neighbour-ing Iraq. — Reuters

P E A C E D E A L

Coalition strikes continued to hit rebel positions in the city on Monday as well as in other Yemeni provinces.

Witnesses

DESTROYED: A man walks on the rubble of a house destroyed during recent fi ghting between Houthi

militiamen and militants loyal to Yemen’s exiled government, in central city of Taiz on Monday. – Reuters

SERIOUS CONDITION: Syrian emergency personnel carry a wounded man following air strikes by

Syrian government forces on a marketplace in the rebel-held area of Douma, east of the capital Da-

mascus, on Sunday. – AFP

A8

INDIAT U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

Son of bag seller tops prestigious medical entrance testNEW DELHI: Vipul Garg, a boy from north Indian state of Hary-ana has topped the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) entrance examination 2015 while the sec-ond position has been bagged by Khushi Tiwari of Rajasthan.

Both the top scorers are from unreserved category and are desir-ous of taking admission in Maul-ana Azad Medical College in the national capital.

While Vipul has scored 695 marks out of 720, Khushi’s score is 688. Last year, the top position was bagged by Tejaswin Jha from

Bihar who scored 682 marks.17-year-old Vipul, son of a bag

seller in Haryana’s Jind district, studied at New Holy Public School in Uttam Nagar area here.

“It is a dream come true for me and my parents. I have always scored well in my exams but secur-ing the fi rst position in a medical entrance exam is not something I was sure of. I had performed well in the earlier test too but when it was cancelled I was disheartened,” he told PTI.“But later I used the opportunity to work on my weak areas. I want

to join Maulana Azad Medical Col-lege and want to become a cardi-ologist,” he added. Garg had scored a perfect 10 CGPA in Class 10 and was awarded with a fee waiver for his further schooling.

“I was also off ered a scholar-ship for my medical coaching by a private coaching institute. I come from a humble family and my par-ents had to face lot of hardships to meet my education expenses. I am glad I have been able to make them proud,” he said.

Khushi(17), who has secured the second rank comes from a family

of doctors with her mother and fa-ther being in the same profession.

“I did my schooling from Kota in Rajasthan and had scored 86.3 per cent in Class XII. I have already secured a seat in AIIMS, Jodhpur but I wanted to study at Maulana Azad. I am happy that I will be able to do that now,” she told PTI.

“I want to pursue endocrinol-ogy as my specialisation. Although I believe I had performed better in the fi rst examination but after the answer keys for the re-test were out I was confi dent that I will be among the toppers,” added Khushi. -PTI

Y O U N G A C H I E V E R S

It is a dream come true for me and my parents. I have

always scored well in my exams but securing the first

position in a medical entrance exam is not something

I was sure of. I had performed well in the earlier test

too but when it was cancelled I was disheartened, said

Vipul Garg who topped the All India Pre-Medical Test

Bihar chief minister rejects ally’s demand

PATNA: Chief Minister of east-ern Indian state of Bihar Nitish Kumar on Monday ruled out a re-think on the seat-sharing formula for the ‘Grand Secular Alliance’ for the state Assembly polls, a day after NCP’s ultimatum for recon-sideration by August 20 and its insistence on 12 seats.

“We have left three seats for the NCP and instead of us they would have to decide whether they want to be in the grand secular alliance or not,” Kumar told reporters here. Sharad Pawar’s NCP, which was with JD(U)-RJD alliance in the recent elections to the Leg-islative Council, had on Sunday

served an ultimatum to the secu-lar alliance to reconsider the seat-sharing formula for by August 20 failing which “all options” will be open to it.

“Injustice has been meted out to us in seat-sharing. We will not tolerate it. We are giving an ulti-matum to the grand alliance to reconsider seat distribution by August 20, otherwise all options are open for us. The ball is now in their court,” NCP General Secre-tary Tariq Anwar had said.

“We will not agree on anything less than 12 seats. It is our demand and its acceptance or rejection will decide whether we remain in the grand alliance or exit from it,” Anwar, Lok Sabha member from

Katihar, said. While formalising the alliance on August 12, JD(U) and Lalu Prasad’s RJD had decid-ed to contest 100 seats each in the 243-member Assembly and left 40 for the Congress.

No announcement was made with regard to the rest three seats but Kumar had indicated these could go to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) if it wanted to join them. Kumar, who has already been declared the chief ministeri-al candidate of the alliance, made light of the NCP ultimatum and a dharna by a section of Samajwadi Party saying, “If everything be-comes smooth, media would have nothing to write.”

No seats had been set aside for

Samajwadi Party whose presi-dent Mulayam Singh Yadav had brokered peace between Kumar and Lalu to pave the way for for-mation of the alliance to take on BJP, which together with Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) of for-mer chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLSP of Union Min-ister Upendra Kushwaha, is mak-ing a determined bid to dislodge Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) after a 10-year stint in power.

Lalu had then said he would spare a few seats from his quota for Samajwadi Party if there was a need. Kumar said the alliance’s August 30 rally will be very im-portant but refused to confi rm media reports about SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attending it.

“We are discussing it and me-dia would be informed about it in time,” he said.

Kumar, however, confi rmed at-tending a programme with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the national capital on August 19. “An invitation has come from Kejriwal for the Bihar Samman Samaroh in Delhi on August 19 which I have accepted,” he said.

The two leaders have met quite a few times in the recent past and speculation is rife that Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will back Kumar’s bid for a third successive shot at power in Bihar. -PTI

We have left three

seats for the NCP

and instead of us

they would have

to decide whether

they want to be in

the grand secular

alliance or not,

Nitish Kumar said

UNRELENTING: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addresses a

press conference in Patna on Monday. -PTI

House panel calls for restoring top medical institute anti-graft bodyNEW DELHI: An Indian Parlia-mentary panel has strongly depre-cated the “non-serious” approach of the Union Health Ministry in tackling a “large” number of cor-ruption cases at the AIIMS here and recommended that the post of a regular chief vigilance offi cer at the premier institute be restored.

The Parliamentary Committee on Health and Family Welfare has also asked the Ministry to play a “proactive” role in ensuring expe-ditious investigations into corrup-tion cases at AIIMS New Delhi and produce an up-to-date status note in three months.

“The committee is perturbed to note that despite unravelling of corruption cases at AIIMS at regular intervals, the Ministry has done away with the regular Chief Vigilance Offi cer’s post at AIIMS and the role of the anti-graft of-fi cer at AIIMS has been assigned to a Joint secretary and CVO in the Health Ministry.

“Evidently the Ministry appears to be non-serious in the tackling of corruption at AIIMS. The commit-tee therefore strongly deprecates the non-serious approach of the Ministry towards tackling such a large number of cases of corrup-tion at AIIMS and recommends that the Ministry should quickly

move towards appointing a regular CVO of unblemished credentials at AIIMS,” the committee, chaired by Satish Chandra Misra, said.

The committee also said that it was needless to emphasise that the CVO is the only instrument avail-able with the Ministry to monitor statutory compliance of various prescribed procedures and norms.

Whistleblower Indian Forest Offi cer Sanjiv Chaturvedi came in spotlight after being removed from the post of the CVO, which acts as a distant arm of Central Vigilance Commission, last year at the All India Institute of Medical Scienc-es (AIIMS) for allegedly exposing corruption at the prestigious insti-tute. He was recently named as one of the winners of Ramon Magsay-say Award for 2015.

“The committee also recom-mends the Ministry to play a pro-active role in ensuring expeditious investigations into all the corrup-tion cases at AIIMS and furnish within three months from the date of presentation of this report... “...an up-to-date status note detail-ing therein various stages of cases of investigation, involving cor-rupt practices and embezzlement of funds and steps taken to check occurrence of such cases in the fu-ture,” the committee said. -PTI

R E P O R T

INDIA DAY IN NEW YORKHaryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu with actress Parineeti Chopra during

the 35th India Day Parade in New York City on Sunday. -PTI

Top court upholds honour killing case convictions

NEW DELHI: The fates of Vi-kas Yadav, his cousin Vishal and Sukhdev Pehalwan in the sensa-tional 2002 Nitish Katara mur-der case were sealed on Monday with the Supreme Court of India upholding their conviction, say-ing “only criminals are crying for justice” in this country.

The apex court, which upheld the fi ndings of the trial court and the Delhi High Court without is-suing notices on the appeals of Vikas and Sukhdev, however, agreed to consider the limited as-pect relating to enhancement of quantum of sentence of the three convicts by the High Court.

The High Court had termed the award of life term “simplicitor”

to the convicts as inconsequen-tial and enhanced the life term of three convicts -- Vikas and Vishal Yadav to 30 years imprisonment and 25 years incarceration to Sukhdev Yadav alias Pehelwan -- without the benefi t of remission.

The apex court bench, com-prising Justices J S Khehar and Adarsh Kumar Goel, heard senior lawyers including U R Lalit for almost two hours before saying that the High Court order “does not call for” any intervention. It, however, issued notice to the Delhi government on the scope of punishment and sought the reply within six weeks.

At the outset, the moment Lalit opened his arguments saying the

three convicts have been awarded life term for one injury on the head of the victim, the bench observed, “in honour killings” such things happen. The bench then referred to the fact that almost of all pros-ecution witnesses had “resiled” from their statements in the trial court and said, “this shows how much power you wielded”.

Submission trashedIt trashed the submission that key prosecution witness Ajay Katara, who had last seen the victim alive in the company of the three ac-cused in a Tata Safari car on the intervening night of February 16-17, 2002 at Hapur Chungi in Ghaziabad, was a “planted and

fabricated” witness. All witnesses had resiled and only this man re-corded his statement against the accused and “you want to demol-ish” his testimony, the bench said during the hearing, adding “show us something glaring. Otherwise, we are not with you.” Lending cre-dence to witness Katara, it said that he had shown “overwhelming courage” and “if you (advocate) cannot dent Ajay Katara then we are not with you.”

The high court had held that the murder of Katara, who was in love with Vikas’s sister, was an “honour killing” which was done in a “very carefully planned and premeditated” manner with “ex-treme vengeance”. -PTI

N I T I S H K A T A R A M U R D E R

All witnesses had resiled and only this man recorded his statement against the accused and “you want to demolish” his testimony, the bench said during the hearing, adding “show us something glaring. Otherwise, we are not with you.”

Supreme Court of India in Nitish Katara murder case

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India, UAE denounce state-backed terrorism, reject religious linkages

ABU DHABI/DUBAI: Elevat-ing their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday came down heavily on countries sponsoring terrorism and asked all states to dismantle terror infrastructure, an oblique reference to Pakistan.

Denouncing and opposing ter-rorism in all forms and manifesta-tions and asking all states to aban-don the use of terrorism against other countries, the two sides called for bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice.

References to terrorism in all forms including state-sponsored were the highlight of a 31-point joint statement issued after talks between the UAE Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed AI Nahyan and Narendra Modi, the fi rst In-dian Prime Minister to visit the strategic Gulf state in 34 years.

Anti-terror operationsAgreeing to boost bilateral co-operation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence-sharing and capacity building, Modi and the Crown Prince also decided to coordinate eff orts to counter radi-calisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries for incit-ing hatred and justifying terrorism for pursuing political aims.

The two sides held intensive discussions on strategic bilateral, regional and international issues such as trade, security, threat of terrorism and extremism after which they decided on range of steps including setting up a se-curity dialogue and establishing

NSA-level interactions. Modi also held talks with Vice President of and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on a range of issues.

During their comprehensive discussions, Modi and the Crown Prince agreed to enhance coop-eration in counter- terrorism op-erations, intelligence sharing and capacity building and decided to work together to control, regulate and share information on fl ow of funds that could have a bearing on radicalisation activities, the statement said. The two sides also decided to cooperate in interdict-ing illegal fl ows and take action against concerned individuals and organisations.

When asked if the issue of un-derworld don Dawood Ibrahim and attaching of his assets in the UAE was discussed as part of tak-ing action against individuals and organisations having a bearing on radicalisation, Foreign Secretary S Jaishanakar did not give a direct re-ply. “There was a larger discussion on issues and trends obviously seen as source of instability for the coun-tries and region. In high-level visits of this nature (deal) more with poli-cy decisions,” he said.

Rejecting extremism and any link between religion and terror-ism, the two sides condemned ef-

forts, including by states, to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries. They also deplored ef-forts by countries to give religious and sectarian colour to political issues and disputes, including in West and South Asia and use ter-rorism to pursue their aims.

India and the UAE denounced and opposed terrorism in all forms and manifestations, “wherever committed and by whomever, call-ing on all states to reject and aban-don the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terror-ism infrastructures where they ex-ist, and bring perpetrators of ter-rorism to justice,” the statement said. The inclusion of this formu-lation was projected as signifi cant by the Indian side.

Modi, who arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday on a two-day visit, also held meetings with business cap-tains to project India as an attrac-tive investment destination.

Investment commitmentAt the end of Modi’s meetings, both sides announced elevation of the India-UAE relationship to a comprehensive strategic partner-ship and as part of it they will also manufacture defence equipment in India.

They agreed to coordinate ef-forts to counter radicalisation and

misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred, per-petrating and justifying terrorism or pursuing political aims, the joint statement said.

They decided to “strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug traffi cking, other trans-national crimes, extradition arrangements, as well as police training and pro-mote cooperation in cyber secu-rity, including prevention on use of cyber for terrorism, radicalisation and disturbing social harmony,” the statement said.

Maritime securityEstablishing a dialogue between their National Security Advisors and National Security Councils, they decided that the National Security Advisors, together with other high-level representatives for security from both nations, will meet every six months.

The two sides will also establish points of contact between their se-curity agencies to further improve operational cooperation. Apart from agreeing to enhance mari-time security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean region, which is vital for the security and prosperity of both countries, India and the UAE decided to strengthen defence re-lations, including through regular exercises and training of naval,

air, land and Special Forces, and in coastal defence. India warmly wel-comed UAE’s decision to partici-pate in International Fleet Review in India in February 2016.

Defi cit of 34 yearsEarlier, inviting investors from UAE, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India has an immediate investment op-portunity of $1 trillion and the gov-ernment will take urgent steps to address concerns of the business-men from this country and erase “defi cit of 34 years”.

Modi also said his government has got some problems in legacy and his immediate priority would be to kickstart the things which were stalled by the “indecisiveness and lethargy” of the past govern-ments. “I have got some problems in legacy. I can not take only the

good points and leave aside the problems... Some things were stalled due to the indecisiveness and lethargy of the governments (in the last)... It is my priority to kickstart those things,” Modi said while addressing the business leaders from the UAE here at the Masdar City.

Modi, who is the fi rst Indian Prime Minister to visit UAE in the last 34 years, said India has huge investment opportunities for in-vestors from the UAE in sectors like infrastructure, energy and real estate and urged them to come to invest in India and together make the 21st century ‘Asia’s Century’. The Prime Minister said all major global institutions such as IMF, World Bank and Moody’s agree that India is the world’s fastest growing economy and it has huge development potential. -PTI

The Indian prime

minister said he

has been told about

some problems being

faced by investors

from the UAE and he

wants to assure them

that the government

is solving those

problems

NEW DELHI: Congress on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his barb on foreign soil that he inherited “lethargy” from previous governments, saying he should have desist-ed from raking up domestic politics abroad.

“Prime Minister should have maintained dignity of the high offi ce he holds. There is no problem if he targets previous governments when he is in the country. But he should have refrained from doing so on foreign soil”, party spokesman Meem Afzal said.

Afzal said that it was not proper for Modi to rake up domestic politics abroad despite repeated uproar by the opposition for his earlier such actions.

The Prime Minister, who is the UAE, said, “I have got some problems in legacy. I cannot take only the good points and leave aside the problems... Some things were stalled due to the indeci-siveness and lethargy of the governments (in the last)... It is my priority to kickstart those things”.

Noting that the Prime Min-ister had visited the historic Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque, the world’s third largest, during the visit, Afzal said it would be good if he visited a mosque in India too.

Another Congress spokes-man Sanjay Jha tweeted, “It is abominable that PM Modi continues his pathetic lowbrow jibes at opposition party when abroad. A huge embarrassment”.

The Prime Minister, on a visit to attract investments from the UAE, told the busi-ness community there that all leading institutions like IMF, World Bank and Moody’s agree that India is the world’s fastest growing economy.

Afzal reminded the PM that the vast growth in the trade turnover with UAE from 160 million dollars to 60 billion dollars was mainly due to the eff orts by the earlier governments, including those of the UPA. “India receives 10 billion dollars remittances annually from 26 lakh NRIs in the UAE which invests 15 billion dollars in the Gulf country”, he said. -PTI

Congress lashes out at Modi for his barb on foreign soil

WEIGHTY ISSUES: A picture made available by the United Arab

Emirates’ offi cial news agency WAM on Monday shows Sheikh Mo-

hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, meeting

Narendra Modi, in Abu Dhabi. -AFP

STRENGTHENING BONDS: Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi

with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President

and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Za’abeel Pal-

ace, in Dubai, on Monday. -PTI

COMMUNITY CONNECT: Prime Minister Modi during a meeting with the Indian community in Dubai on

Monday. -PTI

MAKING A POINT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses with Indian labourers during a visit to their

camp in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday. Modi visited a labour camp in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to highlight New

Delhi’s concern about the welfare of its migrant workers in the Gulf state. -Reuters

EYE FOR DETAIL: Prime Minister Modi taking a tour of the

Masdar City, a hub of clean technology, in Abu Dhabi, on

Monday. -PTI

LOOKING AHEAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, on

Monday. -PTI

A10

PAKISTAN T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

MAKING ENDS MEETA child carries recyclable goods he collected on a donkey cart in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Monday. — Reuters

Punjab minister had been warned about retaliation

LAHORE: A Pakistani provincial minister killed in a suicide bomb attack had been warned he was a target for retaliation by a mili-tant after police killed the leader of the radical sectarian group last month.

Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada was among at least 16 people killed at his political of-fi ce near his hometown of Attock, about 80 km (50 miles) west of the capital, Islamabad.

Khanzada had told Reuters that police had cautioned him to increase security and restrict his movements following the killing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief Malik Ishaq in a shootout with police on July 29.

Two days after Ishaq’s kill-ing, Khanzada said that he, along with at least 20 other top politi-cians and senior bureaucrats in Punjab province, had been told that they could be targeted in re-prisal attacks.

Issued advisoriesA Punjab police offi cial, Haider Ashraf, said police had increased security at major government in-stallations, issued advisories to potential targets and increased the number of checkpoints across the province following Ishaq’s killing.

“Obviously they are always trying to hit us, and after Malik Ishaq’s killing the threat was defi -nitely heightened,” Ashraf said.

Police have said that Ishaq, who for years lead Lashkar-e-Jhangvi on a spree of deadly bombings

and gun attacks on minority sect members, was killed in a shootout during a raid as he tried to escape.

Extrajudicial killingOthers have said his death bore the hallmarks of an extraju-dicial killing.

After Sunday’s suicide bomb-ing, two smaller off shoot militant groups claimed responsibility for killing Khanzada, but police, in a preliminary report on Monday, identifi ed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi as well as fellow militants the Paki-stani Taliban as prime suspects.

Two suicide bombers affi liated with the Taliban carried out the bombing at Khanzada’s offi ce, according to a provincial govern-ment offi cial familiar with the report, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not author-ised to speak to the media.

Suicide bombersTwo additional suicide bomb-ers had been deputed to Lahore, the provincial capital, to attack Khanzada’s residence, the offi -cial said, but they were recalled after the Attock attack. Speak-

ing at a televised meeting of his cabinet on Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif vowed to “move forward with no holds barred” to take on the militants responsible.

“Today it is the responsibil-ity of the Punjab government to honour the debt of Shuja Khan-zada’s death and not to show any compromise or latitude to the terrorists,” said Sharif, who is the brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and leads the government in the ruling party’s political heartland. — Reuters

Khanzada had said

that police had

cautioned him to

increase security

and restrict his

movements following

the killing of

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi

chief Malik Ishaq

in a shootout with

police on July 29

VIGIL: Pakistan Muslim League-Q party activists light candles during a protest against the killing of Punjab home minister Shuja Khan-

zada in suicide attack in Karachi on Monday. — AFP

Air strikes in North Waziristan kill 24 suspected militantsBANNU: Pakistani air strikes killed at least 24 suspected mili-tants in their northwestern strong-holds on Monday, intelligence offi -cials said, a day after a bomb killed a provincial minister in the prime minister’s political heartland.

The deeply forested ravines of Shawal Valley and Datta Khel are a smuggling route between Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan, and are dotted with militant bases used as launch pads for attacks on Pakistani forces.

Two intelligence offi cials, who declined to be identifi ed as they were not authorised to speak on the record, said Monday’s air strikes took place at 10am in the Zoi Nari, Lataka, Mizer Madakhel and Shawal areas of North Waziristan.

“Jet air shelling destroyed six militant hideouts and killed 24

militants hiding in this area,” said one of the offi cials, adding that the dead included some foreigners.

A second offi cial confi rmed the deaths but declined comment when asked if the strikes were in retaliation for Sunday’s at-tack in Punjab, which killed nine people, including the provincial security chief.

The Pakistani wing of the hard-line Taliban used to control all of mountainous North Waziristan, which includes the Shawal Valley and Datta Khel, and runs along the Afghan border.

But the Pakistani military re-captured most of the region in a major armed operation launched last June.

NATO forces had long urged Pa-kistan for such an off ensive, saying Taliban safe havens in the country were being used to attack NATO

and Afghan forces in Afghanistan.Since May, the military has

stepped up operations in Shawal Valley, where the Taliban still op-erates freely.

The area is a stronghold of Khan “Sajna” Said, the leader of a Tali-ban faction whose name the Unit-ed States last year put on a sanc-tions list of “specially designated global terrorists”.

Most phone lines to the area have been cut and military road-blocks limit civilian movement. It is not possible to independently verify security forces’ claims of at-tacks and deaths.

The Pakistani Taliban mainly fi ght against the government in Islamabad and are separate from, but allied with, the Afghan Taliban that ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s before being expelled in a US-led military intervention.

I N S U R G E N C Y

TARGET: Pakistani tribesmen stand near their destroyed houses following Pakistan military airstrikes

against suspected Taliban hideouts in Miranshah in North Waziristan on May 24, 2014. — AFP

Justice Khawaja is new chief justiceISLAMABAD: Following the re-tirement of Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja on Monday took charge as head of the Supreme Court for a brief peri-od of 24 days. President Mamnoon Hussain administered his oath in a solemn ceremony at the President House, Radio Pakistan reported.

Justice Khawaja is known as an outspoken judge, whose inter-est in public interest litigation is a throwback to the the era of former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, wherein the top functionaries were often grilled over corruption and poor governance.

Next 24 daysThe ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, all three services chiefs, chair-man senate, along with fed-eral ministers and other high ranking offi cials.

A number of law offi cers and senior journalists believe that in the next 24 days, the newly ap-pointed chief justice may pass or-ders in some important cases. Spe-cially, Justice Khawaja is unhappy

over absence of local governments in Punjab and Sindh.

The matter is fi xed in the next week.

As the government issues notifi -cation of his appointment, a num-ber of lawyers, whose cases are fi xed before Khawaja, have applied for general adjournment (leaves).

Introduced reformsDuring his six-year tenure as judge of the apex court, justice Khawaja has authored judgments, wherein guidelines are given for introduc-ing reforms.

In one case, he sought recom-mendations from all stakeholders to end the thana culture. In an-other case, he recently ordered all the provincial health departments to make legislation for the safety of labourers.

Due to Justice Khawaja’s special attention, the federal and provin-cial governments have regulated the services of lady health work-ers. Justice Khawaja also formed a media commission, wherein recommendations were given for making media laws. — Express Tribune

N E W E R A

PPP leader’sson taken hostage in Bajaur region

KHAR: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) central executive commit-tee member and the party’s FATA coordinator Akhunzada Chitan’s nine-year-old son was kidnapped early Monday morning by uni-dentifi ed persons from outside his home.

Political administration offi cial and Chitan family source con-fi rmed the kidnapping. According to them, the nine-year-old was going to school with his brother, Hasan Ali, when kidnappers came in a car and took him away.

Political administration offi -cials have cordoned off all exit and entry points of the agency and are searching for Chitan’s son.

Former president Asif Ali Zard-ari has expressed grave concern over the kidnapping and called for early and safe recovery of the boy. Condemning the incident, Zard-ari said he was gravely concerned about the safety of the boy and demanded Bajaur Agency admin-istration to recover him and bring the culprits to book.

Chitan, PPP Member of Nation-al Assembly (MNA) from 2008 to 2013 was also a rights activist for FATA rights and outspoken against non-state actors in media.

Attack in MayEarlier in May, Akhunzada Chi-tan’s convoy came under attack in Manogi Salarzai, Bajaur agency. A former MNA from the agency, Chitan was returning from a party function to the agency headquar-ter in Khar on Saturday when he suff ered the attack.

Bajaur agency political admin-istration confi rmed the attack and said that Chitan’s brother, Bakht-zada’s car, was damaged in the blast. After the attack, the political administration launched a search operation and rounded up 23 sus-pects under Frontier Crimes Reg-ulations. — Express Tribune

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Rajapakse comeback bid overshadows poll

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka held a par-liamentary election on Monday in which ex-president Mahinda Raja-pakse was trying to stage a political comeback, as the leader who top-pled him in January manoeuvred to block his path back to power.

The nationalist strongman has set his sights on becoming pre-mier of a government led by his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). But the former ally who beat him at the polls, President Maithripala Sirisena, now leads the party and rules that out.

Their bitter power struggle has overshadowed the election on the Indian Ocean island of 20 mil-lion people, which has a history of political feuding that has often spilled over into violence and even the assassination of its leaders.

Seeking to head off pressure to name Rajapakse premier should he win an overwhelming man-date, Sirisena fi red two dozen members of the SLFP’s executive committee who had been loyal to his predecessor.

The decision, made after voting

ended, drew a swift response from the Rajapakse camp: “This action is not democratic, neither is it con-stitutional,” Dinesh Gunawardene, a senior ally of the ex-president, told Reuters. With no exit polls available, fi rst trends were ex-pected from counting overnight and fi nal results due on Tuesday. Turnout, estimated by observers at 65 percent, was below that of the historic presidential poll but higher than fi ve years ago.

Break with pastSirisena, in a cross-party alli-ance with a government led by the United National Party (UNP), has sought to break with the past by passing reforms to weaken his own presidency and make the government more open and accountable. Some voters in Co-lombo said they were casting their ballots for reconciliation and good governance, showing sympathy

for the UNP of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“I came to vote to have just and fair governance ... for people to live like humans,” lawyer Rushdi Halid told Reuters. Minority Tamils and Muslims have rallied behind the UNP-led alliance, which pundits say has the best chance of forming the largest bloc in the 225-seat parliament.

Wickremesinghe, wearing white shirtsleeves and grey slacks as he waded through a pack of re-porters to vote in Colombo, said he was confi dent of beating Ra-japakse. “He has lost already,” he said. “I haven’t got to worry any more about Mahinda Rajapakse - in a free and fair election, we can hold him.”

Rajapakse, in a blue silk shirt and white sarong, voted in his southern home district before be-ing blessed by chanting Buddhist monks and laying fl owers at a me-

morial to his parents. “We will win, that is certain,” Rajapakse said.

War heroThe burly 69-year-old is revered as a war hero by many of Sri Lan-ka’s Sinhala-speaking Buddhist majority for crushing a 26-year Tamil uprising in 2009. Oppo-nents accuse him of running a cor-rupt, brutal and dynastic regime - charges he denies. “We need de-velopment, to live without fear of war, a country without bomb ex-plosions,” said Shanthi Bandara, a 52-year-old Colombo housewife who backed Rajapakse. Sirisena quit Rajapakse’s government last year to run against him, pulling off a stunning victory in the Jan. 8 presi-dential election. Yet he has moved only belatedly to assert his control over the SLFP and thwart the ambi-tions of his erstwhile ally and party rival to become Sri Lanka’s next prime minister. -Reuters

A bitter power

struggle has

overshadowed

the election with

former president

Mahinda Rajapakse

setting sights on

becoming premier

and ex-ally President

Maithripala Sirisena,

ruling it out

BALLOT DAY: A Sri Lankan policeman stands guard as Sri Lankan voters queue up to cast their ballot

at a polling station in Colombo on Monday. -AFP

All options for coalition have been exhausted, says Turkish PMANKARA: Turkish Prime Minis-ter Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday said he had exhausted all options to form a coalition government, leaving the country facing snap elections just months after the June 7 polls.

The ruling Justice and Develop-ment Party (AKP) lost its overall majority in the June 7 legislative polls for the fi rst time since it came to power in 2002, in a major set-back for its co-founder President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

AKP leader Davutoglu met Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chief Devlet Bahceli in Ankara, in what was seen as a last ditch chance to agree a coalition government.

But Davutoglu said afterwards that there could be no agreement with the MHP, which by share of the vote came third in the polls.

“Mr Bahceli told me clearly that he saw no possibility to form a gov-ernment with the AKP,” he told re-porters in Ankara.

“I did everything and tried all the possible formulae. But there is no path possible for a coalition,” he added. Bahceli also made clear he did not support propping up any

minority AKP government, Davu-toglu said.

Davutoglu had on Thursday an-nounced the collapse of several weeks of coalition talks with the second placed Republican Peo-ple’s Party (CHP), saying early elections now looked like the “only option” for Turkey.

It remains unclear when the polls could take place, with some analysts indicating November 22 as a possible date.

New polls will come at a time when Turkey is fi ghting a cross-border off ensive against IS (IS) extremists in Syria and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq and risk causing further political and economic uncertainty.

The prospect of early elections again unnerved markets, with the Turkish lira losing 1.16 percent in value against the dollar to hit a new record low of 1.865 lira to the dollar.

Some analysts have suggested Erdogan all along wanted to see a re-run of the election so the AKP could regain an overall majority and realise his dream of creating a presidential system in Turkey. -AFP

P O L I T I C S

China protesters demand compensation for blastsTIANJIN: Hundreds of residents displaced by huge explosions last week in the Chinese port of Tian-jin demanded compensation on Monday, as authorities worked to complete a sweep of the blast site for dangerous chemicals.

The death toll from the two blasts last on Wednesday rose to 114, offi cials said. More than 700 people were injured and 70 are missing, most of them fi re fi ghters, the offi cial Xinhua news agency said. The explosions sent fi reballs high into the sky and hurled fl aming debris across the world’s 10th-largest port, burning out buildings and shattering win-dows kilometres away.

Xinhua said there had been an-other small explosion on Monday. As teams specialised in handling hazardous chemicals scrambled to clean up the site, Tianjin’s dep-uty mayor, He Shushan, confi rmed there was about 700 tons of deadly chemical sodium cyanide in the warehouse that blew up.

Concentrated in core area“Most was concentrated in the core” blast area, he said. Workers would fi nish a search of a 3-km (2-mile) perimeter to identify and clean up chemicals by the end of the day, he said.

About 200 protesters gathered outside a hotel where offi cials were briefi ng journalists. “This is not a demonstration. This is simply our only channel to attract the government’s attention,” said Li Jiao, whose home was close to the blast site. About 6,300 people have been evacuated from around the site in the city of about 15 mil-lion and the gateway to China’s industrial northeast.

About three dozen police and military personnel blocked the crowd from entering the hotel. Some protesters chanted for the government to “buy back” their homes and others carried signs that read “fi x our homes, that’s our demand”. There were no clashes.

Another protester surnamed Li said he had taken out an 800,000 yuan ($125,000) loan to buy an

apartment that was so badly dam-aged it was leaning over. He said his family would never live there for fear of health risks

“Most of the people who bought those homes are young, white-collar workers like me. It isn’t a small amount of money,” he said.

Paramilitary police accom-panied residents back to their homes to collect belongings, the People’s Liberation Army Daily reported on its microblog. A man surnamed Zhang, whose apart-ment was about 600 metres from the warehouse and was destroyed, said government regulators bore responsibility. “They had one eye open, one closed,” he said.

Thorough checksThe Ministry of Industry and In-formation Technology ordered regulators to conduct thorough checks on those who deal with commercial explosives, with a fo-cus on storage, Xinhua reported.

Any company found not to have corrected any irregularities would be shut and the ministry would “in principle” stop issuing new construction permits for in-dustrial explosives factories.

Credit Suisse analysts said the explosions could generate insur-

ance losses of between $1 billion and $1.5 billion, citing initial esti-mates from media.

China’s top prosecutor, the Su-preme People’s Procuratorate, has opened an investigation into the explosions.

Cause of accidentDeputy mayor He said offi cials were confi dent those responsible would be held to account but he did not discuss compensation.

“We believe that the investi-gation team can determine the cause of the accident, in short or-der determine and fi rmly punish violations of law, and in this way ... give victims and the people a full explanation,” He said.

Offi cials said environmental standards were still “basically guaranteed” and there were plans to prevent rain from creating dangerous gases or spreading contamination.

Global automakers are strug-gling to assess the damage to their vehicles at China’s largest entry point for imported cars. Volkswa-gen AG said about 2,700 of its im-ported cars were damaged.

Industrial accidents are not un-common in China after three dec-ades of rapid growth. -Reuters

T O L L R I S E S T O 1 1 4

OUT OF BOUNDS: A paramilitary policeman wearing a mask ges-

tures to the photographer to stop as he blocks a road leading to

the evacuated residential area and explosion site, at Binhai new

district in Tianjin, China, on Monday. -Reuters

MOOT POINT: Turkish Prime Minister and leader of the Justice and

Development Party Ahmet Davutoglu gestures during a press con-

ference at the party headquarters in Ankara on Monday. -AFP

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Raha Jorjani

Suppose a client walked into my offi ce and told me that police offi cers in his country had choked a man to death over a petty

crime. Suppose he said police fatally shot another man in the back as he ran away. That they arrested a woman during a traffi c stop and placed her in jail, where she died three days later. That a 12-year-old boy in his country was shot and killed by the police as he played in the park.

Suppose he told me that all of those victims were from the same ethnic community — a community whose members fear being harmed, tortured or killed by police or prison guards. And that this is true in cities and towns across his nation. At that point, as an immigration lawyer, I’d tell him he had a strong claim for asylum protection under US law.

What if, next, he told me he was from America? Black people in the United States face such racial violence that they could qualify as refugees.

Over the past decade, I’ve represented and advised hundreds of noncitizens facing deportation. Many feared persecution in their home countries and sought protection in the United States. To win them asylum status and the right to stay, I showed that my clients had a well-founded fear of future persecution by the government or by groups that the government was unable or unwilling to control. In one case, I successfully argued that if my client returned to his home country, he could be unjustly imprisoned and physically harmed on the basis of his religious beliefs. Black Americans know the risk of unjust imprisonment and physical harm all too well.

According to US asylum law, that persecution must be on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. In many cases, courts have said that violence by police offi cers, unjust imprisonment, rape, assault, beatings and confi nement constitute persecution. Even nonphysical forms of harm, such as the deliberate imposition of severe economic disadvantage, psychological harm, or the deprivation of food, housing, employment or other essentials, help make the case. In one instance, the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that an individual who had been arrested, held for three days and then falsely accused of a crime had been persecuted. In another case, it ruled that persecution included ethnic discrimination so

severe that the petitioner was unable to fi nd a job in his chosen fi eld.

Does this sound familiar?The United States claims to be a country that

protects refugees, not produces them; a country that chastises nations with poor human rights records. But what of our own human rights record, which shows how far we still have to go in eradicating racial injustice and violence?

To make an asylum case for black persecution, I wouldn’t have to reach back to 400 years of slavery, lynching, segregation and Jim Crow. I would focus, instead, on the current prolifi c system of racist policing, mass incarceration and selective prosecution.

I might start by telling the story of Albert Woodfox, an African American man who has spent more than 40 years in solitary confi nement as a result of a conviction that was recently overturned. The United Nations has called for an “absolute prohibition” on solitary confi nement beyond a couple of weeks. Yet prison offi cials keep Woodfox locked away. While data on solitary confi nement is notoriously hard to come by, a study from the University of Michigan shows that the practice disproportionately aff ects people of color.

African Americans make up just 13 per cent of the US population, but they accounted for 31 per cent of people killed by police in 2012. According to a ProPublica analysis, black teenagers were 21 times more likely than white teens to be shot and killed by the police between 2010 and 2012. In the United States, there are 1.6 million black men in prison, on probation or on parole, double the number who were enslaved in 1850.

This country is dangerous for black people. Black parents live with an ever-present fear that their children will become victims of state violence and terror on the basis of race.

Had they remained alive, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Malissa Williams, Timothy Russell, John Crawford, Rekia Boyd, Michael Brown, Akai Gurley, Walter Scott, Ezell Ford, Mya Hall, Dontre Hamilton, Tamir Rice, Tanisha Anderson, Miriam Carey, Yvette Smith, Samuel Dubose and so many others would be able to demonstrate that they had more than a well-founded fear of persecution at the hands of their government or individuals whom their government was unable or unwilling to control. Black Americans should not have to fl ee this country to seek refuge. - Washington Post

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Please restore water supply to neem treesThis is to bring to the notice of the authorities that water supply to neem trees near the Walja signal has been stopped due to the ongo-ing road construction work in Greater Muttrah’s Honda Road area. These trees are dying. I request the authorities concerned to restore water supply to these trees.— Biju M. Mathew, Muscat

Indian expats in Oman could’ve heard Modi’s speech on YouTubeThis refers to the online story, ‘Indians in Oman sore over missed chance to hear Prime Minister Modi in Dubai’ (August 17). The fact is that Indians comprise 30 per cent of the UAE’s population. I am sure it would have been possible for Indi-ans in Oman to listen to Modi’s speech on YouTube. — Mohammed Al Balochi, Muscat

Modi’s speech would been available on YouTubeThis refers to the online story, ‘UAE new visa online service hailed in Oman’ (August 17). The idea is good. However, my application was rejected and I believe there was no valid reason. I tried to contact the call center and they gave me another number but no one answered. — Aswani Kumar K, Muscat

Report on food good for the brain an eye openerThis refers to the online story, ‘Eat for brain health’ (August 16). The advice on food being good for the brain really was an eye opener as I thought all food equally good for body parts. — Ashley Wilson, Sur

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Black Americans could qualify as refugees

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New dawn on horizon for people with special needsMUSCAT: Muscat will soon be a city without barriers’, Muk-thar Al Rawahi, the president of the Oman Association for the Disabled (OAD), told the Times of Oman. “Even now, as we speak, we are moving into that direction,” an enthusias-tic Mukhtar added. “When all the laws concerning this are in place, we will see such a new dawn in the fi rmament of those with special needs,” Mukthar stressed.

1743 By the Treaty of Abo, Sweden cedes southeast Finland to Russia, ending Sweden’s failed war with Russia. 1812: Napoleon Bonaparte’s army defeats the Russians at the Battle of Smolensk during the Russian retreat to Moscow.

1943: Allied forces complete the conquest of Sicily.

1988: Pakistani President Ziaul Haq is killed in an airplane crash suspected of being an assassination.

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What is of great concern for the large global powers is how China will use its economic strength on

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Xi Jinping has begun to talk of the “Chinese dream”

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Young women between the ages of 18 and 25 suff er from mild to severe malnutrition as they try to lose weight and look attractive to emulate international celebrities, ac-cording to doctors

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TAKING UP MANTLE: A young woman practising Myanmar’s homespun martial art Lethwei — a sport that encourages head-butting and grants victory by knock-out only — at a gym in Yangon. – AFP

Striking a blow for equality’s sake

YANGON: Moe Pwint Oo shoots the grimy punchbag a steely glare before slamming her fi st into it, striking a blow for equality as she practises Myanmar’s homespun martial art Lethwei — a sport that encourages head-butting and grants victory by knock-out only.

The petite medical sciences stu-dent is one of a growing number of women taking up Lethwei kick-boxing, building up a sweat in the yard of a gritty Yangon gym where some of the country’s best fi ghters train alongside local enthusiasts, expats and even the odd actress.

“I think Lethwei is becoming re-ally popular here because I see a lot of my friends here as well. But I am here to box not to socialise,” said Moe Pwint Oo, as a woman from Japan practised spin kicks in a makeshift ring behind her.

Lethwei fi ghters say their sport

is the toughest member of South-east Asia’s kickboxing family, leav-ing Thailand’s more famous Muay Thai in the blood-fl ecked dust thanks to its disdain for gloves and use of skull-cracking head-butts.

Little wonderTo win a Lethwei fi ght you must batter your opponent uncon-scious, or to the point where they surrender. If no one gets knocked out in fi ve three-minute rounds, the match ends in a draw. It is perhaps little wonder that few women traditionally enter the ring in Myanmar, where gender norms favour demure damsels over fear-

some fi ghters. But that has begun to change in recent years as gender roles shift, spurred by the country opening up to the world after dec-ades of isolating military rule.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is the most famous of a grow-ing number of female politicians, while an impressive roster of suc-cessful businesswomen is taking advantage of the most buoyant economic outlook in decades.

The fl ash of a female knee does not have quite the scandalising power it once did, with short skirts an increasingly common sight on city streets — although most women still opt to keep their hem-

lines at ankle level. Around half of the regulars at the Thut Ti (Cour-age) gym are women — drawn to the intensity of the fi tness level and authenticity of skill required in Lethwei.

“It’s really nice to have some-body like you here, because it’s like a guys’ place,” said Moe Pwint Oo, gesturing at knuckles strapped with red surgical tape.

Having spent years outside her homeland, which is also known as Burma, she said she “wanted to do something very traditional, very Burmese” in her summer break from studying at Aberdeen Uni-versity in Scotland.

Lethwei has an ancient history in Myanmar. Carvings on the tem-ples of Bagan, which dot the central Myanmar plains, appear to show pairs of men locked in combat, sug-gesting the sport is over a thousand years old, said Win Zin Oo, founder of the Thut Ti gym, who is also a for-mer vice president of the Myanmar Lethwei Federation. In modern times it was kept alive in the east-ern border states of Karen and Mon, where kickboxing bouts are held to mark everything from monks’ funerals to New Year festivities. Spectators in front row seats are close enough to hear bones shatter and be sporadically showered with blood, sweat and spittle. But the tournaments are seen as family af-fairs and many include bouts with boys as young as 10. Win Zin Oo conceded that the bare-knuckle fi ghting style was “robust”.

“All components of the body can be used as weapons; punches, knee strikes, elbow beats, head butts, you can throw (your opponent)... If you want to compete in the real Lethwei ring as a professional you must be really tough,” he told AFP.

He normally advises enthusi-asts not to attempt a fi ght.

For those who do, endurance is as important as aggression.

Lethwei boxer Tha Pyay Nyo, who has a formidable record of more than 150 matches and only one defeat, gave up farming in his

native Karen state to take up the sport professionally because “I might be famous one day”.

The 25-year-old recently branched out into mixed martial arts, or “cage fi ghting”, competing in his debut international tour-nament as part of the fi rst ONE Championship event in Myanmar.

The televised tournament was a chance to showcase some of the fi ghting spirit of a national sport that has languished in the shadow of its better-known Thai cousin. “I want the world to know our courage through Myanmar traditional box-ing,” he told AFP before the match.

Win Zin Oo hopes Myanmar will borrow from the success of its Thai neighbours in promoting its own kickboxing brand.

His gym is increasingly popular and around half of all those train-ing at the gym are women, includ-ing local models, singers and ac-tresses. He said there was some “sensitivity” about how women should be treated, but insisted the gym did not discriminate.

“Some (women) students they are really really good, even in terms of decisiveness I think. So it’s a lit-tle unfair (to say) ‘oh women are weak, men are strong’,” he said.

When she returns to Scotland, Moe Pwint Oo will have to make do with Muay Thai, in which head-butts are banned and protective clothing is worn, to keep training.

But she said she was hooked on Myanmar’s more fearsome ver-sion. “It makes you fi t, it’s tradi-tional and then you know it’s very empowering, especially for wom-en,” she said. — AFP

Around half of the

regulars at the Thut

Ti (Courage) gym

are women — drawn

to the intensity of

the fi tness level and

authenticity of skill

required in Lethwei

I think Lethwei is becoming really popular here because I see a lot of my friends here as well. But I am here to box not to socialise

Moe Pwint Oo, A Japanese

INSTRUCTIONS: Medical sciences student Moe Pwint Oo, left, training at a gym in Yangon. The petite

medical sciences student is one of a growing number of women taking up Lethwei kickboxing, build-

ing up a sweat in the yard of a gritty Yangon gym where some of the country’s best fi ghters train

alongside local enthusiasts, expats and even the odd actress. – AFP GAINING POPULARITY: A young woman practises Lethwei in Yangon. – AFP

TRAINING: Medical sciences student Moe Pwint Oo, far left, training at a gym in Yangon. – AFP

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WORLDT U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

UNITED STATES: Firefi ghters wearing bluish LED headlamps climb to a hot spot under the stars at the Warm Fire on Sunday in the Angeles National Forest north of Castaic, United States. The wildfi re has

burned six structures and blackened 500 acres so far since it began yesterday afternoon. — David McNew/Getty Images/AFP

INDIA: Traditionally dressed girls play on swings during the Teej festival in Chandigarh, India, on

Monday. Teej falls in the Hindu month of Shrawan (July-August) and welcomes the advent of the

monsoon. — Reuters

AUSTRIA: Refugees look through the fence around the asylum processing centre in Traiskirchen,

Austria, on Monday. Austria’s treatment of asylum seekers at the centre near Vienna is ‘scandalous’,

Amnesty International said on Friday, accusing the country of neglecting homeless and hungry

migrants who are fl ocking in record numbers to western Europe. — Reuters

BELARUS: Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko and his son Nikolai harvest potatoes in a fi eld at

the Drozdy presidential residence outside Minsk, Belarus, on Sunday. — Reuters/Andrei Stasevich/BelTA

GERMANY: A fi reworker stands on a car that is pulled out of over fl ooded areas of the river Leine in

Goettingen, central Germany, on Monday. — AFP/DPA/STEFAN RAMPFEL

LATVIA: Latvian navy offi cers from the BALTRON task force unit

take part during the ‘Squadex II 2015’ military exercise in the

Baltic sea near Liepaja, Latvia, on Monday. — Reuters

INDONESIA: Acehnese dancers participate in a mass dance

to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day in Banda Aceh on

Monday. Indonesian on August 17 marked its 70th anniversary of

independence from Dutch rule. — AFP

SOMALIA: Jubbaland forces stand with their ammunitions as they

prepare for a security patrol against al Shabaab militants in Bula-

gaduud town, north of Kismayu, Somalia, on Monday. — Reuters

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16 killed as bomb rocks Bangkok

BANGKOK: At least 16 people were killed, including foreigners, and doz-ens injured when a bomb exploded on Monday outside a shrine popu-lar with tourists in the Thai capital, scattering body parts and debris.

The blast occurred about 6:30pm when the streetside shrine was packed with worshippers and tour-ists — with the Thai police chief

confi rming at least 10 Thais, one Chinese and one Filipino citizen were among the dead. “The death toll is now 16,” police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said, adding the blast was likely politically moti-vated and designed to bring “chaos” in a the junta-ruled kingdom.

Glass was strewn across the street after the explosion outside the Erawan Shrine in the central Chidlom district, an AFP reporter witnessed. Charred and shattered motorcycles littered the scene, along with hunks of concrete from the shrine, with pools of blood

on the pavement and two bodies crumpled on the steps of the shrine.

“It was a bomb, I think it was inside a motorcycle... it was very big, look at the bodies,” one visibly shocked rescue volunteer, who did not want to be named, told AFP.

The city’s medical emergency

centre said more than 80 people were wounded by the blast, which rattled windows several kilome-tres from the site.

Chaotic scenesThere were chaotic scenes at Chulakongkorn Hospital, one of a number of nearby medical facili-ties that received victims as nurses ferried the injured on gurneys.

One man who was conscious had visibly burned hair and a num-ber of cuts that were bandaged, an AFP reporter on the scene said.

“Some (of the victims) are Chi-nese,” Minister for Tourism an Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul told AFP as she visited the hospital.

A Chinese and a Filipino were among those confi rmed dead, Thai police said. With rumours abound-ing in a city that is no stranger to major acts of violence, offi cials de-

nied reports of more devices in an area, which is home to several high end hotels and major shopping malls. While there was no immedi-ate claim of responsibility for the attack, suspicion swiftly fell on the kingdom’s rival political factions.

Thailand has been seared by a near-decade of political violence that has left the country deeply di-vided and seen repeated rounds of deadly street protests and bomb-ings -- but none on Monday’s scale.

Many observers had predicted a fresh round of violence after the military seized power in a coup in May last year, toppling a civilian government led by Yingluck Shi-nawatra. Thailand’s defence min-ister said the bombers had target-ed “foreigners” to try to damage the tourist industry, which is a rare bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economy.

“It was a TNT bomb... the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the econ-omy,” said Prawit Wongsuwong, a former general who is believed to have been one of the key coup-makers. - AFP

More than 80 people

were injured by

the blast at Erawan

Shrine in Thai

capital, which rattled

windows several

kilometres from

the explosion site

Egypt imposes anti-terror law to boost securityCAIRO: Under pressure from a militant insurgency, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has boosted police and judicial powers with a new anti-terror-ism law that also imposes hefty fi nes for “false” media reports.

Rights groups, which have ac-cused Sisi of imposing a repres-sive regime since the army oust-ed president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, fear the new law could be used to further muzzle dissent and target critics.

The law was ratifi ed by Sisi on Sunday, as the country faces a growing wave of deadly attacks, led by the Egyptian branch of the IS militant group, on security forces and civilians.

The government sped up the passage of the law after state prosecutor Hisham Barakat was assassinated in a car bombing in late June, followed by a large-scale militant attack in the Sinai Peninsula days later.

It shields security forces from prosecution if they use force “when facing a real and immi-nent threat” while implementing the law. It imposes the death pen-alty for those convicted of leading or fi nancing “terrorist groups” and prison terms for those found guilty of inciting “a terrorist act”.

The judiciary and security forces already had wide-ranging powers in tackling “terrorism”, and Sisi’s regime has been ac-cused of using the battle against militants as a pretext for crush-ing dissent.

At least 1,400 people, many of them Morsi supporters, have been killed in a crackdown on protests since his overthrow. Hundreds of the militants’ back-ers have been sentenced to death after speedy trials and thousands more jailed. The new law also targets the media, imposing fi nes on journalists found to be report-ing information that contradicts offi cial statements on militant attacks. The military was infuri-ated after media, quoting securi-ty offi cials, reported that dozens of troops had been killed in the Sinai attack days after the pros-ecutor’s murder. The military’s offi cial death toll was 21 soldiers and scores of militants.

The new law sets fi nes from $25,500 to $64,000 (200,000 to 500,000 Egyptian pounds, 23,000 to 57,000 euros) for jour-nalists who stray from govern-ment statements in publishing or spreading “false” reports on attacks or security operations against militants.

Steep fi nesCritics say the steep fi nes may shut down smaller newspapers, and deter larger publications from independently reporting on attacks and operations against militants. The government had initially proposed a jail sentence for off enders, but backed down after a backlash from Egyptian media. The ratifi ed law added an-other clause, however, allowing courts to “prevent the convicted from practising the profession

for a period of no more than one year, if the crime violates the principles of the profession”.

Government offi cials say the law requires proof of intent to publish false reports to secure a conviction.

But it is raising fears of further media prosecutions after three journalists with Al Jazeera Eng-lish were convicted last year of “defaming” Egypt and support-ing the Muslim Brotherhood movement.

A verdict in their retrial is due by the end of the month.

“This law eff ectively bans free-dom of expression, assembly and association, and can be used to crack down on all kinds of free-doms,” Amnesty International’s Egypt researcher Mohamed El Messiry told AFP. “It gives the president powers equivalent to those in a state of emergency. This law takes the country back to the period of Hosni Mubarak when a state of emergency pre-vailed for three decades.”

Veteran leader Mubarak was forced out in early 2011 by a pro-tests. Though criticised by rights activists, the law has been backed by many in Egypt who are de-manding a fi rm hand to restore stability in the country of 87 mil-lion people.

Egypt has been struggling with unrest since then-army chief Sisi overthrew Morsi, who become the country’s fi rst democrati-cally elected president following Mubarak’s ouster.

The government has respond-ed with the mass trials of Morsi supporters, while his Muslim Brotherhood movement has been blacklisted as a “terrorist organisation”.

Morsi himself has been sen-tenced to death for allegedly participating in prison breaks and violence against police. He appealed against the verdict this month. Militants loyal to IS have killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen in attacks that have mainly focused on Sinai but have also taken place outside the res-tive peninsula. IS last week said it executed a Croatian hostage it had kidnapped west of Cairo, al-most a month after it bombed the Italian consulate in the capital, killing a passer-by. Tomislav Sa-lopek was working for a French oil company when he was ab-ducted on a desert road. — AFP

M O V E T O S T E M I N S U R G E N C Y

The bombers had targeted “foreigners” to try to damage the tourist industry, which is a rare bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economy.

Prawit Wongsuwong, Thailand’s Defence Minister

BOOSTING SECURITY: Egypt’s

President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi

ratifi ed the new anti-terrorism

law on Sunday. – AFP

BLAST SITE: Thai soldiers inspect the scene after a bomb exploded outside a shrine in central Bang-

kok on Monday. – AFP

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Caught in cross-hairs of violence, Afghans forced to migrate abroad

KABUL: Fingers nervously skit-tering over his cellphone, one Af-ghan man calls a people-smuggler in a third desperate attempt to claim asylum abroad, as a record number of people escape escalat-ing violence.

The toppling of the repressive Taliban regime in 2001 had ig-nited new hope about the future of Afghanistan, bringing waves of Afghan refugees home, but recent years have witnessed a stark rever-sal of that trend.

The snaking queues outside Ka-bul’s passport offi ce are a totemic indicator that the exodus is gath-ering fresh momentum as pessi-mism abounds about the deterio-rating war, the tanking economy and a government widely derided as lacking direction.

Ashraf, 28, casts worried looks around him as he bolts the door of his spartan home in a crowded Kabul suburb and gets the people-smuggler named Murad, “highly recommended” by a friend, on the phone. “Meet me in Nimroz (on the Iran border),” Murad says over the crackling line after a lengthy ex-change of greetings. “The journey to Tehran will take four or fi ve days — partly by car, partly on foot.”

“I have a handicapped, wheel-chair-bound brother,” says Ashraf, who allowed AFP to listen to the conversation but requested that his last name be withheld.

“For you it’ll cost $700 (2.2 million Toman); for your brother three million — because he cannot walk,” Murad says.

“What if we are arrested and deported?” Ashraf asks, his tone cagey.

“No, no,” retorts Murad.“I’ve been deported before and

got duped (by the smuggler),” Ashraf insists.

“Listen brother, I give you 100

per cent guarantee.” Ashraf, an oil-tanker driver who carries supplies from Kabul to military bases in Taliban-prone provinces, was de-ported — fi rst from Indonesia, next from Malaysia — while attempting to reach Australia in 2012.

Hopeless and broke, his third attempt to fl ee spotlights the an-guished personal choices of Af-ghan civilians, increasingly caught in the cross-hairs of an ascendant 14-year insurgency.

SurpassedThe number of Afghans seeking asylum in industrialised nations has surpassed all previous years since 2001, with the UN refugee agency reporting a 65 per cent surge in applications in 2014 over the previous year.

“Almost everyone I know is leaving or planning to leave -- my

aunts, my cousins, my neighbour, my friend in Kandahar,” said Azeem Raheemi, 48, a transporter for a poultry feed supplier.

Raheemi, a father of three, lives near Shah Shaheed, a working-class Kabul neighbourhood which was hit in a recent wave of fatal bombings. The truck bombing which engulfed the area in fl ames was strong enough to tear a mas-sive hole in the ground, evoking comparisons to a meteor strike.

As Raheemi cowered inside his home with his family, his resolve to leave strengthened. “A bomb could explode any minute, anywhere. You could be sitting on the curb in a street and wind up dead,” he said.

After cold-calling Western em-

bassies did not bear fruit, he is attempting to get a visa for neigh-bouring Iran. Four decades of war has brought endurance, but the expanding confl ict, the spectre of the IS militant group along with rampant joblessness and econom-ic distress have whipped up an undercurrent of fear and hopeless-ness. The fractious power-sharing government headed by President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Execu-tive Abdullah Abdullah — seen as a “car with two drivers” working sometimes at cross-purposes — is blamed for failing to halt militant attacks. The desire to leave cuts across economic classes.

One middle-class family told AFP the decision to relocate to Tur-

key was affi rmed when their friend-ly neighbourhood game of “cops and robbers” morphed one day into “cops and bombers” — with their son playing the suicide attacker to mock screams and giggles. For an-other, it was the growing weariness of navigating labyrinthine back routes to avoid possible bombing targets in Kabul — a war-scarred city awash with checkpoints, snip-ers and surveillance blimps. “There is a widespread feeling that things aren’t getting any better,” said Khushal Nabizada, a 34-year-old doctor of internal medicine. “Con-

stantly lamenting the dead and girding for the worst takes a huge psychological toll.”

Nabizada cites the case of his patient who suff ered shrapnel wounds in a suicide attack in Ka-bul in 2012. “He called long after his scars healed to complain about regular bouts of headaches, diar-rhoea and sleeplessness.”

Those ailments dissipated this month when the US embassy in Kabul approved Special Immi-grant Visas for his family. “What really ailed him is the war,” said Nabizada. — AFP

The snaking

queues outside

Kabul’s passport

offi ce are a totemic

indicator that the

exodus is gathering

fresh momentum

as pessimism

abounds about the

deteriorating war

HOPELESS AND BROKE: Ashraf, right, carries his handicapped eighteen-year-old brother Raza to his wheelchair at his residence in Kabul. Deported twice from foreign

shores, Ashraf is determined to embark on a third treacherous journey with brother as a record number of Afghan asylum-seekers escape a deepening vortex of violence. – AFP

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The number of Afghans seeking asylum in

industrialised nations has surpassed all previous

years since 2001, with the UN refugee agency

reporting a 65 per cent surge in applications in 2014

over the previous year.

MARKEWWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMT U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5B

Muscat

6,219.77- 72.58

- 1.15%

Dubai

3,926.86- 3.59

- 0.09%

Abu Dhabi

4,631.31- 39.58

- 0.85%

Saudi Arabia

8,435.33- 28.73

- 0.34%

Kuwait

4,631.31- 39.58

- 0.85%

Bahrain

1,331.56- 0.55

- 0.04%

Qatar

11,734.69- 109.74

- 0.93%

CURRENCY RATES* DRAFT RATES (OMR1)* GOLD PRICES*Forex rates vs OMR1*

US Dollar ................................. 2.58

Euro .............................................2.31

Pound ...........................................1.65

Indian Rs .............................168.86

Pak Rs ....................................260.15

Bangla Taka.......................199.48* Rates are as of August 17

Source: Bank Muscat

Indian Rs .................................. 169.50

Pakistan Rs ............................264.00

Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 346.40

Bangla Taka.............................201.70

Phil Peso .....................................119.75

* Rates as of August 17 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......14.35

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......13.85

Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............135.50

Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 128.75

* Rates as of August 17

Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

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

Oman Crude ............. (Spot) ........$49.40

Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$49.35

Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........ $50.75

Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$49.28

N.Sea Brent ............... (Spot) ........$49.02

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ......... $41.76

CRUDE OIL PRICE

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Oman sovereign fund acquires Paris hotel

Times News Service

MUSCAT: State General Reserve Fund (SGRF), the Sultanate’s sov-ereign wealth fund, has acquired a majority stake in Marriott Ambas-sador Paris Hotel by purchasing 90

per cent of its shares. The trans-action was completed through a joint venture with Westmont Hospitality Group (WHG) which will own 10 per cent of the hotel shares and will provide the opera-tional oversight to the hotel, ac-cording to a press release.

However, the fund did not reveal the cost of acquiring Paris hotel.

WHG has signifi cant experi-ence in managing budget to up-scale hotels and currently owns or manages a portfolio of about 350 hotels across North America and Europe under multiple hotel franchise brands.

Marriott Ambassador Paris Hotel is situated on the Hauss-man Boulevard in central Paris.

It has 298 rooms together with a restaurant, meeting and confer-ence rooms. It also has a fi tness centre, business centre and an ex-ecutive lounge.

It is located in close proximity and walking distance to some of the big corporate headquarters and some key tourist and shopping attractions in Central Paris.

Oman’s State

General Reserve

Fund will hold 90%

stake in Marriott

Ambassador Paris

Hotel, while WHG

will have 10% stake

– Supplied picture

Tender fl oated for Duqm refi nery service corridor

A E JAMESbusinesseditor@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: A major tender for building a service corridor be-tween Duqm Refi nery and a liq-uid jetty has been fl oated by the Special Economic Zone Author-ity (Sezad) here on Monday.

The scope of work for the service corridor includes earth-work, security-related work and bridge work to allow Duqm Re-fi nery to lay its pipes, connect-ing it to the Port of Duqm in the industrial zone.

“This is an engineering, pro-curement and construction (EPC) project that requires experienced contractors with previous experience in the de-sign and construction of pipe-line support,” said a tender an-nouncement by Sezad.

Tender documents for the project will be available for con-tracting fi rms from August 24, and the last date of submission is September 16.

Grassroot refi neryDuqm Refi nery is developing a grassroot refi nery in Duqm

that will produce an output of 230,000 barrels per day, with diesel, jet fuel, naphtha and liq-uefi ed petroleum gas (LPG) as its primary products.

Galfar Engineering and Con-tracting won a tender for site preparation work for the pro-posed refi nery at the Special Economic Zone in May.

Site preparation work will be completed during the second quarter of 2016. Duqm Refi nery and Petrochemical Industries Company is a joint venture be-tween Oman Oil Company (OOC) and International Petroleum In-vestment Company (IPIC).

This mutually benefi cial part-nership between OOC and IPIC was established during the in-corporation of Duqm Refi nery, which is based in Al Duqm in the southeastern Al Wusta Governo-rate of the Sultanate.

This strategic maritime loca-tion gives the project the com-petitive advantage of being in the path of international shipping lines in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, thus easing the pro-cess of transporting goods into and out of the region.

M A J O R C O N T R A C T

REFINERY PROJECT: The scope of work for the service corridor

includes earthwork, security-related work and bridge work to

allow Duqm Refi nery to lay its pipes, connecting it to the Port of

Duqm in the industrial zone. - Times fi le picture

Crude oil price falls to

touch near six-year low

LONDON: Oil resumed its de-cline as US drilling increased and Iran said Opec production may rise to a record after sanctions on the country are lifted.

Futures slid as much as two per cent in New York to trade near the six-year intra-day low reached on August 14.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec)may boost output to 33 million barrels a day after Iran’s international export restrictions are removed, according to the nation’s Opec representative. The number of rigs seeking oil in the US rose by two to 672, the most since May, Baker Hughes data show.

Oil has slumped more than 30 per cent from this year’s peak in June on speculation the global surplus will be prolonged.

While US crude stockpiles fell a third week through August 7, supplies remain more than 90 million barrels above the fi ve-year average for this time of year.

“One overall big fundamental thing is the market is still heav-ily oversupplied, with Opec still fl ooding the market,” Andy Som-mer, an analyst at Axpo Trading in Dietikon, Switzerland, said by phone. West Texas Intermedi-ate (WTI) for September deliv-ery fell as much as 86 cents to $41.64 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $42.01 as of 11:56am.

21 per cent fallThe volume of all futures traded was about 27 per cent above the 100- day average. Prices have decreased 21 per cent this year. The contract touched $41.35 on Friday before settling higher.

Brent Premium Brent for Oc-tober settlement traded little changed at $49.20 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange after earlier dropping as much as 1.7 per cent.

- Bloomberg News

S U P P L Y G L U T F E A R S

Westmont Hospitality

Group owns or manages

a portfolio of about 350

hotels across North

America and Europe

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UAE considers to meet India’s energy demandABU DHABI: United Arab Emir-ates is open to meeting any de-mand for oil from India, the Gulf Organisaiton of Petroleum Ex-porting Countries member’s econ-omy minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri said on Monday.

Al Mansouri was speaking af-ter meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in the UAE on a two-day visit.

“India is importing oil now and the UAE is open to meet demand for any oil from India,” Al Man-souri said, adding that the issue would be discussed further by representatives of the two sides. Abu Dhabi currently provides 9 per cent of India’s energy needs and India is the world’s fourth biggest oil consumer.

Al Mansouri said the Indian prime minister presented pro-posals for investments in India worth $1 trillion.

“The UAE can focus on cer-tain areas such as infrastructure, railways, medical, tourism, real estate,” Al Mansouri said, adding that the tourism sector had huge untapped potential but needed rules and regulations to develop it.

Sovereign wealth fundsThe Abu Dhabi Investment Au-thority, one of the world’s larg-est sovereign wealth funds, is already an investor in India and further investment will depend on what India provides, Al Man-souri added.

Modi said he would send In-dia’s minister of commerce to the UAE shortly to discuss invest-ment, the UAE minister said.

“There’s a new momentum in the relationship between the two countries in diff erent ar-

eas, mainly economic and invest-ments,” Al Mansouri said. “We are addressing some challenges of the past and creating a new vi-sion for India-UAE in the future.”

Investment opportunityIndia is in talks to lease part of its planned strategic oil storage facilities to Abu Dhabi’s state oil company Adnoc, Indian govern-ment sources said last year. India imports about 80 per cent of its oil needs and is building emer-gency storage capacity to hedge against energy security risks.

A UAE industry source said this week that negotiations be-tween Adnoc and India were con-tinuing but no fi nal agreement had been reached yet.

Inviting investors from UAE, Modi said that India has an im-mediate investment opportunity of $1 trillion and the government will take urgent steps to address concerns of the businessmen from this country and erase ‘defi -cit of 34 years’. - Agencies

M O D I V I S I T T O U A E

One-stop-shop service evokes good response

Times News Service

MUSCAT: A total of 2,314 elec-tronic applications were received through Invest Easy portal be-tween July 1 and August 9 this year, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced.

The ministry processed 2,169 applications, of which 1,899 were accepted while 270 applications were rejected as they did not

meet the necessary criteria and requirements.

As many as 145 applications are in progress including 13 transac-tions that are awaiting approval and accreditation procedures by the ministry and another 125 ap-plications are awaiting payment of fees and signatures of investors. Seven applications need updates or amendments by investors, the ministry noted.

In addition, the ministry issued as many as 2,003 digitally signed certifi cates through its self-ser-vice portal Invest Easy between April 5 and August 12 this year. Also, 345 commercial registration certifi cates were issued by Invest Easy during this period.

Humaid bin Hamad bin Ab-dullah Al Brashdi, acting section head at the investors’ services department at the ministry, said, “The ministry no longer directly accepts applications for register-ing individual establishments and new commercial registration cer-tifi cates for individual establish-ments. Applicants must use the one-stop-shop Invest Easy facility for such purposes. This has been implemented with a view to sav-ing the investors’ time and eff orts.”

“Investors can complete their

transactions from anywhere without even once visiting the ministry offi ce, reducing the hus-tle of visitors, investors, entre-preneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises at the minis-try building,” he added.

“Investors and entrepreneurs can now get their commercial registration certifi cates in all le-gal forms and also print digitally signed certifi cates without any need to visit the ministry’s offi ces. All services however can still be received from sanad, law and au-dit offi ces,” Al Brashdi noted.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry

processed 2,169 applications, of which 1,899

were accepted and 270 were rejected

Eurozone economic outlook is bleakFRANKFURT: Mario Draghi’s trillion-euro boost for the euro area isn’t proving suffi cient to lift economists’ confi dence in the re-gion’s recovery.

Barely a quarter of the respond-ents in a survey see the currency bloc’s outlook improving in the short term. That’s the lowest level since the European Central Bank (ECB) started its stimulus pro-gramme to buy €60 billion ($67 billion) a month of debt through September next year.

The ECB has brought record-low borrowing costs, a fl ood of cash and an export-boosting cur-rency drop to the euro area, yet economic growth unexpectedly slowed last quarter.

Central bank policy makers have already expressed disap-pointment over the pace of the recovery and pledged to do more if needed, leaving some economists debating whether they’ll act.

“The ECB may be forced to strengthen its language and, if in-

suffi cient, put its money where its mouth is,” said Elwin de Groot, a senior market economist at Ra-bobank International in Utrecht, Netherlands. “Let me stress that we haven’t reached that point just yet.”

In the survey, carried out before gross domestic product data for the euro area and its biggest econ-omies were published on Friday, just 28 per cent of respondents said the region’s outlook will im-prove in the short term.

That’s down from 50 per cent

in July and 83 per cent in March, when quantitative easing (QE) started. More than two-thirds of economists in the latest survey said the outlook will remain un-changed.

Missed estimatesThat suggests an economy grow-ing at a pace that leaves little room to absorb any external shocks, such as a worsening slowdown in China and any further turmoil over Greece.

Last week’s GDP fi gures showed the economy of the 19-nation cur-rency bloc expanded 0.3 per cent last quarter, down from 0.4 per cent in each of the previous two quarters. Germany, France and Italy — the region’s biggest econo-mies — all posted weaker-than-forecast numbers and French growth came to a halt for the fi rst time in a year.

“External factors such as the cheap-oil boost, strong United States performance and the surge in sentiment following QE were all favourable and policy makers would have hoped for a second quarter of robust growth,” said Alasdair Cavalla, an economist at the Center for Economics and Business Research in London. “The remainder of the year prom-ises a deterioration in global con-ditions, making it unlikely that we will see improvement in Europe’s current, lackluster growth rate.”

ECB offi cials have already tak-en note.

Governing Council members described the recovery as “dis-appointing” and said infl ation is “unusually low” when they met in Frankfurt on July 15-16.

“Continued elevated uncer-tainty called for alertness and a readiness to respond,” the ECB said in a summary of the meeting published. Governors agreed that “the design of the asset-purchase programs provided suffi cient fl ex-ibility for them to be adapted if circumstances were to change and should the need arise,” it said.

While a Greek bailout deal may have eased concerns that the euro will fracture, headwinds include weaker demand and fi nancial-market turbulence emanating from China. The country sent shock waves through global mar-kets this month when it unexpect-edly devalued the yuan. A separate survey of economists suggested China’s GDP is probably expand-ing at a slower rate than offi cial data show. - Bloomberg News

E C O N O M Y

Merkel sees IMF joining Greek bailout

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she’s confi -dent the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will join Greece’s third bailout and signaled willing-ness to consider debt relief to help make it happen.

Merkel’s fi rst public comments since euro-area fi nance minis-ters backed the €86-billion ($96 billion) aid package were partly aimed at her party’s lawmakers, who want the chancellor to en-sure an IMF contribution to the latest Greek rescue. Germany’s lower house votes on the bailout on Wednesday.

IMF managing director Chris-tine Lagarde made it clear she will back the fund’s participation starting in October if conditions including eased terms on previous Greek aid loans are met, Merkel said in an interview on ZDF televi-sion Sunday. - Bloomberg News

D E B T

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

DIGITAL SERVICE: To register individual establishments and new commercial registration certifi cates, applicants need to use the one-

stop-shop Invest Easy facility. – Supplied picture

The UAE can focus on

certain areas such as

infrastructure, railways,

medical and tourism

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri Economy minister, UAE

B3T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

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Ithraa’s Export Club to help boost non-oil exportsTimes News Service

MUSCAT: Ithraa, Oman’s inward investment and export promotion agency, has launched an Export Club with the aim of facilitating and increasing the volume of non-oil exports.

The Export Club has been launched with the support of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and leading busi-nesses from across the country.

With the rise in non-oil Omani exports, the Export Club aims to provide local businesses with a network that will help small com-panies begin to export and tackle

the challenges facing current ex-porters in international markets.

Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraa’s di-rector general of export develop-ment, said, “Omani exporters face a range of challenges in today’s increasingly competitive global market. Some are external, rang-ing from exchange rates, transport and communication to raw ma-terial costs. Others are internal, where companies have the oppor-tunity to take the initiative to drive change forward in innovation, de-sign, marketing, training, technol-ogy, and logistics.”

“The Export Club has been cre-ated to help local non-oil export-

ers tackle these issues, prosper and grow internationally. I fi rmly believe that exporting is good for Omani business, good for Omani workers and good for Omani jobs. When Oman exports, Oman pros-pers,” she said.

Innovation, trainingOman has many export success stories, where companies are competing globally, not just on price, but by adding value using innovation, higher skills, invest-ment and good business practice to create goods and services that people want to buy.

Today, Omani companies are

selling goods in over 136 countries, from fi bre optic cables, batter-ies, luxury perfumes, automotive spare parts, marble and furniture to food products.

“We have world-class export-ers. The challenge for the sector is for more companies to match the performance of the best,” said Nasima Al Balushi.

“Ithraa has always been on the frontline of international trade, providing practical support and guidance to business at local and international levels. The Export Club will be an invaluable addition to our portfolio of business sup-port services,” she added.

E X P O R T P R O M O T I O N

ArthVeda unveils $250m real estate fund for GCC investorsTimes News Service

MUSCAT: Off ering Gulf Coop-eration Council (GCC) investors a unique opportunity to reap divi-dends from India’s mid-income residential real estate growth, global asset management fi rm ArthVeda Fund Management on Monday launched STAR Fund II with a corpus of $250 million.

STAR Fund II, part of Arth-Veda’ s STAR series of real estate funds, is the fi rst realty fund to be off ered in Gulf and other overseas markets, following the recent amendments to India’s foreign direct investment policy in the realty segment.

“The mid-income residential segment in India is considered to be the sweet spot off ering lower risks and high returns in a rela-tively short fund life. Thanks to huge demand and absorption of mid-income property across In-dia, investments in this segment have low cyclicity and low aver-age investment ticket size — ex-

actly the opposite of premium residential real estate – and that makes STAR Fund II a prudent and growth-oriented investment opportunity for global investors,” said Bikram Sen, chief executive offi cer of ArthVeda

STAR Fund II has projected an IRR of 18-21 per cent in dol-lar terms with maximum fund tenure of 60 months. The fund will have two closures, the fi rst one three months after the launch or upon reaching an investment milestone of $100 million, which-ever is early.

The second and fi nal closure will be six months from the fi rst closure or upon total commit-ments to the tune of $250 million, whichever is early.

Unparalleled expertise The fund targeted at institutions, large corporate houses, sover-eign wealth funds, family houses and High Net worth Individuals (HNI) in the GCC and other for-eign markets has a minimum in-

vestment size of $500,000Sen said ArthVeda has unpar-

alleled expertise and insights into the India realty as the company is part of a leading fi nancial ser-vices group with Dewan Housing Finance Corporation, India’s sec-ond largest private mortgage fi -nance company as fl agship entity.

STAR Fund II will make 35-40 investment across 11 cities in In-dia like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chen-nai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Coim-batore and Jaipur to name a few.

”ArthVeda is, perhaps, the only asset management company that can successfully execute such strategies because of its group strengths. STAR Fund II will be done in conjunction with DHFL and AHFL, through which Arth-Veda has access to a ground force of more than 5,000 personnel and relationship with 300 builders across India,” Bikram Sen, chief executive offi cer of ArthVeda said.

He said that the group collec-tively, lends $350 million across India every month.

G U L F I N V E S T M E N T

IndiGo places $27b

order to purchase

250 Airbus jets

NEW DELHI: IndiGo, India’s big-gest airline, fi rmed up an order to buy as many as 250 Airbus A320neo single-aisle jets, further strength-ening the French planemaker’s lead over Boeing in the country’s budget airline market.

The order is Airbus’s biggest by numbers, the planemaker said in an e-mailed statement on Mon-day. With IndiGo’s order, Airbus has a backlog for more than 4,100 A320neo planes, the company said in the statement.

The order could be valued at as much as $26.6 billion based on list prices. Airlines often get bulk-pur-chase discounts on aircraft orders.

IndiGo’s move underscores growth plans for the decade-old budget carrier, which has a 38 per cent share of the local market. The purchase is in line with the ambi-tious plans of other Asian budget carriers, who are expanding to serve a burgeoning middle class in a fast-growing aviation market.

In January 2011, IndiGo ordered 180 planes worth $15 billion from Airbus, at the time the biggest or-der in commercial aviation his-tory, as it builds toward its goal of a 1,000-jet fl eet. The carrier has taken delivery of more than 100 planes from that order so far.

IndiGo, Go Airlines India, the lo-cal units of AirAsia and Singapore Airlines all fl y only Airbus jets. Air India, Jet Airways India and SpiceJet fl y both Airbus and Boe-ing jets. - Bloomberg News

A V I A T I O N

LAUNCHED With the rise

in non-oil Omani exports, the newly launched Export Club aims to provide local businesses with a network that will help small fi rms begin to export and tackle the challenges facing current exporters in international markets Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraa’s director

general of export development

Oman agency signs pactswith US and Finnish firms

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Two agreements have been signed by the Omani Author-ity for Partnership for Develop-ment (OAPFD) with United States company Raytheon and Finnish company Marine Alutech.

The agreement with Raytheon aims at exploring opportunities associated with partnerships and cooperation between the author-ity and the United States com-pany in several areas, including training and qualifying Omani nationals, supporting small and

medium enterprises, enhancing technology in both the govern-ment and private sectors, enhanc-ing military and security capabili-ties within the Sultanate of Oman, and facilitating investment.

The agreement affi rms Raythe-on’s commitment to supporting Oman’s growth objectives.

“Raytheon looks forward to working with our partners in Oman to develop projects that will have a lasting positive impact on the Sultanate’s economic develop-

ment,” said Thomas A. Kennedy, chairman and chief executive of-fi cer of Raytheon.

“We don’t see PFD (partnership for development) as an obligation but rather as an opportunity for further cooperation with Oman,” he added. The two PFD agree-ments were signed under the Part-nership for Development (Off set) Programme and were the fi rst to be signed since the release of its regulations following the issuance of the Royal Decree.

ElectronicsThe fi rst agreement was signed with Raytheon, a major defence contractor and industrial corpora-tion with core manufacturing con-centrations in weapons and mili-tary and commercial electronics.

Dhafi r bin Awad Al Shanfari, the authority’s chief executive offi cer, and D.J. Broadbent, vice-president – contracts at Raytheon, signed the agreement.

The second PFD agreement was signed with Marine Alutech,

a leading designer and manufac-turer of fast patrol boats in North-ern Europe. Al Shanfari and Niko Haro, chief executive offi cer of Marine Alutech, signed the sec-ond agreement.

The Finnish company ex-pressed full readiness to cooper-ate with the authority in several areas, such as technology transfer, creation of a local production line, and development of new products in partnership with local manu-facturers.

“The OAPFD welcomes the signing by these fi rst participants in the PFD Programme following the promulgation of Royal Decree 9/2014 and the ratifi cation of the 2015 PFD Regulations. We an-ticipate many years of productive cooperation together with these companies to further the strategic national priorities of the Sultan-ate,” said Al Shanfari.

The signing of these two agree-ments came after the recent rati-fi cation by the board of trustees of the Omani Authority for Partner-ship for Development of the regu-lations for the PFD Programme (Omani Off set Regulations).

Pacts with Raytheon

aims to explore

opportunities

in training and

qualifying Omanis,

supporting small and

medium enterprises

and enhancing

technology

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DEVELOPMENT DEALS: The fi rst agreement was signed with Raytheon, a major defence contractor

and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and

commercial electronics. - Bloomberg News

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MUSCATSECURITIES MARKET

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 17

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

OM0000001822 ............UNITED POWER ...........................................................10,050 ............ 23,869........................3 ............2.375 ........... 2.375 ...........2.375 ........... 2.375 .............2.160 ............0.215 ............. 9.954 ................2.375 ..............2.375...................0.000 ...................1,900,000 ..........1.000OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ......................................550 ...............2,310........................3 ........... 4.200 ...........4.200 .......... 4.200 .......... 4.200 .............4.100 ............0.100 ............. 2.439 ............... 4.200 ............ 4.200...................4.400 ..................41,076,907 .........1.000OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER ................................................ 107,465 ............ 23,805........................3 ........... 0.222 ...........0.222 ...........0.215 ........... 0.222 .............0.220 ........... 0.002 ............. 0.909 ................0.215 .............. 0.215...................0.221 ..................149,825,009 ........0.100OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ......................................7,527 ............. 15,188........................3 ............2.015 ...........2.020 ...........2.015 ........... 2.020 ............. 2.015............ 0.005 ............. 0.248 ................2.020 ............. 2.015...................2.030 .................191,900,000........0.100OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 223,097 ......... 107,087........................6 ........... 0.480 ...........0.480 ...........0.480........... 0.480 .............0.480 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.480..............0.480...................0.000 .................177,800,304 ........0.100OM0000001889 ............SALALAH MILLS ................................................................ 500 .................. 748........................ 1 ............1.495 ........... 1.495 ...........1.495 ............1.495 ............. 1.495 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................1.495 .............. 1.450...................1.495 ................... 72,003,781 .........0.100OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ...............................................2,317 .................. 765........................3 ........... 0.330 ........... 0.330 ...........0.330........... 0.358 .............0.358 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.330..............0.330...................0.350................... 21,911,130 .........0.100OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ......................................................... 9,944 ...............1,402........................ 1 ............0.141 ........... 0.141............ 0.141 ............0.141 ............. 0.141 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................ 0.141 ..............0.130...................0.142 ................... 43,817,857 .........0.100OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 125,000 ............33,750........................3 ........... 0.270 ........... 0.270 ...........0.270........... 0.270 .............0.270 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.270..............0.264...................0.270 ................. 417,076,707 ........0.100OM0000002572 ...........OMAN OIL MARKETING ............................................2,000 .............. 4,320........................ 1 ............2.160 ........... 2.160 ...........2.160 ........... 2.230 .............2.230 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................2.160 ............. 0.000...................2.200 .................136,643,250 ........0.100OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA ................................................. 5,000 ...............4,180........................ 1 ........... 0.836 ........... 0.836 ...........0.836 ........... 0.832 .............0.832 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.836 ............. 0.800...................0.840 .................133,120,000 ........0.100OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER ......................................................................20 ....................... 7........................ 1 ........... 0.364 ........... 0.364 ...........0.364........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.364............. 0.000...................0.360 ..................83,983,800 .........0.100OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH .................................................. 1,227 ............... 3,178........................ 1 ........... 2.590 ...........2.590 ...........2.590........... 2.590 .............2.600 ...........-0.010 ........... -0.385 ...............2.590............. 2.500...................2.590 .................247,234,135 ........1.000OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 404,137 ......... 208,101..................... 69 ............0.516 ........... 0.516 ...........0.514 ............0.514 ............. 0.516 ............-0.002 ........... -0.388 ...............0.516 .............. 0.516...................0.520 ................1,177,996,815.......0.100OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ................................................... 153,567 .............67,677..................... 20 ........... 0.442 ...........0.442 ...........0.440 .......... 0.440 .............0.442 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.452 ...............0.440..............0.438...................0.440 ..................26,620,000.........0.100OM0000002168 ............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 665,890 .........258,365......................18 ........... 0.388 ........... 0.388 ...........0.388........... 0.388 .............0.390 ...........-0.002 ............-0.513................0.388 ..............0.384...................0.388..................114,930,909 ........0.100OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 246,201 ........ 422,446..................... 45 ............1.720 ........... 1.725............ 1.710 ............1.715.............. 1.725 ............-0.010 ........... -0.580 ............... 1.715 ...............1.710................... 1.715 ................1,286,250,000 ......0.100OM0000003281 ............TAAGEER FINANCE ....................................................87,313 .............12,573........................ 1 ............0.144 ........... 0.144 ...........0.144 ........... 0.144 ............. 0.145............-0.001 ........... -0.690 ...............0.144 .............. 0.143...................0.157 ...................36,516,960 .........0.100OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 105,709 ............. 27,413......................14 ........... 0.260 ...........0.260 ...........0.258........... 0.259 ............. 0.261............-0.002 ........... -0.766 ...............0.258 ..............0.258...................0.260 ................... 5,439,000 ..........0.100OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES .............................6,000 .................. 702........................2 ............0.117 ........... 0.117 ............ 0.117 ............0.117 ............. 0.118 ............-0.001 ........... -0.847 ............... 0.117 .............. 0.116................... 0.117 .................... 6,884,656 ..........0.100OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING ........... 688,905 ............76,618......................41 ............0.111 ........... 0.112............ 0.111 ............0.111.............. 0.112 ............-0.001 ........... -0.893 ............... 0.111 ...............0.111................... 0.112 ................... 13,528,125 .........0.100OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING .......................... 7,500 ...................817........................3 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.106 ........... 0.109 ............. 0.110 ............-0.001 ........... -0.909 ...............0.107 .............. 0.107................... 0.110 ....................3,270,000 ..........0.100OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO........................................................................116,121 ............ 88,405..................... 33 ............0.764 ........... 0.764 ...........0.760 ........... 0.760 ............. 0.768............-0.008 ........... -1.042 ...............0.764 ..............0.764...................0.772 .................. 494,717,615 ........0.100OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY ......................................78,000 ...........172,110......................18 ........... 2.230 ...........2.230 ...........2.100 ........... 2.205 .............2.230 ...........-0.025 ............-1.121 ................2.100 ..............2.100...................2.200 .................197,788,500 ........0.100OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL ............................................... 79,657 ...............6,930........................2 ........... 0.087 ........... 0.087 ...........0.087 ........... 0.087 .............0.088 ...........-0.001 ............-1.136 ................0.087 ..............0.087...................0.088...................15,225,000 .........0.100OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................. 27,974 ...............9,554......................13 ........... 0.344 ...........0.344 ...........0.340 .......... 0.342 .............0.346 ...........-0.004 ............-1.156 ................0.340..............0.330...................0.340 .................. 17,100,000 .........0.100OM0000001087 ............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ................................. 10,879 ...............3,242........................ 1 ........... 0.298 ........... 0.298 ...........0.298........... 0.298 .............0.302 ...........-0.004 ............-1.325................0.298..............0.272...................0.298 ..................29,800,000.........0.100OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ..... 161,706 .......... 326,735........................4 ........... 2.045 ...........2.045 ...........2.020 .......... 2.020 .............2.055 ...........-0.035 ............-1.703 ................2.020 ............ 2.020...................2.050 .................139,380,000........0.100OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 102,700 ........... 22,594........................3 ........... 0.220 ...........0.220 ...........0.220 .......... 0.220 .............0.224 ...........-0.004 ............-1.786 ................0.220 .............0.210...................0.220 ..................63,943,225 .........0.100OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................98,574 .............51,469..................... 25 ........... 0.532 ........... 0.532 ...........0.522........... 0.522 .............0.532 ...........-0.010 ........... -1.880 ...............0.522..............0.522...................0.530...................27,405,000 .........0.100OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 266,407 ........... 54,893......................12 ........... 0.206 ...........0.209 ...........0.206 .......... 0.206 .............0.210 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.905 ...............0.206............. 0.200...................0.206 .................293,557,446 ........0.100OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 864,090 ..........176,315..................... 76 ........... 0.208 ...........0.208 ...........0.202 .......... 0.204 .............0.208 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.923................0.205..............0.205...................0.206 ..................30,615,300 .........0.100OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 450,030 ......... 225,015......................14 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.500........... 0.500 ............. 0.510............-0.010 ............-1.961 ................0.500............. 0.000...................0.500 .................165,436,355 ........0.100OM0000002614 ............ONIC. HOLDING ............................................................ 61,783 ............ 29,038........................5 ........... 0.470 ........... 0.470 ...........0.470 ........... 0.470 .............0.480 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.083 ...............0.470 ..............0.470...................0.480 ..................81,508,928 .........0.100OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 184,135 ............ 34,470......................15 ............0.185 ........... 0.190 ...........0.185 ............0.187 ............. 0.191 ............-0.004 ........... -2.094 ...............0.186 .............. 0.186...................0.190 ................. 269,549,280 .......0.100OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 113,249 ............ 25,082........................4 ........... 0.224 ...........0.224 ...........0.215 ........... 0.221 .............0.226 ...........-0.005 ........... -2.212 ...............0.215 .............. 0.215...................0.221 .................. 157,883,801 ........0.100OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ...................................................... 26,312 ...............3,397........................7 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.128 ........... 0.129 ............. 0.132............-0.003 ........... -2.273 ...............0.129 ..............0.130...................0.132 ................. 258,040,350 .......0.100OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ...................................................... 101,884........... 141,191......................12 ............1.420 ........... 1.420 ...........1.350 ............1.385 ............. 1.420 ...........-0.035 ........... -2.465 ...............1.350 .............. 1.350...................1.390 ................. 277,000,000 .......0.100OM0000001483 ............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 100,000 ........... 33,000........................6 ........... 0.330 ........... 0.330 ...........0.330........... 0.330 .............0.340 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.941 ...............0.330..............0.326...................0.330 ................ 442,434,383 .......0.100OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE .............. 321,000 ........... 62,032..................... 34 ............0.198 ........... 0.198 ...........0.192 ............0.193 ............. 0.199............-0.006 ............-3.015................0.192 .............. 0.193...................0.195 ...................38,600,000.........0.100OM0000001962 ............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 160,306 ............ 10,125......................13 ........... 0.065 ........... 0.065 ...........0.063........... 0.063 .............0.065 ...........-0.002 ........... -3.077 ...............0.063 ..............0.062...................0.063................... 13,050,537 .........0.100OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 1,261,935 .......131,375...................106 ............0.106 ........... 0.106 ...........0.103 ........... 0.104 ............. 0.108 ...........-0.004 ........... -3.704 ...............0.104 ..............0.104...................0.105 ................... 30,157,986 .........0.100.............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 7,446,661 ..2,902,294...................646 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ TRADED SEC. ..... 42........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................. OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING......................................8,000 .................. 736........................3 ........... 0.092 ........... 0.092 ...........0.092........... 0.092 ............. 0.091.............0.001 ............. 1.099 ................0.092..............0.092...................0.095.................... 6,919,136 ..........0.100OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 26,400 .................. 949........................3 ........... 0.034 ........... 0.036 ...........0.034........... 0.036 .............0.036 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.036 ..............0.035...................0.036....................3,060,000 ..........0.100OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................... 800 .................. 398........................4 ........... 0.498 ........... 0.498 ...........0.496 ........... 0.500 .............0.500 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.496 ..............0.484...................0.496...................78,750,000 .........0.100OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ...................................................... 48,000 ...............2,428........................4 ........... 0.050 ........... 0.051 ...........0.050............0.051 ............. 0.051............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.051 ..............0.050...................0.051 .................... 6,375,000 ..........0.100OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ..............................35,000 ...............3,920........................2 ............0.112 ........... 0.112............ 0.112 ............0.112 ............. 0.112 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................ 0.112 .............. 0.112................... 0.113 ...................11,200,000 .........0.100OM0000002689 ...........OMAN CERAMIC COMPANY .................................... 1,250 .................. 560........................ 1 ........... 0.448 ........... 0.448 ...........0.448........... 0.448 .............0.450 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.444 ...............0.448............. 0.000...................0.450......................847,704 ............1.000OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 3,737,939....... 553,554...................233 ............0.150 ........... 0.150 ...........0.147 ........... 0.148 ............. 0.150............-0.002 ............-1.333................0.148 .............. 0.147...................0.148 ..................216,465,016 ........0.100OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,137,823 ......... 78,225..................... 28 ........... 0.070 ........... 0.070 ...........0.068........... 0.069 .............0.070 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.429 ...............0.069 ..............0.068...................0.069..................103,500,000 .......0.100OM0000002077 ...........AL OMANIYA FINANCIAL SER. ............................. 85,431 ............ 26,484........................ 1 ............0.310 ........... 0.310 ...........0.310 ........... 0.310 .............0.320 ...........-0.010 ............-3.125................0.310 ............. 0.000...................0.320 .................. 76,159,413 .........0.100.............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,080,643 ...... 667,254...................279 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ TRADED SEC. ........ 9........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

O M A N S T O C K S

INDICESIndex .................................................High .................Low ..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff %MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,292.78 ...............6,219.35 ....................6,219.77 .................. 6,292.34 ................-72.57 ...................-1.15Financial Index .....................................7,652.36 ...............7,550.97 ....................7,554.17 ....................7,648.51 ............... -94.34 .................. -1.23Industrial Index .................................... 8,051.01 ............... 7,972.81 ....................7,973.91 ................... 8,051.01 ................ -77.10 .................. -0.96Services Index .......................................3,412.57 ...............3,387.93 ................... 3,388.02 ................... 3,412.57 ................-24.55 .................. -0.72MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................970.37 ..................962.52 ...................... 962.53 ...................... 970.20 ...................-7.67 .................. -0.79

Trading SummaryVolume ................ Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up ............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded12,595,973 ................. 3,576,906 .....................929 .............. 14,984,804,934 .................. 5 ..................... 35 .................... 13 .........................53

MSM index ends lower

MUSCAT: Shares on the Mus-cat Securities Market dipped on falling crude oil prices in inter-national markets. The MSM30 Index ended lower by 1.15 per cent to close at 6,219.77 points. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 962.53 points, down by 0.79 per cent. Phoenix Power was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. United Power remained the top gainer, up by 9.92 per cent, while the top loser was once again Galfar Engineer-ing, down by 3.70 per cent.

OMR3.57m turnoverAs many as 929 trades were ex-ecuted during the trading ses-sion generating turnover of OMR3.57 million with more than 12.59 million shares changing hands. Out of 53 traded securi-ties, fi ve advanced, 35 declined and 13 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buy-ers for OMR535,000, while foreign investors were net sell-ers for OMR297,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors for OMR248,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index declinedby 1.23 per cent to close at 7,554.17

points. Al Omaniya Financial Services, Al Madina Investment, National Bank of Oman and HSBC Bank Oman declined by 3.13 per cent, 3.08 per cent, 2.94 per cent and 2.27 per cent, re-spectively.

Industrial Index fallsIndustrial Index closed at 7973.91 points, down by 0.96 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering was the only gainer in the sector and was up by 1.10 per cent to close at OMR0.092. Galfar Engineering, Raysut Cement, Oman Cement and Al Maha Ceramic fell by 3.70 per cent, 2.46 per cent, 1.96 per cent and 1.88 per cent, respec-tively.

Services Index showed loss-es of 0.72 per cent to fi nish at 3,388.02 points. United Power, Sharqiyah Desalination, Al Batinah Power and Shell Oman Marketing gained 9.95 per cent, 2.44 per cent, 0.91 per cent and 0.25 per cent, respectively. OIFC, Al Suwadi Power, Renaissance Services and Oreedoo Oman de-clined by 3.02 per cent, 2.21 per cent, 1.79 per cent and 1.04 per cent, respectively. – United Securities

United Power was the top gainer, up by 9.92

per cent, while the top loser was once again

Galfar Engineering, down by 3.70 per cent

Sensex declines by 189 points on dismal exports dataMUMBAI: Benchmark BSE-Sensex plunged sharply over 189 points and closed below the psy-chological signifi cant 28,000 mark as spiralling gloomy economic concerns and sliding rupee value wrecked investors confi dence. The broader Nifty also settled below the key 8,500 mark.

Fears of swelling global down-turn worries as well as concern wrangling over an imminent Fed rate hike also dampened the senti-ment, triggering broad based panic sell-off . Moreover, volatility in cur-rency market spooked by strength-ening dollar value and Chinese de-cision to devalue its currency and also heightened worries over mon-soon rainfall defi cit also weighed on trade. The home currency fell to

fresh two-year low in early trade. Realty, Capital Goods, Oil &Gas, Auto and Infra stocks witnessed heavy selling pressure. In contrast, PSU Banking, Financials, Metal and Consumer Durables with-stood the fall.

Opens fl atEarlier in the day, bourses had opened fl at before plunging deep into red following heavy profi t-taking by market participants and kept on sliding lower as the session progressed.

However, benchmark indices pared losses during the latter part of the trading session on the back of short- covering and also some value buying in frontline banking counters, which led to some re-

bound in the market towards the fag-end.

Firm opening in European equi-ties, too helped the domestic mar-kets to cut short of early losses. A slew of strong policy measures to provide additional support to boost the economy and expecta-tions the central bank would prob-ably accelerate rate cut before its scheduled policy meet on easing infl ationary pressure, predomi-nantly helped the market to recov-er some lost ground, a fl oor trader commented.

Meanwhile, country’s exports contracted for the eighth straight month in July to $23.13 billion in the midst of global slowdown, pushing the trade defi cit to $12.81 billion.

The 30-share Sensex opened marginally up at 28,093.54 and moved up further to 28,095.97. But later it fell back sharply to 27,739.13 intra-day trade before concluding at 27,878.27, showing a massive fall of 189.94, or 0.67 per cent. The 50-share Nifty also slumped by 41.25 points, or 0.48 per cent to end at 8,477.30.

Elsewhere in the region, most equities ended lower with Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and Hong-kong declining by 0.74 to 1.51 per cent, while China and Japan indi-ces fi nished marginally higher.

PSU banking stocks were in limelight on capital infusion de-cision and reform move. Out of 30-share index, 28 scrips fi nished lower while 10 ended higher. — PTI

I N D I A N S T O C K M A R K E T

India's rupee falls by 31 paiseMUMBAI: India’s rupee plum-meted by 31 paise to end at over two-year low of 65.31 against the US dollar on Monday on the back of consistent demand for green-back from importers and state-run banks.

Sluggish trade data amid highly volatile global currency market sentiment in the aftermath of China’s yuan devaluation pre-dominantly weighed on trade, fo-rex dealers said.

Besides, fresh bouts of selling in local equities added pressure on the local currency.

The dollar edged higher against other major currencies amid un-certainty over the impact of the yuan’s devaluation last week as well as global infl ation expecta-tions against the backdrop of Fed rate hike.

The rupee resumed lower at 65.12 as against last weekend’s level of 65 at the Interbank For-

eign Exchange (Forex) market on good dollar demand amid higher greenback overseas as well as weak domestic equity markets.

It kept falling during the trade to hit a fresh low of 65.36 before fi nishing at 65.31, showing a fall of 31 paise, or 0.48 per cent.

The domestic currency had re-covered 10 paise after sliding for seven straight sessions to close at 65 against the US dollar in Fri-day’s trade. — PTI

C U R R E N C Y

– Bloomberg fi le picture

B5T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

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comfortably and

stylishly

Bank Muscat Shahadati educational fi nance helps students fulfi l dreamsMUSCAT: The Shahadati educa-tional fi nance launched by Bank Muscat as part of its commitment to the national objective of educa-tional support for Omani youth is set to meet the requirements of a number of aspiring students seek-ing higher education opportuni-ties in Oman and abroad.

The Shahadati educational fi -nance is designed to help Omani youth achieve their career ad-vancement with relevant educa-tional qualifi cations. Shahadati covers full expenses, including tui-tion fees, accommodation, trans-portation, books and other educa-tion related expenses required by students, says a press release.

Omani students who have suc-

cessfully completed their school-ing are eligible to apply for Sha-hadati fi nance to pursue higher education programmes in Oman or abroad. The application for loan assistance must be signed and guaranteed by his/her guard-ian working in government, quasi-

government or accredited private sector companies.

The Shahadati loan repayment tenure is 10 years. During the study term, the guardian will pay only the interest portion of the loan. After completion of the study programme, a grace period of 12 months is available to begin re-payment of loan until the student gains suitable employment.

The Shahadati educational fi -nance is also available for Omani students seeking to pursue pro-grammes abroad at institutions approved and recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education.

Shahadati opens up a great op-portunity for the future of Omani youth. Quality education is the

key to a secure future and Sha-hadati makes it achievable by encouraging Omani youth to pur-sue higher education at home or abroad. Shahadati ensures that customers do not feel the fi nan-cial burden while pursuing higher education programmes.

With employment prospects directly linked to corresponding educational qualifi cations, Omani youth are increasingly pursuing higher education to achieve their career ambitions.

Shahadati fi lls this critical need, helping youth to pursue higher education at universities of their choice, thereby guar-anteeing a secure tomorrow for Oman’s future generations.

H I G H E R E D U C A T I O N

Appointment system at Kims enhances patient satisfactionMUSCAT: As part of its com-mitment to provide high quality healthcare services with total care, KIMS Oman Hospital (KOH) — a 50 bedded multi-speciality hos-pital, equipped with excellence in healthcare delivery — continues the appointment system to off er to their patients a convenient way to save time and make the most of their meeting with the doctor, says a press release.

“The appointment system is eff ectively continued to of-fer the patient a convenient way to consult a specialist at a time that works for the patient with-out waiting in line. KIMS Oman

Hospital has always strived to its patients’ satisfaction. Therefore, we will continue the appoint-ment system in order to enhance our patient’s care experience and make it as comfortable as pos-sible,” said Dr Hussam Akoum, chief operating offi cer at KOH.

Dr Akoum has also highlighted the importance of patients’ satis-faction and of the comprehensive and quality care they off er to their patients. He has also expressed his gratitude to the professional medical and nursing team at KIMS Oman Hospital who is the vital core to achieve the best care for patients.

C U S T O M E R C A R E

The educational finance

is designed to help Omani

youth achieve their career

advancement with relevant

educational qualifications

MSE unveils Opple productsMUSCAT: Opple Lighting and Mustafa Sultan Enterprises (MSE) conducted Opple’s offi cial introduction to the Omani market held at the Crowne Plaza, Muscat.

The event was attended by an overwhelming number of trade professionals who were highly impressed by Opple’s quality prod-ucts and the promising partner-ship forged with MSE, a leading conglomerate representing vari-ous multinational brands in Oman, says a press release.

D. P. Smedema, general manag-er, Middle East at Opple Lighting, stated in his opening speech: “We, as a brand, are forward thinking and quality-focused, therefore we are glad to be present in the Omani market collaborating with MSE.”

Shabir Sultan, executive direc-tor of Mustafa Sultan Enterprises,

who unveiled an impressive range of Opple LED products also mir-rored this sentiment.

The attendees were invited to experience the products fi rst hand and were most impressed by Opple Lighting’s global exposure and strong project references in both the Middle East and Euro-

pean markets.The event concluded with a re-

inforcing statement from Shabir Sultan that Opple Lighting and MSE have a shared vision and commitment to the Omani lighting market to bring forth sustainable LED transformation products and solutions that are aff ordable.

L I G H T I N G P R O D U C T S

New LG washing machine comes

with sophisticated technology

DUBAI: LG Electronics, leading innovator of home appliances, off ers GCC consumers the Tur-boWash, a new revolutionary and sophisticated technology that will guarantee an outstand-ing laundry experience.

“With the hectic pace of mod-ern life, LG’s new revolutionary TurboWash technology focuses on cutting back spin times with-out compromising quality,” said D. Y. Kim, president LG Electron-ics, Gulf FZE. “With an emphasis on convenience, LG works to pro-vide the most thorough yet deli-cate washing performance that caters to homes in the region and provides a more pleasant and effi -cient experience.”

The LG TurboWash is a result of infi nite research and cutting edge innovation including its smart design, energy and time saving capabilities, 6 motion direct drive technology, and the TrueSteam technology, says a press release.

Energy and time saverThe new technology promises quicker washing times and bet-ter washing results. TurboWash highlights its laundry innovation as it is now able to fi nish a typi-cal 95 minute cotton wash cycle within 59 minutes while main-taining the same level of quality. This cycle off ers the added ben-efi t of reducing energy consump-tion by up to 15 per cent and water consumption by up to 40 per cent. It provides the dual convenience of lowering utility bills with faster washing times.

6 Motion Direct Drive LG’s 6 Motion Direct Drive ap-plies diff erent drum movements to create a combination of six diff erent washing motion pro-grammes to deliver customised washing for all types of clothes. As eff ective as washing by hand, 6 Motion Direct Drive Technol-ogy helps to provide an optimal washing environment, reduc-ing wrinkles and damages in clothes and ensuring high fabric care. Moreover, thanks to the advanced Inverter Direct Drive motor, LG’s eco-smart technol-ogy with swifter and superb washing results makes LG’s lat-est eco-friendly range of washing machines the perfect solution for

households looking for optimal energy and time savings.

The new Inverter Direct Drive motor makes the washers less prone to vibrations, allowing them to operate as quietly as pos-sible. The motor also comes with a 10-year warranty, highlighting LG’s dedication in providing the fi nest machinery.

TrueSteam technologyLG’s latest front-load wash-ing machine incorporates Tru-eSteam technology with the fol-lowing features: Steam Softener, Steam Refresh and Allergy Care. The Steam Softener function maintains the original quality of fabrics and eliminates the need

for chemical-based fabric sof-teners. Steam Refresh employs steam instead of water for a truly deep clean, reducing wrinkles and odours from delicate clothes in just 20 minutes. TrueSteam removes allergens, mites and re-sidual detergent, all which have been linked to respiratory and skin ailments.

Smart designWith a focus on superior design and consumer friendly features, LG’s new frontload machines are sleek, aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive for homeowners. Along with models with LED dis-play the line-up will also off er mod-els with a full touch control panel with smart interactive capabilities.

Key specifi cations: Front-Load Washing Machine with TurboWash

• 6 Motion Direct Drive • Inverter Direct Drive Motor

(10-Year Warranty) • TrueSteam allows for:• Steam Softener • Steam Refresh • Allergy Care • Speed 14” Quick Cycle • LED Display

R E V O L U T I O N A R Y W A S H E R

Al Hayat successfully concludes workshop on gastroenterology

MUSCAT: Dr Kulwinder, MD, FRCP (L), FRCP (E), FACP, FASGE, a world renowned gastro-enterologist, was fl own in to par-ticipate in a CME and workshop on gastroenterology conducted by Al Hayat International Hospi-tal recently. The workshop was attended by several gastroenter-ologists from Royal Hospital, SQU Hospital, Armed Forces Medical Services, Atlas Hospital, KIMS, MPH, etc, says a press release.

The proceedings were moder-ated by Dr K. P. Raman, MD, DM, FRCP, chairman and chief car-diologist, Al Hayat International Hospital. Active participants in-cluded Dr Juma Al Lawati, senior consultant gastroenterologist, Royal Hospital, Dr Wasif Rasool, consultant gastroenterologist, SQUH, Dr Salim Omer Salim Al Harthi, senior consultant gastro-enterologist, Royal Hospital, Dr Amal Upadhyay, consultant gas-

troenterologist, Dubai Dr Mathew Raphael, gastroenterologist, Al Hayat International Hospital, Dr Rangarajan Muthukumaran, con-sultant laparoscopic GI and bari-atric surgeon, India.

Dr Dua worked at the Royal Hospital in Muscat from 1987 to 1992 after he completed his train-ing in gastroenterology in the United Kingdom. In 1992 he joined the Medical College of Wisconsin, USA as a faculty in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Dr Dua had fond memories of the great time he had working at the Royal Hospital and not surpris-ingly he has visited the Sultanate of Oman several times since he left in 1992. Dr Dua currently is Professor of Medicine and Profes-sor of Paediatrics, Division of Gas-troenterology and Hepatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Milwaukee, USA. He is also the Director of Advanced En-

doscopy Training Programme at MCW. Dr Dua has been actively in-volved is several research projects with over 200 publications, is the recipient of many international awards, and has several patented and approved devices including the Dua anti-refl ux valve. He has continuously been on the Ameri-ca’s Best Doctors list since 2002.

Some of the topics he discussed were diagnosing and curing early cancers of the gastrointestinal tract using novel endoscopic techniques thereby sparing patients from going through complex surgeries. He also discussed techniques of removing the appendix or the gall bladder from the patient’s mouth using an endoscope or using endoscopes to treat acid refl ux or obesity. He gave an interesting talk on endoscopic techniques as applied to regenera-tive medicine with potentials of re-growing organs like the oesophagus (food pipe).

M E D I C A L E D U C A T I O N

B6 T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UP

Bank Sohar holds 20th weekly draw in Nizwa

NIZWA: Bank Sohar conducted its 20th weekly draw at the Nizwa branch under the auspices of Ab-dullah Ahmed Said Al Hoqani, one of Bank Sohar’s VIP customers and was attended by Juma Masaaod Saleem Al Dawudi, senior branch manager of Nizwa Branch, in addi-tion to other senior staff members of the bank and VIP customers of the region.

Continuing to off er more chanc-es, more winners and more prizes for its customers as part of the 2015 Al Mumayaz Saving Scheme, the bank’s draws included the OMR5,000 weekly draw and the specifi c branch wise draw of OMR1,000. The draw witnessed H. Z. H. from Rustaq branch as the OMR 5,000 winner and Ali Ab-dullah Al Wardi from the bank’s

Nizwa branch as the OMR1,000 Branch Weekly winner, says a press release.

The event was inaugurated with a welcome speech followed by an overview of the 2015 Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme by Thuraiya Al Hashmi, senior manager – Busi-ness Development and Planning Liabilities at Bank Sohar. Follow-ing the presentation, the chief guest announced the names of the two lucky winners.

The event concluded with the handover of a token of apprecia-tion to Abdullah Ahmed Al Hoqani on behalf of the bank.

Commenting on the response the bank has received for the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme, R. Nar-asimhan, DGM & Head of Retail Banking, said: “Our Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme was developed out of our desire and commitment

towards encouraging the habit of savings in our customers and the community. It has been very well received by our customers and has been growing in popularity with each passing year.

“Our customers have been es-pecially appreciative of the greatly increased number of prizes; in particular our hourly draws every day and weekly draws as well as the newly introduced dedicated branch draws that ensures we have winners spread across our entire branch network.”

“On behalf of Bank Sohar, I would like to congratulate H. Z. H. and Ali Abdullah Ali Al Wardi on winning our latest weekly draw. I would also like to wish all our customers the best of luck in the upcoming draws of the year and encourage them to continue sav-ing for even more chances to win,”

added R. Narasimhan.Following the popularity of last

year’s Savings Scheme, the bank has revised this year’s Scheme to provide even better incentives to save by off ering signifi cantly more chances, more winners, and more prizes. In addition to continu-ing with its hourly prize draws of OMR1,000 each from Sunday to Wednesday; the bank is under-taking a branch-wide tour con-ducting the weekly draw at each of its branches throughout the year; where one winner will win OMR5,000 per draw in addition to a dedicated branch draw worth OMR1,000 specifi cally for cus-tomers of the branch in which the weekly draw event is held. In total the weekly draws will see more than 70 winners before the end of the year.

Following the completion of the Half Yearly draw in July, which was worth over OMR150,000 where two winners received OMR50,000 each, while one minor account received OMR5,000, and one ex-clusive draw winner received OMR50,000; the bank will con-tinue with its monthly draws till November where each month fi ve winners will receive OMR10,000 each, while fi ve minor account holders will win OMR1,000 each. Once completed, the monthly draws alone will witness over 80 winners before the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Year-End Prize Draw boasts a prize pool of over half a million Rials for more than 30 winners, with one lucky saver winning OMR450,000, one exclu-sive winner receiving OMR50,000 and one lucky minor receiving OMR5,000. In addition, as part of the Year-End Prize Draw, the bank will also be conducting a special branch-wide draw for the fi rst time where one lucky winner from each of the bank’s branches will win OMR5,000.

Continuing to off er

more chances,

more winners and

more prizes for

its customers as

part of the 2015 Al

Mumayaz Saving

Scheme, the bank’s

draws included the

OMR5,000 weekly

draw and the specifi c

branch wise draw of

OMR1,000

Napco gives away wheelchairs to OADMUSCAT: National Aluminium Products Company (Napco), one of the leading extruders of alu-minium profi les in the GCC, re-cently provided 30 wheelchairs to the Oman Association for the Disabled (OAD).

The donation is in line with the company’s roster of activities as well as its continuous corporate social responsibility initiatives, says a press release.

Established in 1995 through a ministerial decision, the Oman Association for Disabled is a dis-tinguished non-profi t organiza-tion that aims to provide support, education and leisure activities to people with disabilities.

Sayyid Wasfi Jamshid Ab-dullah Al Said, chairman of the Board of Directors, NAPCO, said: “We believe that the Oman As-sociation for the Disabled is a very fi tting partner in NAPCO’s eff orts to reach out to the Omani people. We highly commend the group’s steadfast commitment to foster a better understanding of the needs of people with dis-abilities among the community. We hope that our contribution to

their cause will bring joy to those in need.”

Napco has opted to give away 30 European-made wheelchairs, in order to ensure the highest standard and superior quality equipment that will eff ectively enhance the lives of the disabled people. The wheelchairs feature foldable arm-rests and come ful-ly equipped with soft, extra-long and comfortable padding. The fabric seat and back together with the aluminium leg-rest will provide optimal comfort for the user.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Napco. We deeply appreciate their show of support to our association by providing us with top-quality wheel chairs for those who have movement disa-bilities. I hope that this collabora-tive aid and encouragement will be the beginning of many more to come. I would also like to express my thanks to the benefi ciaries as well as all other companies who assisted us in our initiatives,” concluded Mohammed Mohsin Al Lawati, vice president, Oman Association for the Disabled.

S O C I A L R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y

KR group supports Izki mass wedding

MUSCAT: The Khimji Ramdas Group supported the mass wed-ding event at Izki as part of its con-tinuous CSR activities and com-munity support drives.

The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Dr Fahad bin Al Julanda Al Said, as-sistant secretary general for Inno-vation and Development at the Re-search Council, says a press release.

KR has been a stalwart sup-porter of the Izki mass wedding event, providing assistance and aid through generous contribu-

tions that have helped make the occasion a memorable day for thousands of Omani couples. This year the conglomerate was the platinum sponsor of the mass wed-dings at Izki helping 30 couples tie the knot.

“The Khimji Ramdas Group has always been at the heart of activi-ties that support and develop com-munities. Our association with and support of these initiatives goes back years, if not decades, such as the Izki mass wedding event that has received our support over the

last number of years. We feel hon-oured to be part of an event that unites couples in the start of their new life together. As always, being a socially responsible company is a priority for us in our endeavour to bring societies to a better stand-ard of sustainable living,” said Anil Khimji, director, Khimji Ramdas.

Commenting on the event, Mo-hammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Ryami, general supervisor, Izki mass wedding, said, “The Izki mass wedding event is an ongoing social inter-dependence initiative

that started in 2003 with the sup-port of a huge number of organisa-tions from, both, public and pri-vate sectors as well as the societal entities and sports teams in the wilayat. These institutions share the same goal which is to facilitate the lives of youth and help them settle in their marriage without any hassles; the groom only par-ticipates with a symbolic amount. We thank Khimji Ramdas for their continued support which gave us a boost to continue working hard to deliver the best for our youth.”

P L A T I N U M S P O N S O R

Al Hashar organises blood donation campMUSCAT: In keeping with its pro-community corporate cul-ture, Al Hashar Group, one of the Sultanate of Oman’s oldest and most eminent companies, organised its annual blood do-nation camp at its head offi ce in Azaiba recently.

The camp was arranged and organised through the Central Blood Bank, a large number of employees queued up to donate blood, under the supervision of specialists and offi cials from the Ministry of Health, says a press release.

“There is a demand-supply gap in the Sultanate when it comes to blood, and more blood dona-tion eff orts are needed to bridge this gap. Business fi rms play a valuable role in ensuring that the Sultanate has suffi cient stock of blood by organising blood dona-tion drives and encouraging as many employees as possible to take part in them,” said a Minis-

try of Health offi cial.Commenting on the blood do-

nation drive, a senior manager at Al Hashar Group said: “Giving blood does truly save lives, and it is a way in which each of us as individuals can express our grati-tude to society and to the coun-try. Al Hashar Group has always stood for the community. We are very glad that the number of our employees willingly coming for-ward to donate blood has been increasing over the years.”

“Undertaking projects and other activities which enhance the welfare of people is an inte-gral part of the corporate value system nurtured by Al Hashar Group, a value system that has been imbibed, accepted, and added to by the entire work-force,” he added, while thank-ing the Ministry of Health and the Central Blood Bank for their organisation and eff orts which made the camp a success.

S A V I N G L I V E S

Lama Polyclinic conference on gastroenterology on August 20MUSCAT: Lama Polyclinic in association with Kread Founda-tion, India is holding a day-long live surgical medical conference on gastroenterology (basic and advanced techniques in gastro-intestinal endoscopy) on August 20 and 21 from 9am to 5pm at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Muscat Hall au-ditorium, CBD area, Ruwi.

World renowned doctors from India will be the online sur-geons/speakers in this confer-ence. Kread Foundation a not for profi t organisation, in the last two years, has completed more than 260 CME workshops and

educated more than 35,000 doc-tors along with its technological partner WatchWitz Technolo-gies Pvt. Ltd, says a press release.

Questions could be asked di-rectly to the surgeon while he is performing surgeries and online during the day-long conference. This conference is open to all gas-troenterologists, surgeons and in-ternal medicine doctors in Oman.

Guest of honour will be Dr Hisham Al Dhahab, senior con-sultant gastroenterologist and head of endoscopy unit, Royal Hospital who is also the chair-man of Oman Gastroenterology Society.

L I V E S U R G I C A L C O N F E R E N C E

Muscat Finance gets interactive at MGM

MUSCAT: Staying true to its reputation as a customer-focused brand, Muscat Finance — the Sultanate’s leading non-banking fi nance company — has set up an information and customer service unit at the city’s popular shop-ping and retail outlet, the Muscat Grand Mall (MGM), as part of its strategy to strengthen its local presence and national reach, says a press release.

The fi rst of its kind, the kiosk was recently inaugurated in the presence of Faisal Mohammed Al Yousef, chairman of the Board of

Directors of Muscat Finance, and other directors of the company. Located at a vantage point, it is facing the expansive showroom of electronics retailer Sharaf DG on the fi rst fl oor of the mall that makes it diffi cult for visitors to walk by without noticing the at-tractive colours and eye catching tagline - ‘Enabling Dreams’.

Signifi cantly, the launch of a mall kiosk is a fi rst by a non-banking fi nance company in the Sultanate – testimony of Muscat Finance’s commitment to enhanc-ing the experience of its customers

who sign up for its fi nancial prod-ucts and services. A further rollout of kiosk-based services is envi-sioned before the end of this year, according to Bikram S. Rishi, CEO.

“The philosophy behind the opening of this kiosk is quite sim-ple - rather than have customers come visiting us at our offi ces, we are establishing a presence where the customers are most likely to converge. And there is no better place than a prestigious shopping address, like Muscat Grand Mall, to connect with our clientele – exist-ing and new alike,” Rishi remarked.

Manned by a team of profes-sional staff , the counter is specifi -cally geared towards addressing the requirements of customers seeking personal fi nance towards purchases such as vehicles, elec-tronics, furniture, and so on. Rep-resentatives are also on hand to answer customer queries relating to the company’s products or pro-vide up-to-date information on its portfolio of off erings.

Muscat Finance’s kiosk at MGM is open from 10am to 10pm all through the week, with the ex-ception of Fridays.

C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E U N I T

B7T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

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Kia to supply 60 Quoris to Kuwait govt offi cials

MUSCAT: Kia’s luxury fl agship sedan Quoris headlines Kia’s of-ferings and is one of the few luxury sedans designed to maximise re-warding luxury.

Over a period of time the Quoris with its range of luxury features and technologies has become one of the most desired luxury sedans in the markets today.

Recently building on its title as the ‘International Car of The Year’ in 2014 by Los Angeles Auto Show, Road & Travel Magazine (RTM) and the recent ‘President’s Award’ by AutoPacifi c Vehicle Satisfac-tion Awards, Kia Middle East and Africa has won a contract to supply 60 units of the Kia Quoris to the Kuwait National Assembly, says a press release.

Alex Chung, president of Kia Motors Middle East and Africa Re-gional Headquarters, said, “It gives us great honour and pleasure to an-nounce that Kia will be supplying 60 units of Quoris equipped with VIP packages to meet the needs of the Kuwait government offi cials.”

Chung added, “Serving the gov-ernment through our prestigious Quoris is a testament to its up-scale amenities. We have a strong track record of experience work-ing together with government departments around the world and we’re looking forward to sup-

porting the important work of the Kuwaiti government.”

National Agencies Group, will take on the responsibility of sup-plying the fl eet. Ahmad Al Muta-wa, chairman of National Agencies Group said: “We are privileged to have been given this responsibility and are always striving to provide the best for our country. We look forward to further collaborations in the future.”

In Oman, the 2015 Quoris fea-tures a panorama sunroof, im-proved texture luggage trim to give a softer and fuller look, its front bumper off ers an improved scale that maintains the high-tech and charismatic image of Quoris, while keeping a refi ned and simple form. The radiator grille and the bumper and outer grille have been modi-fi ed to give Kia Quoris 2015 a big-ger scale and a wider appearance.

“The sedan is equipped with newly designed 18” Alloy Wheel New Design, DRL & fog lamp. It also has DRL inner lens and lighting image (daytime). The ad-vanced safety features in the All New Kia Quoris 2015 also feature RCTA (Rear Cross Traffi c Alert) – it’s an alarm that warns the driver about vehicles approaching from side when reversing. There is the TFT LCD cluster, Rear armrest USB charger, High-gloss centre console, Passenger’s IMS, desired

seat position memory system, amongst others.”

Landmark vehicleIndustry analysts believe that the Quoris luxury fl agship powers Kia into an entirely new segment of the global automotive market. The fi rst modern rear-wheel drive Kia tops the global model range and is a true landmark vehicle for the company, combining stylish design with luxurious comfort, engaging driving dynamics and ad-vanced hi-tech features.

Passionate attention has been paid to the fi ner details including innovative, high-tech touches that enhance both Kia Quoris’ func-tionality and aesthetic allure. In addition to providing a dynamic driving experience never before seen in a Kia, Kia Quoris employs high-strength steel throughout the chassis to ensure a higher level of protection against collisions.

Kia Quoris is powered by an up-graded 294ps Lambda V6 3.8-litre MPI engine. The normally aspi-rated twin DOHC 3.8-litre engine is equipped with dual continu-ously variable valve timing and a variable intake system. Every Kia Quoris comes with Kia’s all-new eight-speed automatic transmis-sion mated to an innovative SBW (Shift By Wire) technology that helps save space and weight while

reducing engine noise in the cabin. The excellent handling balance of Kia Quoris delivers a host of driv-er benefi ts – improved traction, greater road holding, enhanced braking stability, and enhanced turn-in. Adopting rear-wheel drive also enables to create a purity of steering response and feel.

For safety of passengers, the Ac-tive Safety system comes standard with ABS (anti-lock braking), BAS (Brake force Assist System, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), HAC (Hill Assist Control), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribu-tion). EBD monitors the car’s load, the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and adjusts the front/rear distribution of the braking pressure to enhance retardation.

Since arriving in the US market 20 years ago, Kia Quoris has won the prestigious ICOTY award three years running is a clear indication that Kia products consistently of-fer a world-class balance of design, amenities, luxury and value for to-day’s discerning car buyers.

Kia models are equipped with some local accessories to enhance its looks, feel and functionality.

Reliable International Automo-tive (RIA) the distributor for Kia in Oman welcomes customers wish-ing to experience the luxurious Quoris, to any of their showrooms.

Kia Middle East and

Africa has won a

contract to supply

60 units of the Kia

Quoris to the Kuwait

National Assembly

(KNA)

IS Muladha celebrates

69th Independence Day

MULADHA: The 69th Inde-pendence Day of India was cel-ebrated with much patriotic fer-vour and gaiety at Indian School (IS) Muladha. Dr Kazi Arshad Jafar, the president of School Management Committee, un-furled the Indian tricolour as the chief guest on this occasion.

Dr M. Madhusudhanan, the convener and academic sub-com-mittee chairman, Felix Vincent Gabriel and Sundaram Miller, members, S. I. Shareef, principal, V. S. Suresh, Vice Principal, Dr Lekha O. C., co-curricular coor-dinator, Anita Jerson and Harish T., academic supervisors, heads of various departments, staff , stu-dents and parents attended the celebration, says a press release.

The programme started with a devotional prayer song which was written and composed by the music department of the school and sung by the school choir. This was followed by the fl ag hoisting and singing of the national an-thems of India and Oman. The chief guest was given a guard of honour by the three platoons of the members of the student coun-cil and scouts and guides with their spectacular march past.

In his address to the gathering, Dr Kazi elaborated on the signifi -cance of independence and rec-ollected the post independence achievements of the nation in the fi eld of science and technology. He urged the students to remem-

ber the invaluable contributions made by the freedom fi ghters, and appealed them to uphold the unity and integrity of India.

On this occasion, he congratu-lated the whole community of the school on entering into the silver jubilee and appreciated the sincere eff ort, team work and dedication of the School Management Committee and the teaching fraternity

Festivities were in full swing as the entire school premises was adorned with tricolour festoons, balloons and various charts por-traying patriotic fervour. The am-bience of the school resonated with nationalistic pride and feel-ing. Melodious patriotic songs in Hindi sung by the school choir and the rhythmic dance perfor-mance by the students inspired the gathering.

Certifi cates of excellence signed by Human Resource Min-ister Smriti Zubin Irani, Govern-ment of India, were conferred upon the toppers in All India Senior Secondary School Exami-nation and All India Secondary School Examination 2015, by Kazi and Madhusudhanan.

Certifi cates of merit were also given away to the students who excelled at the 17th National Science Olympiad, International Maths Olympiad and those who performed outstandingly in co-curricular and extra curricular activities.

S P E C I A L O C C A S I O N

Alpha Oman honoured with Bizz 2015MUSCAT: Alpha Oman has been honoured by the World Confed-eration of Businesses (Worldcob) with one of the most important business awards in the world: The Bizz 2015.

This distinction was given re-cently at a gala ceremony at the Caesars Palace Hotel, Las Vegas, USA, says a press release.

Worldcob is a leading business organisation based in Houston, Texas, which fosters the develop-ment and growth of over 3,000 companies in 100 countries, recog-nising and driving the advances of outstanding businesses and busi-nessmen, as well as promoting cor-porate social responsibility.

With this triumph, Alpha Oman has become a member of World-cob, alongside important corpo-

rations such as Dubai Duty Free (UAE), Doha Bank (Qatar), Saudi Telecom Company (Saudi Arabia), BBK BSC (Bahrain), Agricultural Development Bank (Ghana), So-har Bank (Oman), Russlavbank (CJSC) (Russia), Beerlao (Laos),

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia), Karabuk University (Turkey), Competence Call Center (Aus-tria), Credit Libanais (Lebanon), Promotora Opción (Peru), Qatar Airways (Qatar), Metro Markets (Egypt), Export Import Bank Of

Bangladesh (Bangladesh), The Imperial New Delhi (India), KPJ Healthcare Group (Malaysia), And Banco De Negocios Internacional (Angola), among other companies.

This honour will allow Alpha Oman to continue growing as a business, increasing its capac-ity for trade relations, generating more business and revitalising its corporate image.

Alpha Oman is a successful company engaged in engineering, construction, inspection and test-ing, trading and tours and travels. Alpha Oman is currently an elite member of Worldcob, giving it sig-nifi cant business opportunities with other Worldcob members and the fundamentals necessary to promote a socially responsible corporate culture.

E X C E L L E N C E A W A R D

Jaguar Land Rover unveils next stage of global expansion plansLONDON: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of the Slovak Republic for the potential devel-opment of a new manufacturing plant in the city of Nitra in west-ern Slovakia. With its established premium automotive industry, Slovakia is an attractive possible development opportunity.

The move marks the next step in the company’s strategy to be-come a more competitive global business by expanding its manu-facturing operations into new international locations in the fu-ture, says a press release.

The UK is the cornerstone of Jaguar Land Rover’s business. It remains at the centre of Jaguar Land Rover’s design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Over the past fi ve years, Jaguar Land Rover has employed more than 20,000 people taking its workforce to more than 36,000 and invested more than £11 bil-lion in new product creation and capital expenditure.

During this time, the company has invested heavily in its UK

vehicle manufacturing facilities at Castle Bromwich, Halewood and Solihull to support the intro-duction all-new vehicles such as the Jaguar XE, Jaguar F-PACE, Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport. Jaguar Land Rover has also invested more than £500 million in a new Engine Manufacturing Centre in the UK, creating 1,400 new jobs in the Midlands.

In addition, it plans to expand its advanced engineering and de-sign centre at Whitley, Coventry and invest in the National Au-tomotive Innovation Centre at Warwick University. Jaguar Land Rover’s sustained investment supports the delivery of the UK’s wider industrial strategy.

Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive offi cer, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “The expansion of our business globally is essential to support its long-term, resilient growth. As well as creating additional capac-ity, it allows us to invest in the de-velopment of more new vehicles and technologies, which supports jobs in the UK.

“With its established premium automotive industry, Slovakia is an attractive potential develop-ment opportunity for us. The new factory will complement our ex-isting facilities in the UK, China, India and the one under construc-tion in Brazil.”

The feasibility study underway with the Slovakian Government will explore plans for a factory with an installed capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles over the next decade. As part of Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to deliver more lightweight vehicles, the plant would manufacture a range of aluminium Jaguar Land Rover vehicles. It is anticipated that the fi rst cars will come off the produc-tion line in 2018.

Following robust analysis of a number of locations including Eu-rope, the United States and Mexi-co, Jaguar Land Rover has selected Slovakia as its preferred location. It is close to a strong supply chain and good logistics infrastructure. Subject to the outcome of the fea-sibility study, a fi nal decision is ex-pected later this year.

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Ooredoo’s 1st franchise store opened in Dhofar

SALALAH: Under the patronage of Eng. Abdul Qadir bin Ahmed Al Haddad, deputy chairman of Dhofar Municipality, Ooredoo’s senior leadership team, led by CEO Greg Young, opened its fi rst fully-operated franchise store in Sa’dah, further expanding its retail reach in Oman’s southern-most governorate.

Managed by new franchise partner Recharge Oman, the new store will inspire this fast grow-ing suburban area by off ering the full range of Ooredoo’s innovative products and services to custom-

ers, says a press release. Ooredoo’s state-of-the-art mod-

ernised network has been felt across Salalah in recent months, as it continued its delivery of new and leading technology to enhance life in local communities. Most recently at the Salalah Festival, Ooredoo demonstrated its 4.5G network, allowing customers to experience unparalleled speeds of up to 200 Mbps.

The company plans to contin-ue its rollout of next-generation technology to communities like Sa’dah in the near future.

Managed by new franchise partner Recharge

Oman, the new store will inspire this fast

growing suburban area by off ering the full

range of Ooredoo’s innovative products and

services to customers

Al Jenaibi makes luxury driving more aff ordableMUSCAT: Reaffi rming its com-mitment to providing BMW cus-tomers with exceptional off ers in the market, Al Jenaibi Interna-tional Automobiles has launched an exclusive starting price of just OMR25,500 for the BMW X5 xDrive 35i.

The unique off er signals Al Je-naibi International Automobiles’ commitment to providing addi-tional value to its customers by reducing the purchasing costs on one of BMW Group’s most popular models, says a press release.

BMW’s X range of vehicles come with a proven track record of success that was created by the X5 model which was launched in 1999. When fi rst introduced to the market it established itself as an absolute market leader in the Sports Activity Vehicle segment, and quickly became one of BMW’s best-selling model series, account-ing for almost a third of all BMW models sold globally.

Dynamic Performance Control is a standard feature in all versions of the BMW X5 as an element of the intelligent all-wheel drive sys-tem - xDrive. This gives greater precision to the electronically controlled power distribution by optimising driving stability, trac-tion and dynamic performance. The BMW X5 comes with a 3.5 litre four-cylinder engine which reaches a top speed of 210 km/h

with its 300hp. The car sprints to 100km/h in just 6 seconds from a standing start.

Loaded with BMW’s latest technology, the BMW X5 xDrive 35i also off ers numerous optional BMW ConnectedDrive features that provide the driver with essen-tial information and services to help make their driving experience both safer and more comfortable. These include Internet connectiv-ity, Bluetooth, Parking Assistant and the BMW Head-Up Display. Additional options include Adap-tive Headlights, Rear View cam-

era, and Lane Departure Warning with Collision Warning.

“At Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, we continuously en-deavour to provide our customers with the best possible ownership experience that goes beyond their expectations and is befi tting of the premium nature of the BMW brand,” said Divyendu Kumar, managing director of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles. “With this exclusive starting price on the BMW X5 xDrive35i, we are mak-ing it easier for customers to own one of BMW best-selling models.”

U N I Q U E O F F E R

Mercedes-Benz launches summer off er on GLK 250MUSCAT: Capturing hearts and minds across the Sultanate, the swift Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 continues to dominate the roads with its seamless reliability and effi ciency.

As part of its ongoing commit-ment to bring a new generation of customers the versatility and unrivalled driver experience that has made the SUV a huge suc-cess, Zawawi Trading Company, the authorised general distribu-tor for Mercedes-Benz in Oman, has launched an alluring sum-mer off er on all GLK 250 vehi-cles, says a press release.

Clive Hammond, CEO of Zawa-wi Trading Company, Automo-tive, commented: “Delivering an exceptional customer experience is at the centre of everything we

do, with this off er being espe-cially designed with the end user in mind. Families today need a vehicle that provides safety, reli-ability and comfort. The GLK is unmatched in all three categories and will welcome new and exist-ing customers across the Sultan-ate to a unique SUV experience where every kilometre is more memorable than the last.”

For a limited time, the GLK 250 will be available for only OMR16,495, its lowest price ever in Oman. Inclusive with their pur-chase, customers will receive a 45,000 kilometre service package, and free vehicle servicing for the fi rst three years or 45,000 kilome-tres; delivering peace of mind to customers no matter where they drive, off -road or in urban settings.

The Mercedes-Benz GLK re-defi nes vehicular relaxation, re-alising the manufacturer’s goal of developing the safest, most se-cure and effi cient products to hit the tarmac. A car perfect for the Sultanate’s diverse environment with fascinating features that make it indispensable, the GLK expertly combines performance and fl exibility with 19” AMG light alloy wheels, Agility Control sus-pension and a highly rigid body response to every twist in the road with quick, precise refl exes.

Additionally, the GLK’s in-terior is luxurious, sporting a stunning and dynamic ground-breaking design characterised by a futuristic look, bold shapes, and striking lines that exude the elegance of Mercedes-Benz.

P R O M O T I O N

At Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, we

continuously endeavour to provide our customers

with the best possible ownership experience that

goes beyond their expectations and is befitting

of the premium nature of the BMW brand

Divyendu KumarManaging director of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles

Qatar Airways expands networkDOHA: Qatar Airways is contin-uing its rapid growth across Afri-ca and the Indian Sub-Continent with an increase in fl ight frequen-cies to Asmara, Eritrea, and to Dhaka, Bangladesh.

From September 7, fl ights from Doha to Asmara will be increased from four to fi ve times per week, representing a 25 per cent in-crease in capacity and enhanced connectivity, in particular for customers from North America and Europe.

And on December 9, fl ights from Doha to Dhaka, Bangladesh, will also be increased substantial-ly with the number of frequencies jumping from 10 to 14 weekly, ef-fectively increasing capacity by 40 per cent on this popular route. Operated with an Airbus 330-300 off ering 30 seats in Business and 275 in Economy, the additional fl ights will allow even more con-nection opportunities for cus-tomers fl ying from the Middle East, the US, Europe and Africa.

For the Doha-Asmara route, all fl ights are operated with Airbus

A320 aircraft in a two-class con-fi guration with 12 seats in Busi-ness Class and up to 132 seats in Economy. The Asmara expansion comes only nine months after the Eritrean capital was fi rst in-troduced in December 2014 and demonstrates the growing de-mand for this route.

Akbar Al Baker, group chief executive, Qatar Airways, said: “Qatar Airways is committed to continually enhancing the fi ve-star experience we off er to all

our customers and this further expansion is in direct response to a growing demand on these popu-lar routes. We are delighted to of-fer even more opportunities for our customers across the globe to connect through Doha’s state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport to both Eritrea and Bang-ladesh, fl ying on board one of the youngest fl eets in the industry.”

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 18 years of opera-tion and today fl ies a modern fl eet of 163 aircraft to 151 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacifi c, North America and South America. At this year’s Skytrax Awards, the airline won Airline of the Year, Best Business Class Airline Seat and Best Air-line in the Middle East.

Customers fl ying Qatar Air-ways can also enjoy the newly launched in-fl ight entertainment system, Oryx One, with up to 2,000 movies, TV shows and en-tertainment options available to view on board.

A F R I C A A N D I N D I A N S U B - C O N T I N E N T

Gulf Air increases direct Cairo serviceBAHRAIN: Gulf Air, the nation-al carrier of the Kingdom of Bah-rain, announced it will increase its fl ights between Bahrain and Cairo from 12 to 14 weekly fl ights (double daily) from August 24 to meet high passenger demand fol-lowing successful negotiations between the Kingdom of Bah-rain’s Civil Aviation Authority and the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Civil Aviation Authority, to in-crease air traffi c rights between the two countries.

With one of the largest Middle East networks, Bahrain’s nation-al carrier is well positioned to link regional travellers to Cairo and allow seamless movement from the Egyptian capital to several key regional and Asian destina-

tions with excellent connectivity via Bahrain International Airport to prominent cities in the Gulf, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East such as Dubai, UAE, Bangkok, Thailand and Delhi, In-dia in less than two hours, says a press release.

Ahmed Janahi, Acting Chief Commercial Offi cer, Gulf Air, said: “Gulf Air’s increased Cairo service will mean a greater connection to one of our national carrier’s long-standing routes. We are always looking to satisfy the high demand to and from Cairo and cater to passenger needs on this popular route. With twice daily fl ights be-tween Bahrain and Cairo we are off ering enhanced schedule fl ex-ibility for our travellers.”

H I G H P A S S E N G E R D E M A N D

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SPOR SY O U R G A M E

SECTIONC T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

CHUNG LAUNCHES FIFA PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNSouth Korean billionaire Chung Mong-Joon on Monday launched his campaign for the FIFA presidency with a blistering attack on outgoing leader Sepp Blatter and his rival to head FIFA, Michel Platini. >C3

Indian team pay glowing tributes to Sangakkara

COLOMBO: The Indian cricket team led by captain Virat Kohli and Team Director Ravi Shastri paid rich tributes to retiring Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangak-kara, comparing his illustrious ca-reer to that of Sir Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar.

The 37-year-old Sangakkara will be playing his 134th and last Test at the P Sara Oval against In-dia, starting on Thursday.

In his international career span-ning over 15 years, Sangakkara has so far scored 12,350 Test runs with 38 centuries and an average of 57.71. In 404 One-day Internation-als (ODIs), he has scored

14,234 runs with 25 tons and a staggering 93 half centuries.

Kohli termed Sangakkara as a “lovely human being” and stated how glad he was that the master batsman was playing his last inter-national series against India.

“I can imagine the kind of emo-tions he (Sangakkara) might feel because this is something that he has probably done for the last 20 years day in and day out of everyday life. And, not to do that anymore would be a big shock for anyone,” Kohli told BCCI.TV as he gears up to plan Sangakkara’s dismissal one last time in interna-tional matches.

“He has been a wonderful player for Sri Lanka. A lot of left-handers really look up to him for the way he plays. His technique and the way he has scored runs all over the world, his numbers speak for themselves. He is a wonderful hu-man being. He is a lovely person.

“I have had quite a few chats with him on the fi eld and away from the fi eld as well. I am actually glad that he is going to be playing his last few games against us because it is a spe-cial occasion for us to be a part of. Such a legend of the game retiring, as a young side it will be an honour

for us to give him that respect in his last few Tests,” he added.

“Hopefully he doesn’t score too many runs against us but I really wish him all the luck with his life after cricket. It has been wonder-ful to know such a great player and a great man,” he said.

Shastri compared Sangakkara to Tendulkar, in terms of staying at the top of their game throughout their illustrious careers.

“He broke into being one of the top two or three players and he never got out of that. There are very few players who fall in that

list. You can bring Sachin Ten-dulkar in that league as the kind of player that once broke into the top two or three never moved out of there. He has got runs world over and scored double hundreds like it is a pass time. He is equal with Sir Donald Bradman.” - PTI

Virat Kohli termed

Sangakkara as

a “lovely human

being” and stated

how glad he was that

the master batsman

was playing his last

international series

against India

COLOMBO: India’s opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan was on Monday ruled out of the rest of the Sri Lanka series with a hairline fracture on his right hand, in a major blow to the tourists.

Dhawan, 29, sustained the injury during the fi rst Test in Galle which India lost by 63 runs on Saturday to concede the lead in the three-match series.

Dhawan, who hit a century in the fi rst innings at Galle,

will miss both the second Test starting at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on Thursday and the fi nal match at the Sinhalese Sports Club in the Sri Lankan capital from August 28.

“He underwent tests that confi rmed a hairline fracture in his hand. He would require four to six weeks to recover from the injury,” a statement from the team management said.

Team Director Ravi Shastri said it was “unfortunate” to lose

the in-form left-hander for the key Tests ahead.

“Shikhar showed a lot of cour-age at Galle,” Shastri said. “That’s what I look for in a player. It is unfortunate to lose him.”

No replacement has been named. The injury to Dhawan left India in a spot of bother af-ter the other opening batsman, Lokesh Rahul, was dismissed for seven and fi ve in Galle.

First-choice opener Murali Vijay missed the Galle Test

with a hamstring injury but is expected to recover in time for the second match.

Top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is waiting in the wings, while India had already summoned all-rounder Stuart Binny to join the squad as the 16th member before Dhawan’s non-availability was confi rmed.

Dhawan has scored 1,158 runs in 15 Tests at an average of 44.53, with four centuries. - AFP

Injured Dhawan out of Sri Lanka series

HAIRLINE FRACTURE: Indian captain Virat Kohli, right, looks on as Shikhar Dhawan looks at his right hand during the second day

of their opening Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on August 13. – AFP

‘We won’t change our style’COLOMBO: Notwithstanding India’s shock defeat in the fi rst Test against Sri Lanka, Team Di-rector Ravi Shastri on Monday made it clear that the team will not change its style of play in the remaining two Tests, saying the endeavour has always been to play “fearless cricket”.

He said India lost the match because they brought pressure on themselves and it was just a mat-ter of winning one match to get the team rolling.

In an extraordinary twist in Galle, India capitulated to an em-barrassing 63-run defeat against the islanders, who scripted one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent Test history.

“We won’t change our style of play. It will be exactly like how it was in the fi rst match. We made one mistake (in the fi rst game). Of course to close it out we will have to walk the distance... till the end,” Shastri told reporters here.

Asked if the team was under pressure, the former captain re-sponded in negative.

“It was not a question of buck-ling under pressure. They sensed the pitch could deteriorate. The pressure was brought on. My general feeling is that if they can get one (victory) on the board it will be the start of many,” he said, stressing on the need to have one good win under their belt.

Set a tricky victory target of 176, the listless Indians surren-dered tamely to be skittled out for their lowest score of 112 in just

49.5 over to give the islanders a 1-0 lead in the series last week.

“They go out with intent. The endeavour of this team is to play fearless cricket that comes with mindset. These boys have enough talent, I am sure they must have thought after the match why I didn’t play this shot, why I didn’t play in this manner.”

Skipper Virat Kohli’s handling of three spinners and the bowling changes in the match have come under the scanner but Shastri threw his weight behind the cap-tain. “Kohli will learn. The more

you play, the more you learn. It is not often that India play with three spinners. (Ravichandran) Ash-win was brilliant throughout the match but you needed others also.”

It was a dramatic performance from the hosts who came back from the dead after conceding a massive 192-run fi rst innings lead to turn the table on the Indians who had themselves to blame for the debacle.

This meant centurions Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Ashwin’s (10-wicket match haul) eff orts went in vain. - PTI

F E A R L E S S C R I C K E T

They go out with intent.

The endeavour of this

team is to play fearless

cricket that comes

with mindset

Ravi ShastriIndia Team Director

Ponting asks Smith to bat at No. 3

LONDON: Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting on Mon-day urged incoming Test cap-tain Steve Smith to shelve con-sideration of dropping down the batting order, adding the right-hander has the technique to thrive at No. 3 despite his failure in the past two Ashes Tests.

Australia were beaten 1-3 by England in the ongoing Ashes series with a match still to go in the fi ve-match series. The fi nal Test will begin on August 20.

Smith will take over the Test captaincy from Michael Clarke after the Ashes series.

Smith said he would mull a move back to No. 4 when he takes charge of the team in Bangladesh in October, de-pending on the batsmen along-side him in the team.

Ponting strongly counselled him against it, just as he did with Michael Clarke.

“I fi rmly believe that as Aus-tralia’s new captain Steven Smith should continue batting at No. 3 once he takes on the role,” Ponting said.

“I know there have been a few people saying that he’s not a long-term option in that po-sition based on what they have seen in this Ashes series, but I defi nitely think it is where he should bat from here on.”

UnconventionalPonting said he was confi dent Smith’s unconventional tech-nique, which involves him habitually moving across his stumps at the point of delivery, was conducive to batting at No. 3, which demands an ability to handle the new ball in case of an early wicket.

“England took note of how dominant he was in that game (at Lord’s when he scored 215) and also how much he was mov-ing across his crease. They have bowled wider and wider to him across the series, and if he’s going to persist with that pro-nounced pre-movement, it will probably continue against most of the bowling attacks Steve faces,” he said.

“He spends hour upon hour in the nets hitting balls. But now he may have to start think-ing about how to look a little more at everyone else during these sessions without sacrifi c-ing his own preparations,” Pon-ting said. - IANS

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Bubka ‘confident’ in IAAF race against ‘friend’ Coe

BEIJING: Sergey Bubka on Mon-day denied he was the underdog in the battle for the IAAF presidency with Sebastian Coe, insisting he was “very confi dent” of victory be-tween two legends of track and fi eld.

Bubka goes head-to-head with Coe when the 214 member fed-erations of the International As-sociation of Athletics Federations (IAAF) vote on Wednesday on whom they think should take over

from incumbent Lamine Diack, who is stepping down at the age of 82 after 16 years in charge.

Some media outlets have tagged up Coe, the British two-time Olympic 1500m champion, as frontrunner, but Bubka, who also won Olympic pole vault gold and

10 world titles for Ukraine, insist-ed this was not the case.

“I’m feeling very good. I’m very confi dent, I have a lot of support from federations,” the 51-year-old told a small group of journalists.

Turning to reports that 37 fed-erations had publicly backed Coe

compared to just fi ve for Bubka, the Ukrainian responded: “I don’t know how they count, how do they get these numbers. Monaco, Montene-gro and Iceland have said they didn’t give any permission (to go public as having backed Coe) and you can fi nd many countries like that.

“I prefer not to guess who will win. I’m a man of results so we’ll see the results on Wednesday!”

Bubka acknowledged, however, that there was little animosity between him and Coe, who both currently serve as IAAF vice-pres-idents to Diack. “We’re friends, colleagues, we work together,” he said. “It’s good, it’s competition, it’s good for sport.”

While Coe will only be standing for president, Bubka has hedged his bets and will also stand for re-election as vice-president should his bid to succeed Diack fail.

Turning to the doping allegations that have rocked the sport in recent weeks, Bubka reiterated his “zero tolerance” of athletes who cheat.

“Whoever violates the rules will pay the price, will be punished,” he said, stressing that “sport alone will not succeed in this matter”.

“We as IAAF, and I personally, are strong believers and support-ers of the fi ght against doping. Zero tolerance. We must protect clean athletes. The IAAF is the lead-ing international federation with many initiatives.”

Bubka admitted, however, that the IAAF had to “present more proactively on what is done and has been done”.

Although the leading anti-dop-ing federation, IAAF, he said, need-ed a “stronger, effi cient and more successful” programme, also call-ing for “stronger punishment” of those athletes found cheating. - AFP

Some media outlets

have tagged up

Coe, the British

two-time Olympic

1500m champion,

as frontrunner, but

Bubka, who also won

Olympic pole vault

gold and 10 world

titles for Ukraine,

insisted this was

not the case

‘VERY CONFIDENT’: Former Olympic champion Sergey Bubka gestures as he speaks to athletes before

a press conference in Beijing on Monday, to announce the launch of new pole vault competition in the

hometown French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie. – AFP

Diack confi dent

of sport’s future

under new chief

BEIJING: Outgoing IAAF president Lamine Diack is con-fi dent about the future of athlet-ics as the sport prepares to elect his replacement on Wednesday.

Former Olympic champions Sergey Bubka and Sebastian Coe are in a head-to-head race to succeed the 82-year-old Di-ack who has run the governing body for 16 years.

“I am all the more confi dent of what we have in store,” the Sene-galese told the opening day of the IAAF Council meeting. “I have laid the foundations for the future of the IAAF with our two great champions ... whoever the IAAF athletics family elects he will be a bona fi de son of our sport.”

The organisation has been un-der siege this month following ac-cusations it has not done enough to combat doping in sport. The al-legations, which the IAAF deny, have come ahead of the world outdoor championships which begin on Saturday at the 2008 Olympic Stadium in Beijing.

Diack also announced he would not be the only offi cial leaving the organisation, say-ing in a statement that general secretary Essar Gabriel had de-cided not to renew his deal.

The council has also approved the dates for the 2018 world indoor championships, saying the event would be held in Bir-mingham on March 2 and 4, and added that a change in the walk-ing race venue for the 2016 Rio Olympics had been made. - Reuters

O U T G O I N G L E A D E R

LAUSANNE: Asli Cakir Alptekin has agreed to be stripped of both her Olympic and European 1,500m titles and receive an eight-year ban for anomalies in her biological passport, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday.

The 29-year-old Turkish athlete struck the deal as she had risked a life ban having been suspended for doping for two years in 2004. Ab-normal blood samples between July 2010 and October 2012 had resulted in her being temporarily suspended in April 2013.

The International Associa-tion of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had appealed to CAS af-ter the Turkish Athletics Fed-eration (TAF) cleared Alptekin in December 2013.

“Before a hearing could be held, the parties negotiated and con-cluded their settlement agreement which is ratifi ed in the Consent Arbitral Award. The proceedings before the CAS are now closed,” the CAS statement read.

Previous punishmentCAS said the athlete forfeited all her results from July 2010, includ-ing the 2012 Olympic gold and her 2012 European Championship title. Alptekin previously served a two-year ban for a positive test at the 2004 World Junior Athletics Championships.

“Ms Cakir-Alptekin is found to have committed a second anti-doping rule violation, after a fi rst one committed in 2004, and shall serve a period of ineligibility of eight years, to expire at midnight on 9 January 2021,” CAS said.

Alptekin won Olympic gold in London ahead of her compatriot Gamze Bulut and Maryam Yusuf Jamal of Bahrain.

The agreement comes just days before the World Athletics Champi-onships in Beijing get underway. - AFP

S E T T L E M E N T

Alptekin slapped

with eight-year

ban, stripped of

Olympic title

Evolving Utd make Champions League returnMANCHESTER: The Cham-pions League theme music will boom out over Old Traff ord again on Tuesday when Manchester United return to the competition against Belgian side Club Brugge in the playoff round.

After a fi rst season out of the competition in 19 years, United have been led back by Louis van Gaal, who won the Champions League with a brilliant, young Ajax team in 1995 and took Bayern Munich to the fi nal in 2010.

Fourth in the Premier League last season, United have opened the new campaign with 1-0 wins over Tottenham Hotspur and As-ton Villa, and Juan Mata believes Friday’s victory at Villa Park showed the team’s readiness.

“I think we can improve, but six points from six points is a very good start for us and now we have a lot of confi dence ahead of the Champions League playoff ,” the Spanish midfi elder told MUTV.

“The clean sheet is a very posi-tive factor. We’re talking about having new players at the back and they’re doing great as well.”

It is a year and four months since United last played in the Cham-pions League, losing to Bayern in the quarterfi nals in April 2014, and it says much about the profound change the club has undergone since then that only four of the players who played in the 3-1 sec-ond-leg defeat in Munich are likely to line up against Club Brugge.

Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher, Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck have left the club, while David Moyes is no longer in the dug-out, having been sacked 13 days later.

Of those who made it onto the pitch against Bayern that remain, Phil Jones is currently sidelined with thrombosis, Antonio Valen-cia and Javier Hernandez are out of favour and goalkeeper David de Gea has been removed from the team after becoming unsettled by Real Madrid’s interest.

That leaves Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick and Adnan Januzaj, a late substi-tute at the Allianz Arena, who came in from the cold to score the win-ner at Villa after disappearing from view in Van Gaal’s fi rst season.

Januzaj is one of two Belgian players in Van Gaal’s squad along-side Marouane Fellaini, who is serv-ing a three-match domestic suspi-cion but could feature on Tuesday.

De Sutter swansong Having marked his return with a goal, Januzaj will hope to hold onto his place at number 10 in

support of Rooney, although Van Gaal expressed reservations about his use of the ball against Tim Sherwood’s side.

Memphis Depay, the £25 mil-lion ($39.1 million) signing from PSV Eindhoven, was also singled out for criticism by the manager, but Mata has backed the Dutch international, who squandered an excellent late chance against Villa, to come good.

“The good thing is that he is having the chances,” said Mata, a European champion with Chelsea in 2012. “He’s getting in the posi-tion to have the chances, but the

goals will come for him. I think he will score for us very soon.”

While United contested three Champions League fi nals be-tween 2008 and 2011, winning one, Club Brugge are the only Belgian club to have reached the fi nal, losing 1-0 to Liverpool at Wembley in 1978.

Michel Preud’homme’s side fi n-ished top of the table in Belgium last season, but lost out to Gent in the ensuing championship playoff .

For former Belgium striker Tom De Sutter, the tie against United, which concludes on Au-gust 26, will serve as a swansong

prior to his departure for Turkish side Bursaspor.

Club Brugge, who last played in the group phase in 2005, have made a modest start to the season, winning twice, drawing once and losing once, and Preud’homme is concerned that his team have been playing too much side-ways football.

“There’s not enough tempo or depth,” said the former Belgium goalkeeper, whose team beat Panathinaikos 4-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying round. “Play-ing like this, it will be impossible to trouble Manchester.” - AFP

P O S I T I V E F A C T O R

CAN IMPROVE: Manchester United players, from left, Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia, David De Gea, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian,

Juan Mata and Javier Hernandez train at Old Traff ord on Monday. – Reuters

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SPORTST U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

MUSCAT: Al Hail School of Cricket has resumed cricket coaching for all age groups at their facilities in Mabellah.

According to a press release issued by the school on Monday, high quality grass ground fa-cilities are available for practice and fi elding session as well as

for matches. “After the summer break, coaching at the Al Hail School of Cricket Muscat re-sumed under the supervision of professional coaches and train-ers,” the press statement said.

The school’s busy sports cal-endar will continue with the annual tournament which will

commence soon and an open tournament is also in the pipeline.

For further details of the coach-ing programmes contact Al Hail School of Cricket at Ph: 95162862, 95039418, and 99623536 or email at alhailcricketteam@yahoo.com and ccoman.muscat@hotmail.com)

A F T E R S U M M E R B R E A K

Chung launches FIFA campaign with blistering attack on Blatter, Platini

PARIS: South Korean billionaire Chung Mong-Joon on Monday launched his campaign for the FIFA presidency with a blister-ing attack on outgoing leader Sepp Blatter and his rival to head football’s world governing body, Michel Platini.

Chung, who said that Platini is too close to Blatter’s legacy and the ills that have hit FIFA, vowed to clean up the scandal-tainted body in one four-year term and then stand down. The election

campaign, however, is becoming increasingly bitter.

“Today FIFA is undergoing a profound crisis. Under these cir-cumstances, the FIFA president must be a crisis manager and a re-former,” the 63-year-old Chung, a former FIFA vice-president, told a Paris press conference.

“The problem at FIFA is that those mired in corruption, the only thing they are interested in is hid-ing the corruption,” he added. “The real reason FIFA has become such a corrupt organisation is because the same person (Blatter) has been running it for 40 years. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

FIFA has been embroiled in cor-ruption turmoil since 14 FIFA and sports business executives were charged by US authorities in May over more than $150 million in bribes allegedly paid for television and marketing deals.

Seven FIFA offi cials have been detained but Blatter has not been

linked to any corruption case. Chung, a member of the family that owns the Hyundai conglomer-ate, vowed that if successful in the election on February 26, 2016, he would serve just one term.

“I can change FIFA in four years. That is my pledge to football fans in the world.”

UEFA President Michel Platini, Brazil football legend Zico and Li-berian Football Association chief Musa Bility have also announced they are candidates. Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, another former FIFA vice-president from Jordan, is considering a run.

Father and son Platini is considered the frontrun-ner and has already secured public support from key national federa-tions and regional confederations.

But Chung said the French-man should not be a candidate be-cause he was so close to the FIFA system and a former close ally of Blatter, who has said he will stand down when the election is held on February 26.

“This is not a good situation for Michel and I think it is good for Michel Platini not to be a candidate this time. He is still very young. His problem is that he does not seem to appreciate the seriousness of the corruption crisis at FIFA.”

Chung said that Blatter and Platini once had a “father and son” relationship even though the Frenchman has turned against the FIFA leader.

The South Korean football offi cial said it was time for the FIFA presi-dency to move away from Europe.

“If Europe had provided healthy and discerning leadership, would FIFA be in this kind of mess to-day? This is not a criticism but an appeal to you to think. The core is-sue of this election is whether the 40-year-old system of corruption should continue or not.”

The FIFA election campaign is already turning into a bitter aff air with allegations of behind-the-scenes dirty tricks.

Blatter alleged in a Dutch newspaper interview that Platini warned him he faced prison if he did not withdraw from the elec-tion for the head of the world body in May. Blatter won the vote but announced four days later that he would stand down.

Blatter told De Volkskrant that the warning was made to his brother. But German newspaper Die Welt said on Sunday that Blat-ter was behind the distribution of an article by a Swiss journalist which lambasted Platini. UEFA has written to FIFA calling for an investigation into the article. - AFP

Chung, who said that

Platini is too close

to Blatter’s legacy

and the ills that have

hit FIFA, vowed to

clean up the scandal-

tainted body in one

four-year term and

then stand down

The problem at FIFA

is that those mired

in corruption, the

only thing they are

interested in is hiding

the corruption

Chung Mong-JoonFormer Vice-President, FIFA

Messi, Tevez join Argentina for friendlies

BUENOS AIRES: Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who suff ered more disappointment with Ar-gentina in the Copa America last month, has been called up by national coach Gerardo Mar-tino for friendlies against Bo-livia and Mexico in September.

Argentina lost the Copa Amer-ica fi nal to Chile on penalties a year after falling in the World Cup fi nal to Germany. Carlos Tevez, who recently left Italian cham-pions Juventus to play at home for Boca Juniors, has also been named in the 24-man squad.

Team: Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman, Agustin Marchesin; Defenders: Pablo Zabale-ta, Facundo Roncaglia, Ezequiel Ga-ray, Nicolas Otamendi, Milton Casco, Marcos Rojo, Ramiro Funes Mori, Martin Demichelis; Midfi elders: Javi-er Mascherano, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Javier Pastore, Erik Lamela, Roberto Pereyra, Fernando Gago, An-gel Di Maria; Strikers: Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi. - AFP

F O O T B A L L

Millions of euros at stake in Champions League playoff sBERNE: Rank outsiders Skend-erbeu and distant Astana will line-up alongside traditional pow-ers such as Manchester United, Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen as the Champions League playoff s get under way with fi rst legs this week.

With millions of euros’ revenue, plus the prestige of a place in the group stage at stake, the playoff s often serve up more drama and tension than the group stage itself.

The outcome can also have a sig-nifi cant impact on the rest of the season for clubs who miss out on the group stage windfall.

Italy’s Napoli never really recov-ered last season from their defeat to Athletic Bilbao one year ago.

They eventually limped in fi fth in Serie A, well short of expecta-tions and outside the Champions League places, and coach Rafael Benitez left the club at the end of the season, although subsequently landed on his feet when he was ap-pointed by Real Madrid.

For teams such as former Eu-ropean champions Manchester United, who raked in 32 million euros ($35.54 million) from their last group stage appearance in 2013-14, getting through the play-off s is considered little more than an obligation.

Even so, with United still getting into their stride, their tie against Belgians Club Bruges is anything than a formality.

“Bruges are a good side, they reached the quarter-fi nals of the Europa League and fi nished sec-ond in the Belgian League last sea-son,” said Louis Van Gaal when the draw was made.

Two-season absenceVan Gaal’s side, absent from the group stage last term for the fi rst time in 19 seasons, are facing the uncertainties of the playoff round for the fi rst time since 2005, when they overcame Hungary’s Debre-cen 6-0 on aggregate.

United, who host the fi rst leg on Tuesday, have never been knocked out in the Champions League qualifying rounds and have won four of their side meetings against Belgian opponents.

Valencia, who have spent more than 100 million euros on trans-fers in the close season, host last season’s quarterfi nalists Monaco on Wednesday as they attempt to return to the group stage after a two-season absence.

In the other top tie, Italy’s Lazio, who have not played in the group stage since 2007-08, host Bundes-liga outfi t Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Sporting host CSKA Moscow on Tuesday in a repeat of the 2005 UEFA Cup fi nal which the Rus-sians won while Rapid Vienna, who stunned Ajax Amsterdam in the previous round, host group

stage regulars Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Skenderbeu, aiming to become the fi rst Albanian side to reach the group stage, host more expe-rienced Dinamo Zagreb, Croatian champions for the last 10 years on Wednesday.

Their hopes of a historic win lie largely on the shoulders of striker Hamdi Salihi who has scored fi ve goals in four qualifi ers this season.

Familiar facesKazakhstan could also be repre-sented for the fi rst time if Astana can overcame Cypriot champions APOEL, who must make a 7,000 kilometre round trip to Central Asia for the fi rst leg on Tuesday.

Scottish champions Celtic, Eu-ropean Cup winners in 1967, expe-rienced the full trauma of a playoff round defeat last season when they were beaten by Slovenian side Maribor.

They are at home to Swedish counterparts Malmo, European Cup fi nalists in 1979, who are at-tempting to reach the group stage for the second season in a row.

Champions League regulars FC Basel, Swiss champions for the last six seasons, face Maccabi Tel Aviv and BATE Borisov, who have also became familiar faces in the group stage with four appearances since 2008-09, are at home to Par-tizan in the other tie. - Reuters

M O R E D R A M A

F1 fails to attract viable new teams

LONDON: The US-based Haas team will be Formula One’s sole newcomers next season after an attempt by the sport’s governing body to attract fresh entrants failed to come up with any viable candidates.

An International Auto-mobile Federation (FIA) spokesman said on Monday that neither of the two appli-cants who had responded to an FIA tender had satisfi ed the criteria and the process was closed.

No details were given on the identity of the latest appli-cants. Formula One currently has 10 teams with Haas al-ready advanced in their prep-arations to join them in 2016 with Ferrari power units.

The FIA had launched a ten-der in May to try and attract more teams from the start of 2016 or 2017 at a time when some of the current entrants are facing an uncertain future.

The sport has not had 12 teams, and 24 cars, since the end of 2012. Of the three teams who joined in 2010, only Marussia remain de-spite missing the last three races of 2014 due to fi nancial problems and then coming out of administration by the skin of their teeth. - Reuters

S O L E N E W C O M E R

Cricket coaching resumes at Al Hail School of Cricket

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SPORTST U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

Le Guen’s Oman take on Yemen in friendly

MUSCAT: The Oman national football team, who are currently preparing for the forthcoming Asian Cup and World Cup quali-fi ers, will play a friendly match at home against neighbouring Yemen next week.

According to a press release is-

sued by the Oman Football Associa-tion (OFA) on Monday, the match is scheduled for August 28. The match, to be played at the Seeb Sports Sta-dium, will kick off at 7 pm.

After having began their cam-paign in the joint qualifi ers for the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asia Cup with an away 2-1 win over India, Oman will play their next Group D match at home against

Turkmenistan on September 3.The Group D also comprises

Guam and Iran. The team are scheduled to re-

sume training on August 24 ahead of Yemen friendly.

Earlier, team’s French coach Paul Le Guen had called up 24 probables for a three-week train-ing, which concluded early this month.

U16s for Gulf Cup Meanwhile, the OFA also informed that a 23-member national under-16 squad, accompanied by coach Ya-coub Al Sabahi, will leave for Doha on Tuesday to participate in the Gulf Cup Football Championship.

The GCC under-16 tournament will take take place in the Qatari capital city from August 20 to 29.

The Omanis begin their cam-paign against Kuwait on August 20 before completing their Group A engagements with a match against Bahrain on August 22. The Oman team comprises Yousef Al Sheyadi, Mohammed Al Shukaili, Nawaf Al Mujaini, Mohamed Al Khamisi, Isam Al Makhzoomi, Al Yaqdhan Al Meshefri, Mutasim Al Bakri, Yousef Al Malki, Yahya Al Hudaifi , Isalm Al Hinai, Said Al Siyabi, Naji Al Ghelani, Omar Al Mod-elwi, Moath Al Jahdhami, Najeeb Mahfoodh, Sultan Said, Mohamed Al Qaidi, Thamer Al Zaabi, Sanad Al Orimi, Mohamed Al Al Alawi, Haidar Al Ajmi, Abdullah Al Dar-maki and Mohamed Al Shekaili.

The match, being

played as part

of Oman team’s

preparations for the

forthcoming Asian

Cup and World Cup

qualifi ers, will be

played on August 28

GEARING UP: A fi le photo of Oman national football team. – OFA

GCC CHALLENGE: A File photo of Oman under-16 national team.

Foos heads for Oman after record breaking victory in FinlandMUSCAT: Germany’s Dominic Foos all but secured his place in the European Challenge Tour’s season-ending NBO Golf Classic Grand Final with record-breaking three-stroke victory in the Gant Open at Aura Golf Club in Finland.

The NBO Golf Classic Grand Final will take place here at the spectacular Almouj Golf at The Wave, Muscat from November 4 to 7, with only the top 45 players on the ‘Road to Oman Rankings’ eligible, and Foos put himself within a whisker of a guaranteed spot by becoming, at just 17 years and 347 days old, the youngest winner in Challenge Tour history.

The teenager, who won 14 jun-ior events prior to turning profes-sional and joining the Challenge Tour this year, led from start to fi nish and showed no hint of nerves as he obliterated the fi eld with a 14 under par winning total of 270 after fi ring four rounds in the 60s (65-69-69-67) to claim the winner’s cheque for €27,200 to move to 19th in the Road to Oman Rankings with €41,599 for the season.

“This is a very special win for me,” Foos, who is attached to The Els Club in Dubai and is coached under the watchful eye of Justin Parsons at the Butch Harmon School of Golf, said.

“I’m feeling great to have just won my fi rst ever professional win, and my dad just told me that I’m the youngest ever to win a Challenge Tour event, which is really amazing.

“I was very relaxed all day, I felt

really comfortable in general to-day. I think the mind-set doesn’t really change from day to day so it was the same as I’ve approached the week.

“Going wire-to-wire is maybe a little bit more diffi cult than fi nd-ing your best game in the third and fourth round but it’s special to be able to do it.

“It’s very special to share this with my father. We’ve had a cou-ple of victories together before, but we put in so much hard work and for him to be there next to me as my partner and caddie is even more special.

“My mum has been here walk-ing with me every hole, so it’s really something special having your parents here at your fi rst professional win. It’s a dream come true.”

Foos should now get the chance to write yet another chapter in his fairytale-like story when he takes his place in the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Muscat in November. Not only is there a share of the €375,000 prize fund up for grabs, and the chance to win the most prestigious title of the Challenge Tour season.

The top 15 players on the Road to Oman Rankings following the conclusion of the season-ending event will be promoted to play on next season’s European Tour.

Fans can now fi nd out every-thing they need to know about the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final by visiting the newly launched tournament website: www.nbo-golf.com

N B O G O L F C L A S S I C

SPECIAL WIN: German teenager Dominic Foos.

Man United riches not enough to sway RamosMADRID: Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos insisted he wasn’t motivated by money after ending speculation surrounding his fu-ture by signing a new fi ve-year deal with the club on Monday.

Ramos had been courted by Manchester United during a standoff in negotiations between his representatives and Madrid president Florentino Perez over the Spanish international’s sal-ary with his previous deal set to expire in 2017.

According to Spanish media re-

ports, Ramos will earn up to 10 mil-lion euros ($11.1 million) a season.

“The circumstances of the re-newal have made it drawn out but my head and heart have always been here,” said Ramos.

“It is clear and I can’t deny it that there were certain things I was uncomfortable with. I never said that I wanted to leave Madrid but I couldn’t continue like that.

“You can see the economic part is the last thing I mention, but there were things we needed to talk about. My happiness is here,

so why would I waste time some-where else.

“If it was an economic issue I wouldn’t have stayed. I could have made more money in another place, but there were other cir-cumstances that I had to fi x.”

United had hoped to lure Ramos to England with the backing of a £750 million ($1.3 billion) kit deal with Adidas and a record new Pre-mier League television rights deal to start in 2016.

The two clubs have been locked in transfer talks all summer with

Real still hopeful of landing Ra-mos’s international teammate Da-vid de Gea before the transfer win-dow closes at the end of the month.

Ramos is now Madrid’s longest serving player having signed from Sevilla 10 years ago as a 19-year-old and will be club captain for the fi rst time this season after Iker Casillas’s 18-year career at the Bernabeu came to an end when he joined Porto last month.

And Perez insisted Los Blancos needed Ramos more than ever in the post-Casillas era. “Sergio Ra-

mos has won everything, but just like Real Madrid he wants more, therefore we need him to maintain that desire,” he said.

Despite holding an unwanted record as the Madrid player to have seen most red cards in the history of the club with a stagger-ing 19 dismissals, Ramos is a hero amongst the Real support and is most fondly remembered for scor-ing the goal that saved Los Blan-cos from losing the 2014 Cham-pions League fi nal to local rivals Atletico Madrid. - AFP

E N D O F S P E C U L A T I O N

FIVE-YEAR DEAL: Real Madrid’s

captain Sergio Ramos speaks

during a press conference an-

nouncing his contract renewal

in Madrid on Monday. – AFP

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Musandam-Oman Sail crew stay calm to enjoy Rolex Fastnet Race

MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s MOD70 Musandam-Oman Sail crept over the start line of the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race as light winds slammed the brakes on the biggest and fastest racing fl eet ever to take part in the event.

Two days of breeze forecast ahead of the race prompted skip-pers to revise their race strate-gies and, while Musandam-Oman Sail’s skipper, Sidney Gavignet, was still focussed on doing well, his crew were fully prepared for a test of patience and tactical skills during the 600 nautical mile race from Cowes to Plymouth via the Fastnet Rock.

Gavignet said: “This is a famous race and the most important one of the year for us but the wind is very light so it will not be easy to repeat our success two years ago and win our class on corrected time. The wind will only pick up as we get to the fi nish which means all the small boats behind will catch up

but our aim is to work well togeth-er, stay calm and enjoy it because then we will do a nice job.

“Being very much focussed on learning and training on board Musandam-Oman Sail, it is more important for us to communicate and work well together, much more important than the result. If we have this approach rather than concentrate on the ranking we will do better.”

Fahad Al Hasni, one of three Omanis on board, along with Yassir Al Rahbi and Sami Al Shukaili, had studied the conditions ahead of the start of racing on Sunday morning.

“The conditions are tricky be-cause there is no wind, so we will stick to the shore to get some land breeze but it will not be easy be-cause the current is against us, so each time we move forward, we will be pushed back. It is very im-portant for us to do well because it is an international race and we are fl ying the fl ag for Oman,” he said.

Racing against three other tri-marans and Spindrift, the world’s fastest multihull, added extra motivation for the seven-strong Musandam-Oman Sail crew that also includes Spanish sailor Alex Pella and Irish off shore veteran Damian Foxall.

“This is the 90th edition of the Fastnet Race and we are back as previous class winners which adds to our sense of anticipation,” said Foxall. “We have some com-petition this year which is great – two other MOD70s, Prince de Bretagne and Spindrift. The light winds mean it will take two days to get to the rock which will make it tricky but it is fantastic to be here and amazing to see such a big fl eet. We want to be scratch boat and beat the rest of the multihull fl eet but in these light winds, the reality is anyone can win.”

Musandam-Oman Sail is ex-pected to arrive in Plymouth on Wednesday.

Two days of breeze

forecast ahead of the

race, Musandam-

Oman Sail crew were

fully prepared for a

test of patience and

tactical skills during

the 600 nautical mile

race from Cowes to

Plymouth via the

Fastnet Rock

FOCUSSED: Musandam-Oman Sail pictured at the start of the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race in Cowes. – Supplied photo

Gautam and Ashok win top honoursMUSCAT: Ashok Sardiwal and Gautam Mukherji took the top honours at the Pairs Bridge Tour-nament for the month of August or-ganised by Muscat Bridge League (MLB) at Ruwi Hotel recently.

The tournament saw participa-tion of 20 players where the ten pairs played a Full Howell, each pair playing three boards against every other pair. Ashok Sardiwal and Gautam Mukherji fi nished on top with an impressive 67.6 per-cent. They did not play to their true potential, though Ashok played a couple of hands very well.

Abdi Naff ar and Vishnu Mam-patta, who is leaving Oman after 31 years of stay, had a rocking start scoring 83 percent against the top pair but did not have a lot of luck thereafter. Their forte was being steady. Their score of 63.4 percent

could have won a tournament on another day.

Suhail Khan and Nitin Vaidya played a good game. One sacrifi ce bid of 7H against a cold 6S was a brilliant spot from Nitin. They, un-fortunately, did not play the pro-spective boards against the right opponents. They fi nished with an impressive 61.2 percent and fi n-ished in third place.

Seasoned partners Rita and Subodh Agarwal were only other pair to fi nish above 50 percent and they settled for fourth palce.

The prize for the best perform-ing pair with at least one lady in the pair — outside the place hold-ers — went to Devyani Sampat and Rashmi Kothari. Vishnu Mam-patta handed over the prizes. The next tournament is scheduled to be played in September.

B R I D G E

WINNERS: Ashok Sardiwal and Gautam Mukherji pose for a photo

after the prize-giving. – Supplied photo

FANJA SIGN IMAD AL HOSNIFanja Club, the eight-time league champions, roped

in international striker Imad Al Hosni. The signing

ceremony at Markaz Al Bahja recently in the presence

of Prashant Dutt, General Manager of Markaz Al Bahja,

who are also one of the sponsors of Fanja Club, and club

chairman Saif Al Sumri. Al Sumri said the 31-year-old

will play in Fanja’s season opener on August 21 against

Al Arouba in the Super Cup. — Supplied photo

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Australia’s rising tennis stars are fast earning a reputation as the new brats of the sport

with recent antics sparking sting-ing criticism and calls to change their ways. Bernard Tomic, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons, leaving Austral-ian media to ask on Monday: “Are the trio of stars losing the plot be-cause they are young, stupid or vic-tims of their own poor judgement?”

Kyrgios has been the chief cul-prit, picked up by on-court mi-crophones, sledging Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka with a comment linking ‘Kokkinakis’ with ‘your (Wawrinka’s) girl-friend” in at the Rogers Cup in Montreal last week that infuriated the Swiss star.

The 20-year-old Kyrgios was fi ned $12,500 by the ATP Tour, which launched an investigation into the remark which could result in further action against him.

He later apologised but not before his unsavoury comment sparked fi erce condemnation in the women’s game, led by WTA Tour chairman Stacey Allaster, tennis legend Martin Navratilova and commentator Pam Shriver.

“The statement made by Nick Kyrgios is crude and unaccepta-ble,” Allaster said, in comments echoed by Australian media.

“The problem with the type of venomous poison Nick Kyrgios spewed last week is that it spreads like a cancer, entangling and

embroiling others in its vitriol,” wrote The Australian newspaper’s Courtney Walsh.

He was referring to Kokkinakis almost coming to blows with Ryan Harrison in qualifying for the Cin-cinnati Masters at the weekend.

Kokkinakis was agitated by a pair of call overrules by the um-pire in 23-year-old Harrison’s fa-vour, pressing his complaints to annoy the American who railed about these “new age little kids”. “They are going to get hurt,” Har-rison said. “(Kokkinakis) is 19. If he wants to get into it, I will bury him. Wawrinka should have decked Kyrgios and I should deck that kid.”

‘Channel your inner Laver’ Kokkinakis has not been in trouble before and moved on Monday to distance himself from the Kyrgios controversy, slamming his friend for drawing him into it.

“I let him know. I made it pretty clear that he can’t be doing that. If he’s got a problem, he’s got to say it in private,” he told Austral-ian Associated Press of the brash Kyrgios, whose behaviour has met with outrage before. At Wimble-don this year, Kyrgios was accused of “tanking”, and he also argued with umpires and gave sarcastic answers at press conferences.

While some see his behaviour as petulant and disrespectful, others view his colourful antics as good for a sport in need of characters, although he is not the only Austral-ian to raise hackles.

Tomic, 22, has endured a turbu-lent career, and was most recently in the headlines over his arrest in Miami last month for failing to fol-low police orders over a raucous penthouse party.

It came on the eve of Aus-tralia’s ultimately successful Da-vis Cup quarterfi nal tie against Kazakhstan, from which Tomic was dumped after an earlier ti-rade against Australian tennis administrators.

While Australia boasts a rich history of quality players, includ-ing Rod Laver, Ken Rosewell, Pat Rafter and Margaret Court, Lley-ton Hewitt was also a loose cannon in his youth, once labelling match offi cials at the French Open “spas-tic”. He eventually matured and is now the elder statesman many feel could get the current young guns back on track, particularly in his new role as Kyrgios’s coach and mentor. As Shriver said in comments reported by Australian media after the Kyrgios and Kok-kinakis fi ascos: “Channel your in-ner Laver, Rosewell (Tony) Roche, Rafter. Bring the class again.” - AFP

Bernard Tomic, Nick

Kyrgios and Thanasi

Kokkinakis have been

making headlines

for all the wrong

reasons, leaving

Australian media to

ask on Monday: “Are

the trio of stars losing

the plot because they

are young, stupid or

victims of their own

poor judgement?”

STUPID TRIO: Thanasi Kokkinakis, Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios. – Agencies

CRUDE AND UNACCEPTABLE: This fi le photo taken on July 6, 2015 shows Australia’s Nick Kyrgios talking to the chair umpire about a line

call in a point against France’s Richard Gasquet during their men’s singles fourth round match at the Wimbledon Championships at the

All England Club in Wimbledon. – AFP

COLOURFUL CHARACTERS OR JUST NEW BRATS OF SPORT!

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

DiningSECTIONC L I F E STY L E T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

When I was growing up, anytime my mother needed to come

up with something special to serve vegetarian guests, cot-

tage cheese was sure to be on the menu. Popularly known in

India as paneer, the taste of my mother’s freshly homemade

cheese still lingers in my mind and on my tastebuds. Availa-

ble in several varieties, there are many yummy ways you can

prepare it. Throughout my cooking life I have used this great

ingredient in classic preparations and new recipes. One of

my favourites, paneer kebab, makes me nostalgic as it brings

back some of my fondest childhood food memories; the very

sight of my crunchy cottage cheese balls puts me in the mood

to have a casual party; and, inspired by this crumbly, mild

fromage, the third recipe this week in my interpretation of

spicy enchiladas.

LIFESTYLEC8 T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

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OGR

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BIN

E

PallaviNigam

Pallavi Nigam completed her

culinary education at ICIF in Italy

and worked as a chef for Grand

Hyatt, Mumbai. She is now based

in Muscat where she writes recipes

and takes cooking classes.

Contact her:

pallavi_nigam@hotmail.com

twitter @pallavizzao

pallavizza.com

To eat good looking, vibrantly green leafy vegetables, you don’t have to

cook them as soon as you get back from the market, and once cooked, they

need not loose their emerald hue either. With a little care in the kitchen you

can keep your greens looking super fresh and green. By Hubert Vaz

Keep your greens fresh

1 When buying greens (spinach, lettuce, celery, spring onions, cori-ander, mint, other leafy vegetables), make sure that the leaves are not shredded or badly torn at the edg-es and the stems have not started turning brown.

2 Never wash greens before storing, that’s the sure way to get them rot-ting. Wash them only just before use.

3 Don’t chop off roots, but do re-move any stems or leaves that have begun drying up if they are tucked within the bunch. Fresh leaves like the company of fresh leaves.4 Wrap the big leaves in a paper

towel and roll them loosely together. For coriander/mint/curry leaves, pluck out tender stalks with leaves and place them in an air-tight plas-tic box with a paper towel under-neath and two paper towels above, before covering the lid. Be sure, they’ll remain totally fresh for well over a week.

5 Add a little sugar to your simmer-ing greens to retain crisp texture and green colour.

6 When leaves begin to rot, chop off the soggy stems and soggy por-tions of leaves; then coarsely chop up the rest and place in an air-tight

container with paper towels below and above.

7 For bright green purees, blanch your greens in hot water for less than a minute, then transfer to a bowl of cold water to cool before blending with a little cold water.

8 Always simmer, never boil greens over a high fl ame.

Struggling with a kitchen

calamity of your own? Want

advice? Share your horror stories

and your cooking tips with

swati@timesofoman.com

Cruising 20,000km to unveil local Indian recipes: Chef Saransh

Ever heard of chocolate pakoras, fruit biryani, blue-berry pedas or tofu koftas? Rewind to August 6, 2012. At around 5am, when a majority of Indians were asleep, Chef Saransh Goila embarked on a 20,000-km journey across 60 cities to experience the true Indian culture and food to reinvent the local food and pen his experiences.

The outcome, India on My Platter (Om Books/Rs295/pp 320), is a travelogue of Chef Goila’s journey across 25 Indian states, covering the length and breadth of the coun-try, to unveil some of the most interesting recipes and cultures.

“When one thinks about Indian food, there are very restricted images of a curry, or a biryani in people’s heads. Through my book, one can see that in a diverse country like ours, there is more to Indian food than a curry,” the 28-year-old Goila told. The idea is to promote Indian art, culture and food, all through one travelogue, he added.

Indian restaurant chain in Scotland up for saleThe biggest chain of Indian restaurants in Scotland, Ashoka, is up for sale after a slowdown in curry consumption and people preferring cheaper eating houses, a report said on Sunday. The Indian-descent owner of the chain, Sanjay Majhu, 48, has sold four of the 14 restaurants last year, in-cluding Ashoka West End in Argyle Street, Glasgow.

“It is getting harder. I do not see myself expanding into Indian restaurants any more. People like go-ing to cheap restaurants,” Scotland’s Daily Record newspaper quoted Majhu as saying.

Food waste con-taining meat more harmful to earthWasting food that con-tains meat has a greater impact on the environ-ment than vegetarian food, says a study.

This is because sig-nifi cantly more energy is used in the production of meat compared to the production of vegetables, researchers said, though on average less meat is wasted compared to fruits and vegetables.

This wasted energy is usually in the form of resources that can have negative impact on the surrounding environment such as diesel fuel or ferti-lizer being released into the environment. IANS

KITCHENCALAMITIES

COTTAGE CHEESEENCHILADAS

Ingredients• 1 tortilla wrap • 1/2 chopped onion• 1 clove of garlic, fi nely

chopped• 1 red chilli, chopped• 1/2 capsicum, fi nely chopped• 1/2 can of beans with

tomato sauce• 3 tbsp of crumbled

cottage cheese• 2tbsp tomato sauce • 1tbsp mozzarella cheese• Salt and pepper

Preparation• Heat a pan, add 1tbsp of oil,

add onion, garlic, capsicum, and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

• Stir in the canned beans along with its sauce. Mix properly. Adjust the season-ing and the stuffi ng is ready.

• Heat a tortilla in a pan, place the stuffi ng at the centre, top it with some crumbled cot-tage cheese. Close the wrap.

• Place it on a baking dish, spread the tomato sauce on top of it and also some moz-zarella cheese.

• Place it inside the oven till cheese on the top bubbles. Serve hot with fresh avocado.

CRISPY COTTAGE CHEESE BALLSWITH SPICY SALSA

Ingredients• 250g, grated cottage cheese • 1 onion, chopped• 2 garlic cloves, chopped• 2tbsp parsley, chopped • 1 green chilli, chopped • 2tbsp Parmesan cheese • 2tbsp mozzarella cheese • 100g cornfl akes, crushed • 3 eggs, whisked• 2tbsp, fl our • Salt and pepper• Oil to fry

For the salsa• 1/2 onion, fi nely chopped • 1/2 tomato, fi nely chopped• 1 chilli, fi nely chopped • 1/2 tbsp coriander, fi nely

chopped • 2tbsp Tabasco sauce • 3tbsp tomato ketchup • 1 tbsp water

Preparation• In a pan, heat oil, add

chopped onion, sauté for 2-3 minutes, add chopped garlic, parsley, green chilli.

• In a bowl, put the grated cheese, add the prepared mixture, and adjust the sea-soning. Also add the Parme-san and mozzarella cheese. Mix properly.

• Make golf size balls of this mixture. First roll them in fl our, then dip into the whisked egg, and then coat with the corn fl akes.

• After preparing all of them, deep fry them. Serve hot with the spicy salsa.

• To make the spicy salsa, just mix all the ingredients in a bowl, adjust the seasoning.

PANEER SHASHLIK

Ingredients• 500g, cottage cheese cut in cubes• 1 red bell pepper cut in squares• 1 capsicum cut in squares• 2 onions cut in squares• 1tbsp oil• 1tsp chat masala powder• 1tbsp ginger paste• 1tbsp garlic paste• 1/2 cup yoghurt• 1tbsp red chilli powder• Salt to taste• 1tbsp garam masala powder,

to fi nish

Preparation• In a bowl, combine all the

ingredients and toss to com-bine. Let marinate for at least one hour.

• Thread the cubes of cheese, bell pepper, capsicum, and onion onto a skewer. Cook over medium high heat on a griddle pan or on a grill un-til slightly charred on edges, turning and basting with oil.

• Sprinkle with chaat masala and serve hot.

BR I E FS

PHOT

O: W

IRES

LIFESTYLEC9T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

DELIGHTSBITTER

SO-CALLED BITTER VEGETABLES, like bittergourd

(karela), bitter beans (Lima beans or waal), and fenugreek

leaves (methi), are often dismissed from dining tables

and dinner menus because they are thought to be

unpalatably bitter. While the vegetables do have

a natural bitter bite, when cooked properly with

ingredients like tamarind, sweet jaggery,

coconut milk, and fi ery chillies, which lend

balancing sweet, sour, and spicy fl avours,

they are transformed into savoury delicacies.

PHOTO COURTESY: O. K. MOHAMMED ALI AND ALI JANI

SWEET AND SOUR BITTERGOURD

Ingredients• Two medium-size bitter gourds (about 6-7 inches long)• 4 cloves of garlic (minced)• 1-inch piece ginger ( julienned)• Juice of a one-inch size ball of tamarind• 1tsp red chilli powder• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder• 5tsp grated jaggery• 2tbsp raw rice• 1tsp methi (fenugreek) seeds• 2-3 tsp cooking oil • 1tsp mustard seeds• 5-6 curry leaves• 2 green chillies (slit)

Preparation Wash and cut the bittergourd into rings. Remove the tips at both ends and the seeds within the rings and discard. Soak the rings in a bowl of water for about 10 minutes and discard the water.

Roast the raw rice and fenugreek seeds together and grind them into a fi ne powder. Set aside.

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the bittergourd rings, ginger, garlic, red chilli powder, turmeric, tamarind juice, jaggery, and 1/2 tsp salt. Continue boiling until the bitter gourd rings are tender, for about 15 minutes. Reduce the fl ame, skimming and discarding any froth that has formed from the rim of the pan. Add the ground rice and fenugreek powder, mixing well. Simmer over low heat for 2-3 min-utes until slightly thickened.

In a small sauté pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies. Sauté just until fragrant; add to the bitter gourd pan, mix and serve.

FIERYFENUGREEK

Ingredients• 2tbsp cooking oil • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds• 5-6 curry leaves• 1 small onion (minced)• Half-inch piece of ginger ( julienned)• 2 cloves of garlic ( julienned)• 2 medium-sized tomatoes (chopped fi ne)• 2 green chillies (slit)• 1 tsp red chilli powder• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder• Two small bunches of medium sized Fenugreek leaves

(or six small bunches of tiny fenugreek leaves, washed and coarsely chopped)

• 2 tsp tamarind paste• 4 tsp sugar (or grated jaggery)• Salt to taste

PreparationHeat oil over medium and add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds splutters, turn the heat down to low and add curry leaves, onion, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, green chillies and sauté for 2 minutes.

Add chilli powder and turmeric, followed by the fenugreek leaves, and sauté for one minute. Add tamarind paste, sugar, a pinch of salt, and one cup of water; mix well.

Cover and cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes, until the gravy thickens. Serve hot with chapatti.

TANGY COCONUT BITTER BEANS Ingredients• 1 cup of bitter beans (lima beans), soaked overnight• 2 tbsp cooking oil• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds • 1 small onion (sliced)• 1/2 inch size ginger (minced)• 3 garlic cloves (minced)• 3 green chillies (slit)• 6-8 curry leaves• 1 medium tomato (sliced)• 1/2 tsp chilli powder• 1/2 tsp coriander powder• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder• 2 tsp grated jaggery• 1/2 cup thick coconut milk• Juice of one-inch sized ball of tamarind• 5-6 stalks of coriander leaves, chopped

PreparationDrain the soaked bitter beans and place them in a dry cloth to sprout for 2-3 hours. Rinse with warm to hot water and peel off the skins. Set aside.

Heat oil in a deep pot over medium heat; add mustard, and when it splutters add the cumin seeds, onion, ginger, garlic, green chillies, curry leaves and sauté for 2 minutes. When the onion becomes pink, add the tomatoes, chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder and sauté for 2 more minutes. Add the bitter beans and jaggery and mix lightly.

Add one cup of water and the coconut milk; simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the tamarind juice and simmer for 2 minutes more.

Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with steamed rice or chapatti.

BY HUBERT VAZ

FIND-IT-ALLC10 T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

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Muscat Region

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HOSPITALS

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SHATTI

Fantastic Four (2D)(Action)(PG12)Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan1:15, 5:45, 9:45, 11:45 pmMission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2D)(Action, Adventure) (PG12)Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy 3:15, 9:00, 11:30 pm Mr. Holmes (Crime, Drama)(PG)Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki Sanada3:00, 7:45 pmVacation (Adventure, Comedy)(18+)Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo1:00, 5:00, 7:00 pmThe Diabolical (Horror, Sci-fi)(15+)Cast: Wilmer Calderon, Kurt Carley, Merrin Dungey5:00, 11:45 pmShad Agzaa (Drama, Action))(15+)Cast: Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir6:45 pmINSIDE OUT (Animation)(3D) PGVoice Overs: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis1:00, 3:00 pmBAJRANGI BHAIJAAN (Drama)(PG)Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor 8:45 PM

MUSCAT GRAND MALLFantastic Four 2D (Action, Sci-Fi ) (PG12)Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael Jordan12:15, 9:45 & 11:45PMGold Class: 2:45, 9:15 & 11:15PMMr. Holmes 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG)11:15PM & 2:15PMGold Class : 12:45PMBrothers2D (Action, Drama) (TBC )6:45PMThe Diabolical 2D (Horror, Sci-Fi ) (15+)

Cast: Wilmer Calderon, Kurt Carley, Merrin 10:15PMVacation 2D (Adventure, Comedy) (18+)Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo 10:15AM, 5:15PMGold Class: 4:45PMInside Out 3D (Animation) (PG)1:15, 3:15PMMission: Impossible - Rogue Nation4:15 & 11:55PM; 2D (PG12)Gold Class: 6:45PMBajrangi Bhaijaan (2D) ( Action ) (PG)7:15PM

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Cast - Hansika Motwani, TR Silambarasan 9:00 PMInside Out – 3D (PG) Animation11:30 am, 1:20 pmThe Diabolical – 2D (15+) Horror, Sci-Fi, 11:55 PMLove 24x7 – 2D (PG) Romantic, Comedy Cast - Dileep and Nikhila Vimal6:20 PMMr. Holmes – 2D (PG) Crime, Drama, Mystery 3:15 PMMission: Impossible - Rogue Nation – 2D5:00, 9:30, 11:55 PM(PG12)Brothers – 2D (TBC) Action, Drama12:30, 3:30, 8:45, 11:40 PMFantastic Four – 2D (PG12) (Action)1:00, 3:00, 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 pmBajrangi Bhaijaan - 2D (PG) (Drama, Action)6:30 PM

RUWISCREEN 1Brothers (Drama/ Sports) – TBCCast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth Malhotra3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PMSCREEN 2Drishyam (Thriller/Drama ) – PG12

3.45, 9.45 PMBajrangi Bhaijaan (Action/Drama ) – PG6.45 PMSCREEN 3Baahubali: The Beginning (Act ) – 12+3.45, 6.45 PMDekh Magar Pyaar Se - Urdu (Comedy) – PG9.45 PM

SOHARBajrangi Bhaijaan - 2D (PG) Drama, Action4:00 PMMission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - 2D (PG12) Action; 3:55, 9:05, 11:55 PMInside Out - 3D (PG) Animation 2:10, 4:00 PMFantastic Four-2D (PG12) (Action )2:00, 7:45, 9:45, 11:45 PMVacation- 2D (18+)Adventure, Comedy 6:00, 8:15 PMMr. Holmes - 2D (PG) Crime, Drama, Mystery 2:00, 7:00 PMInto the Grizzly Maze- 2D (15+) Action, Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, James Marsden 10:00 PMThe Diabolical - 2D (15+) Horror, Sci-Fi, 2:10, 11:45 PMShad Agza - 2D (Arb) (15+) Drama, Action

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BURAIMIFantastic Four -2D (PG12) (Action) 5:30, 9:30, 11:30PMMission Impossible: Rogue Nation - 2D3:00, 8:45, 11:45PM (Action) (PG12)Inside Out - 3D (Animation, Comedy) (PG)3:00PMVacation – 2D (Comedy, Adventure) (18+)5:15, 7:00PMMr Holmes– 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG), 7:30PMThe Diabolical – 2D (Horror, Thriller) (TBC)7:30PMBrothers – 2D (Drama, Sport) (PG)7:15, 11:15PMVaalu – 2D (Action, Comedy) (PG)4:30PMCast: Silambarasan, Hansika Motwani, N.Santhanam

SURFantastic Four (Action|Sci - Fi) (PG12) 4:00, 10:00, 11:55 PMMission Impossible - Rogue Nation 5:50, 8:45 PM (Action) (PG12)Brothers (Hindi) (Thriller) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth11:15 PMVacation ( Adventure / Comedy) (18+)8:15 PMInside Out (3D) (Animation) (PG) 5:15 PMThe Daibolical (Horror / Sci-Fi) (15+) 7:15 PM

SALALAH

Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation (2D) 2:00, 9:15, 11:45PM (PG12) Ant-Man (3D)(PG12) (Action/Sci-Fi ) 12:00PMInside Out (3D)(PG) (Animation/Comedy) 10:00AMFantastic Four (2D)(PG12) (Action) 12:00, 7:15, 10:05, 11:55PMCast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. JordanBajrangi Bhaijaan (2D) (PG) (Drama/Action) 7:15PMVacation (2D) (18+) (Adventure/Comedy) Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo11:30AM, 8:15PMShad Agza (2D)(15+)(Arabic) (Drama/Action) Cast: Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir Ghanem, Yasser Galal and Sabry6:15PMMr. Holmes (2D)(PG) (Crime/Drama/Mystery) Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki Sanada10:00AM, 5:15 PMDekh Magar Pyaar Say (2D)(PG)(Urdu) (Comedy/Romance) Cast: Humaima Malik, Amna Ilyas, Sikander1:15 PMAWOL-72 (2D)(12+) (Thriller) Cast: Luke Goss, RZA, Bokeem Woodbine10:00AM, 10:00PMBrothers (2D)(TBC) (Action/Drama) 4:30, 11:30PMSrimanthudu (2D)(PG) (Action) 2:15PMVaalu (2D)(PG) (Action/Comedy/Romance) 3:30PM

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

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 2D (Action, Adventure, Thriller) (PG12)Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy5.00, 9.30 & 11.55 pmCP No: 1953 (PG12)Vacation (Comedy / Adventure)Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Appligate, Skyler Gisondo1.30, 4.00 & 7.30 pmCP No: 2027 ( 18+)Awol - 72 (Action)Cast: Luke Goss, LouiseMandylor, RZA11.30 a.m. 3.30 & 11.55 pmCP No: 2026 (12+)Brothers (Hindi )( Thriller )Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shrof, Sidharth Malhotra1.00, 6.00 & 9.00 pmCP No: 2028 (PG)The Night Crew (Action/Thriller) Cast: Danny Trejo, Jason Mewes, Luke Goss11.30 a.m.; CP No: 1886 (15+)

STAR CINEMAFilm information 24791641 / 24786776Website: www.isurf.co.omSrimanthudu (Telugu ) ( Act )Cast: Mahesh Babu & Shruthi Hassan3-00 pm Cinema MainBrothers ( Hindi ) (Act )Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sidahrth Malhotra 6:30, 9:30 pm Cinema -2Love 24x7 ( Mal ) ( Com )Cast: Dileep, Anjali & Suhasini3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm at Cinema- 3Vasuvum Saravananum ( Tamil ) ( Com )Cast: Arya, Tamanna & Santhanam3-30 pm at Cinema-2; 6-30 & 9-30pm Cinema MainVallu (Tamil) (Rom\Com ) From Friday Cast: Silambarasan & Hansika 3-45, 6:45 & 9-45 pm at Cinema-4NEXT CHANGE: Madura Naranga (Mal) Kick 2 (Telugu )Programmes are subject to change

1:15, 5:45, 9:45, 11:45 pm 3:45 pm 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

@MGM @SHATTI @SOHAR @RUWI

FANTASTIC FOUR (Action)(PG12)Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan

11:15PM & 2:15PMGold Class : 12:45PM

Mr. Holmes 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG)Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki

Love 24x7 - 2D (M) (TBC) Romantic, ComedyCast: Dileep, Anjali & Suhasini

Brothers (Drama/ Sports) – TBCCast: Akshay Kumar, Sidharth Malhotra, Jackie Shroff

LIFESTYLEC11T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

Tom Yum SoupWith Executive Chef Prasanna Amarasinghe, Holiday Inn Muscat

CHEF’SRECIPE

INGREDIENTS• 1 litre (2 pints) chicken stock• 300ml (11fl oz) water• 6 sticks lemongrass, lightly

crushed• 4 fresh coriander roots,

crushed• 110g (4oz) fresh galangal,

peeled and sliced • 8 tomatoes, cut into quarters,

seeds removed• 6 kaffi r lime leaves• 1-2 limes, juice only• 75ml (3fl oz) tamarind water

(To prepare, soak tamarind in hot water and push the pulp through a sieve; discard solids)

• 3 red chillies, thinly sliced• 75ml (3fl oz) fi sh sauce (nam

pla), or to taste• 75g (3oz) palm sugar

*substitute brown sugar if unavailable

• 12 raw tiger prawns, shelled, deveined, and split in half

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks

TO SERVE• Fresh coriander leaves• Fresh Thai basil, leaves • Lime wedges

PREPARATION• Bring the stock and water to

a boil in a large pan over a high heat.

• Add lemongrass, coriander roots, galangal, tomatoes, lime leaves, lime juice, tamarind water, and red chillies. Return to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes.

• Taste the stock and add fi sh sauce and palm sugar to taste (you want a nice salty-sour-hot-sweet combination)

• Remove from the heat and set aside.

• Transfer 220ml (8fl oz) of the stock into a separate pan set over a high heat and bring

to a boil. • Add the chicken and cook

for 1-2 minutes, then add the prawns and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and beginning to curl and the chicken is completely cooked through.

• To serve, pour the chicken and prawn soup mixture into two bowls and top with the remaining hot stock. Garnish with Thai basil, coriander leaves, and a wedge of lime.

I N T H E N E W S

NEW DELHI, CALIFORNIA PISTACHIOS — also called the “smiling nut” are no stranger to most foodies — one of the best antioxidants and a popular ingre-dient in desserts.

Add nutrients, not weight, with California pistachios in your sweet treats and main course, Corporate Chef Olivier Vincenot said at a live demo as he whipped up yummy de-serts here.

“The unique fl avour of pista-chios can create wonder if adds to something else and not neces-sarily eaten by themselves,” Vin-cenot told IANS at the demo at the Foodhall at DLF Saket with collaboration of American Pista-chio Growers.

Not for nothing is pista ice cream something that my sweet tooth always craves for!

These terribly “dil maange more” nuts taste amazingly good in roasted, salted and crushed

form. The kennel is nutty, yet pleasantly unique in taste with a fruity aroma.

It complements well with al-most all sweets and desserts as in pista roll and pista kulfi being the more popular ones.

Chef Vincenot surprised all with his lip-smacking recipes. His innovative style and culinary magic transforms the pistachios to a mainstream must-have. The health benefi ts of pistachios have encouraged him to explore the nut ad infi nitum.

For instance, for the fi nger-licking appetiser — pistachio hummus — he twisted the Medi-terranean dip with a pistachio touch to make it best served with lightly-fl avoured chips. Its mild fl avour and attractive green col-our made it very tempting.

He also served up a pistachio blancmange, a chilled dessert combined with milk. -IANS

Twist the ‘smiling nut’ into delicacies

Phot

ogra

phy

by V

enec

io D

atan

C12 T U E S DAY, AU G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

ONE

INGREDIENT

FIVE WAYS

NGREDIENT

FIVFIVFIVF E WE WEEAYS

Sliceripe tomatoes, drizzle

with olive oil, and sprin-kle with salt and pepper. Serve with sliced mozza-rella and fresh basil for a

classic caprese salad.

Gratea very ripe tomato,

spread on a toast or a baguette, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Roastcherry tomatoes and

preserve them in olive oil with little garlic.

Serve with pasta or on bruschetta.

This fabulous sweet-tart fruit

is a star ingredient in salads,

sauces, and dips

Tomato

Chopfresh or canned toma-

toes, jalapeno, onion, and cilantro. Combine and

add a squeeze lime and a pinch of salt. Serve with

tortilla chips or on grilled fi sh.

Tosschopped fresh tomatoes with basil and oregano, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sauté

over medium heat until the mixture reaches the

consistency of a thick sauce. Serve immedi-

ately over pasta, chicken, or as pizza sauce.

s

LIFESTYLE

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

CONNECT H E D A I LY G U I D E

D

D4 VACANCY CARGO D7

T U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

RENT D2

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifi eds@timesofoman.comTel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

3BR villa, sitting, dining & hall,

Azaiba behind Al Meera H- Market.

Contact: 99259977 / 95033008

1BHK, Darsait, walking distance to

ISM , neat and clean building, ground

fl oor, OMR 260/- per month rent

Call IQRAR on 99076557

1 warehouse 400 sqm 3 fl ats 2 BHK

near Ghala Church, top of Majan Hy-

permarket, Ghala. Contact 95928800

/ 99823677

Full fl edge workshop/warehouse &

yard with tools for rent/sales. Also

5 nos. Volvo/ Mercedes/ Man/Put-

smiester concrete pump 2004/2005

model for sale. Contact 93681107 /

96051565

4 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4

bathrooms in Darsait, behind Khimji

Mart. Contact 92584715 / 24700120

Flat for rent in Amerat.

Contact 99209264

4 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4

bathrooms in Darsait behind Khimjis

mart. Contact: 24700120 / 92584715

Flat for rent in Al-Hail near the Al-

Hail Hypermarket, consists of room,

sitting room, 1 bathroom, kitchen,

parking, balcony. Its new & good

fl at at very good location. Contact

93214010 / 92602050

Flat for rent 3 bedroom & 1 setting

room at al Ghubrah North near In-

dian School (hot pargur restaurant)

with split a/c. Contact 99766103

Single & double bedroom with

toilets at Ghala Industrial area, Coco

cola road (for family/ Exec bach-

elors). Interested parties contact on

92854747

5 BHK villa for Rent in Azaiba near

Sultan Centre. Contact 99792181

40,000 Sqr mtrs Open Land for Rent

in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181

Brand new 2 BHK fl ats/offi ces for

rent behind Honda Road.

Contact 91165807

Flat in Al Khuwair 3 rooms + Majlis

ground fl oor. Contact: 99242119

Flat 2bedrooms+majlis in Ghubra.

Contact:99242119

1BHK R.O 185 + 2BHK R.O 230 before

Medical Darsait, Muttrah House.

Contact: 98748925

840 sqr mtrs Store & Staff accom-

modation for Rent in Misfah.

Contact 99792181

Flat for rent near Al Nahdha Hospi-

tal in Hamriya. Contact: 97380548 /

99680499

D2 T U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

3 bedroom fl at with 3 attached toi-

lets, split A/C, brand Kims Hospital.

Contact: 95225662

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Mis-

fah Industrial area near to Khanco.

OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity

and boundary wall. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

Spacious 2 BR fl at in MBD.

Contact 99713489

Big fl at for rent in Al Khuwair, nr.

Ibis Hotel. Contact 95724975

Brand new 3BHK apartment on 5th

fl oor at Qurum, PDO gate 2, master

bedroom with en-suite (shower) with

balcony, 2 bedrooms with bath, guest

washroom with shower, laundry

room, luxury fl oorings with A/Cs.

Other amenities in the building: Gym,

multi purpose room & children’s play

area. Contact 24564460 / 97610908

Flat for rent 2BR at Wadi Adai.

Contact 94643380

DAILY GUIDE

Fully furnished 3 BHK accommo-

dation with all spacious rooms in a

villa at Darsait near ISD.

Contact: 9526 5289 / 9604 8422

A fl at for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 2

rooms and sitting room and all the

necessary things. Contact:92277419

2BHK with A/Cs Muttrah, near

Oman House. Contact: 95915154

A fully equipped. Well running fab-

rication/carpentry workshop / store

(area 1800 sq.ft) at Barka Industrial

area, close to main road, with all

facilities such as Portacabin, Labour

camp for about 20 staff .

Contact 95120404,

Email : elmechoman@gmail.com

3 BHK, 3 bathrooms, 2 balcony,

nr. Al Hassan W/Kabir RO 330/-.

Contact :99384640

Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8

bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with parking

area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact 99366624

3 Bedroom fl at with 3 attached

toilets, split A/C, brand new avail-

able, behind Kims Hospital. Contact

95225662

3 BHK fl at for rent in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

2 BHK villa for rent in Azaiba, near

Sultan Centre. Contact 99792181

3 & 4 BHK villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new fl at available

at Mabela in front of Modern English

School Contact: 96239126

2 BHK fl at in Azaiba. Contact 99792181

1 & 2BHK fl at in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

250 sq mtrs offi ce space (show-

room) in CBD. Contact 99792181

Flats shops & stores for rent at

Al Amerat. Contact: 96278724

Villa 2 bedrooms + hall + sitting

room in Al Hail South R.O 300/-

Monthly. Contact: 93993354

2 BHK near CBD & Star Cinema,

Muttrah. Contact 99233116

Shop/ offi ce near CBD & Star

Cinema, Muttrah. Contact 99233116

I BHK Flat -4 Nos at Hamriya – R.O.

200/- . 2 BHK - 2 Nos / 1 BHK- 2 Nos,

at Wattayya R/A near the mosque- for

Families. # 96457757 - 9 am to 7 Pm.

Shop at Azaiba. Contact 99024730

Fully furnished 2 bedroom luxury

fl at for rent at Ghala for short or

long term basis.

Contact 91786526 / 99881653

1 & two bedroom fl ats available for

rent in wadi-kabir (opp: pencil bldg),

ideal for company staff / families -

bulk corporate deal possible.

Contact 97677170

3bed room well maintained fl at

(villa type only 2 fl ats in one bldg)

in Al Khuwair behind Al Akhtam

Restaurant, Villa no 1839,

Way No 3922, block No 239.

Contact: 99253125

1 BHK, 2 BHK & shop at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99024730

2 BHK, 3BHK at Qurum.

Contact 99024730

1 BHK Flat in Honda Road (Ruwi).

Contact 99792181

1 & 2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

1 BHK, 2 BHK at Al Khuwair.

Contact 99024730

2BHK & 1BHK fl ats available

in Darsait. Contact : 99357586 /

97500025

3 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

Flats for rent at Darsait near to

Ministry of Sports.

Interested candidates please

Contact : 00968-92225523

4 & 5 BHK villa for rent in

Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181

3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact 99792181

3BHK Flats & 6BHK Villa in Azaibah.

Contact : 96775026

1 BR fl at at Darsait, near ISM.

Contact 99237971 / 99320633

250 sq mtrs restaurant for rent in

Plaza Hotel, Walja Ruwi.

Contact 99326339

2 B/R res./comm. Flat directly from

owner near Oman Medical College

Bausher. Contact 92158031

Readymade offi ce space for rent

(100sm) in Bank Melli Iran building,

MBA area Ruwi opposite Center

Point. Contact: 99011352

Furnished room for rent at

Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975

Flats for rent in Al Khuwair, Al hail,

Wadi Kabir, Al Falaj, MBD, and Mut-

trah. Contact: 99119699 / 95250300

/ 24813002

DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 D3

FOR SALEMOTOR VEHICLE FOR SALE

Jaguar 2004, X-type Expat driven

dealer maintained 1,66,000 km, RO

1900, immediate sale.

Contact 99370565 / 97097545

Hummer H3,2006, Expat driven

dealer maintained 1,70,000 km,

RO 3900, immediate sale. Contact

99370565 / 97097545

Grand Cherokee, 1996 well

maintained 70, 000 km only.

Contact: 99869897

Honda Accord, 2010, No. 1, 105000

kms, expat lady driven, dealer

maintained, silver, expected price

RO 4700/-. Contact 99330509

Mazda 3,1.6, 2008 Automatic,

accident free, single owner.

Contact: 92030516

Land Cruiser 2012.Contact

99336093

Prado ,2012. Contact :

99336093

Sportage, 2013. Contact

99336093

Nissan Altima 2.5S, 2008 Model,

Metallic Gold Colour, Excellent con-

dition, self driven by diplomat, only

65, 000 k.m run, available for imme-

diate delivery, Contact 99251286.

PAJERO 2015 km1400.

Contact 99336093

Hyundai Elantra 2012 1.8 top model

3800RO GSM 99883832

ACC. AVAILABLE

ACC. AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

FOR EXPATS

Family sharing accommodate at

Honda road 2 rooms, bathrooms,

sharing kitchen for Indians only

R.O 150. Contact: 99519161

Room attached bath & kitchen Exec-

utive bachelor or couple, opp. Khimji

Mart Muttrah. Contact 97477670

Single rooms with attached bath

available at Ruwi.

Contact 98049288 / 93431089

Furnished room available in Ruwi.

Contact 92435784

Large room with separate entrance,

furnished at Wadi Kabir. #99336206

Fully Furnished studio immediately

available for couple in N.Azaiba.

Contact 95450249

Independent rooms in Qurum /

AL Hail. Contact 95529970

Single room with attached bathroom

for an Executive bachelor at Rex

road Ruwi. Contact: 99535300

Furnished room with attached bath

separate entrance in Mabela.

Contact :99634841

Sharing accommodation in CBD

area for non cooking Executive

bachelors, wifi free, advance deposit.

Contact 91852710

Sharing accommodation available

for working lady or couples near

Ruwi Church. Contact: 92837206

Room attached toilet and kitchen

near Indian School Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95345537

Room for rent with sharing

bathroom & kitchen at Al Khuwair,

behind Golden Spoon Restaurant.

Contact 92994415

Room for rent in a fl at for Execu-

tive bachelor at Azaiba behind Al

Meera Hypermarket Azaiba with

attached bath with cot & A/C, rent RO

175/- per month including water &

electricity. # 96404166 / 97433992

*Classifi ed Advertisement space booking

with text, should be done till 12.00 noon

for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting,

Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crock-

ery, Glassware, Chafi ng Dishes, Ice

Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems

and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea

9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden

9623 5555 for Sound & Light.

www.tunesoman.com,

E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

2 BHK in Ghubra RO 350/-.

Contact 97799175 / 92144045

2 BHK at Mumtaz RO 300/-.

Contact 97799175 / 92144045

2 BHK at Darsait RO 300/-. Contact

97799175 / 92144045

House for rent in Sidab at

reasonable rent. Contact: 95555162

/ 95755953

Fabulous AC fl at at Al Khoud 3 bed-

rooms, hall and kitchen RO 270/-

for rent. Contact: 99334699

3 Bedroom fl at in Wadi Kabeer and

2 bedroom villa in Sidab- Muscat.

Contact: 95755953

1bedroom in Al Hail South RO 150/-

monthly. Contact: 93993354

Flats for rent near Indian School in

Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

2 BHK Flats for rent in Muttrah near

Oman house. Contact: 97009734 /

92629232

2 & 3 BHK big Flats with Big hall,

Kitchen & new split ACs at Al

Khoudh 6, Close to express way,

from owner. Tel 97600322

alnehang@gmail.com

2BHK fl at available behind Majan

College / Darsait. Contact 24705742

4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158

1 &2 BHK fl ats for rent at Wadi Kabir,

Wadi Adai, Hamriya and Al Khoud

areas, shop for rent at Wadi Adai

Round about. Contact: 24834644,

GSM 93994401 /02/03 lines

600 sqr mtrs showroom in Wadi

Kabir. Contact: 99792181

Flat for rent with AC in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95555162 /95755953

Flat for rent in Mabellah 8th.

Contact: 97147240

Brand new villa Bosher 37, 4 BHK.

Contact: 91936034

For rent if require fl ats for rent in

Wadi Kabir please send me mes-

sages through Whatsapp.

Contact: 99376454

1 BHK at Ghubra RO 275/-. Contact

97799175 / 92144045

BHK Flat in Azaiba. Contact 99385835 / 99428143

Bath attached room for rent

Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569

1 Villa & 3 big Flats of 2/3 BHK with

hall, Kitchen & ACs Al Khoudh 6,

Close to express way, from owner.

Tel 97600322

Email: alnehang@gmail.com

3BHK AlAmerat No.3, Rent190 pm.

Contact 95113797

SELL/BUY

Used furniture & Electronic items, offi ce & house. Contact: 99834373 /

96642500

From owner plot of land near

Zanzibar, airport price RO 15000.

Contact 99348943

Used Fabrication machinery for

sale : Fabrication machinery and

tools in excellent condition for im-

mediate sale. Contact 94652485/

99273774/ 99202278

Shop for sale in Qurum.

Contact 96964767

Restaurant for-sale Very good

location, Al khuwayer, 300+sqm,

Equipped big kitchen (+bakery),

many parking, separate entrance.

OMR50,000 Call 99788291

Shrimps & prawns fi llet fi sh avail-

able wholesale & retail.

Contact 97990974

2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in

Wadi Kabir main road, First line on

way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to

make petrol station or hotel. OMR

990 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in

Misfah, can be changed to Industrial

Land. OMR 29 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in

Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land

with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479

or 95215360

3 fl oor commercial building in

Muttrah behind Police. Generating

income of OMR 18 Thousand annu-

ally. Neat and well maintained. Built

on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops

on ground fl oor and 6 fl ats. OMR

207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residen-

tial land in Maabela Phase 5 Block 2.

OMR 140 Thousand. Tel: 99333479

or 95215360

Restaurant for sale, Kadra Suwaiq.

Contact 97433012

A well settled/ well equipped ladies

beauty parlor in running position

located in Ghubra for sale. Contact

immediately on 97498898

Offi ce & furniture for sale rent RO

260/- Darsait. Contact 91211117

Land for sale at prime location in

Al Athaiba. Contact 91299531 /

91408005

Forklift sale. Contact: 99763831

Furnished offi ce for sale. Contact 99024272

Furnished room with equipped

kitchen immediately available in N.

Azaiba Contact 95450249

Furnished room with sharing

bathroom immediately available in

N.Gubrah. Contact 95450250

Furnished room for rent at

Al Khuwair RO 225/- for family only.

Contact 99251975

Furnished room for Indian Bachelor

in Al Falaj area (Ruwi) & Lady in

Wadi Kabir (near Al Maya).

Contact 96761960

Fully furnished room for a decent

expatriate. independent kitchen,

bathroom in Wadi Adai.

Contact 96243086 at 5p.m.

Fully furnished 1BHK with all

household items in Darsait near

Lulu on monthly Basis. Contact :

99378397/99493500

Permoglaze paint mixer (tinting

machine) – 6 months old – in good

condition for sale in Rustaq. inter-

ested parties may pl call 93223382

/ 99874936.

Wall papers, grass carpets sale

& fi xing. Contact: 99834373 /

96642500

An excellent grade, 8 yrs old,

non residential civil construction

company, having registered offi ce

in Muscat needs immediate sale.

Company has considerable running

projects of handsome amount.

Only genuine buyers

contact 92978650

A secured land of 1500 sqm avail-

able for keeping construction equip-

ments, trailers, container etc.

near Sohar Airport -

Contact: 94215208

400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residen-

tial land in Maabela Phase 5 Block

2. OMR 140 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Shop for sale in Ruwi High street,

Contact 96078411

New villa at Qurum, 6 bedrooms,

6 bathrooms, sitting, dining and

open sitting on the terrace.

Contact: 99342733

Thiruvalla at Kattode 300 mtrs

.from T.K. Road, 10 cents square plot

for sale. Contact: 97229763

9.75 cents square plot with com-

pound wall and gate at Kovalam,

Trivandrum(Kerala) for sale. Inter-

ested in NRI buyers only near to Hotel

Leela. Contact: 00968 – 95210474

NRI

FOR HIRE

Prime mover, 98, 4 wheel on hire.

Contact 95120774

Volvo 12 Ton Truck for monthly

rent. Contact: 98713900

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

DAILY GUIDED4 T U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION VACANT

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifi eds@timesofoman.comTel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DOMESTIC HELPER

DOMESTIC HELPER

ENGINEER

ENGINEER

EDUCATION

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

ACCOUNTANT

BEAUTY

Urgently looking for an Expatriate House Boy with Cooking knowledge

and experience.

Contact Immediately: 99460564

An Indian family located in Azaiba

looking for a Housemaid. Contact 99384009

Require qualify caregiver for an

orderly mother. Contact 99425200

Urgently required Junior Account-ant. Please send CV:

hr.azatllc@gmail.com

Seeking minimum 5 yrs Construction company experienced Accountant able to read Arabic &

owning vehicle.

Email : hr@greencover.net

DRIVER

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Required HAIR DRESSERS / FULL BEAUTICIANS with Gulf experience.

Contact 96180078.

DRIVER

ADMIN DRAUGHTSMAN

BEAUTICIAN

H.V. Driver for trailer. Contact 92131483

Indian Driver required. Contact 99209264.

A fast food restaurant in Muscat required Drivers. (1 car and 1 motor

cycle) Contact 93216008. Forward

CV :- fastfoodoman2014@gmail.com

Indian Driver required. Contact 99209264.

Female Driving Instructor needed

in Madinat Qaboos.

Contact 95591068

Driver heavy duty required urgent-ly for trailer. Oman / GCC experience

must. Those ready for immediate

joining. Contact: 99310859

MEDICAL

MANAGER

MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

Required female Science & IT Teachers from Pakistan, 4 grade

near Ibra. Contact 95810797

A well known private school require English, Mathematics, Sci-ence, Physics & Computer Teacher. Email : staffi ng.oman@gmail.com,

ph: 96910649

Urgently required for leading com-

pany: Civil Engineer : 8 yrs experi-ence, Planning Engineer : 8 yrs experience, Surveyor : 8 yrs experience, Draftsman & AutoCAD : 5 yrs experience.

Fax: 24478522,

email : gh1.careers@gmail.com

Civil construction company looking for fresh Civil Engineering degree holders. Send CV:

awahaibitrad@gmail.com

Finance Manager, 21 yrs experience

in Oman, Dubai, KSA, CA/ MBA, CFC,

B.com worked in ERP Oracle, Tally

etc. MS offi ce internet etc Resident

Visa with release, NOC letter.

Email : mas1156@yahoo.com,

GSM: 91195480

Part Time Accounting, Accounts

Finalization, Audit Preparation,

Internal Audit, Monthly Profi tabil-

ity Reports, Onsite Tally Training,

Contact : 96975454,

email :ibfc.gcc@gmail.com

Accountant, Indian male, B.Com,

PGDSE with 12 yrs of experience cur-

rently on visiting visa seeks suitable

placement. Contact 92750853,

email : vinoykjospeh@gmail.com

Management fi nance professional,

36 yrs experience, 20 yrs in Oman

with oil & gas & mining companies

can work independently or head

the division, Sudanese Nationality.

Contact 98531303

Indian male, B.Com Diploma in

offi ce Automation, pursuing ICWA

having 6 yrs (India, Oman) exp in

Accounts, Audit Finance seeks suit-

able positions. Familiar with tally,

ERP & focus. NOC available

Contact : 94706954.

E mail:ajurn33@gmail.com

Fresh Graduate B.Com with CIMA .

U. K. (Partly Qualifi ed ) looking for a

suitable position in the Middle east.

Contact 9470 5767

Omani female exp. in Accounts &

shipping & Secretary & PRO, job

knowledge in Computer with Oman

D/L. Contact 91161736

Keralite, Indian, Diploma in Me-

chatronic, PG Diploma in Industrial

automation (PLC SCADA DCS) inter-

est fi eld. Email : sajasvp@gmail.com

Civil Engineer BSc -7 years experi-

ence with constructions companies

- 2 years in Oman - qualifi ed as a

project Engineer- Fluent in Arabic &

English - Contact 98078095

Civil Engineer Indian male 10 yrs

exp having Omani D/L looking

for suitable placement. Contact:

94194399 (shiblyrock@gmail.com)

Indian male, 30 yrs, Diploma in

Civil Engineer, 5 yrs exp. at building

construction & consulting com-

pany with Oman driving license.

NOC available seeks suitable

placement. Contact 95989500,

cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com

Indian male, MBA, 27 yrs, 2 yrs exp.

in Oman in Accounts upto fi naliza-

tion of accounts, seeks suitable

placement. Contact 91208799,

jahafeer@yahoo.co.in

Accountant Indian male 31 yrs

Accounts up to fi nalization, 9 yrs

experience (7 yrs in Oman) with D/L

& NOC seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 99582979

Part time accountant services avail-

able to handle all accounts related

work up to fi nalization.

Contact 96247295

Indian male,, MBA, Finance, 10

yrs exp as Branch Supervisor in a

reputed logistics company in Oman

with an overall experience of 21 yrs

in fi nance & logistics, with valid

Oman D/L, on visit looks for suit-

able placement. Contact 96567151,

girishlalmahadev@yahoo.com

Accountant Part time up to fi naliza-

tion on monthly basis by Indian CA.

All reports, bank loan help, tax &

Audit matters, aff ordable fee.

Contact 92758370

Finance/ Audit professional with 18

yrs Gulf experience can work inde-

pendently or head the division look-

ing for opening. Contact 92787747 /

92168401.

FMCG professional with 18 yrs Gulf

experience in commercial / opera-

tions looking for opening.

Contact 92787747 / 92168401

B.Com Graduate 3 yrs experience in

Oman driving license looking for ac-

counts/sales. Contact 93645008

Salesman & Merchandisers urgently required for a reputed

FMCG Company engaged in manu-

facturing & trading in Oman. Candi-

date must have minimum

1-2 yrs experience in the similar

fi eld & valid Oman driving license.

Interested candidates may send

their CV to sunnex3@gmail.com

Looking for Outdoor Salesman for

heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015,

Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co

Required Marketing Executive. Contact 24816774 / 99020458

Accomplished Sales Executives/Telemarketing Executives for

leading Digital Media Enterprise.

jobs@interacoman.com

Urgently require Indian male/

female Medical sales representative for Cosmetic Company. Email CV to

dania@nitrogenmedical.com

Furniture fi eld experienced Salesman with license.

Contact - 99345159, 91398378 ,

E-Mail - agsan2005@gmail.com

Urgently required outdoor sales-man for building material, shop.

Contact 99867456 / 24501882

Urgent required Sales representa-tive with local experience, car &

Omani driving license ready with

NOC. Send CV to

nationalblueskyemployment@

gmail.com

Business intelligence / Global Marketing management specialist

with 9 years of experience develop-

ing brand value & managing overall

projects to achieve business objec-

tives seeking suitable position on

family visit. Contact: 91902154

Indian Female MBA , 3 Years Expe-

rience in Admin MIS ,

Family Visa. Contact 98234427,

jkjsmith01@gmail.com

8 yrs exp in Admin & Accounts (3

yrs in Oman), MBA, Indian female,

seeks placement. Contact 97243806

Indian male having 17 yrs experi-

ence in Logistics, Purchase, payroll

processing & offi ce Admin, UAE D/L

seeks suitable position, valid visa till

24th August’15. . Contact 91219303

Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR.

joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437

Purchase, Admin, Indian male,

15 yrs Gulf experience.

Contact 95435370

HSE Admin experience for 10 years

in GCC with valid D/L seeking to

join a reputed fi rm. NOC available.

Contact: 99626821

Indian female, 29 yrs, MBA (HR)

4 yrs exp in HR & Admin seeking

suitable placement. # 95619537

14 years of Gulf experience in HR /

Admin & logistics fl uent in Arabic /

English with D/L looking for suitable

position. Contact: 95824598

Master degree HRM professional

having excellent experience in fi -

nance and management and having

8 yrs experience looking for suitable

placement. Contact: 92955453 /

91213269

Draftsman (2D/3D) 3 yrs exp in

Oman with light Oman driving

license. Contact:95962384

Wanted Dental Technician (5-8) yrs experience. Good knowledge in

computer applications, preferably

with CAD/CAM system. Mail your CV

to hhabadri@gmail.com

Wanted female Nurse for clinic in

South Sharkiya. Contact 94783831,

medicaljobsoman@yahoo.com

Immediately required lady Doctor (DGO) or GP with Gynecology expe-rience & lab technician. Contact 99310590.

Email : tjmaluke@gmail.com

A well known Polyclinic in Muscat

is urgently looking for a Bachelor Female Nurse. Forward your CV to

hrhospitalmuscat@gmail.com

Wanted GP Doctor for clinic.

Ph 98115439

Medical CARE Centre, Multi Speciality Clinic, Seeb, requires Gynecologist to work on Freelance

(Profi t Sharing) basis. Interested

candidates call- 97884856

Wanted Nurse (Salary-RO 400/-) &

Pharmacist (Salary RO 500/-)-MOH

Licensed -Al Suwaiq Clinic -

Contact- 97742491

Required Nurse for A Clinic in

Al-Buraimi, S. of Oman.

Contact : 00968 92737149. Send CV

to drpkabbas@yahoo.co.in

Required prometric passed or MOH

license holder for the following posts

Indian male & female GP Doctor, Indian Female dentist, Female Staff Nurse & Pharmacists. Contact: 97985325 Email:

polyclinicomanhr@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTEDSIT. WANTED

SITUATION WANTEDSIT. WANTED

DESIGNER

Leading Civil construction com-pany requires “MEP DRAFTSMAN”

with 4-6 years gulf experience. Send

your CV to mep.oman2015@gmail.

com. (NOC required).

DRAFTSMAN

Indian Cook required. Should know

Omani traditional foods.

Contact 99209264

Chinese/ Arab/ continental cook & helper wanted. Contact 95529970

A fast growing chain of omani fu-

sion restaurants in Muscat is looking

to hire experienced waiters and chefs (2 yrs exp).Applicants should have

NOCs if applicable. Forward resume

to creativefoodsllc@gmail.com

Indian Cook required. Should know

Omani traditional foods.

Contact 99209264

CATERING

Wanted: Loading and unloading

people. Apply - Indians only:

Contact: 95451713

Business development Manager. company dealing in graphics,

signage industry, exhibition booth

fabrication looking for candidates

experienced in same fi eld for their

dubai branch. Please contact:

thomasphilip24@hotmail.com

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

Required outdoor sales man in con-

struction and oilfi eld sector

with valid GCC D/L.

GSM-92830110

Email : contact@absmct.com

Required Smart, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3

years sales experience in building

materials. Omani Driving License and

NOC is must. Apply with photograph

to E-mail: jobdsint@gmail.com.

A reputed company in Muscat requires Sales Executive to promote

Oil engine products. Candidate must

have 2- 5 yrs experience in the re-

lated fi eld, with GCC driving license.

Send CV with expected salary at

employmentoil2015@gmail.com

Required Salesman, Tailor & Barber. Contact 96964767

Wanted Diesel Mechanics, foreman for cement block factory, JCB & forklift operators. Salesman for

block factory, experienced sales-

man for logistics, labors for block

factory. Email : smylackal@gmail.

com, Contact 94007259

Established real estate company looking for male or female property agents for leasing and sales of the

property. Applicant must be Gradu-

ate, possess Omani or GCC driving

license. Having oman market experi-

ence. Apply with NOC. Attractive sal-

ary +commission. Send your CV:

property@ labdmarkmuscat.com

HR.Admin, Indian male..2+ Oman

exp..joining immediately..# 93671437

Experienced Graphics Designer with 6+ years of international expo-

sure in Middle East & Asia looking

for job. Valid Omani D/L. 97615584.

Sr Designer, Civil & Structural (oil &

gas) / Site Supervisor Indian male, 21

years experience in design fi eld with

driving license seeks suitable place-

ment N.O.C available. #92684051

Email: babyshibu@yahoo.co.in

Beautician from India looking for

job. Contact 93554741

MEP Engineer on urgent basis

required for immediate placement.

Please contact tgi17@omantel.net.om

A grade Civil construction com-pany in Muscat urgently requires

the following person with minimum

3 yrs experience : 1) Electrical Engineer 2) AutoCAD Draughtsman 3) Purchaser.Send CV to hr.azatllc@gmail.com

Smartphone Technician Required

ftt@futuretarget.net

GSM: 99110080/9669066

Sales Executive Industrial products

: 2-3 yrs of exp. with good communi-

cation & computer skills. D/L is must.

Send resume to

salescvv@hotmail.com

Senior Document Controller, male,

Indian, MCA 9+ yrs experience as

Document controller in oil & gas

sector seeks job as Senior Document

controller. Contact 95388197, Email :

rojanchristopher@gmail.com

Indian 24 years MBA fi nance 2

years experience seeking suitable

placement. Contact: 9822253

Indian female B.Tech (EEE) MBA

fi nance with 1and half years experi-

ence as Bank Offi cer in India seeking

suitable placement.

Contact: 91358676 / 98157895

Email: sujivu88@gmail.com

An Indian Lady Chartered Ac-countant with fi ve years experience

(including articleship), on family

visa in Oman looking for a suitable

job. Please Contact 9621 0347 /

9943 5346,

shincycrajan@gmail.com

Part time Accountant with 15 yrs

exp in accounts, fi nance audit taxa-

tion. Contact: 95857199

Indian female Accountant with 5 yrs

Gulf exp in accounts, audit, Admin

payroll. Contact: 96263157

Jordanian Accountant (ACPA) with

more than 15 yrs experience in Oman

(Accounts, Purchase & fi nance).

Contact: 92881223

Email: kamal_sarhan@yahoo.com

Motivated and energetic male 25

having 4 years of experience in

fi nance with Master’s degree in Eco-

nomics and CAT Certifi ed seeking

opportunity in Accounts/fi nance/

audit in a reputable organization.

Cell no: 00968-94626209

E-Mail: omerjawedshah@gmail.com

Indian male, 27 years, M. Com, hav-

ing 2years experience in Accounts

looking for suitable position. Presently

on visit visa. Contact 93455055|

gibingeorge88@gmail.com

Driver, Indian Keralite, 4 yrs expe-

rience. Contact 93798442

Driver available, 24 hrs, pick &

drop. Contact 95154610

Indian light driver having 1 yr

experience in Oman, knowing Eng-

lish, Hindi, Arabic looking for job.

Contact 95214332

Indian male, looking for Heavy

Driver job, holding Kuwait driving

license. Contact 98136170

H.T. V Driver, Pakistani experience,

6 yrs, seeks work in company only.

Contact 93985087

Indian male 2 yrs exp in (D/L in

sales seeker suitable placement.

Contact: 92055093

Light Driver, 9 yrs exp. (Keralite).

Contact 97313562

Looking for driving job. Contact 98219182

LMV Driver, 8 yrs exp. (Keralite).

Contact 93412587

Looking for a job as Driver,

with 9 yrs experience in Oman,

language : Arabic/ English/ Hindi.

Contact 92517532

Driver, 10 yrs. Contact 94260369

Light driver 5 years exp Education

B.A language English, Arabic & Hin-

di. Contact : 98522914 / 91615715

Heavy & light duty driver valid

GCC license looking job from India.

Contact 93554741

Light Driver, 5 yrs experience look-

ing for job. Contact 92617293

Sri Lankan driver. # 97387112

Light duty driver, 8 yrs exp.

Contact: 96736744

Housemaid (Madras tamil speak-

ing) from India looking job.

Contact 95175192

C.C.T.V camera technician, Electri-cian & plumber, Driver, Mason. Contact: 99383044

Looking for a foreign staff with

experience in Oman in real estate &

real estate valuation.

Contact 99109094,

email : aburashid94dd@gmail.com

Required Indian or Pakistani calligrapher & Painter (staff accommodation)

Contact# 24480487/24483493

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 D5

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

MEDICAL

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

PROJECTS

BA degree Nursing professional

having excellent looking for suitable

placement. Contact:: 92955453

/91213269

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

EDUCATION

IT

IT

Indian female, B.Tech, IT (now in

Muscat on visit visa) with total

2 yrs experience (1.3 yrs in TCS,

India) seeks suitable placement.

Contact 93949541 / 93738083,

email : joantoms91@gmail.com

B.E (Computer) degree Engineer, complete schooling in Muscat, male,

Indian with 1 yr experience needs

job in software / networking / Java/

Web design or Marketing.

Contact 97136248 / 99313821

MISCELLANEOUS

HOSPITALITY

Male, 29 yrs, MBA, Marketing

having 9 yrs experience in Sales,

Marketing, customer services seeks

job. Contact 98163254, Email :

shujaat_ali2014@hotmail.com

Indian male, Graduate with 18 yrs

experience in Sales & Marketing 3

yrs in UAE currently on visit visa,

seeks suitable placement.

Contact 91996486 / 99732070

Indian male, B.Com, MBA having

2 yrs experience in Marketing &

advertising presently on visit visa,

looking for suitable openings.

Contact 96559835,

rintomatam@gmail.com

Sudanese young man looking for

job with suitable fl uent in comput-

ers & experience in Sales.

Contact 91318822

MBA Graduate with 1 yr experience

in Sales, having D/L seeks suitable

placement. Contact 97620084,

email : gautamacchu13@gmail.com

HSE Logistics Site Coordination

with 10 yrs exp. in Oman seeks

placement, with Oman D/L.

Contact 92825053 / 92565093

Mechanical Engineer, 2 yrs

experience in Automobile services.

Contact 98182081

Indian Mechanical Engineer (QA/

QC) Engineer with 5 yrs of experi-

ence in oil & gas, mining & manu-

facturing sector, keyskills – NDT,

Welding Inspection, Quality control,

inspection etc. Contact 91176122,

Email : khajanaseer07@yahoo.co.in

Electrical Engg, suitable for offi ce

works, NOC available, experience in

maintenance for CB & relays, fl uent

in English. Contact 97891226 /

95268664

B Tech Mechanical Engineer

HVAC Plumbing with 2 yrs exp. in

India. Contact : 97654489

nikhilchandpm@gmail.com

Indian female (M. Tech – power

system) having Gulf experience,

currently on family visa seeking

suitable placement in Oman.

Contact: 94306164

Indian Civil Engineer, B.Tech, 13

yrs experience in building pipes.

Contact 91342325

Civil Engg, B.Tech, Indian male,

having 3 yrs of experience in Con-

struction & EPB looking for suitable

placement. Contact 91430851.

Civil Engineer (B. Tech) Indian fe-

male, 2 yrs exp (1 yr in Oman) seeks

suitable position. Contact: 93911895

Civil foreman, Civil Engineer,

Indian exp overseas looking for job.

Contact 95175192

BE in ECE, female looking for

suitable placement.

Contact 94767662. Email:

chaithanyakotian10@gmail.com

Pakistani Civil Management En-

gineer, 12+ 2 yrs Oman experience,

Oman D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94392616

Project Manager / Senior Engineer,

Indian Male BE Civil, 21yrs experi-

enced including Oman looking for

the Job Contact +918939295181

Email I’D : sanja_bala@yahoo.co.in

SAP BW Analyst : Indian male, 26

yrs, B.Tech (CS & E) from ASET, New

Delhi, worked as a Business Ana-

lyst in Software Industry. Contact

98008127 / 92878708,

vaisakh.bhaskar@gmail.com

Sudanese male Telecommuni-cation Engineer looking for job.

Contact: 94537607

Civil Engineer, more than 6 yrs ex-

perience in Supervision, site man-

agement, QS, Engineering software

with valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Contact 91761364,

Email : a-shaqfa@hotmail.com

Mechanical and Manufacturing

Engineer, 26 yrs, Masters from Sin-

gapore, Bachelors from India. Hav-

ing 2 yrs work experience in Oman,

with Valid Oman driving license.

available immediately.

Contact: 95498953

Indian male 25yrs B.E in Electron-

ics and Communication Engineer-

ing with 2 yrs experience D/L.

Email : azee245ec@gmail.com,

Contact 94188216

Mechanical Engineer with 5 yrs

exp in which 3 yrs in GCC with valid

D/L. looking for suitable placement.

Contact :94172136,

Email: allen.mathew@hotmail.com

Indian male 24 yrs B Tech Electron-

ics & communication looking for job,

having 6 months exp available in

Muscat on visit visa.

Contact: 94756280 / 95084905,

Email: vivek2573459@gmail.com

Civil Engineer : Pakistani male hav-

ing 4 yrs experience in Oman. Well

handle site & guide workers, seeks

suitable placement. All the docu-

ments available. Contact 96470310.

Electrical and Electronics Engineer with one year experience and GCC

licence holder seeking a job

mail – shyjalpk@gmail.com

Diploma holder in Aviation Hospital-

ity & travel management, Indian male

seeking for suitable position, pres-

ently in Oman. Contact 97309707

Indian female 40 yrs, MBA, Oman

driving license with experience in

service industry / business develop-

ment is looking for suitable job.

Contact : 98007311

4 Years experienced (Money

exchange services & Hospitality

services in Oman & India) - Indian

male 27 years, graduate in Hospital-

ity science, fl uent in English, Hindi

& Arabic seeks suitable placement.

Contact 91383167

NETWORK/NETWORK SECURITY ENGG. Graduate in B.Tech CS. Have 5.3

years of experience in Network and

Security devices. Certifi ed on CCNA,

CCNP, MCITP and CCIE Sec. Written

passed. NOC available. Can join imme-

diately. Contact +974-55297089,

e-mail: rejad.hashim@gmail.com

Indian male 25MBA having 4years

Gulf experience in Coordination with

contracting company .NOC Available.

Looking for(Store,Coordination,Admin

,Backoffi ce) Jobs Ph:95405885

Indian male Electronic Technician, 7 yrs experience, CCTV Technician

seeks suitable job, now on visit visa.

Contact 98353542 / 99179853

Indian male, B.Tech, B.Tech (Elec-

tronics) MBA (Marketing) having

1 yr experience as Deputy Manager

Sales in Fortune 100 MNC currently

on visit visa seeks suitable job.

Contact 96967234,

Email: lijotitus111@gmail.com

Indian male B.Tech Mechanical

Engineer 1 year experience seeking

suitable placement, available imme-

diately. Contact: 93907707

Email: jubinkasim@gmail.com

SUPERVISOR: Indian male site

supervisor (AIR CONDITIONING)

25 years of experience with valid

Oman Driving license, seeking suit-

able placement. Contact: 97498809,

93391910

Email: hilariankj@gmail.com

Indian male MBA 13 yrs exp in

Oman (8 yrs in Tech Documenta-

tion 5 yrs in Project coordination)

Administration, seeks suitable place-

ment. Visa transfer / NOC available.

Contact : 93069441

Civil Engineer BSc-Total Experience

6 years-2 years in Oman, experience

in site work & Structural Design &

Technical offi ce. Contact 97983610

Bangladeshi male, B.Sc, Engg. in

Civil total 9 yrs experience, 2.5 yrs

as Contractor Engg. & 3.5 yrs as

consultant Engr, total 6 yrs exp in

Oman seeking a job.

Contact Mobile 95540721,

Email : sheikwet@gmail.com

Btech computer science graduate

2015 passout.. Android application

marketing.. Having good communi-

cation skills and mindset to work in

a team. Contact 91024385

Civil Engineer, 10 yrs exp. in build-

ing residential M.O.E, M.O.D, Stp

looking for suitable placement. NOC

available. Good knowledge AutoCAD,

computer MS Offi ce, Excel, making

B.O.Q. all type of civil work re-

lated, building supervision. Contact

99471944, engrzagar@gmail.com

Indian male, Supervisor Electrician

Diploma 8 yrs in Oman. NOC avail-

able. Contact 95057068,

jratheesh@yahoo.com

BE Civil Graduate /Male – More than

18 years of experience in Infrastruc-

ture in India,UAE and Oman. looking

for a suitable job in Oman. Mob

:98294123

Email: sandeepj02@gmail.com

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suit-

able job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

Mechatronic Engineer (UK) with

business operations PG Certifi cate

(UK) & piping Engineering (IIT) look-

ing for vacancy, with Oman driving

license. Contact 99278195, email :

justin_johns123@hotmail.com

Mechanical Engineer, Indian male,

24 yrs, having 1 yr plant experience

currently on visit visa, looking for

suitable job. Contact 92835957,

rafeekmohammed84@gmail.com

Civil Project Engineer exp 10 yrs.

Contact: 92673432

Email: arifjamalkhan8@gmail.com

Telecommunication Maintenance Engineer Sudanese male 2 years ex-

perience in HUAWEI hardware fi eld

cabins good communication English

& Arabic. Contact :+ 968 96433495 /

+968 94756295 Email:

muzamilawadalla@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer, Indian male,

29 yrs having 5 yrs of experience in

industrial automation & utility

maintenance in India (MRF tyres) seeks

suitable placement. #92789995,

Email : akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

Indian male 26 yrs Graduate, 2 yrs

exp as logistics Coordinator looking

for suitable placement.

Contact: 96944298

Management Professional account-

able, responsible for profi table man-

agement can handle the entire op-

erations, HR/Recruitment, Business

development & Sales & marketing &

etc, Great organizational skills with

over 23+yrs exp. in Bombay, Saudi

Arabia, Dubai-UAE & Oman(11yrs)

as General Manager - Publications,

Printing,Media. open to any industry,

can Join immediately w/NOC.

Contact : +968 98864706/99574638

Mail : akdas_uae@yahoo.com TOURS & TRAVELS

SKILLED/ UNSKILLED

Five years experience in Travel

fi eld ,BCom., IATA & pursuing MBA,

Presently working in the Travel

Desk of (ITC managed) Five Star

Hotel in India, looking for a suitable

position in the Middleeast.

pls contact 9470 5767

11 yrs experience in travel fi eld

B.Com, IATA, MCSE working for

Qatar Airways, Sales reservation

ticketing driving license & NOC

available. Contact 92954613

MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

Diploma in Mech.Engg. Indian

Female - with great experience in

Quality Control, (QA/QC) Auto CAD,

Primavera, CATIA, Pro E, seeking job.

Currently in family visa

Contact: 94526980/96510532

Building construction supervisor looking for small Omani company

to handle independently or suitable

placement in good company with

Oman D/L. Contact 93061107

TIG+ARC Welder Indian with 16 yrs

Middle East exp. in Copper Nickel,

Duplex, Inconel, S.S, CS Now on visit

visa seeks suitable placement..

Contact : 96502282.

Email: manuangola88@gmail.com

INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS,B. Tech

(Electrical & Electronic) having 4

years working experience as an Elec-

trical site Engineer, currently on visit

visa. Seeking suitable placement.

Contact no. 98045482

21 years, B. Com, graduate male

‘fresher’ well versed in English,

Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam with

Driving license looking for a suitable

job. Contact: 96799287

24 years, ACCA affi liate, 2.5 years of

experience in audit, fi nance in Big6

and oil industry, looking for suitable

placement, NOC release available.

Contact 95140445,

Email: a.saran891@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer : Indian , male

, 23 years, 2 years experience, on

visit visa . Seeking suitable place-

ment. Contact : +968 91409712 ,

email : nibin.nani@gmail.com

Babar Ali Male, Pak, Exp 14 Years

in Accounts, IT & Administration,

looking for a better position in Oman,

No need of Visa, already working in

of the Omani Construction Company.

Contact:- 95983711.

Indian male, with 8 yrs exp. in

Oman (BA- Graduate) working as

a project Sales Coordinator, with

Oman D/L, looking for suitable job,

ready to join immediately with NOC,

open for Sales & Marketing also.

Contact 95245057

Advertising/media executive with

15 years gulf experience with oman

driving license. Seeks good opening.

Contact 93031168

Masters in Information Systems

and IT with more than 12 years ex-

perience seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 98502793,

email:jobsrs6@gmail.com

AutoCad Civil Draftsman – Having

3 years- experience, looking for a

placement.(Full- time or Part time)

99627427 / 96154564.

Indian Female, 25 years, M.Sc Elec-

tronics + Multimedia, having one

year teaching experience in Govern-

ment college in India, seeks suitable

placement.

Contact GSM 99367448

Indian Male, 37 Years , B Tech

Graduate Electrical. Having 12 Years

Experience of DCRP Works / Jobs in

Oman with Driving License, Looking

for an suitable opening, NOC Avail-

able. Contact – 92122338, Email -

saiviharvasanth@gmail.com

Part- Time Accountant, well experi-

ence senior accountant ,doing all

type of accounting works, Finaliza-

tion, Budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439

Indian Female Lawyer having 11

yrs experience presently working

in Oman seeks placement in Legal/

HR/Admin etc. NOC available Con-

tact-94436960

Email: famidakhan123@gmail.com

Indian male 23 years Graduate,

working as a sales coordinator cum

purchase & offi ce coordination 2

YEARS in oman Having oman li-

cense & NOC looking for suitable job

in Muscat. GSM:97475860

Email:yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com

INDIAN MALE 24 YEARS, B. Tech

(Electrical & Electronic).Having 2

years experience as Electrical Site

Engineer in Constructions. Done

IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifi cations.

Seeking for suitable placement

in constructions or in any related

industries. Contact no: 98045482/

mastanshaik1008@gmail.com

Filipino (male), 37 yrs. old, hav-

ing 8yrs. experience in Operation

(Shipping&Logistics) currently on

visit visa looking for suitable job.

GSM: 97121525

Quantity Surveyor-MEP (Estima-

tion/Project) ,Total 10 Years Experi-

ence (3 years in Oman).

Having NOC & Oman D/L, Looking for

suitable job, Contact - 97906551

Pakistani male 32 years IT network

+ Computer Hardware professional

A+ MCSE Termination Technician

work Experience in salalah airport.

10+ years experience in IT fi eld and

2 years Oman working experience

valid GCC driving license available

looking for a suitable placement

contact no 96733205

Email - faisalzaman24@gmail.com

Well qualifi ed Indian Female Bsc,

Computers diploma 9 years of

experience as Executive Secretary

seeks placement.

Contact 95423692,91374217

Indian female with MBA in fi nance

on visit visa seeking

immediate placement.

Contact :968-93316493

Sales Representative or Purchase

offi cer. Indian male 30 years ,

looking for suitable placement in

construction industries and oilfi eld

industries. Having 5 years of Gulf ex-

perience in FASTENERS and build-

ing material. with good communica-

tion skills. Contact: 97756269,

Email: razzakbmt@gmail.comIndian

B.E Mechanical engineer,2 years

job experience in Oman in pipe-

line fi eld, having ASNT level ll in

UT,RT,MT and PT, fl uent in English,

Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi, with

valid Omani driving license (light)

searching for job. # +968 92745691

ACCOUNTANT: Indian male senior

Accountant, Graduate & CA Article

ship completed. 18 Years of experi-

ence. Currently on visiting visa.

seeks suitable placement. Contact:

97498809, 99769743,

Email: hilariankj@gmail.com

Indian male executive secretary

having vast experience in admin,

logistics & procurement well versed

with computer seeks suitable place-

ment. Contact : 99514286

Indian male 35 yrs, 10 yrs UAE ex-

perience in FMCG, looking for a suit-

able position in sales and market-

ing, valid GCC license on visit visa.

Contact 93438747, 95723635.

Indian lady M.Com, B.Ed looking for

openings in teaching.

Contact 97668603

Indian female, B.Sc, B.Ed, 3 yrs

experience currently on visit visa

looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91330415

Male, 32 yrs, Psychology & B.Ed in

English having 4 yrs of experience in

teaching the present company, ready

to give the release letter. Contact

99869535, sahadkeyi33@gmail.com

Indian female, M.Sc, M.Phil.

Chemistry, 3 yrs Teaching experi-

ence currently on visit visa, seeks

suitable position. Contact 96916534

/ 91969756

Indian female, English teacher,

MA,B.Ed,CELTA, 5+years experience,

looking for suitable placement.

GSM 99642462, kalcky@yahoo.com

Supervisor fabrication. 30 years

experienced in oil and gas industry

with thorough knowledge of PDO

procedures. contact 99365694,

92362946, 99208102 email:

tapasroy21@yahoo . com

Supervisor / Forman interior / elec-

trical with Oman driving license.

Contact: 93438075

MIB Post Graduate /male – more

than 9 years of experience in

shipping & Logistics in middle

east (Liner Section) looking for a

suitable job in Oman. .Mob :( India)

91-9400043894, Oman 99899627

Email: jaise81@gmail.com

Indian Male 13 years experience in

Purchase/Store seeks urgent place-

ment Contact -99609696

Indian Male 9 years experience in

Purchase/Supply Chain with Oman

D/L looking for a suitable opening

in Construction/ Oil & Gas Industry.

Contact 91124175

Experienced Electrical Technician, with Oman driving license looking

for suitable placement.

Contact 96103843

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer,

2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experi-

ence. Contact 97311847

Indian male 24 years B.E mechani-

cal 2 years exp. or visit visa.

Contact: 99247326

Civil Engineer B.E, 5.5 years experi-

ence with Omani D/L.

Contact: 96785311

Electrical Engineer 2 years experi-

ence (Indian) construction (build-

ing) looking suitable placement.

Contact 00968 92596672 Email:

kundara.renjith@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer bachelor degree

having 6+ years experience of Gulf

and professional license available to

join. Contact: 98063081

Email: imran.engr08@gmail.com

Indian Male, Diploma in Civil Engi-

neer working as a Project engineer

with 7years of experience looking

for suitable job. Contact- 92636569

Engineer with 3 yrs experience in

Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical

maintained fi eld on visit visa

looking for suitable job.

Contact 99191535

Email: fareed029@gmail.com

SAP – SCM.MM Consultant B.Tech.

(Chemical), from NIT, working with

oil industry, seeks employment.

Contact: 98049288

Sudanese female IT Tech. Support,

Demographic, English fl uent exp.

11.6 yrs. Contact: 96659392

Indian (f) with 7 yrs exp in software

development (2.5 yrs Oman exp)

good knowledge in .net and MSSQL

Server seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 93276784

email: sanalkumar63@gmail.com

Indian visit visa, Network / System

Engineer switches, routers, servers,

load balancers 5 yrs of exp holds B.E

(ECE), CCNA looking for good op-

portunity. Contact: 91911792

Email: arafakdnl@gmail.com

Bangladeshi male, looking job for

salesman. Contact 97756028

Indian male, B.Com Graduate with

2yrs sales experience in India,

seeking job with excellent com-

munication skills & computer skills,

Contact: 99637296

Indian male, 2 yrs exp. in Sales

with D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92055093

MBA, HR & Marketing, Indian, male,

25 yrs, fresher, on visit visa seeks

placement. Contact 94736649 /

98207564,

Email : dvengels8191@gmail.com

Marketing/Sales, 1 year experi-

ence/ Degree holder(BBA) / valid

Driving license. Contact;94122944,

mail; raashidjabirm@gmail.com

Indian on visit visa, having 5 yrs

exp. in procurement / purchase

in KSA with valid Saudi driving

license. Contact 95438201

Looking for job as Salesman at any

shop. Contact 96930922

Male, BA with D/L, 6 yrs exp. in

Oman seeks suitable job in Sales &

Inventory & procure.

Contact 92191026

Expert in Sales Marketing & pro-

motions, having D/L of Oman, good

communication skills in Arabic &

English. Contact 92262680

Indian male 8yrs experience in

Purchase looking for a suitable

placement with N.O.C.

Contact : 95621614

Indian male 27 years, B.Tech Grad-

uate having good work experience

with valid Oman D/L looking for a

suitable opening as Sales Engineer.

Contact: 91472953 Email:

harees.rasheed.2014@gmail.com

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461Fax: 24812624

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com

D6 T U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

MISCELLANEOUS

*Classifi ed Advertisement space booking with text,

should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication.

* Subject to space availability

Indian Female Accountant, CA Final

(Group I cleared), 5+ year’s experi-

ence in the fi eld of Accounts, Audit

and Financial ERPs. Currently avail-

able in Muscat and seeking suitable

job opportunities.Ph:94704800

email id: vinithsavith@gmail.com

Civil site coordinator, Diploma, Male

25, now present in Oman, Seeking

job in Oman. # 92887561,

jubincivileng@gmail.com

Data Entry operator cum Buyer,

Indian male,26years.BA, Computer

profi ciency :Operating system (Win-

dows 2000xp & Windows7) E plus

and Tally ERP9, 4 yrs Experience in

Oman seeks suitable placements.

mob:95360255

Driver looking for job exp 2 yrs.

Contact: 98522914

Indian Female BSC nurse with 8+

years of experience including 3

years of GCC exp. Oman Prometric

passed with 57 %. Currently in Oman.

Contact : 98034384

Senior Accounts Professional,

Indian Male, 36 years, M.Com, MBA

(Fin) 9 years in Oman, with valid

Oman DL and NOC available. Capable

to handle accounts up to fi nalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a

Suitable Job in Telecom / Network-

ing, 1 year sales experience. M. Sc.

Communications Engineering &

Valid Driving license.

Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com

Indian female, 24yrs, M.COM (Ac-

counts) having 3 yrs experience

in Accounts, HR, Administration,

Customer Service. Good Computer

Profi ciency seeking Suitable Posi-

tion. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913

Indian male 27 years B.E & MS Me-

chanical Engineer working in Delhi

for last 4 years in

Jcb India pvt. ltd., seeks placement

in Oman. Contact 93393768

Indian, presently on visit visa in

Salalah looking for job B.com failed

UAE experience in accounts, com-

mercial Admin & warehouse. Con-

tact: 92754071 /93346931 Email:

sathyanathanuk@gmail.com

Indian male, 39 yrs, MSC Computer

Science 10 years experience IT sup-

port, FMS Engineer, bank experience

looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94276449

MBA (Marketing /HR) with 45 years

exp in business development and

marketing, having valid Oman driv-

ing license seeks suitable placement

currently available on family visa.

Contact 97618033

Email: vjgeorge12@gmail.com

Indian male 63 years have 30 years

Muscat experience all offi ce work

sales business development insur-

ance administration accounts with

Oman driving license.

Contact : 99249412

Driver 5 years exp know English,

Arabic,& Hindi Education B.A.

Contact : 91615715 / 99512270

Indian female LLB (Advocate) 2

years experience looking for suit-

able post legal advisor company

secretary etc. Contact 93343190 /

94476387

Email: shafu1019@gmail.com

Indian female, B.Sc, PGDCA, cur-

rently on family joining visa, 2 years

working experience in oman as cus-

tomer care / sales co-ordinator, im-

mediate joining seeks suitable place-

ments. Contact no. (968) 95573205

/ 95949230 / 95800792

B.Com graduate, 11 years experi-

ence in Accounts, 9 years Oman

experience , Oman valid driving

license, looking for suitable post.

Mob:92758404 NOC Available.

Indian male, B.com, MBA, having 5

years experience (3 years in U.A.E) is

currently seeking suitable oppor-

tunities within fi nance/accounts/

admin dept.Contact:93953613,

allen.mathew83@gmail.com

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian

male,29 years.8 years experience

.Presently working in Oman as a

Senior Accountant with oman Driv-

ing license. NOC available. Seek suit-

able opportunity. GSM: 97705854

Indian male 23 years Graduate,

working as a sales coordinator cum

purchase & offi ce coordination 2 yrs

in oman Having oman license & NOC

looking for suitable job in Muscat

Email:yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com,

GSM:97475860

Indian Male, 32 yrs, MBA-HR, Train-

er & Faculty worked on Omanisation

& nationals development activities

with 10 yrs of experience seeking

suitable job. Contact : 93891401

saiprasad_18@yahoo.com

Female MBA gold medalist, with

computer profi ciency, Oman driving

license looking for job opportunity

in event management companies in

Muscat. Ph : 99012949

Sudanese 29 male (Bsc computer

science,diploma computer engineer-

ing), 6 yrs. experience dba oracle pl-

sql , ms sql-server ,ms visual studio

vba,network Omani Driver licence

language English, Arabic

Tel: 91415886

Piping Design Engineer, Indian

male 27, looking for suitable place-

ment in Piping Design & Engineer-

ing. Having 7 years of experience in

AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS

(11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact :

97351786 / 96143708/97357143

Indian Male 22 Years , Graduation

In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Su-

pervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordina-

tion Fields , Good Communication

Skill # 96141317,

E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com

Indian female B. Com MBA fi nance

,5 years experience in oman as an

account seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99044292

DIPLOMA+B.E.(CIVIL ENGINEER),

Indian, 4 years of experience, cur-

rently on visit visa; Seeking Right

Position. GSM:91570703.

Two year experience in Oman,

experience in sales, purchase and

system admin, Having GCC license.

Contact number 97475860,

Yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com

ME. Civil Engineer, Structural

Designer, 3 Years Structural Design,

6 Years Str. Engineer Experience,

Looking For Structural Designer

Position. Iranian Male.

Contact: 93696929,

Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com

B-tech Electrical Engineer with

more than 2 years of experience in

erection and designing of HT and LT

electrical systems. Seeking for

suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com

Male Graphic designer cum anima-

tion, non linear editing VFX, seeking

suitable position.

Contact: 97792661 / 96229406

Indian lady 30 years Graduate hav-

ing work experience in India and

Oman looking for Admin or any other

suitable job. Contact : 95676957

B.E (IT) 1 year exp complete school-

ing in Muscat needs job in software

/ net working / java/ WEB design

or marketing. Contact: 97136248 /

99313821

Indian male 22 years ACCA affi liate

, BSc, Graduate in applied account-

ing 2 months working experience

seeking suitable placement in

Finance / Accounts / audit im-

mediately. Contact: 97378607 /

92558734

HR.Admin..indian male..2+ Oman

exp..joining immediately..

Contact 93671437

Indian male Chartered Account-ant having 10 years of experience

in Process audit, Risk assessment

and Internal Audit is urgently

looking for a suitable opportu-

nity. Cell: +96897327343 Email:

cabalkrishnadubey@gmail.com.

NOC available

B-tech Electrical Engineer with more

than 2 years of experience in erection

and designing of HT and LT electrical

systems. Seeking for suitable job in

Muscat. Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com

Project Manager / Senior Engi-

neer, Indian Male BE Civil, 21yrs

experienced including Oman looking

for the Job Contact +918939295181

Email I’D sanja_bala@yahoo.co.in

Indian male 26 , graduate in me-

chanical engineering having 2 years

experience in fabrication production

fi led in India, looking for a suitable

job. mobile: +968-91384621

EMAIL : rmekhil@hotmail.com

Sr. Sales Executive, Indian Male,

Holding Valid Oman DL. Total ex-

perience in Oman of 15 years with

4 years Rent a Car Co. experience.

Looking for Opportunities in any

Industry for similar sales role.

GSM - 95703233

email id “khetani_r@yahoo.com

INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS,B. Tech

(Electrical & Electronic). Done IOSH

& NEBOSH- IGC certifi cations. Look-

ing for HSE engineer job in Oil Gas

Sector, constructions or in any re-

lated industries. Contact 98045482

Indian male. M.com holder with two

year working experience as an ac-

countant in India. Now at Muscat on

visiting visa. Seeks suitable place-

ment. Gsm:96947500,99463120,

Email:mohamedshafi kk5@gmail.

com

ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29

years.8 years experience .Presently

working in Oman as a Senior Ac-

countant with oman Driving license.

NOC available seek suitable opportu-

nity. GSM: 97705854

Female, Indian, 35 Yrs- house maid

available for Full/Part time work in

Muscat. contact- 96754303.

29 years Indian female (MBA-

Finance) with 4+yrs experience

(Oman) in Accounts, seeking suit-

able placement in Accounts/Admin.

Contact:96141283

Indian, male, 41 years, CA Inter,

Persuing CA fi nal. Now on express

visa. 7 years of Experience in OMAN

as Finance and Accounts Manager in

Trading , Construction and Firefi ght-

ing industry. 21 Years of exp. seeking

suitable Managerial positions. No

visa issues. Immediate joining.

Contact 98469311

Email:sebin30@yahoo.co.in

B-tech Electrical engineer with more

than 2 years of experience in erection

and designing of HT and LT electri-

cal systems. Seeking for suitable

job in Muscat. Contact:98269366.

Email:sijincleetus@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTEDSIT. WANTED

Indian male,Accountant, B.com,

1 yr experience in auditing

and having knowledge in tally.

#94733824/95769355

Indian Female B.Sc., B.Ed.(Maths),

M.C.A residing in Al-Ghubra seek-

ing a teaching position as a Math

Teacher GSM.- 94231633

INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS, B. Tech

(Electrical & Electronic) having

4 years working experience as an

Electrical site Engineer. Looking for

suitable job in Oil Gas Sector or in

related industries.

Contact 98045482

Indian male, ERP Functional Con-

sultant (SCM, MM, HRMS), Seeks

employment.Contact: 98478928,

Email: anand.desai2408@gmail.com

Indian male , 14 yrs Experience in

maintenance & Supervisor in hotel

fi eld ( Electrical . Ac Mechanical &

Plumber ) N O C available

mob : 95 25 36 40 . email =

hareeshma24@yahoo.com

Indian male 28YRS, 7Years exp. in

Architectural & structural Draughts-

man & 3d visualization, looking for a

suitable Post GSM: +971551965944.

Email:aboosufi yan@gmail.com

Piping Design Engineer, Indian

male 27, looking for suitable place-

ment in Piping Design & Engineer-

ing. Having 7 years of experience in

AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS

(11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact :

97351786 / 96143708, Email :

mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Indian Female, M.Com & MBA with

1.5 years of experience in Reinsur-

ance Treaty seeking a good job

opportunity in Insurance & Reinsur-

ance Accounts or General Accounts.

Contact: +968 91920189, Email:

neethumano.manohar@gmail.com

CCNA MCITP network support / net-

work technician with 2 years experi-

ence Indian male having bachelors

degree on visit visa. #93080871

sean.f.peters@outlook.com

ME. Civil Engineer, Structural

Designer, 3 Years Structural Design,

6 Years Str Supervising Experience,

Looking For Structural Designer

Position. Iranian Male.

Contact : 93696929

Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com

BSC Female Nurse having 8 years of

experience ( 3 years in gulf). Promet-

ric passed - 57%. Currently in Oman.

Contact : 98034384

ACCOUNTANT, M.Com holder with

2 year working experience as an ac-

countant in Kerela-India, seeks suit-

able placement. GSM NO:96947500,

9 9463120, mail:

mohamedshafi kk5@gmail.com

8 yrs exp 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLD-

ING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seek-

ing job. Contact : 93790601

Indian Male 22 Years, Graduation In

Electronics Seeking Jobs In Super-

visory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination

Fields , Good Communication Skill

Contact 96141317,

E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com

Chartered Accountant with 7 years

of post qualifi cation experience,

seeking challenging job opportunity.

Experience in auditing/accounts &

fi nance/taxation/IFRS, etc.

GSM +968 95763680

Indian Female Interior Designer, 4.5

yrs experience, seeking immediate

mid-senior level position with fi rm

having lady clearance. NOC Avail-

able. Contact 93033072

Sudanese.male 32 years.B.SC

mechanical engineer.7years experi-

ence.5 years experiance in Gulf.

working now in water pipeline

projects.fl uent Arabic and English.

have Omani driving license.looking

for good opportunity

TEl:91117089

Indian Male 22 years, ACCA Af-

fi liate with B..Sc. Degree in Applied

Accounting having three months

working experience seeking suitable

placement in Finance / Accounts /

Audit. Holding valid Oman D/L.

Contact 97378607 / 92558734

Indian female Nurse, Prometric

passed 64%, 5 years of experience,

MOH licensed, presently working in

Oman seeking a suitable placement

in reputed Hospitals, NOC available.

Contact: 98329941,

Email: ancyanish2011@gmail.com.

Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support,

Networking, Security systems, Serv-

er support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable

placement. Contact 91033395

Well established infrastructure works company with full assets

& huge value contracts up for im-

mediate sale. Contact 98867530 /

95565039

Looking for Investor to start steel

fabrication unit. Contact 98314531

Invite business proposals on profi t

sharing basis. Email :

contact@absmct.com/ 99221683

Canadian Consultancy Company

is looking for a Partner in Oman. For

more information please contact

+973 39990830

New company seek partnership.

Contact: 96996938

General Investors. Gsm-99674870

SITUATION WANT-

ED

BUSINESS

DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 D7

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise

with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain

Marine Tours Contact- 98029602,

92808636

RENT A CAR

TOURS

Car for rent. Contact: 92516090

Butter cup rent a car competitive

prices new car 2016. # 97249449

SITUATION WANTEDCARGO

SITUATION WANT-CARGO

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation only in Muscat.

Contact 96736975

Transportation any time. Contact

99365092

Transportation. Contact 98178135

Transportation available.

Contact 95570429

Transport. Contact: 95190627

Transportation. Contact: 96538078

Transportation. Contact:98522914

Transportation. Contact

99508282

Transportation. Contact:

98244078

Pick & Drop any time. Contact

97014786

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461Fax: 24812624

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com

D8 T U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

SITUATION WANTEDSERVICES

Split & widow unit A.C servicing &

repairing. Contact: 99557080

Split & window unit A.C servicing

& maintenance. Contact: 96236476

Window & split unit A.C servicing

& maintenance.

Contact 93769089 / 95323517

Part time accountant services

available. Contact:93438100

All maintenance & repairs. Contact

Rizwan: 99429071, RMPM Trading.

General cleaning in buildings

villas all types interior, exterior,

polishing dry cleaning carpets,

rugs, marble etc. Contact 94134784

/ 98598280

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of

your marble. Contact 24793614/

99314807

Split window cassette AC

unit servicing, maintenance.

Contact: 99540621

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile

polishing, pest control & anti-ter-

mite treatment, general cleaning

painting, Plumbing, Electrical,

shifting. Contact Mundhir

Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C.

# 24810137, 99450130

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles

polishing, carpet shampooing,

maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS-

99320217 /24788722

Air condition maintenance split

and window A/C split a/c ducted

and package type units.

Contact: 98667326

Split & window A.C servic-

ing & maintenance. Contact

93769089/95323517

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet

& sofa shampooing, Contact

99314807/24792998

Water proofi ng ABUQABAS-

Contact 99320217/24788722

Civil maintenance - plumbing, elec-

trical, painting, and tiling, interior

decorations, shop furnishing and all

other maintenance works.

Contact: 97897831 / 92112094

(Indian, Keralite)

Pest control Treatments, Cockroaches, Ants ,Rodents &

Termites. Ocean Center LLC.

Contact: 99357908 / 99344723.

A/C Maintenance & servicing,

fridge, washing machine & dish

washer repairing, painting & clean-

ing services, electrical & plumbing.

Contact: 99447257 / 97014234 /

24504281

General cleaning & Shampooing.

Ocean Center LLC.

Contact: 99344723 / 99357908

WEBSITE

WEB, ERP and Business Intel-

ligence (BI) creation and man-

agement at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

COMPUTER

DRIVING

Driver for Automatic Transmis-

sion. Contact: 99040813

CLASSES

Admission started in a private

school, Darsait (Mount Zion Group

of Institutions CBSE 1) for KG and

grade 1 to 4 please register soonest.

Contact: 92088325 / 24799938

GOOD NEWS

Fresh fl owers Jasmine Roses Mari-

gold & Garlands for Onam & other

festivals, advance booking accepted.

Haridas Nensey. Contact 24750784

Rakhees Raksha Bandhan available

thousands Designs. Also special of-

fer at Haridas Nensey Ruwi.

Contact 24750784

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

One stop shop business services : Public Relation (PRO) formation new

companies, LLC companies, Investor

visa, business setup, prepare

businesses & companies accounts,

legal services, representing

you and your company.

Contact: Saleh : 96723485

For AutoCAD drawings and Civil

Engg. Q.S works,

please contact.92758095

MATRIMONIAL

Ezhava lady, divorcee, 37, 5.3”,

Pharmacist in Muscat,

suryakv2010@gmail.com

+919961176066

Looking for alliance from profes-

sionally well qualifi ed nair boy for

a postgraduate nair girl working in

public sector, India. Contact :

Oman 99440356 and

India +91 9446129845

Kerala Syro Malabar Catholic girl,

28 yrs, working in Salalah, MOH

from Palakkad, seeks suitable alli-

ance from Keralite professionals in

Muscat. Contact 99357901

Malayalee Nair boy from good

family(only son) – 36 yrs- B.Com,

MBA (Mktg & Finance)- Associate

Regional Manager in an MNC in

Coimbatore- invites alliance –

Contact +91 7639622079

Keralite male, 34 yrs, Hindu Viswa-

karma (Sudha Jathakam) working

as Chef in reputed Hotel in Muscat

seeks suitable alliance. Contact

97097061/ 91 8547644153

23 yrs Keralite Christian girl settled

in Bangalore invites alliance from

well settled Christian boys.

Contact 99494371

Keralite Christian Orthodox boy,

28 yrs, MBA seeks suitable alliance.

Contact 91394731

RCSC boy, Kanjirapally divorcee,

36-172. Contact 93028813 /

92501521

Sunni Muslim girl, Indian origin,

20 yrs BA graduate from Oman,

good looking homely with good

religious values, seeking alliances

from Muslim professionals,

well settled in Oman or Middle East.

Contact: 99644760 or

Email: ghulamuzma23@gmail.com

LOST

NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

We, SREEJITH VANIYAN VAL-APPIL (name of father as per the

passport, holder of Indian Passport

No. M52446647) and SHIBI PADIK-

KAL (name of mother as per the

passport holder of Indian Passport

No .H6526038) having permanent

address in Sreyas House,Ramanthali

-Po,Kannur -Dt,Kerala -670308(com-

plete postal address in India) and

presently residing at the follow-

ing address in Muscat, PB No -72,

P.C.No -112 , Sultanate of Oman,

hereby solemnly affi rm and declare

to change the name of our child Miss.

KRISHNA SREEJITH (name as per

present passport), holder of Indian

Passport No -M2831063 date of issue

15.10.2014 issued at Kozhikkode. The

name of our child will be henceforth

known as ADRIJA (given name)

VALAPPIL SREEJITH (surname) for

all purposes. Any objection towards

change of our minor child may please

be communicated to Embassy of

India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quar-

ters, Al khuwair, PB No.1727, Postal

Code.112,Ruwi,Sultanate of Oman.

Kumar Pankaj has lost Indian

Passport No. G608988. Finder please

handover to ROP

Bedana Akhtar has lost Bangladeshi

Passport No. AF0927649. Finder

please handover to ROP

Pobitro Bepari has lost Bangladeshi

Passport No. A0979014. Finder

please handover to ROP

Al Sadah for Trad & Cont ASSTD which is recorded under the com-

mercial register in directorate general

for trade industry number 1029877 is

going to change its name to Al Sadah

for Cont ASSTD. This is to inform any-

body who concerns about that.