Times of Oman - May 7, 2015

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THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 /18 Rajab 1436 AH timesofoman.com wtimesofoman.com facebook.com/timesofoman twitter.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com ISO 9001:2008 Certifi ed Company

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Aff ordable

houses for

citizens soon

MUSCAT: In line with the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Council for Planning (SCP) has commissioned a study on the es-tablishment of modern housing complexes at aff ordable prices for citizens, said Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Deputy Chair-man of the SCP.

These housing complexes will be built by real estate develop-ers from the private sector, with investment funds or through the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The objective of construct-ing these complexes is to pro-vide interested citizens homes which are aff ordable and within their budgets. >A6

R O Y A L D I R E C T I V E S

HIS MAJESTY’S PORTRAIT ATOP KHASAB MOUNTAINIn a display of national pride and love for his leader, Omani artist Aziz Al Shihi has painted a giant oil portrait of His Majesty

Sultan Qaboos bin Said on a rock face above his hometown of Khasab. The portrait features His Majesty the Sultan wearing

his blue and red ‘massar’, and the black and gold of a ‘bisht’ is visible on his shoulder. - Photo: Aziz Al Shihi See also >A4

Absconding expatriates get a lifeline

REJIMON K [email protected]

MUSCAT: Expatriate workers who abscond or overstay are be-ing off ered a lifeline, which will enable them to remain legally in Oman under the three-month Im-migration amnesty.

“If an absconding and overstay-ing migrant wants to stay back and become a documented worker, he can do it during this three-month amnesty period. The worker has to pay the fi ne for overstaying, the ab-sconding fi ne if an absconding case has been fi led against him and can either stay back with his old spon-sor or join a new sponsor as per the labour laws,” says a circular.

“If the worker wants to join a new sponsor, he has to get clear-ance from the old sponsor and the new sponsor should be eligible to hire him as per the labour laws,” adds the circular.

According to an advisor from a legal fi rm, for those who are ca-pable of paying the fi ne, this am-nesty has come at the right time.

The amnesty began on May 3 and will continue until July 31.

The embassies of three main Asian countries, including In-dia, Bangladesh and Pakistan, estimate around 50,000 migrant workers who can make use of this amnesty and go back to their home countries without facing any legal action. “The fi ne slapped on an absconding migrant worker is OMR400. If an absconding case is fi led the period of being an ab-sconder will not matter. The fi ne will still be OMR400,” said the legal advisor from Khalid Al Wa-haibi fi rm in Muscat.

The visa validity in Oman for a migrant worker is only 24 months

and he is granted a 30-day grace period to renew the visa. How-ever, an overstaying worker has to pay two diff erent fi nes at two dif-ferent offi ces in Oman.

“At the Ministry of Manpower, an overstaying worker has to pay around OMR19 and at the Immi-gration department OMR20 for every month delay. The fi ne to be paid at the ministry will be calcu-lated every month. However, the fi ne to be paid at an Immigration offi ce will not be calculated af-ter 25 months or once it reaches OMR500,” said the legal advisor.

So, if an overstaying or ab-sconding worker wishes to stay back and become a documented worker, he has to shell out thou-sands of rials depending on the period he has been an undocu-mented worker. >A6

Under the current

three-month

amnesty, overstayers

or absconders have a

way to stay in Oman -

but at a price

OMANRains lash Oman, wadis overflow

1 Rains lashed diff erent parts of Oman on Wednesday afternoon resulting in

overfl owing of wadis. >A3

OMANOman Air wins two travel awards

2Oman Air has won two awards at the World Travel Awards Middle

East 2015. >A6

MARKETContractors at oil and gas debate

3The contribution of super local community contractors to the oil and

gas sector was debated. >B1

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

C3Musandam-Oman Sail break speed record

Scope for more ‘clarity’ in tender process: Offi cialELHAM [email protected]

MUSCAT: There is room for more ‘transparency’ in the ten-dering process, says a senior of-fi cial at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, who believes more clar-ity would enhance the perfor-mance of the sector.

“We need to be very transpar-ent,” Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi , undersecretary at the ministry, said during a roundtable meet-

ing at the Occidental offi ce on Monday, to discuss the chal-lenges facing local service com-panies in the oil and gas sector.

MeetingThe event, organised by the ministry, Oman Society for Pe-troleum Services (Opal) and the Oil and Gas Year, was attended by senior offi cials from Petrole-um Development Oman (PDO), Oxy and BP as well as some oth-er renowned companies. >A6

M I N I S T R Y O F O I L A N D G A S

Fines for overstaying, absconding workersJob visa is

valid for 24 months

For renewal, the grace period is 30 days

The Immigration Department fine does not increase beyond OMR500 after 25 months

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 48 49 502323212019 22Fine for overstaying per month (OMR)Months

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

20

19

51

19

52

19

53

19

54

19Ministry of Manpower

Immigration Department

Source: Times of Oman

OMR400Fine for absconding

May 3 to July 31Amnesty period

The monthlyfine continues

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ARTICLE, PHOTOS

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

When Shabib Al Kindi launched Tamrah in 2011, he didn’t just want to sell ordinary dates; he wanted to promote the fi nest Omani dates.

A DATE WITH OMANI DATES

Grab your THURSDAY MAGAZINEtoday for a refreshing weekend read

HM receives greetings from Kuwait >A5

Sheraton fl yover set to open in three months

FAHAD AL [email protected]

MUSCAT: Almost 70 per cent construction work of the Shera-ton fl yover near the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is com-plete, said a reliable source at the Muscat Municipality.

The Sheraton fl yover will open in three months, he said.

“Some sections of the Wadi

Kabir-Darsait road project were opened earlier, including the Star Cinema and the Wadi Kabir fl yo-ver, to ease the fl ow of traffi c,” said the source.

The ongoing road construc-tion work from Star Cinema to Wadi Kabir is also expected to be completed within three months. Opening of the Darsait-Wadi Ka-bir stretch will come as a major relief for motorists.

7 0 % W O R K C O M P L E T E

HM issues four

Royal Decrees

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued four Royal Decrees as follows: Royal Decree No. 14/2015 appoints an undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Ar-ticle (1) appoints Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan bin Alawi Al Dheeb BaOmar as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Article (2) amends the organisational structure of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated in Royal Decree No. 102/2005 in line with the re-quirements of this Decree. >A6

C H A N G E S I N M I N I S T R Y

A2 T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

OMAN

Staff Reporter

MUSCAT: Integrated Telecom-munications Oman (TeO), the lat-est entrant to the telecom industry in Oman, has signed an agreement with M1 Limited Singapore to pro-vide enhanced customer services to users in the Sultanate.

At the agreement signing cere-mony held on Wednesday, M1 and TeO announced that M1’s wholly owned subsidiary M1 TeliNet Pte Ltd has entered into an agreement to invest in TeO, Oman’s fi rst pri-vate CLASS 1 licencee interna-tional gateway operator, a mobile

services reseller and international card services provider.

Pursuant to the agreement, and subject to all requisite regulatory approvals and the completion of all conditions by TeO and its share-holders, M1 TeliNet has agreed to acquire 15 per cent interest in TeO on a fully diluted basis.

Suleiman Mohammed Al Yahya’ae, chairman of the board of TeO, said that the partnership with M1, which is a major telecommu-nications service provider in Sin-gapore with around 2 million cus-tomers, will create new dynamism in the Omani market and provide

innovative services and solutions to users in Oman.

TeO currently operates with its consumer product brand ‘Allo’ and its endorsed brands ‘TeO Globe’ and ‘TeO Business’.

Lot to off erKaren Kooi, chief executive offi cer of M1, said that the agreement will enhance customers’ experience in Oman as the Singaporean compa-ny has a lot to off er.

Established in 1997, M1 has achieved many fi rsts, including being the fi rst operator to off er nationwide 4G services, as well as ultra high-speed fi xed broadband, fi xed voice and other services on the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN).

Mohammed Zaman, vice chair-man of TeO, said that the company has achieved 70 per cent Omani-sation, adding that it is looking at diff erent options and services to off er new and quality services to customers at competitive rates.

M1 and TeO announced that M1’s wholly

owned subsidiary M1 TeliNet Pte Ltd has

entered into an agreement to invest in TeO

JOINING HANDS: Pursuant to the agreement, and subject to all requisite regulatory approvals and

the completion of all conditions by TeO and its shareholders, M1 TeliNet has agreed to acquire 15 per

cent interest in TeO on a fully diluted basis. – AR Raj Kumar/Times of Oman

Telecom entrant signs pact with Singapore firm

A3

OMANT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

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Iranian concert set to

combine music, poetry

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Iran’s Hamnavazan e Hesar Ensemble will be hosted by the Royal Opera House Muscat for a unique concert called The Pass, which combines traditional Persian music and poetry, on Sat-urday, May 9.

Iranian composer and tar play-er Ali Ghamsari’s Hamnavazan e Hesar Ensemble will collabo-rate with award-winning Iranian singer Mohammad Motamedi for this special concert. The program combines traditional Persian po-etry by Fazel Nazari, Rumi, and Hushang Ebtehaj sung by Mota-

medi and set to music played on traditional Persian percussion and string instruments.

“This concert will let listeners immerse themselves into the rich and beautiful Persian traditions. The combination of the melodi-ous and enchanting rhythms and Motamedi’s expression, emotion-al voice is truly beautiful. This is a wonderful example of Iran’s deep cultural traditions and it should not be missed,” said Umberto Fan-ni, ROHM’s artistic director and acting director general. For more information about Royal Opera House Muscat and tickets please visit www.rohmuscat.org.om.

M A Y 9

Coast Guard rescues 10 Indian sailors from damaged boatREJIMON [email protected]

MUSCAT: Coast Guard person-nel rescued 10 Indian sailors on board a boat which was sinking in the waters of Ras Al Hadd on Monday afternoon.

“On receiving an SOS mes-sage, the coast guard jumped into action and rescued the sail-ors from the sinking boat. The water had entered the boat and damaged the engine.

“Sixteen coast guard personnel were involved in the rescue opera-tions,” said the police. The rescue operation lasted for more than 18 hours. All the sailors are from the western Indian state of Gujarat.

On way to SharjahThe boat, which was on its way to Djibouti from Sharjah with car accessories, was caught in the rough seas.

“We started from Sharjah on May 1. On May 4, the sea was rough and by afternoon due to a leak, water began to seep into the

boat. We tried our best to drain the water from the boat, but it entered the engine and the boat stopped,” Salman, one of the sail-ors, told the Times of Oman.

“Meanwhile, we contacted our agent and he sought help from the Oman Navy. They arrived by noon on May 4 and tried to tow the boat to Ras Al Hadd but failed. Later, more navy personnel reached in a big rescue vessel and tried to res-cue us and salvage the boat. Final-

ly, on May 5, at around 6 a.m., we boarded the rescue vessel leaving the boat and the cargo,” added Salman and other sailors.

Among the 10 sailors, one had lost his passport, according to M A K Shajahan, honorary consul of the Indian embassy in Sur.

“We are trying our best to ar-range an emergency certifi cate (EC) for him to fl y back to India from Oman,” said Shajahan.

The boat is owned by an Indian.

R A S A L H A D D

Five drug smugglers arrested Times News Service

MUSCAT: Five Asian women at-tempting to smuggle psychotropic substances through the Muscat In-ternational Airport, were arrested by personnel of the Public Admin-istration to Combat Drugs and Psy-chotropic Substances. The accused were arrested with 3,524 Trama-dol capsules and they confessed to their crime during investigations.

Hashish seized In another case, four nationals were arrested in Al Khaboura for smuggling drugs along with an international gang.

The accused were arrested with four packets and two bags of hashish. The accused were re-ferred to the Public prosecution for further legal action.

The Royal Oman Police regu-larly advises citizens and resi-dents to co-operate with them to combat this scourge and to in-form them about any information that will help in the detection of smugglers and drug dealers. They are advised to call the emergency telephone (9999) or report to the nearest police station.

Citizen arrested for theft The Investigations and Crimi-nal Investigation Management personnel arrested a national ac-cused of theft in the Seeb wilayat.

The police informed that the accused broke into a store and stole cash. He was referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action.

C R I M E

DRUG HAUL: The accused, who were arrested with 3,524

Tramadol capsules, confessed to their crime during

investigations. – Photo courtesy ROP

Sixteen coast guard personnel were involved in

the rescue operations,” said the police. The rescue

operation lasted for more than 18 hours. All the

sailors are from the western Indian state of Gujarat

Rain in parts of Oman, hail and dust in others

REJIMON [email protected]

MUSCAT: Rain lashed diff erent parts of Oman since Wednesday afternoon resulting in overfl ow-ing of wadis in diff erent regions.

While some regions wit-nessed hailstorms, visibility in other regions was aff ected due to a dust storm.

“In Ibra we witnessed heavy rain. The roads were slippery and the wadis were overfl owing,” said Shameer PTK. The rain started around 1 p.m. followed by light-ning and thunder,” he added.

PredictionOman’s meteorological depart-ment had predicted rain for 48 hours in diff erent parts of Oman on Tuesday itself.

“Wadis in Nizwa, Al Amerat, Al Hamra and Damha apart from Al Taeein and Al Asreen were over-fl owing. More rains are expected in the next 24 hours,” said Bader Ali Al Baddaei, an administra-tor of www.rthmc.net, a local Web-based forum that discusses weather trends in Oman.

In its next 48-hour outlook, the skies over the Sultanate will be partly cloudy with chances of isolated rain. “There will be thun-dershowers over the Al Hajar Mountains and adjoining areas. It may extend to the Oman coast.

There are also chances of low lev-el clouds or fog along most of the coastal areas and governorates of South Al Sharqiya, Al Wusta and the northern Dhofar in the early morning,” says the forecast.

The forecast also adds that the Arabian sea will be moderate to rough with the maximum wave height of 2.5 metres.

Along the rest of the coast the maximum wave height would be 1.25 metres. On Tuesday, while rain and thundershowers lashed Samail and Rustaq regions giving much-needed relief to residents from the searing heat, Nakhal witnessed a hailstorm.

While some

regions witnessed

hailstorms, visibility

in other regions

was aff ected due

to a dust storm

HEAVY RAINS: Wadis in Nizwa, Al Amerat, Al Hamra and Damha

apart from Al Taeein and Al Asreen were overfl owing. More rains

are expected in the next 24 hours. – Photo courtesy www.rthmc.com

A4 T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

OMAN

Omani artist paints His Majesty’s portrait on a giant rocky canvas

SARAH [email protected]

MUSCAT: In a giant display of national pride and love for his rule, Omani artist Aziz Al Shihi painted a portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on a rock face above his hometown of Khasab.

The giant oil portrait, which is fi ve metres high and three me-tres across, features His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in profi le, wearing his blue and red massar, and the black and gold of a bisht visible on his shoulder. The roof-tops and date farms of Khasab, and more specifi cally Aziz’s village of Al Hajer, are visible in the distance

behind the portrait, as are the mountains on the other side of the town, creating a stunning and dra-matic backdrop for the painting.

‘Musandam loves you’“I hope that His Majesty sees this painting, and my message can reach him without having to type any phrase or even a word. This painting speaks for itself and says Musandam loves you, Your Maj-esty, and you stand high above the tops of the mountains,” Al Shihi, 28, told the Times of Oman.

Al Shihi said he was inspired to use the fl at rock face instead of painting on a canvas because he has an interest in graffi ti. One of the artists he admires the most is Banksy, the elusive British graffi ti artist who has painted art on walls and other public places all over the UK as well as other countries such as Palestine.

“Recently I have been following global artist Banksy and I decided to start the fi eld of graffi ti, too. He is my hero in this area,” said Al Shihi. It took two months of plan-ning and a week of painting for fi ve hours a day for Al Shihi to com-plete the portrait. He had to use a ladder and large brushes to paint the huge likeness.

Al Shihi said he hopes the por-

trait will last for at least 30 years because it’s in a relatively shady place where the sunlight won’t cause the paint to fade.

Now that it’s fi nished, it is get-ting a lot of attention from peo-ple in his hometown and beyond, thanks to social media. “I saw the surprise and wonder in some peo-ple’s eyes, but the best comment on the painting was from an old man who told me, ‘For the fi rst time I see the rock speak’,” said Al Shihi.

Highly realisticThe artist, who has been drawing since he was a child, became in-spired to pursue art seriously af-ter meeting Anwar Sonya, who is considered the “godfather” of Om-ani artist. “My view of art changed when I met this artist,” Al Shihi said of Sonya.

He began drawing highly re-alistic drawings of forts, castles, horses and other Omani scenes, but soon experimented with a variety of other media and tech-niques until settling on graffi ti and caricatures. He hopes this portrait will help give him a greater chance to fi nd success as an artist, some-thing he hopes all artists in Oman can fi nd. “We deserve a chance. That’s all we want: just a chance,” he concluded.

It took two months of

planning and a week

of painting for fi ve

hours a day for Aziz

Al Shihi to complete

the portrait

INSPIRATION: Aziz Al Shihi said he was inspired to use the fl at rock face instead of painting on a can-

vas because he has an interest in graffi ti. – Photo courtesy Aziz Al Shihi

Iranian calligrapher shares message of peace with art SARAH [email protected]

MUSCAT: At a time when much of the Islamic world is mired in confl ict, a renowned Iranian art-ist hopes to use his art to share a more peaceful side of Islam.

Mahdi Daryabari, who has achieved the rank of a “Master” of calligraphy from the Iranian Cal-ligraphers Association, the highest artistic title in Iran, brought his work to Oman for an exhibition that opened at the Opera Galleria on Tuesday evening. The exhibi-tion was opened by Iran’s ambas-sador to Oman, Ali Akbar Sibevieh.

“Islamic art matches my soul. It’s very peaceful and I see that other people are touched by the peaceful messages and nature of my work,” Daryabari told Times of Oman. The artist considers his talent a gift from God, and said he feels called by God to focus on Islamic calligraphy and be a messenger spreading Islam in a

peaceful way. “It’s very important to introduce Islam in a peace-ful way, using art instead of vio-lence,” he said, adding that these days Islam is too often associated with violence.

His highly detailed work is in-spired by verses form the Holy Quran and features black verses set against subdued, calming tones such as tan, gold, cream, and sky blue. The verses are decorated with miniature fl oral and geomet-

ric designs, refl ecting the details common to Iranian art and design. Daryabashi, who was born in 1967 to a family of artists and musi-cians, said he was pleased to bring his work to Oman since this is a country with a strong interest in Islamic art.

His exhibition coincides with two performances at the Royal Opera House Muscat by Iranian musical ensembles, Rastak on Thursday evening and Ham-navazan-e-Hesar Ensemble on Saturday evening. Speaking at the opening to the exhibition, Sibev-ieh said he was happy to have Dar-yabari and the musicians sharing the richness of Iranian culture with Oman.

Daryabashi’s exhibition will be on display until May 8.

M A S T E R A R T I S T


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

Mahdi Daryabari. –OK Mohammed Ali

Oman to take part in GCC food meeting

MUSCAT: Issues related to food safety will be discussed at the second meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Food Safety, to be held in the Qatari capital, Doha.

The Sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Regional Mu-nicipalities and Water Resourc-es, will take part in the meeting on Thursday.

The Sultanate’s delegation will be led by Hamad bin Su-laiman Al-Gharibi, undersecre-tary of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Re-sources for Regional Munici-palities Aff airs. -ONA

S A F E T Y

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Haitham conveys HM’s greetings to Saudi Crown PrinceRIYADH: As an Envoy of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, conveyed the congratulations of His Majesty to Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the oc-casion of him being appointed as a Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Political and Se-

curity Aff airs Council in the King-dom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the oc-casion of him being appointed as a Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Economic and Development Af-fairs Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. -ONA

V I S I T

HM receives

greetings

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from His High-ness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jabir Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, in reply to His Majesty’s condo-lences cable on the death of Sheikh Shamlan Abdulaziz Al Hamoud Al Jarrah Al Sabah. In his cable, Sheikh Sabah expressed his ut-most thanks for His Majesty. -ONA

K U W A I T

CONVEYING CONGRATULATIONS: His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as an Envoy of

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in Riyadh on Wednesday. – ONA

A6


It is particularly satisfying to receive these awards now. We are just a few months into our ambitious programme of fl eet and network expansion

Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, chief operating offi cer of Oman Air

One of the questions asked was whether the current tendering process benefi ts local service companies, in response to which Al Aufi said that there are certain areas where there is still room for further transparency.

According to him, the compa-nies bidding for a certain con-tract should have the right to know who they are competing with and who the other players are. Also, those companies who do not win the contract should be informed why they were not cho-sen so that they can improve the problematic areas next time, said the offi cial.

Other questions A number of other questions were also asked during the ses-sion, which were answered by the undersecretary as well as Raoul Restucci (PDO), Hamoud Al Tobi (Al Shawamikh Oil Services), Hans Erlings (Galfar) and Hilal Al Busaidy (Gulf Energy), in ad-dition to Ali Suleym Al Junaibi (Al Ghalbi International), Robert Swain (Occidental of Oman Inc. – Oxy Oman), Zeinoun Klink (Hal-liburton), Tatsuro Yamaguchi (Mitsui) and Fahmy Al Musharfi (Daleel Petroleum).

With regard to Omanisation, the panellists were almost unani-mous that Omanisation targets are yet to be achieved in top po-

sitions. They also noted that em-ployment opportunities in the public sector have led to many trained workers leaving their jobs in the private sector and joining government bodies.

In addition, Al Aufi said that one challenge facing Omanisa-tion is the fact that the educa-tion system does not meet the market’s requirements and some fresh graduates do not accept to be re-trained, and demand top po-sitions from the outset.

The offi cial from Mitsui said Omanisation may have suc-ceeded in terms of ‘quantity’ but not ‘quality’.

R E S I D E N T I A L U N I T S

Suitable housing locations in focus

Course not tuned to market needs

Al Sunaidi added that the study was commissioned in 2014. In its fi rst meeting in March, 2015, the SCP reviewed the preliminary re-sults of the study that included a number of legal and technical as-pects aimed at establishing these complexes in the various gover-norates of the Sultanate.

Growing demandHe pointed out that the study fo-cussed on how these complexes would contribute to meeting the growing demand for residential units, and provide an alterna-tive to citizens seeking suitable housing. The study took note of similar projects and schemes in a number of countries around the world.

The selection and reserva-tion of appropriate locations in the various governorates of the Sultanate to establish this type of complexes is under way in coordination with the Ministry of Housing.

Al Sunaidi indicated that the

consulting fi rm implementing the study, in coordination with the SCP Secretariat General, held a series of meetings over 2014 with a number of relevant government agencies, as well as a range of real estate specialists.

Earlier this year, the company started preparing the preliminary legal frameworks, which would allow real-estate developers to en-ter into long-term contracts with the government for the develop-ment of new areas and turn them into integrated housing complex-es with infrastructure and servic-es before throwing them open to Omanis buyers. He added that the project would be a quantum leap for the housing sector in the Sul-tanate, especially for the youth.

It would save them time and ef-fort, and enable them to deal with one developer while choosing the appropriate residence.

It will also provide integrated residential complexes that have basic services with recreational and commercial facilities. -ONA

D O U B L E S I T S P O R T F O L I O

T E N D E R I N G P R O C E S S

< FROM

A1

< FROM

A1

Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi ,

undersecretary at the

Ministry of Oil and Gas.

Starwood to unveil

Aloft brand in Muscat

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Reaffi rming its com-mitment to growth in the re-gion, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has signed fi ve new projects under its Aloft and Element brands in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Doha (Qatar) and Muscat, adding up to a total of seven signed deals to date.

At the Arabian Hotel In-vestment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced it will double its portfolio in the Middle East, aggressively expanding its luxury, upper upscale and mid-market brands with plans to open 50 hotels by 2019.

In agreement with New Rotana Enterprises, a sister concern of Al Adrak LLC, the signing of Aloft Muscat will introduce the Aloft brand to Oman and help meet the demand for infrastructure devel-opment in the country.

The hotel will off er 204 rooms and will be located in close prox-imity to the new Muscat Inter-national Airport and the up-coming Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre “Our growth in the region is a result of con-sistently delivering value to our owners through our distinct life-style brands, backed by our loyal guests and the strength of our global platform,” said Michael Wale, president for Starwood, Europe, Africa and Middle East.

Farming project set to

help local community

Times News Service

MUSCAT: It’s a project that cre-ates a link between small-scale farming enterprises and major hospitality providers.

‘Farming for Hospitality’, a community initiative spear-headed by the Oman Tourism Development Company (Om-ran), was offi cially unveiled yesterday under the auspices of Dr Khalifa bin Hamad Al Saadi, governor of Dakhiliyah. The function was attended by offi -cials from Omran and Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort, government offi -cials and community members.

CSR initiative The programme, conceived within the umbrella of Omran’s leading corporate responsibility initiative ‘Intajee’, aims to ben-efi t communities in the Jabal Al Akhdar region, and enables farmers to grow fresh produce for the local community and also for supply to nearby hotels.

‘Farming for Hospital-ity’, fi rst launched through a pilot programme in May 2014, equips local farmers with modern greenhouses to

grow fresh vegetables, produce that was previously sourced from other regions in Oman or even abroad.

Fresh produce The fresh produce, in addition to sustaining the local community, is now also being sold to the near-by Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort.

‘Farming for Hospitality’ aims to build on the skills of local farmers, while transforming the capabilities of traditional farm-ing practices in region.

On this occasion, Sheikh Dr Khalifa Al Saadi, stated, “It is inspiring to witness the coop-eration between large scale hos-pitality providers and local com-munities in the Jabal Al Akhdar region. It is my sincere hope that ‘Farming for Hospitality’ will serve as an example to motivate further collaboration and syn-ergy both in the region and across the nation.”

Commenting on the event, Wael Al Lawati, CEO, Omran Group, noted, “Viable tourism benefi ts not only the economy, but also the local communities from which it derives its inspiration and resources.”

O M R A N

Oman Air wins two world travel awards in a row

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Oman Air, the na-tional carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has won two awards at the World Travel Awards Middle East 2015.

Oman Air emerged on top in the ‘Middle East’s Leading Air-line - Business Class’ and ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline - Economy Class’ categories at a glittering ceremony which held on May 5 at the Four Seasons Resort in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This is for the second year in a row that Oman Air has taken the titles, which are voted for by travel and tourism professionals worldwide.

Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, the chief operating offi cer of Oman

Air, said, “It is particularly satis-fying to receive these awards now. We are just a few months into our ambitious programme of fl eet and network expansion. This will see us increase the size of our fl eet from 30 aircraft at the start of the programme, to 50 by 2018, and to 70 by 2020. Each of the new aircraft features newly-designed cabins, spacious and comfortable new Business Class and Economy Class seats and the very latest in-fl ight entertainment technology.”

On receiving the awards, Mo-hammed Al Shikely, general man-ager, marketing of Oman Air, said, “I am honoured to accept both these awards, on behalf of every-one at Oman Air. I am delighted that people throughout the global travel industry have been so im-pressed by our Business Class and Economy Class services, and I would like to thank them for vot-ing for Oman Air.”

“Oman Air has added a number of exciting new destinations to

our network, increased frequen-cies on some of our established routes and improved connections at Muscat International Airport. As a result, many thousands more people will have the oppor-tunity to experience Oman Air’s outstanding Business Class and Economy Class services,” he said.

Graham E Cooke, president and founder of the World Travel Awards, added, “Many congratu-lations to Oman Air! These World Travel Award accolades recog-nise the commitment to excel-lence and continuing endeavours to improve products and services which Oman Air has demonstrat-ed in the last twelve months.”

Oman Air’s new long haul business class cabin off ers 24 seats, each of which converts to a 77-inch/196cm long fully lie-fl at bed. The seats are fi tted in a 2-2-2 confi guration and, thanks to an ingenious cabin layout, provide direct aisle access for every passenger.

Oman Air emerged

top in the ‘Middle

East’s Leading

Airline - Business

Class’ and ‘Middle

East’s Leading

Airline - Economy

Class’ categories

Oman Air offi cials at the world travel awards in Dubai.

Royal Decree

Article (3) The Decree shall be published in the offi cial gazette and takes eff ect from its date of is-sue. Royal Decree No. 15/2015 on conducting the Electronic Census of Population, Residences and Es-tablishments 2020.

Article (1) states that the Elec-tronic Census of Population, Resi-dences and Establishments 2020 shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions attached to this Decree.

Article (2) The Decree shall be published in the offi cial gazette and be enforced on the day follow-ing its date of publishing. Royal Decree No. 16/2015 applies public utility status to Diba Sport Club Building project.

Article (1) declares the project of Diba Sport Club Building in the Wilayat of Diba, the Governorate of Musandam, as specifi ed in the memo and comprehensive diagram attached to the Decree, as a public utility project. Article (2) states that the departments concerned shall expropriate, through direct implementation, the properties and land necessary for the aforemen-tioned project, along with all the installations therein, in accordance with provisions of the Public Utility Expropriation Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. 64/78. Article (3) The Decree shall be published in the offi cial gazette and takes eff ect from its date of issue.

Royal Decree No. 17/2015 ap-points a non-resident ambassador. Article (1) appoints Badr bin Mo-hammed bin Badr Al Mantheri, Sultanate’s Ambassador to the Yemeni Republic, as the Sultan-ate’s non-resident ambassador to the Republic of Ethiopia and the Republic of Eritrea. Article (2) The Decree shall be published in the of-fi cial gazette and takes eff ect from its date of issue. -ONA

D E C I S I O N

‘Fine beyond reach’

“It is a welcome move from the ministry’s side. But we have doubts on its practicality. One reason is that a majority of the overstaying and absconding mi-grant workers will not be able to fi nd the money to pay the fi ne, which will be exorbitant. The second reason is that as long as there is a clause that the worker has to get a clearance from his old sponsor, he will be facing a big obstacle,” said Shaji Sebas-tin, a Muscat-based Indian social worker. As part of the eff ort to streamline the labour market, the

ministry circular has also provid-ed a chance for workers who wish to change their job status in the resident card during this three-month-long amnesty period.

Earlier, a job status change could be done only once in two years at the time of visa renewal. There are many migrant work-ers engaged in jobs which are not mentioned in the labour card.

According to the labour law, it is a punishable off ence.

However, the job status change cannot be done on a post which is reserved for locals or Omanised.

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

< FROM

A1

< FROM

A1

A7

REGIONT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

TO A STANDSTILL: People ride on the back of a truck taxi in

Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Wednesday. Acute fuel shortages have

brought most of the public transportation means in Yemen to a

standstill. – Reuters

Forty Yemeni civilians were killed when a shell fi red by the Houthis struck a boat they were on trying to fl ee the Al Tawahi neighbourhood to safer grounds

Workers and witnesses

120 killed in Yemen fighting

ADEN/CAIRO: Over 120 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in heavy fi ghting across Yem-en, rescue workers and Houthi sources said on Wednesday, as aid agencies warned fuel short-ages could halt their urgent work.

The heaviest clashes were con-centrated in the southern port city of Aden, where at least 40 civilians trying to fl ee the city by boat died when shells fi red by Houthi fi ghters struck their vessel, rescue workers and wit-nesses said. Earlier in the day, Houthi sources said 40 civil-ians were killed when warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition struck Yemeni provinces near the Saudi border overnight, following the death of three Saudis in the fi rst deadly cross border attack since the Arab alliance began opera-tions in March.

HungryThe confl ict has disrupted im-ports to Yemen, where about 20 million people or 80 per cent of the population are estimated to be going hungry, a statement by the United Nations and the Yemen International NGO Forum said. A shortage of fuel has crippled hos-

pitals and food supplies in recent weeks, and the UN’s World Food Programme has said its monthly fuel needs have leapt from 40,000 litres a month to 1 million litres. “Millions of lives are at risk, in particular children, and soon we will not be able to respond,” Ed-ward Santiago, country director for Save the Children, said in the statement. The statement also dismissed an announcement by the Saudi-led Arab alliance about a possible truce in some areas to allow for humanitarian supplies, saying a permanent end to hos-tilities was needed.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday Wash-ington was concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen and pledged $68 million for relief work in the country.

He told journalists in Djibouti that he would discuss a possible pause in fi ghting with Saudi of-fi cials later on Wednesday to try to get food, fuel and medicine to civilians. “We have urged all sides to comply with humanitarian law to take every precaution to keep civilians out of the line of fi re,” he added. In the city of Aden, rescue workers and witnesses said about 40 civilians were killed when a shell fi red by the Houthis struck a boat they were on trying to fl ee the Al Tawahi neighbourhood to safer grounds.

Residents and local fi ghters said Tawahi had witnessed in-tense clashes with Houthi fi ght-ers based nearby, which had drawn Saudi-led airstrikes.

They said at least 30 Houthi gunmen and 10 local fi ghters died in overnight fi ghting, includ-ing a local commander, Briga-dier General Ali Nasser Hadi, who was reportedly killed by a Houthi sniper. — Reuters

Houthis enter Aden’s

Al Tawahi district,

while aid groups

may stop work

as fuel shortage

cripples hospitals

Settlement over seized Maersk ship will be reached soon: IranANKARA: Iran said on Wednes-day a legal settlement could be reached soon over its seizure of the Marshall-Islands fl agged Maersk Tigris container ship last month, according to the offi cial IRNA news agency.

The Maersk Tigris was di-verted on April 28 by Iranian pa-trol boats, prompting the United States to send vessels to moni-tor the situation and to accom-pany US-fl agged vessels passing through the sea.

Danish shipping giant Maersk has insisted on the release of the vessel and its 24 crew members. Iran says the Maersk Tigris would only be let go once a years-old debt case is settled.

Negotiations“The negotiations between the private complainant and the other party are going on and pos-sibly the issue will be resolved in a day or two,” IRNA quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afk ham as telling a news conference. “The 24 mem-bers of the crew are free and they are benefi ting from consu-lar assistance,” she said.

Reuters understands that crew are still under Iranian supervision. A spokesman for Rickmers Shipmanagement, which manages the ship, said it

was in contact with the crew. “They are still on the ship and

they have always been onboard the vessel since the Iranians took custody of the ship,” the spokesman said.

Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, said it had sent a letter of under-taking related to the case ear-lier on Wednesday, but would not elaborate on what that undertak-ing was or when the issue could be resolved.

Maersk chartered the ship, which according to ship opera-

tor Rickmers is owned by undis-closed private investors.

Iranian offi cials have repeat-edly said the vessel will not be released until the case is settled. But Maersk has argued that be-cause the vessel is not owned by the company, it has nothing to do with any legal proceedings.

A Rickmers spokesman said on Thursday: “We’ve noted the state-ments in the media from Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. I can only confi rm that Maersk - as stated yesterday - are in dialogue with the court in Iran.” — Reuters

D I S P U T E

OPTIMISTIC: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh

Afkham in Tehran in this fi le picture taken on September 1,

2013. IRNA quoted Afkham as telling a news conference that

the negotiations between the private complainant and the other

party are going on and possibly the issue would be resolved in a

day or two. – AFP Files

A8

INDIAT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

Abducted doctor couple freed, return homePATNA/GAYA: Five days after being kidnapped, doctor couple Pankaj Gupta and Shubhra Gupta on Wednesday returned home in Gaya town after being freed

in Lucknow, state police chief P. K. Thakur said.

The couple were freed after Bi-har Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had spoken to his Uttar Pradesh

counterpart following informa-tion that the kidnappers were in that state. The two had been ab-ducted from Barachatti area of Gaya district on Friday. -PTI

B I H A R

Salman gets five-year jail in hit-and-run case

MUMBAI: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was sentenced on Wednesday to fi ve years in prison for killing a homeless man with his SUV in a 2002 hit-and-run after a night out drinking at an upmarket bar.

Judge D.W. Deshpande found Khan guilty of culpable homicide and other charges for driving his Land Cruiser into a group of home-less men sleeping rough in subur-ban Mumbai, rejecting the actor’s claim his driver was to blame.

“After going through the argu-ments put forth by both sides, I have come to the conclusion that fi ve years is proper punishment,” Deshpande told the packed ses-sions court in Mumbai.

The 49-year-old looked stunned and tired as the sentence was read out, sinking into his chair as his family gathered around, according to an AFP reporter in the court.

Granted bailBut the actor was later granted bail ahead of an appeal in India’s no-toriously slow legal system. It was unclear how hard the conviction would hit the career of one of the Indian movie industry’s biggest box-offi ce stars.

The outcome of the case had

been keenly awaited both by his le-gion of fans and by Bollywood stu-dios, who stand to lose millions of dollars if they have to cancel fi lm-ing for movies for which he has been signed up.

SupportThe sentence sparked a storm on social media, with Bollywood ce-lebrities taking to Twitter in sup-port of Khan, while at least one blamed the homeless for being there in the fi rst place.

“Roads are meant for cars and dogs not for people sleeping on them,” playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya tweeted.

Khan, the star of blockbusters such as Dabangg (Fearless), fl ed the scene of the crash that left la-bourer Nurullah Mahbob Sharif dead and several others injured, according to prosecutors.

His trial began in earnest last year after a series of court hearings and lengthy legal hold-ups.

Several prosecution witnesses, including survivors of the crash, testifi ed that Khan was driving the vehicle when it ploughed at speed into the men sleeping on the street near a bakery in September 2002.

When Khan fi nally took the stand in March, he said his driver was responsible for mounting the pavement in the suburb of Bandra West. The driver testifi ed in court last month that he had been be-hind the wheel, and that the crash occurred after the front left tyre burst, making steering and brak-ing diffi cult.

But the judge found Khan guilty of all charges, including driving while under the infl uence of alco-hol and without a licence.

A constable attached to Khan’s security detail said in his state-ment to police that the actor lost control of the car while driving at about 90 kph (55 mph).

One of the sleeping labourers injured in the accident said in his statement that “Salman was so drunk he fell”.

Khan’s lawyers said the star had in fact been drinking water and had climbed out of the driver’s seat after the accident because the passenger side door had been damaged.Khan has starred in more than 100 fi lms and television shows since his fi rst hit Maine Pyar Kiya (I Fell in Love) in the 1980s. But the body-building actor

is no stranger to controversy and spent more than a week behind bars for killing an endangered In-dian gazelle in 1998.

Film trade analyst Komal Nahta said Khan was currently fi lming two movies worth up to two billion rupees ($31 million).

“Their fate will depend on whether he is given time to com-plete shooting and dubbing work before he begins his sentence,” he said. Arjun Kapoor was among a stream of actors to take to Twitter, saying “it doesn’t matter what any-one or any court says he doesn’t deserve this at any level.”

But the victim’s wife, Begum Shaikh, said she had been waiting a long time for justice, adding “we have gone through a lot of hard-ships.” “Everything is so expensive and we hardly have any income. My kids are always under stress,” she told the CNN-IBN channel.

Khan becomes the second big-name Bollywood actor to be sen-tenced in the last two years.

Sanjay Dutt, the star of a series of gangster movies, is behind bars over possession of weapons linked to several bombings in Mumbai in 1993. - AFP

Judge D.W.

Deshpande found the

Bollywood superstar

guilty of culpable

homicide and other

charges for driving

his Land Cruiser into

a group of homeless

men sleeping rough

in suburban Mumbai,

rejecting his claim

that his driver

was to blame

Opposition parties slam

government for fl ip-fl op

on Dawood’s location

NEW DELHI: Opposition parties led by the Congress on Wednesday charged the Indian government with tarnishing In-dia’s image by saying that the location of Dawood Ibrahim was not known, even as the govern-ment dubbed him a “terrorist” and said he was in Pakistan.

The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Leader of Oppo-sition Ghulam Nabi Azad who said the enquiry in 1993 Mumbai blasts had established that Da-wood was the culprit and sought a statement from the home min-ister on the matter.

Several other members includ-ing Ritabrata Banerjee, Tapan Kumar Sen, Sitaram Yechury (all CPI-M) and Pavan Kumar Verma (JD-U) associated themselves with the issue raised by Azad and sought a statement by the home minister on it.

Minister of State for Parlia-mentary Aff airs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Dawood was culprit of India and its people. “He is a ter-rorist and is in Pakistan,” he said.

Naqvi said the home minister would come to the House and he would urge him to provide de-tailed information on the issue.

Azad said the stand of succes-sive governments over the last 20-22 years, whether that of Atal Behari Vajpayee or the Congress or any other party, has been that Dawood lives in Pakistan and op-erates from there.

Dangerous person“Our intelligence agencies which work the world over, also know about his residence and loca-tion... Pakistan government has been asked to hand him over to India so that action could be tak-en. We expect the same for this government also...

“In the other House (Lok Sab-ha), it was said government has no information about location of Dawood Ibrahim. We profusely regret this (statement).

“This has damaged the image of India at national and interna-tional levels. I am not only talking about the image of BJP or NDA, but in my mind, this has maligned the image of India as never be-fore,” said Azad. He said Dawood was a “dangerous person” and India has been asking Pakistan

to hand him over to India. “The Home Minister should come to the House and make a state-ment,” Azad said while demand-ing a clarifi cation.

He also said during the last general election campaign the UPA government was blamed for not being able to get Dawood back from Pakistan.

In a written statement in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the Centre had said the location of Dawood Ibrahim was not known to the government and once he is lo-cated, his extradition process will be initiated.

Later, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the un-derworld don lives in Pakistan and the Centre would continue to pursue the case very seriously. - PTI

1 9 9 3 M U M B A I B L A S T S A C C U S E D

INTERIM BAIL: Bollywood actor Salman Khan leaves the court after getting an interim two-day bail by

the High Court in the 2002 hit-and-run case in Mumbai on Wednesday. -PTI

In a written statement

in Lok Sabha on

Tuesday, the Centre

had said the location

of Dawood Ibrahim

was not known to

the government and

once he is located, his

extradition process

will be initiated

HITTING OUT: Congress leader

Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks in

the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi

on Wednesday. - PTI

Their fate will depend on whether he is given time to complete shooting and dubbing work before he begins his sentence

Komal Nahta, Film trade analyst

A9

INDIAT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

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‘A government by one person, for a select few’

NEW DELHI: Congress presi-dent Sonia Gandhi on Wednes-day mounted a strong attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his government had poi-soned political discourse, was “anti-farmer” and “arrogant” and “a government of some people, by one person, for a select few”.

Addressing the Congress Par-liamentary Party meeting here, Sonia said the Modi government had very little to showcase after one year in offi ce.

“Behind the smokescreen of ‘development’, the government is providing ‘achche din’ (good days) only for crony capitalists. Under the pretext of ‘Make in India’, the government is planning to dilute the rights and interests of work-ers and labourers. Do they make nothing in India,” Sonia asked.

Asking the government about the reality of its promised “ach-che din”, Sonia said the ruling dispensation deserved credit

for the “most anti-farmer legis-lative amendments to our land acquisition bill”.

“They deserve credit for ignor-ing the severe plight of farmers throughout the country in a show of callous unconcern that has never been seen before,” she said.

She said the government can be given credit for “transforming our nation into a land where every day we hear of places of worship of minorities being desecrated”.

“We can give them credit for making Indians feel unsafe in In-dia and for poisoning the political discourse of our great country,” she said.

Sonia said there was no sub-stantial economic achievement as job creation has slowed down, eight core sectors of economy have registered negative growth, investment in manufacturing was declining and exports have fallen.

“Truly, the hypocricy and in-sensitivity of the government is breathtaking. The prime minister announces grandiose schemes to grab headlines while the fi nance minister (Arun Jaitley) denies ad-

equate funds to them and starves critical programmes that benefi t the poor and weaker sections.”

“At the same time, he announc-es a generous bonanza for the cor-porate sector — tax cuts amount-ing to nearly Rs.2,50,000 crore over the next four years,” she said.

Sonia said the government ap-pears to favour a limited set of corporate interests to the exclu-sion of almost everyone else.

“India’s future cannot be built on such unjust foundations. The challenge for us is very clear.

We are faced with a govern-ment which assaults everything precious that India and Con-gress party stand for. We have to fi ght back.”

She said Modi and his govern-ment were still in ‘poll campaign mode’ as if the elections were not yet over. She also accused Modi of playing domestic politics on foreign soil and alleged that he at-tacked the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance gov-ernment and former prime min-ister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to France. -IANS

Congress president

says there was no

substantial economic

achievement of Modi

government as job

creation has slowed

down and eight core

sectors of economy

have registered

negative growth

FIERCEST ATTACK: Congress president Sonia Gandhi talks to the

media at Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PTI

Lok Sabha passes long-awaited GST bill

NEW DELHI: India’s lower house of parliament (Lok Sabhha) on Wednesday passed a tax reform bill intended to transform the country into a “seamless” market, boosting economic growth and cutting the cost of doing business.

But the goods and services tax (GST) bill must now be passed by the upper house (Rajya Sabha), where Prime Minister Narenda

Modi has been struggling to pass his reforms since storming to pow-er a year ago on a pledge to revive the economy. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley urged parliament to support the long-awaited bill, say-ing it would transform India into a common market and end multiple taxes and levies on products across the country.

“The GST would ensure a seam-

less and uniform indirect tax re-gime besides lowering infl ation and promoting fresh growth,” Jaitley told parliament. The gov-ernment is hoping to introduce the GST from April 1, 2016. But the reform still faces hurdles includ-ing approval by more than half of India’s 29 states and territories, some of which object to giving up their own right to levy taxes. - AFP

T A X R E F O R M S

A10

FIND-IT-ALLT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr 12.08pm

Asr 3.33pm

Maghrib 6.42pm

Isha 7.59pm Fajr (Tomorrow) 4.08am

OMAN

Max 37Min 28

Max 36Min 29

Max 39Min 31

Max 41Min 27

Max 41Min 31Max 41

Min 20

Max 39Min 26

Max 32Min 26

MAINLY clear to partly cloudy skies over most of the Sultanate with chance of convective cloud development and thundershowers over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining area during afternoon and evening associated with downdraft winds and hail may extend to the coastal areas of Oman Sea. Chance of early morning low level clouds or fog along most of the coastal areas and governorates of south Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and north part governorates of Dohfar.EXPECTED WIND: Along the coastal areas of Oman Sea wind will be northeasterly light to moderate during day becoming variable light at night, while it will be southerly to southeasterly light to moderate occasionally fresh over rest of the Sultanate.SEA STATE: Moderate to rough along the Arabian Sea coastal area with maximum wave height of 2.5 metres, and slight along the rest of the coasts with a maximum wave height of 1.25 metres.HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog formation and thundershowers.THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Clear to partly cloudy skies over most of the Sultanate with chance isolated rain. Occasional thundershowers over Al-Hajar mountains and adjoining area may extend to the coastal areas of Oman Sea. Chance of early morning low level clouds or fog along most of the coastal areas and governorates of south Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and northern part of Dohfar.

W E A T H E R L I S T I N G S

WORLD

Max 13Min 8

Max 38Min 19

Max 14Min 5

Max 41Min 25

Max 28Min 15

Max 27Min 20

Max 9Min 3

Max 34Min 26

Max Min

Abu Dhabi 39 27Doha 34 26Dubai 41 25Kuwait 33 25Manama 34 26Riyadh 37 25Athens 32 16Baghdad 37 19Barbados 31 26Beijing 23 11Berlin 16 8Boston 24 11Brussels 14 6Buenos Aires 15 10Cairo 33 14Chicago 27 19Colombo 31 26Copenhagen 12 7Dublin 12 5Frankfurt 18 6Harare 24 16Hong Kong 25 15Istanbul 16 7Jerusalem 14 8Johannesburg 20 4

Max Min

Kuala Lumpur 31 25Lisbon 20 15London 24 12Madrid 26 11Manila 35 27Mexico City 26 14Miami 26 24Moscow 15 7New Delhi 45 25New York 21 13Oslo 11 7Panama 27 11Paris 16 9Perth 23 10Prague 17 8Rio de Janeiro 23 21Santiago 22 11Seoul 23 11Singapore 30 27Stockholm 15 8Sydney 18 12Taipei 29 24Tokyo 22 15Toronto 19 11Vienna 20 11

PHARMACIESRound the clockAl Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666Muscat PharmacyRuwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635Atlas PharmacyGhubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715Muscat RegionAl Hashar, Ruwi1 24 Hr Br. Tel. 24537080Muscat, Al Sarooj. Tel: 24695536Belqees, Al Khoudh (OIB) Tel. 24535398Belqees, Ma’abelah. Tel: 24454624Dhofar RegionMuscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah. Tel. 23291635

HOSPITALS1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052Al Musafi r Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453Hatat Polyclinic LLC,Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006Al Raff ah Hospital: 24618900/1/2Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780Capital Polyclinic: 24707549Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740Ceregem National Raak: 24485633Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217Elixir Health Centre: 24565802Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540Hamdan Hospital: 23212340International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5Kims Oman Hospital: 2476010024 Hrs Emergency: 24760123Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128,

MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000

ROYAL OMAN POLICEEmergencies and inquiries: 9999General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603Directorate General of Customs: 24521109Traffi c violations inquiries: 24510228Public Relations Admin: 24560099

ACCOMMODATIONAl Bahjah Hotel: 24424400Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311Al Qurum Resort: 24605945Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979Beach Hotel: 24696601Bowshar Hotel: 24491105Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660Crystal Suites: 24826100Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234Haff a House Hotel: 24707207Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123InterContinental Muscat: 24680000Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900Marina Hotel: 24711711Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565Mina Hotel: 24711828Muttrah Hotel: 24798401Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199Oman Dive Centre: 24824240Park Inn: 24507888Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443

Ruwi Hotel: 24704244Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666The Chedi Muscat: 24524400The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570

MUSEUMSBait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fi sh market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pmNatural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm Thursday: 9am to 1pmMuseum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday - 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pmOman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pmBait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., [email protected] from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pmSohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pmMuscat Gate Museum: At Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

L I S T I N G S

LISTINGS

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

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 Daily15:00 Sur 18:00 Daily15:00 Jaalan 19:30 Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41)06:30 Sohar 08:50 Daily06:30 Buraimi 11:00 Daily08:00 Buraimi 14:30 Daily via Ibri13:00 Sohar 15:45 Daily13:00 Buraimi 17:40 Daily16.00 Sohar 18.35 Daily16.00 Buraimi 20:20 Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41)07:00 Sohar 08:55 Daily07:00 Ruwi 11:40 Daily13:30 Ruwi 20:20 Daily via Ibri13:00 Sohar 14:55 Daily13:00 Ruwi 17:40 Daily13:00 Sohar 19:20 Daily17:00 Ruwi 22:15 Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52)17:30 Sinaw 20:50 Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52)07:00 Ruwi 10:25 Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54)14:30 Nizwa 16:50 Daily14:30 Yanqul 19:30 Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54)06:00 Nizwa 08:40 Daily06:00 Ruwi 11:00 Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54)08:00 Nizwa 10:20 Daily08:00 Al Araqi 12:30 Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54)15:40 Nizwa 17:55 Daily15:40 Ruwi 20:20 Daily

TO SUR (Route 55)07:30 Sur 12:00 Daily14:30 Sur 18:45 Daily

TO SUR (Route 55)06:00 Ruwi 10:45 Daily14:30 Ruwi 19:00 Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62)06:30 Fahud 10:30 Daily06:30 Yibal 11:15 Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62)12:30 Fahud 13:15 Daily12:30 Ruwi 17:30 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201)06:00 Sohar 08:30 Daily06:00 Dubai 11:30 Daily13:00 Sohar 15:30 Wed,Thur13:00 Dubai 18:30 Wed,Thur15:00 Sohar 17:35 Daily15:00 Dubai 20:55 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201)07:30 Sohar 10:50 Daily07:30 Ruwi 13:40 Daily13:00 Sohar 16:15 Thur-Fri13:00 Ruwi 19:10 Thur-Fri15:30 Sohar 18:45 Daily15:30 Ruwi 21:35 Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100)07:00 Salalah 20:00 Daily10:00 Marmul 20:30 Daily10:00 Salalah 23:30 Daily19:00 Salalah 07:40 Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100)07:00 Ruwi 19:50 Daily10:00 Marmul 13:15 Daily10:00 Ruwi 22:30 Daily19:00 Ruwi 07:30 Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101)06:00 Marmul 16:50 Daily

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102)15:00 Dubai 07:00 Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101)06:00 Marmul 16:30 Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102)15:00 Salalah 07:00 Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

GERMANY: A fi gherfi ghter tries to cut a fallen tree on a car following

a heavy storm on Tuesday in Hamburg. - AFP

—www.met.gov.om

E V E N T S

The Future Landscape And Public Realm Oman, organised by the Advanced Conferences & Meetings FZ-LLC will take place from 25th May to the 26th May 2015 in Muscat, Oman

Muscat International Jewellery Exhibition, Oman International Exhibition Centre , Muscat, Oman , 26-30 May 2015

Global PR Trends Summit, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Muscat, Oman, 31 May-01 Jun 2015

Food & Hospitality Oman, Oman International Exhibition

Centre, Muscat, Oman, 07-09 Sep 2015

The Home Show - Oman is a 3 day event being held from 27th October to the 29th October 2015 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre in Muscat, Oman.

Iran Solo Country Exhibition 2015 - (6 - 10 Jan ’15)

International Travel and Hospitality show, 14-16 Dec 2015 Muscat, OIEC.

C I N E M A S C H E D U L EC I N E M A S C H E D U L E

BAHJA CINEMA

STARS CINEMA

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

For More Information 24789032, 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Film information 24791641 / 24786776

ABSOLUTION (Action) Cast: Steven Steagal, Byron Mann, Josh BarnettTimings: 12.00, 6.00, 10.00 pm CP No: 1127 ( 15+ )HOT PURSUIT ( Act / Com ) Cast: Sofi s Vergara, Reese Witherspoon, Mathew Del NegroTimings: 11.45 am, 4.00, 8.00 pmCP No : 1131( 12+ )KAJAKI (Adv/Thriller/War ) Cast:Mark Stanley, David Elliot, Malachi Kirby1.15, 5.30, 11.55 pmCP No : 1130 ( 15+ )BACKCOUNTRY ( Hor/ Thril) Cast: Missy Peregrym, Eric BalfourTimings : 2.00 & 11.55 pmCP No: 1128 ( 15+)PIKU (Hindi) ( Comedy/Drama ) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Depika Padukone, Irrfan Khan 3.15, 7.30 & 9.45 pmCP No : 1129 ( PG )

Oru Vadakkan Selfi e (Mal) (Rom/ Com)Cast: Navin Pauly, Manjima, Aju 3:00, 6:30 pm at Cinema Main, 9:45 pm at Cinema 3 & 4 Piku (2D) (PG)Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan,3:45, 6:45pm at Cinema 3, 10:00 pm at Cinema MainDochay (Telugu) (Com/Act)Cast: Naga Chaitanya & Kirti Sanon3:45 & 6:45 pm at Cinema 4 O Kadhal Kanmani (Tamil/Rom)Cast:Dulqar Salman & Nitya Menon6:30pm at Cinema 2Next Change: Bhaskar the Rascal (Mal)

AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON (3D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12)Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, 02:15 pm /06:10 pm /08:50 pm /11:30 pm

Hot Pursuit (Comedy) (12+)Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del3:50, 7:45, 10:00 PM

ABSOLUTION (Act, Adventure) (15+)Cast : Steven Seagal, Byron Mann, 2:00 pm /02:20 pm /07:00 pm /11:30 pm

PIKU (Comedy, Drama)(PG)Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan07:35 pm

KAJAKI (Adventure, Drama) (15+)Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot 05:30 pm /09:25 pm /11:45 pm

WORDS & PICTURES (Com, Dr) (12+)Cast: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche 05:30 pm

KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET (Animation)(PG12)Cast : Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski02:00 pm /03:45 pm

KAJAKI (15+)Cast : Mark Stanley, David Elliot, 12:15 pm /09:40 pm

BACKCOUNTRY (15+)Cast : Missy Peregrym, Eric Balfour3:40 pm

KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET (PG12)Cast : Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski10:30 am /12:15 pm /02:00 pm

WORDS & PICTURES (12+)Cast : Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche, Bruce Davison05:25 pm

HOT PURSUIT (12+)Cast : Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del10:30 am /07:35 pm

AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON (3DPG12Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans02:20 pm /07:00 pm /11:45 pm

AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON (3D) (PG12)Cast : Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans03:15 pm /08:30 pm

SCREEN 1Piku (Drama / Comedy) – PGCast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan2.30, 5.30, 9.00 PMGabbar - Hindi (Action/Drama ) – PGCast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor11.30 PMSCREEN 2Gabbar - Hindi (Action/Drama ) – PG3.30, 6.30 PMAvengers: Age of Ultron (3D)( Act)– PG12Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans9.00 PMPiku (Drama / Comedy) – PGCast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone,

Hot Pursuit - 2D (12+) Action |ComedyCast : Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, Matthew Del3:15 , 7:00 pmAbsolution – 2D (15+)Act, Adv, Crime Cast: Steven Seagal, Byron Mann5:00 , 7:00 ,11:45 pmAvengers: Age of Ultron – 3D (PG12) Action |Adventure |Sci-Fi Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans 2:15 ,8:45 ,11:30 pmWords and Pictures - 2D (12+) Comedy, Drama, Romance Cast: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche, Bruce Davison4:50, 7:20 pmPiku -2D (PG) Comedy, DramaCast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan 9:00 , 11:20 pmIt Follows - 2D (15+) Horror | MysteryCast: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist3:15 , 11:45 pmKajaki – 2D (15+) Adventure, Drama,Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot5:15, 9:30 pmKahlil Gibran’s The Prophet - 2D (PG12) AnimationCast: Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, 2:30 , 4:10 pmOru Vadakkan Selfi e - 2D (M)(PG) ComedyCast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, 06:30 pm

Avengers: Age of Ultron- 3D (PG12)04:45/09:00 PMKajaki - 2D (15+)03:00/11:45 PMHot Pursuit-2D (12+)Vergara, Matthew Del, 05:15/07:15 PMBackcountry 2D (15+)Cast: Missy Peregrym, Eric Balfour05:00/09:15 PMAbsolution 2D (15+)Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Esposito, 07:00/11:15 PMGabbar is Back 2D (PG)Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor, 09:00 PMKahlil Gibran’s the Prophet (2D) Cast: Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, 03:15 pm (PG12)Revenge for Jolly! 2D (15+)Cast: Brian Petsos, Kristen Wiig03:30 pmPiku (2D) (PG)07:00/11:00 pm

Avengers: Age of Ultron (3D)(Sci-Fi) Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans01:15, 06:45 PM (PG12)Khalil Gibran’s - The Prophet (Animation) (PG12) 03:45, 05:15 PMPiku (Comedy / Drama ) (PG)

Avengers :AgeOf Ultron (3D)(PG12)(Act) Cast: Robert Dwney Jr,Chris Evan, 11:00AM/3:35/7:15/11:30PMKajaki (2D)(15+)( Adve, Dr, Thriller ) Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot10:30AM/12:45/11:45PMKahlil Gibran’s The Prophet (2D)(PG12) Cast: Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, 11:15AM/12:30PMWords and Pictures (2D) (12+) (Com ) Cast: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche4:30PMIt Follows (2D)(15+) (Horror | Mystery) Cast: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist2:45/6:35PMHot Pursuit (2D) (12+) (Act, Comedy) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara, 2:00/5:30/9:45PMGabbar (2D)(PG) (Act/Crime/Dr) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor, 11:15PMOru Vadakkan Selfi e (2D)(PG) (Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly, 8:30PMAbsolution (2D)(15+)( Act, Adv, Crime ) Cast: Steven Seagal, Byron Mann1:30/6:05/10:00PMPiku (2D)(PG)( Comedy, Drama) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan3:15/7:45PM

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan. 09:15 PMKajaki (Adventure / Drama ) (15+) Cast: Mark Stanley, David Elliot, Malachi Kirby. 08:00, 11:30 PMAbsolution (Act / Adv / Crime) (15+) Cast: Steven seagal, Byron Mann, 04:30, 11:45 PMHot Pursuit (Act / Comedy) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sofi a Vergara, 2:45, 06:15, 10:00 PM

Irrfan Khan11.45 PMSCREEN 3Avengers: Age of Ultron (2D)( Act, Adventure, Fantasy)– PG123.30, 6.30, 11.45 PMGabbar - Hindi (Action/Drama ) – PGCast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor, 9.00 PM

Gabbar - 2D (PG) Action |Crime Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor09:15 pm

A11

PAKISTANT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

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Australia announces $19m aid package

ISLAMABAD: Visiting Austral-ian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop Wednesday announced a $19 mil-lion aid package for Pakistan that includes help for border areas hit

by confl ict and natural disasters.Julie made the pledge during a

two-day visit to Islamabad, where she is holding talks with her Paki-stani counterpart Sartaj Aziz on eff orts to counter militancy, the future of Afghanistan and the re-ported rise of IS in the region.

The aid package includes $8 million to help restore infrastruc-ture damaged by fl oods and con-

fl ict in the restive northwest and southwest, and around $8 million to support a trade initiative in partnership with the World Bank.

It has not yet been announced where the remaining assistance will be spent.

She added both countries “have common interests in countering transnational crimes including drug- and human-smuggling”.

Thousands of ethnic Hazara minority community have in re-cent years fl ed the southwestern province of Balochistan bound for Australia, which in 2013 in-troduced a military-led opera-tion to turn back boats carrying asylum-seekers before they reach the continent.

Australian tourismJulie said she would also encour-age Australian tourism to Paki-stan, which has been battling a homegrown extremist insurgency for over a decade.

“People-to-people links are important and of course we want to see Pakistan as a safe and se-cure environment so that you can engage international visitors,” she said.

Regarding IS, which has seized swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, Julie said: “We believe that there are around 100 foreign terrorists from Australia cur-rently in Iraq and Syria support-ing this... barbaric and terrorist organisation.”

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said an April suicide attack that killed 34 people was committed by the group, but NATO offi cials later expressed doubts over the claims. — AFP

Visiting Australian

Foreign Minister

Julie Bishop made

the announcement

in Islamabad, where

she is holding talks

with her Pakistani

counterpart Sartaj

Aziz on eff orts to

counter militancy, the

future of Afghanistan

and the reported rise

of IS in the region

BOOSTING TIES: Australian Minister for Foreign Aff airs Julie

Bishop, left, speaks with Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Sar-

taj Aziz, at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on Wednesday. — AFP

PML-N to contest Saad’s unseating over irregularitiesISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ruling party said Wednesday it would challenge an election tribunal that unseated the country’s railways minister over alleged irregulari-ties in the 2013 general election.

Saad Rafi que won the National Assembly’s NA-125 seat in the eastern city of Lahore with a ma-jority of nearly 40,000 as the Pa-kistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) swept to a landslide victory in May 2013.

But the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) party, led by former cricket star Imran Khan, has claimed widespread fraud tainted the poll which made Nawaz Sharif prime minister for a third time.

“Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government has decided to challenge the verdict in the Su-preme Court,” planning minister Ahsan Iqbal told reporters.

Rafi que’s PTI rival Hamid Khan, who came second in NA-125, had fi led a petition against the election result. The tribunal on Monday ruled in favour of Khan and ordered a fresh poll in his constituency

The PTI has waged a national campaign calling for the investi-

gation into allegations of rigging and staged a 126-day sit-in protest in front of parliament last year. It says results were changed in at least four constituencies -- includ-ing Rafi que’s -- through fraud.

Judicial commissionPakistan last month formed a nationwide judicial commission under the apex court chief justice to investigate rigging in elections throughout the country. — AFP

E L E C T I O N T R I B U N A L ’ S D E C I S I O N

Saad Rafique won the

National Assembly’s

NA-125 seat in Lahore

with a majority of nearly

40,000 as the Pakistan

Muslim League-N swept

to a landslide victory in

the May 2013 elections

COMMEN ARYT I M E S O F O M A NT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman and Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al ZadjaliDeputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Offi cer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali

Printed and published by: Muscat Media GroupP.O. Box 770, Ruwi, Postal Code: 112, Sultanate of Oman.

Subscription: RO70 per year.

Editorial: 24726666, Fax: 24813153; E-mail: [email protected]

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The confl ict in the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2014 was the most violent and destruc-tive round of fi ghting experi-enced in Gaza in recent years. According to the UN, 2,205 Palestinians lost their lives,

18,000 homes throughout Gaza were damaged or destroyed and 108,000 Palestinians were left homeless. This unprecedented scale of death and destruction is not a matter of chance and should surprise no one — it is the result of a deliberate change in recent years in the way the Israeli army (IDF) conducts its wars.

This change began in 2005, when Professor Asa Kasher and Major General (res.) Amos Yadlin published a paper called “Military Ethics of Fight-ing Terror: An Israeli Perspective.” This paper of-fers a radically changed perspective on the IDF’s obligation to avoid harming innocent lives.

It defi nes a “hierarchy of lives” with four levels. The lives of Israeli citizens come fi rst, followed by the lives of IDF soldiers. The lives of enemy civil-ians come next and enemy combatants come last.

This hierarchy determines that the army’s duty is to do everything in its power to prevent harm to IDF soldiers, even if it causes probable harm to the lives of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

This doctrine shaped the IDF’s mode of action in Gaza and infl uenced the rules of engagement Israeli soldiers received last summer during Op-eration Protective Edge, as indicated in over 60 soldiers’ testimonies collected by Breaking the Si-lence. One testifi er described the rules of engage-ment as follows: “The instructions are to shoot right away. Whoever you spot — be they armed or unarmed, no matter what. The instructions are very clear. Any person you run into, that you see with your eyes — shoot to kill. It’s an explicit in-struction.” Instructions of this kind were given to soldiers of all ranks.

A second doctrine that shaped the IDF’s ap-proach during Protective Edge was the “Dahiya Doctrine”, adopted by the IDF since the Second Lebanon War in 2006. In an interview in 2008, the IDF’s current Chief of Staff , Gadi Eizenkot (then head of the army’s Northern Command), described the doctrine bluntly:

“What happened in the Dahiya quarter in Bei-rut in 2006 will happen in every village from which they fi re at Israel. We will apply a dispro-

portionate amount of force and cause massive damage and destruction. As far as we are con-cerned, these are military bases.” Major General (res.) Dr. Gabriel Siboni argued: “When the next confrontation breaks out, the IDF will need to act quickly, resolutely, and with unprecedented force against the threat and actions of the enemy, in or-der to harm and punish, on levels that will require long and expensive rehabilitative processes.”

In line with this rationale, IDF actions included destruction that had no correlation to the level of risk to the forces or to Israeli citizens. Such ac-tions were designed to exact a heavy price and in-crease Israel’s deterrence against Gaza.

For example, one soldier testifi ed about a heavy bombardment after the forces began withdraw-ing from Gaza, when a ceasefi re was about to take hold: “After we left, I heard a boom. I looked back and I saw an air bombardment, and they told us, ‘Yeah, there’s going to be a cease-fi re, so we want to have “the fi nal word” before we leave.’”

These doctrines shaped the IDF’s conduct dur-ing all stages of combat in Gaza. Principles like the “purity of arms” and the “value of human life,” which once stood at the basis of the IDF’s code of ethics, were abandoned. The extremely permissive rules of engagement last summer point to a funda-mental change in the norms that guide IDF com-bat, which peaked during Operation Protective Edge. According to senior IDF offi cials, it will con-tinue to shape the IDF’s approach in future con-fl icts. The IDF has declared the establishment of an investigative team charged with examining any deviations from IDF protocol during the operation. During my army service, I was exposed to the IDF’s investigative mechanisms. I am now a member of Breaking the Silence, an organisation that has been observing the IDF’s policies in the occupied Pales-tinian territories for nearly 11 years.

I know that these mechanisms are not capable of investigating the wider policy that guides the IDF’s actions. At best, only some junior soldiers will be held responsible for isolated incidents.

Therefore, we call for an extensive and thor-ough investigation of the events that took place in Gaza in the summer of 2014. This investigation must be conducted by an external and independ-ent entity authorized to investigate the political and military leadership that developed and ap-proved these policies — not just the soldiers who carried them out. - The Independent

Israeli army doctrine of shoot-to-kill anyone

IDF actions included destruction that had no correlation to the level of risk to the forces or to Israeli citizens. Such actions were designed to exact a heavy price and increase Israel’s deterrence against Gaza

Letters, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi), by fax (24813153) or by e-mail ([email protected])

MURDEROUS POLICIES

In a move meant to promote some measure of equality, the Tax Re-forms Commission (TRC) has proposed that tax exemptions ex-tended to high-ranking public offi cials —including the president,

prime minister, all federal cabinet members, provincial governors, services chiefs and corps commanders — should be abolished. The commission, which was formed by the government with an aim to in-crease dwindling tax collection and suggest reforms to improve the tax culture, also suggested increasing the minimum threshold for income tax exemption from the current level of Rs400,000 to Rs500,000 per annum. The two proposals will now be taken up by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), for further consideration before they are included in the Finance Bill.

For decades, Pakistan has been plagued by issues of tax evasion and tax exemptions, which have done much to harm the economy. Despite being aware of the diff erent loopholes exploited by many, the FBR has been unable, and perhaps unwilling, to enforce laws, inviting scathing criticism from all quarters. With a budget defi cit that tends to increase every year, eff orts are only concentrated on increasing the rates for those sections of the economy that already pay tax. Despite promises of broadening the tax net and increasing collections, fi gures for the ongoing fi scal year present a sorry picture for the government, and this will continue to be the case. This is mainly due to the hypo-critical nature with which tax laws are enforced in the country. The FBR has been a toothless body, unable to leave any mark on the culture of tax evasion and tax exemptions. The TRC has taken a bold stand in its attempt at including the many varieties of perks that high-ranked public offi cials enjoy within the tax net. It is also trying to introduce tax reforms in real estate holdings. While these eff orts are appreci-ated and need to be considered, the proposals have been sent to the FBR — a body that does not need to be told what reforms are needed but has still been extremely lax about introducing them. Maybe, the FBR is where the restructuring needs to take place fi rst before it can be expected to bring about positive change. The elite have always been able to get away with bending the rules. And they have been able to do so since they are the ones making them - The Express Tribune

Towards tax reforms?

To listen to the World Health Organisation, you would think that Ireland was going to sink into the sea by the year 2030, under the sheer weight of its growing population of over weighed

people. Allowing for a degree of hyperbole, though, the rich-world epi-demic of obesity is real, in the sense that it is upon people in Britain already, and far from a laughing matter. In Britain, it will add to the al-ready inexorable demands on the NHS from a population living long-er, or rather living longer in poorer health, kept going by astonishingly eff ective — and expensive — new treatments for the ills of modern life, including cholesterol-clogged arteries and type 2 diabetes. Fully one-third of British women are forecast to be obese in 2030, compared with about one-quarter now. At the same time, paradoxically, anorexia and bulimia are running at historically high levels. Food seems to have become more of a pain than a pleasure for Britons, life-threatening, not life-enhancing. Taxing sugar, a solution often suggested, is prob-lematic, as it would suff er from all manner of practical obstacles. After all, your “fi ve a day” fruit contains a good deal of natural sugars, and it is extremely diffi cult to construct even the most cranky diet to be en-tirely sugar free. In reality, a tax on sugar would be, as with any tax on food, a tax that would fall disproportionately on the poor, and would not necessarily change their eating habits. Where sugar has become an addiction, this is especially true.

Given the vast expenditures on food preparation, marketing and de-livery, it is strange that so little is spent on educating children about their diet, and, even after Jamie Oliver’s eff orts, so few schools set an example of providing wholesome and tasty food. There is also a prob-lem with many food campaigners, in that they refuse to accept that, to many people of all ages fast foods are far more delicious than some grated carrot. Realising why the fast-food industry is so successful at producing palatable food cheaply is half the battle.

So, in such an intimate, personal sphere as what we eat and how we eat it, it will be diffi cult to reverse the fattening trend. Information about food, education about what it can do to us, voluntary action by food companies and retailers on food packaging, portions and posi-tioning (such as the location of choccy bars next to tills to encourage an impulse buy) will all help. Taxation and bans will probably, in due course, be tried, but with perverse and unintended eff ects, especially on poorer families, who will not automatically replace packs of dino-saur-shaped chicken nuggets with a nice fresh raw corn-fed organic bird. Fat is a formidable foe. - The Independent

Where is the road map to

fi ght obesity epidemic?

R O N Z A I D E L

Tourism growth will have big impact on employmentThis refers to the news story, 143,000 jobs to be created in tour-ism (May 6). Tourism can become the driver of employment in the Sultanate and also off er the coun-try an alternative with respect to diversifying its economy. In fact, tourism is one of the top 10 employment-generating sectors in the world — directly generating nearly four per cent of the global employment. What’s more, this sector also has the potential to generate at least nine per cent additional employment indirectly through its downstream indus-tries. In general, tourism generates one in 10 jobs. The growth and development of tourism will surely augur well for Oman.Anu ShaikhWadi Kabir

Tourism to play a pivotal role in Oman’s economyThis refers to the news story, 143,000 jobs to be created in tour-ism (May 6). There are several countries in the world where tour-ism plays a pivotal role in their economies. Let us take the exam-ples of Thailand, Greece and Mal-dives etc. where tourism is one of the top contributors to the GDP. I am sure that the growth of tourism will help the Sultanate create jobs and play a crucial role in eradica-tion of unemployment. Tourism, however, would need some more help, other than just fi nancial investments, to grow at a faster pace. The country would have to open up to welcome visitors from all over the world and ease its visa procedures as well. The country is already endowed with stunning beauty, honest and friendly people

and, of course, an excellent law and order. The fundamentals for the growth of tourism are already available in the country and it’s time now to maximise potential.Joseph ParkarMuscat

Oil and gas sector crucial for the country’s economy This refers to the news story, ‘We’ll go ahead with plans for privatisa-tion’ (May 5). Privatization of oil and gas should be restricted to lo-cal investors and the control must remain fi rmly vested with the government. The oil and gas sector still remains the main source of income for the government and the country’s development is still heavily reliant on this sector.Farid Al BahriMuscat

Salman Khan’s conviction proves the rule of lawThe conviction of Bollywood actor Salman Khan proved an important point for which we can now justifi -ably feel proud. It has been proved that in the eye of law even the high and mighty are at par with you and I. Five-year-jail for the actor is certainly not what, at least the relatives of those he ran over and killed in his fi t of drunken driving, were hoping for. They wanted at least 10 years of incarceration. Salman can feel happy that he got away with just token punishment. But more than that, what has been proved beyond all doubts is the fact that he had killed a few people in 2002. He had since been denying that he was behind the wheels and had been lying.Heba MustafaSeeb

READERS’ FORUM

The problem with political jokes is they get electedHENRY CATE VII

website: www.newindiaoman.com

NEW INDIA ASSURANCENew India off ers a wide range of HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS to you/family/employee.

PERSPEC IVET I M E S O F O M A N T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5T I M E S O F O M A N A13

It is easy to forget, looking at photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and

their new-born daughter, that giving birth is a messy and ex-hausting business and, in some cases, very dangerous.

And not just in countries in the developing world.

Save the Children’s annual re-port, State of the World’s Mother, reveals that women in this coun-try, one of the most advanced and prosperous nations in the world, are twice as likely to die in preg-nancy and childbirth as in some eastern European countries.

The UK’s overall ranking for motherhood, taking childcare, child-rearing, education, pay and representation into account, is 24th globally. On maternal mor-tality, women in the UK have a one in 6,900 risk of dying com-pared to one in 19,800 in Poland and one in 45,200 in Belarus. It is little comfort to read that for women in the US, the fi gure is even worse than ours — maternal deaths are one in 1,800, the worst among developed nations.

The report found that children born in the UK are more than twice as likely to die before the age of fi ve compared to one born

in Iceland or Luxembourg. As ever, the Scandinavian countries dominate the top of the global motherhood table, with the top three places going to Norway, Finland and Iceland.

The troubling fi gures about UK motherhood are not just about comparing our country to others that are doing better, but exposing the deep inequality in-side our own. If you’re a middle-class mother or a Middleton mother, the chances are your birth will go well — although even affl uent parents can do little about the shortage of midwives and lack of beds in labour wards in NHS hospitals. Yet as Kathryn Bolles from Save the Children says, it is inequality in the UK that is causing this country’s ma-ternal and childhood death rates to be so high.

The Save the Children report points out that higher represen-tation of women in national gov-ernment is crucial to improving care of all women. I agree to an extent — this only works if wom-en in Parliament are battling for the poorest mothers in society, not just striving to increase the number of female MPs.

The newly formed Women’s

Equality Party, by the journal-ist Catherine Mayer and come-dian Sandi Toksvig, sounds like a brilliant, no-brainer organ-isation, but only if its focus is on equality for all women. I too want to see equal representa-tion in Parliament, more women round the Cabinet table and in the boardroom, more female po-litical editors and, as I wrote here last week, a new baby princess to be treated equally to a new baby prince.

I will still campaign in favour of a cause I have argued for in the past — the right of daugh-ters of earls and dukes to be able to inherit castles and estates ahead of their younger broth-ers, which has been given re-newed impetus by the birth of Princess Charlotte.

But if we achieve all of this equality for women at the top of society, while poorer moth-ers are dying in childbirth at alarming rates in Britain, while a woman factory worker or shop assistant is paid less than a man for the same job, or while a child born into a low-income family is disadvantaged at school, then none of it will matter. - The Independent

TODAY IN HISTORY558 The dome of the church of St. Sophia

in Constantinople collapses. Its immediate rebuilding is ordered by Justinian.

1429 Joan of Arc breaks the English siege of

Orleans. 1525 The German peasants’ revolt is

crushed by the ruling class and church. 1864 The Battle of Wilderness ends with

heavy losses to both sides. 1937 The German Condor Legion arrives

in Spain to assist Fransico Franco’s forces.

GULF HIGHER EDUCATION EXHIBITION INAUGURATEDMUSCAT: – Undersecretary for Higher Education Salim bin Mustahil Al Mashani opened the Gulf Higher Education Exhibition (GHEDEX) at the Muscat Inter-Continental Hotel yesterday. The fi rst of its kind exhibition, organised by Oman International Trade and Exhibition (OITE), has 80 pavil-ions devoted to the diff erent aspects of higher education. The three-day event is being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and in association with the British Council. ‘Developing minds Building nations’ is the theme of the exhibition that has attracted over 65 tertiary institutions from Asia, Europe, North America and the AGCC region. These institutions were recognised for their excellent higher education opportunities.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

A different kind of revolution was taking place in Europe’s former colonies in Asia, where native peoples had no desire to be ruled once more by Western powers, which had been so ignominiously defeated by Japan. Vietnamese, Indonesians, Filipinos, Burmese, Indians, and Malays wanted their freedom, too

On May 8, 1945, when World War II in Europe offi cially ended, much of the world lay in ruins. But if the human

capacity for destruction knows few limits, the ability to start over again is just as re-markable. Perhaps that is why mankind has so far managed to survive. No doubt, mil-lions of people at the end of the war were too hungry and exhausted to do anything much beyond staying alive. But, at the same time, a wave of idealism swept across the wreckage, a collective sense of determination to build a more equal, peaceful, and safer world.

That is why the war’s great hero, Winston Churchill, was voted out of offi ce in the sum-mer of 1945, even before Japan surrendered. Men and women had not risked their lives simply to return to the old days of class priv-ilege and social deprivation. They wanted better housing, education, and free health care for all. Similar demands were heard all over Europe, where the anti-Nazi or anti-fascist resistance was often led by leftists, or indeed Communists, and pre-war conserva-tives were frequently tainted by collabora-tion with fascist regimes. There was talk of revolution in countries such as France, Italy, and Greece. This did not happen, because neither the Western Allies nor the Soviet Union supported it. Stalin was content to settle for an empire in Eastern Europe.

A diff erent kind of revolution was taking place in Europe’s former colonies in Asia, where native peoples had no desire to be ruled once more by Western powers, which had been so ignominiously defeated by Japan. Vietnamese, Indonesians, Filipinos, Burmese, Indians, and Malays wanted their freedom, too. These aspirations were often voiced in the United Nations, founded in 1945. The UN, like the dream of European unity, was also part of the 1945 consensus. For a short while, many prominent people — Albert Einstein, for one — believed that only a world government would be able to ensure global peace.

Today, 70 years later, much of the 1945 consensus no longer survives. Few people can muster great enthusiasm for the UN. The European dream is in crisis. And the post-war social-democratic welfare state is being eroded more and more every day.

The rot began during the 1980s, under Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Neoliberals attacked the expense of entitle-ment programmes and the vested interests of trade unions. Citizens, it was thought, had to become more self-reliant; government welfare programmes were making everyone soft and dependent. In Thatcher’s famous words, there was no such thing as “society,” only families and individuals who ought to be taking care of themselves.

But the 1945 consensus was dealt a much greater blow precisely when we all rejoiced at the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the oth-er great twentieth-century tyranny. In 1989, it looked as if the dark legacy of World War II, the enslavement of Eastern Europe, was fi nally over. And in many ways, it was.

But much else collapsed with the So-viet model. Social democracy lost its raison d’être as an antidote to Communism. All forms of leftist ideology — indeed, every-thing that smacked of collective idealism — came to be viewed as misguided utopianism that could lead only to the Gulag.

Neoliberalism fi lled the vacuum, creat-ing vast wealth for some people, but at the expense of the ideal of equality that had emerged from World War II. The extraor-dinary reception of Thomas Piketty’s Capi-tal in the Twenty-First Century shows how keenly the consequences of the collapse of the left have been felt. In recent years, other ideologies have also emerged to fi ll the hu-man need for collective ideals. The rise of right-wing populism refl ects revived yearn-ings for pure national communities that keep immigrants and minorities out. And, perversely, American neo-conservatives have transformed the internationalism of the old left by seeking to impose a democrat-ic world order by US military force. The an-swer to these alarming developments is not nostalgia. We cannot simply return to the past. Too much has changed. But a new aspi-ration toward social and economic equality, and international solidarity, is badly needed. It cannot be the same as the 1945 consensus, but we would do well, on this anniversary, to remember why that consensus was forged in the fi rst place. - Project Syndicate

The world is in urgent need of social and economic equality

HISTORYORB.COM

Eurozone growth to rise

GraphicsGraphic News /Source: European Commission

The European Commission says economic growth in the eurozone will be stronger than forecast this year thanks to cheaper oil, a weaker euro, and stimulus measures

GDP GROWTH 2015 Forecast 2016

Ireland 3.6 3.5Malta 3.6 3.2

Luxembourg 3.4 3.5Slovakia 3.0 3.4

Spain 2.8 2.6Lithuania 2.8 3.3

Latvia 2.3 3.2Estonia 2.3 2.9

Slovenia 2.3 2.1Germany 1.9 2.0

Netherlands 1.6 1.7Portugal 1.6 1.8

Euro area 1.5 1.9France 1.1 1.7

Belgium 1.1 1.5Austria 0.8 1.5

Italy 0.6 1.4Greece 0.5 2.9

Finland 0.3 1.0Cyprus -0.5 1.4

Every time you’re tempt-ed to say that America is moving forward

on race — that prejudice is no longer as important as it used to be — along comes an atrocity to puncture your complacency.

Almost everyone realises, I hope, that the Freddie Gray aff air wasn’t an isolated inci-dent, that it’s unique only to the extent that for once there seems to be a real possibility that justice may be done.

And the riots in Baltimore, destructive as they are, have served at least one useful purpose: drawing attention to the grotesque inequalities that poison the lives of too many Americans.

Yet I do worry that the cen-trality of race and racism to this particular story may con-vey the false impression that debilitating poverty and alien-ation from society are unique-ly black experiences.

In fact, much though by no means all of the horror one sees in Baltimore and many other places is really about class, about the devastat-ing eff ects of extreme and rising inequality.

Take, for example, is-sues of health and mortal-ity. Many people have pointed out that there are a number of black neighbourhoods in Baltimore where life expec-tancy compares unfavourably with impoverished Third World nations.

But what’s really strik-ing on a national basis is the way class disparities in death rates have been soaring even among whites.

Most notably, mortality among white women has in-creased sharply since the 1990s, with the rise surely concentrated among the poor and poorly educated; life ex-pectancy among less educated whites has been falling at rates reminiscent of the collapse of life expectancy in post-Com-munist Russia.

And yes, these excess deaths are the result of inequality and lack of opportunity, even in those cases where their direct cause lies in self-de-structive behaviour.

Overuse of prescription drugs, smoking, and obe-sity account for a lot of early deaths, but there’s a reason such behaviours are so wide-spread, and that reason has to do with an economy that leaves tens of millions behind.

It has been disheartening to see some commentators still writing as if poverty were sim-ply a matter of values, as if the poor just mysteriously make bad choices and all would be well if they adopted middle-class values.

Maybe, just maybe, that was a sustainable argument four decades ago, but at this point it should be obvious that middle-class values only fl ourish in an

economy that off ers middle-class jobs.

The great sociologist Wil-liam Julius Wilson argued long ago that widely-decried social changes among blacks, like the decline of traditional families, were actually caused by the disappearance of well-paying jobs in inner cities.

His argument contained an implicit prediction: if other racial groups were to face a similar loss of job opportunity, their behaviour would change in similar ways.

And so it has proved. Lag-ging wages — actually declin-ing in real terms for half of working men — and work in-stability have been followed by sharp declines in marriage, rising births out of wedlock, and more.

As Isabel Sawhill of the Brookings Institution writes: “Blacks have faced, and will continue to face, unique challenges.

But when we look for the reasons why less skilled blacks are failing to marry and join the middle class, it is largely for the same reasons that marriage and a middle-class lifestyle is eluding a growing number of whites as well.”

So it is, as I said, dishearten-ing still to see commentators suggesting that the poor are causing their own poverty, and could easily escape if only they acted like members of the up-per middle class.

And it’s also dishearten-ing to see commentators still purveying another debunked myth, that we’ve spent vast sums fi ghting poverty to no avail (because of values, you see.)

In reality, federal spending on means-tested programmes other than Medicaid has fl uc-tuated between 1 and 2 per cent of GDP for decades, go-ing up in recessions and down in recoveries.

That’s not a lot of money — it’s far less than other ad-vanced countries spend — and not all of it goes to families be-low the poverty line.

Despite this, measures that correct well-known fl aws in the statistics show that we have made some real progress against poverty.

And we would make a lot more progress if we were even a fraction as generous toward the needy as we imagine our-selves to be.

The point is that there is no excuse for fatalism as we contemplate the evils of pov-erty in America. Shrugging your shoulders as you attri-bute it all to values is an act of malign neglect.

The poor don’t need lec-tures on morality, they need more resources — which we can aff ord to provide — and better economic opportuni-ties, which we can also aff ord to provide through everything from training and subsidies to higher minimum wages. Balti-more, and America, don’t have to be as unjust as they are. - The New York Times News Service

Of race, class and neglect

The troubling fi gures about UK motherhood

PA U L K R U G M A N

J A N E M E R R I C K

IAN BURUMA

A14

WORLDT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

Plastic takes 1,000 years or more to break downWHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW. DON’T WASTE A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY LIKE OMAN.

TIME TO DECIDE: City council workers assemble ballot boxes

for distribution ahead of general election, in Glasgow, Britain, on

Wednesday. — Reuters

Ahead of UK polls, no winner

LONDON: Britain’s political leaders entered the fi nal hours of campaigning on Wednesday in the most unpredictable election in living memory which could yield no clear winner and weeks of hag-gling over the next government.

A win for Prime Minister Da-vid Cameron’s Conservatives would raise the risk of Britain exiting the European Union be-cause he has promised a referen-

dum on leaving the EU by 2017.But some business leaders and

investors have warned that the main opposition Labour party, led by Ed Miliband, could be bad for the economy, which is weighed down by a budget defi cit of nearly $140 billion.

With neither expected to win outright and smaller parties on the rise, the election is also likely to underline the decline of traditional two-party politics in Britain and rise of a more multi-lateral European style.

Multi-party government“This has been a remarkable elec-tion,” Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Econom-ics said, predicting that it would lead to some form of multi-party government “probably less sta-ble than the one that formed in 2010.” — AFP

The election is

likely to underline

the decline of

traditional two-

party politics in

Britain and rise of

multi-lateral style





A15

WORLDT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

In China, over 10,000 children under 15 years of age die each year as a result of injuries sustained in a road crash

Bernhard Schwartlaender, WHO’s representative in China

Conflicts uproot 38m internally,says new report

GENEVA: Confl icts and violence in places like Syria and Ukraine have displaced a record 38 million people inside their own countries, equivalent to the total popula-tions of New York, London and Beijing, a watchdog group said on Wednesday.

Nearly one third of them — a full 11 million people — were dis-placed last year alone, with an average of 30,000 people fl eeing their homes every day, the Gene-va-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) said in a report. “These are the worst fi gures for forced displacement in a generation, signalling our com-plete failure to protect innocent civilians,” said Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Coun-cil which is behind the IDMC.

In their homelandInternally displaced people (IDPs) is a label given to people who remain in their homeland, as opposed to refugees, who fl ee across borders.

According to the latest availa-ble UN statistics, there were some 16.7 million refugees in the world

at the end of 2013, meaning the total number of displaced people is well above 50 million.

The number of internally displaced people is thus today around twice that of refugees — a dramatic shift from a few decades ago when the two categories stood on equal footing, Egeland said.

Closed borders“One of the main reasons why the number of IDPs is growing so much are all the closed borders,” he told AFP, adding that the in-ternational community was “not willing or able to do as we prom-ise: to protect the vulnerable and the innocent”.

The trend is clear: 2014 marked the third year in a row with record numbers of IDPs, with last year’s fi gures dwarfi ng those seen at the peak of the Darfur crisis in 2004, the spiralling violence in Iraq in

the mid-2000s, or during the pro-tests in 2011, IDMC said. “This report should be a tremendous wake-up call,” Egeland said.

IDMC tracked internal dis-placement in 60 countries last year, but most of the people fl ee-ing in 2014 were in just fi ve coun-tries: Iraq, South Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. Egeland said that number had nearly doubled since the start of 2015, bringing the to-tal number of IDPs in Ukraine to more than 1.2 million.

The UN refugee agency, mean-while, said that many of those dis-placed end up becoming refugees.

“The longer a confl ict lasts, the more insecure (displaced people) feel and when hopelessness sets in, many will cross borders and become refugees,” said Volker Turk, UNHCR’s assistance head of protection. — AFP

The number of

internally displaced

people is today

around twice that

of refugees — a

dramatic shift from

a few decades ago

‘200,000 killed on China roads per year’

BEIJING: More than 200,000 people are killed on China’s notori-ously dangerous roads every year, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday — at least four times offi cial government statistics.

Writing in the government-pub-lished China Daily newspaper, the WHO’s representative in the coun-try Bernhard Schwartlaender said the estimated deaths were “entirely

preventable”. “In China, over 10,000 children under 15 years of age die each year as a result of injuries sus-tained in a road crash,” he added. “Many more are severely injured.”

The WHO’s 2013 global status report on road safety estimated Chinese road deaths at 275,983 in 2010. The most recent fi gures available from the ministry of transport, cited by a vice-minis-

ter at a forum, said 60,000 people were killed on the roads in 2012 — less than a quarter of the estimate in the WHO document.

China’s National Bureau of Sta-tistics said in February that last year road traffi c deaths ran at a rate of 2.22 people per 10,000 vehicles. Fatal road accidents are a serious problem in China, where traffi c regulations are often fl outed. — AFP

C H I N A

THE WORST FIGURES

A full 11 million people were displaced in 2014, with an average of 30,000 people fl eeing their homes every day

Some 16.7 million refugees in the world at the end of 2013, meaning the total number of displaced people is well above 50 million.

Most of the people fl eeing in 2014 were in just fi ve countries: Iraq, South Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria.

HOMELESS: Displaced peo-

ple from the nearby Yar-

muk Palestinian refugee

camp queuing to receive

aid from UNRWA in Yalda,

south of Damascus in this

April 17 photograph this

year. – AFP/HO/UNRWA.ORG

MARKEWWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5B

Muscat

6,352.57+ 0.91

+ 0.01%

Dubai

4,114.73+ 45.46

+ 1.12%

Abu Dhabi

4,566.00- 23.19

- 0.51%

Saudi Arabia

9,781.69+ 30.66

+ 0.31%

Kuwait

6,416.18+ 28.42

+ 0.44%

Bahrain

1,390.89+ 3.05

+ 0.22%

Qatar

12,334.06+ 126.42

+ 1.04%

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

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

Euro ............................................2.28

Pound ...........................................1.69

Indian Rs ..............................164.31

Pak Rs ....................................260.01

Bangla Taka.......................199.64* Rates are as of May 6

Source: Bank Muscat

Indian Rs .................................. 164.90

Pakistan Rs ............................ 263.25

Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 345.50

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

Phil Peso .................................... 115.35

* Rates as of May 6 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......15.30

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ....... 14.75

Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............144.25

Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 136.75

* Rates as of May 6

Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

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

Oman Crude ............. (Spot) ........ $67.66

Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$66.96

Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$68.67

Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$66.71

N.Sea Brent ............... (Spot) ........$69.02

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$61.97

CRUDE OIL PRICE

DIGEST VIDEO

S CA N T H I S Q R CO D E TO I N STA N T LY L AU N C H T H E V I D EO

Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

$37m gypsum manufacturing plant launched in SalalahTimes News Service

SALALAH: USG Zawawi Dry-wall SFZ’s $37 million state-of-the-art facility at Salalah Free Zone (SFZ) was inaugurated on Wednesday marking the formal start of commercial production of various range of the prestigious Sheetrock brand gypsum board products earmarked primarily for export across the Middle East and Indian subcontinent.

USG Zawawi Drywall SFZ is a 50:50 partnership between US-based USG Corporation and Australia-based Boral, on the one hand, and Zawawi Minerals, a prominent investor in Oman’s rap-

idly developing mining sector, on the other.

Innovative productsUSG and Boral are market leaders in the building materials industry providing a wide range innovative products and solutions for their customers.

The inauguration was held un-der the auspices of Sayyid Mo-hammed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar and was attended by digni-taries representing the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Min-istry of Transport and Commmu-nications, Salalah Free Zone, Port of Salalah, Bank Sohar, Dhofar

Power and representatives from the US Embassy.

Speaking on the occasion, Ann Mason, Economic-Commercial Offi cer from the US Embassy said, “We are pleased to see the opening of this successful US-Omani ven-ture. Building relations between the United States and Oman is a top priority of the US Embassy and this work is a shining example of the strategic coordination that benefi ts both our countries.”

“We applaud USG Boral and Zawawi Minerals for taking full advantage of the potential of Sala-lah Port and Free Zone and the US Oman Free Trade Agreement,” Ann Mason further added. > B2

S H E E T R O C K B R A N D

Community contractors in spotlight at oil and gas debate

ELHAM [email protected]

MUSCAT: While some oil and gas experts believe that super local community contractors (SLCCs) are benefi tting the local community, others argue that the initiative has led to a degree of monopoly.

The extent of the contribution of the SLCCs to the sector was debated at a roundtable meeting held to discuss the main challeng-es facing local service companies in the oil and gas industry, at the Occidental offi ce on Monday.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Oman

Society for Petroleum Services (Opal) and the Oil and Gas Year, was attended by Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi , undersecretary at the ministry, senior offi cials from Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Occidental of Oman Inc. (Oxy Oman) and BP as well as some other renowned companies.

The question about whether the formation of SLCCs has led to anti-competition practices and whether they are contributing to local community contractors (LCCs) drew a mixed response from the participants.

The SLCCs are registered as closed Omani shareholding com-panies on the Muscat Securities Market and they are owned by thousands of individual inves-tors who live in PDO’s concession area. The LCCs are companies owned by the tribal communities or individuals that live in PDO’s concession area.

Raoul Restucci, managing di-rector of PDO, said that that the initiative has contributed to both local shareholders and the local community and the competition is ‘clear’ and ‘well-established’.

However, Zeinoun Klink, managing director at Hallibur-ton Oman, argued that the con-

cept of SLCCs has created a kind of ‘monopoly’.

It has brought with it a ‘sense of entitlement’, he said, adding that a change in mindset is required.

He also noted that some com-plaints have been received that SLCCs are not fully engaging LCCs and are not giving them enough business. In addition, Hi-lal Al Busaidy from Gulf Energy said that SLCCs and local com-panies should complement each other rather than a local company being replaced by an SLCC.

Al Aufi also clarifi ed that the initiative is performance-based and the companies have a limited incubation period to demonstrate their capabilities.

Senior offi cials in the oil and gas industry also debated to what extent the drop in global oil prices has aff ected the industry.

The undersecretary said that if oil prices remain low for the next three years or so, a lot of compa-nies will be struggling.

PDO’s Restucci and Robert Swain, senior vice president and general manager of Oxy, said that they see lower oil prices as an op-portunity to fi nd new solutions to enhance their effi ciency and over-all performance.

Contribution of super

local community

contractors to the

sector was debated

at a roundtable

meeting held to

discuss the main

challenges facing

local service

companies in the oil

and gas industry

– Supplied picture

– Supplied picture

B2

MARKETT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

MUSCATSECURITIES MARKET

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

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

OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY ........................................ 9,250 .............19,333........................6 ........... 2.090 ...........2.090 ...........2.090 .......... 2.090 .............2.060 ........... 0.030 ............. 1.456 ................2.090............. 2.090................... 2.110 ..................187,473,000 ........0.100

OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL .............................................. 29,000 ...............2,494........................5 ........... 0.086 ........... 0.086 ...........0.086........... 0.086 .............0.085 ............0.001 ..............1.176 .................0.086 ..............0.086...................0.088...................15,050,000 .........0.100

OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................65,289 .............34,735..................... 84 ........... 0.526 ........... 0.536 ...........0.526........... 0.532 .............0.526 ........... 0.006 ..............1.141 .................0.532 ..............0.530...................0.532...................27,930,000 .........0.100

OM0000002168 ............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 252,693 ......... 106,032......................11 ............0.416 ...........0.420 ...........0.416 ........... 0.420 ............. 0.416............ 0.004 ............. 0.962 ................0.418 .............. 0.414...................0.418 ..................124,409,746 ........0.100

OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 200,000........... 57,200........................4 ........... 0.286 ........... 0.286 ...........0.286........... 0.286 .............0.284 ........... 0.002 ............. 0.704 ................0.286..............0.278...................0.286 .................441,792,364........0.100

OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION .......................... 72,127 .......... 118,604......................18 ............1.640 ........... 1.645 ...........1.640 ............1.645 ............. 1.635 .............0.010 ............. 0.612 ................1.645 ..............1.640...................1.645 ................ 1,233,750,000 ......0.100

OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .............................................17,310 ...............5,936........................4 ........... 0.342 ........... 0.350 ...........0.342........... 0.342 .............0.340 ........... 0.002 ............. 0.588 ................0.350 ..............0.342...................0.350................... 20,931,861 .........0.100

OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,856,908 ......994,289...................224 ........... 0.532 ........... 0.538 ...........0.532 ........... 0.536 .............0.534 ........... 0.002 ............. 0.375 ................0.534 ..............0.534...................0.536................ 1,228,416,912 ......0.100

OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS .....................780 .................. 245........................ 1 ............0.314 ........... 0.314 ...........0.314 ........... 0.314 ............. 0.314............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.314 ............. 0.000...................0.310 ................... 10,541,435 .........0.100

OM0000001483 ............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................... 21,475 ...............6,872........................ 1 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.320........... 0.320 .............0.320 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.320.............. 0.316...................0.320 .................429,027,280 .......0.100

OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 1,182,875 .......159,786......................31 ............0.135 ........... 0.136 ...........0.135 ............0.135 ............. 0.135 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.135 .............. 0.135...................0.137 ................. 270,042,227 .......0.100

OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE .............. 198,000 ............45,518......................14 ........... 0.228 ........... 0.231 ...........0.228........... 0.230 .............0.230 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.229..............0.229...................0.231 .................. 46,000,000 ........0.100

OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .............................................................. 1,205 ...................631........................2 ........... 0.520 ........... 0.528 ...........0.520........... 0.520 .............0.520 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.528 ..............0.520...................0.528..................172,053,809 ........0.100

OM0000001822 ............UNITED POWER .............................................................3,244 ............... 5,190........................2 ............1.600 ........... 1.600 ...........1.600 ........... 1.600 ............. 1.600 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................1.600 .............. 1.580...................1.650 ....................3,200,000 ..........1.000

OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............43,273 ...............9,864........................6 ........... 0.228 ...........0.228 ...........0.227........... 0.228 .............0.228 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.228..............0.227...................0.228 ...................4,788,000 ..........0.100

OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ........................................... 10 .................... 20........................ 1 ........... 2.000 ...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................2.000 ............ 0.000...................2.030 ................ 190,000,000 .......0.100

OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ..........................2,900 .................. 384........................2 ............0.135 ........... 0.135 ...........0.132 ............0.135 ............. 0.135 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.132 ..............0.128...................0.133 ....................4,050,000 ..........0.100

OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ...................................................... 24,800 ...............3,075........................6 ............0.124 ........... 0.124 ...........0.124 ........... 0.124 ............. 0.124 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.124 ..............0.124...................0.125 ...................38,534,853 .........0.100

OM0000002614 ............ONIC. HOLDING ............................................................10,000 .............. 4,600........................3 ........... 0.460 ...........0.460 ...........0.460........... 0.460 .............0.460 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.460..............0.456...................0.460 .................. 79,774,695 .........0.100

OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 4,000,000 .... 508,000........................ 1 ............0.127 ........... 0.127 ...........0.127 ............0.114 ............. 0.114 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.127 ..............0.108................... 0.113 .................. 22,800,000 ........0.100

OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA .....................................................770 ..................644........................ 1 ........... 0.836 ........... 0.836 ...........0.836 ........... 0.836 .............0.836 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.836 ..............0.836...................0.840 .................133,760,000 ........0.100

OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ......................................... 1,000 .................. 366........................ 1 ........... 0.366 ........... 0.366 ...........0.366........... 0.372 .............0.372 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.366 ..............0.360...................0.370..................104,939,137 ........0.100

OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................... 36,110 ...............4,684......................12 ............0.128 ........... 0.130 ...........0.128 ........... 0.130 ............. 0.130............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.130 ..............0.129...................0.130 ................... 37,697,483 .........0.100

OM0000001889 ............SALALAH MILLS ........................................................... 10,678 .............15,979........................9 ............1.490 ........... 1.500 ...........1.490 ............1.495 ............. 1.500 ...........-0.005 ........... -0.333 ...............1.500 ..............1.500...................0.000 .................. 72,003,781 .........0.100

OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ...................................................................... 10,010 ...............4,537........................4 ........... 0.456 ........... 0.456 ...........0.452 ........... 0.454 .............0.456 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.439 ...............0.452 ..............0.450...................0.456..................168,169,454 ........0.100

OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO..........................................................................67,418 .............50,137........................9 ............0.748 ........... 0.748 ...........0.740 ........... 0.744 ............. 0.748............-0.004 ........... -0.535 ...............0.740 ..............0.740...................0.744 ................. 484,302,507 .......0.100

OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................67,500 ...........106,313........................4 ............1.575 ........... 1.575............1.575 ............1.575 ............. 1.585 ............-0.010 ............-0.631................1.575 .............. 1.555................... 1.575 ..................315,000,000 .......0.100

OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 127,623 ............. 17,267..................... 22 ............0.135 ........... 0.136 ...........0.135 ............0.135 ............. 0.136............-0.001 ........... -0.735................0.136 .............. 0.136...................0.139 ...................12,150,000 .........0.100

OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................. 13,974 ............... 5,512........................5 ........... 0.396 ........... 0.396 ...........0.394........... 0.394 .............0.398 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.005 ...............0.394..............0.394...................0.404 ..................19,700,000 .........0.100

OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 381,497............ 93,346..................... 58 ........... 0.249 ...........0.249 ...........0.242 .......... 0.245 .............0.248 ...........-0.003 ............-1.210 ................0.242............. 0.242...................0.244 ..................31,972,500 .........0.100

OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING ........... 2,079,590 ..... 223,220..................... 97 ............0.109 ........... 0.109 ...........0.107 ........... 0.107 ............. 0.109 ...........-0.002 ............-1.835................0.108 .............. 0.107...................0.108 ...................13,040,625 .........0.100

OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 222,048 ........... 30,274......................19 ............0.137 ........... 0.138 ...........0.135 ............0.136 .............0.140 ...........-0.004 ........... -2.857 ...............0.135 .............. 0.135...................0.137 ....................8,002,678 ..........0.100

OM0000001962 ............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ..................................... 16,999 ............... 1,037........................5 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 .............0.063 ...........-0.002 ............-3.175 ................0.061 .............. 0.061...................0.063...................12,636,234 .........0.100

.............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 11,026,356 ......2,636,122 ..............672 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......33........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................. OM0000001426 ............OMAN REFRESHMENT ............................................10,000 ............ 25,100........................4 ........... 2.500 ...........2.520 ...........2.500 .......... 2.510 .............2.500 ............0.010 .............0.400 ................2.520............. 2.500...................0.000 .................125,500,000 .......0.100

OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................... 400 ..................200........................2 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.500........... 0.502 .............0.502 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.500..............0.500...................0.510 ...................79,065,000 .........0.100

OM0000001608 ............OMAN PACKAGING ...................................................... 5,000 ...............1,200........................ 1 ........... 0.240 ...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.234 .............0.234 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.240 .............0.234...................0.257.................... 7,589,991 ..........0.100

OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................... 67,983 ...............6,886......................19 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.102 ...........0.100 ............0.101 ............. 0.101 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.102 ..............0.100...................0.102 .................... 7,596,008 ..........0.100

OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.................................................. 5,000 .................. 405........................ 1 ............0.081 ........... 0.081 ...........0.081 ........... 0.083 .............0.083 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.081 .............. 0.081...................0.083...................83,000,000 ........0.100

OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ..............................25,646 ............... 2,811........................6 ............0.108 ........... 0.110............0.108 ............0.110 ............. 0.111 ............-0.001 ........... -0.901 ...............0.110 .............. 0.110................... 0.113 ...................11,000,000 .........0.100

OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 494,652 ............37,580..................... 27 ........... 0.077 ........... 0.077 ...........0.075 ........... 0.076 .............0.077 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.299 ...............0.076 ..............0.075...................0.076..................114,000,000........0.100

OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................58,648 ............... 3,149......................14 ........... 0.054 ........... 0.054 ...........0.050........... 0.054 .............0.055 ...........-0.001 ............-1.818 ................0.054..............0.054...................0.055.................... 6,750,000 ..........0.100

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 170,557 ...............6,677........................6 ........... 0.039 ...........0.040 ...........0.039........... 0.039 .............0.040 ...........-0.001 ........... -2.500 ...............0.039 ..............0.039...................0.040 ................... 3,315,000 ..........0.100

.............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 837,886............84,008..................... 80 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 9........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET ........................................................................................................................................................................................OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 .................................................186 ..................... 19........................ 1 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.101 ........... 0.107 ............. 0.107............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.101 .............. 0.101...................0.106 ...................34,201,766 .........0.100

.............................................SUM: ..........................................................................................186 ..................... 19........................ 1 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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 ....................................... 6,355.32 .............. 6,349.39 ................... 6,352.57 ................... 6,351.66 .................... 0.91 ................... 0.01Financial Index .....................................7,728.22 ...............7,699.48 ....................7,703.39 ................... 7,728.22 ................-24.83 .................. -0.32Industrial Index ................................... 8,350.85 ...............8,331.29 ................... 8,350.85 ...................8,340.97 ....................9.88 ................... 0.12Services Index .......................................3,454.41 .............. 3,450.48 ................... 3,450.88 ...................3,452.42 .................. -1.54 .................. -0.04MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 977.07 .................. 975.41 .......................977.02 .......................975.65 .................... 1.37 ................... 0.14

Trading SummaryVolume ................ Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up ............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded11,864,428 ................. 2,720,149 .....................753 ................14,891,789,216 .................. 9 ......................14 ....................20 .........................43

Index falls marginally

MUSCAT: MSM30 Index ended on a fl at note at 6,352.57 points, up by 0.01 per cent. The MSM Shariah Index gained 0.14 per cent to close at 977.02 points. Global Financial Investment was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turno-ver. Wednesday’s top gainer was Oman Cables, up by 1.46 per cent while Al Madina Investments down by 3.17 per cent was the top loser for the day.

A total number of 753 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turn-over of OMR2.72 million with more than 11.86 million shares changing hands. Out of 43 trad-ed securities, nine advanced, 14 declined and 20 remained un-changed. At the session close, Foreign Investors were net buyers for OMR289,000 fol-

lowed by GCC & Arab Investors for OMR196,000 while Omani Investors were net sellers for OMR485,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index retreated 0.32 per cent and closed at 7,703.39 points. Al Madina Takaful, Bank Dhofar and Bank Muscat in-creased by 1.18 per cent, 0.70 per cent and 0.37 per cent respec-tively. Al Madina Investments, Gulf Investment Services, Oman & Emirates Holding, Bank Nizwa and Al Anwar Holding declined by 3.17 per cent, 2.86 per cent, 1.83 per cent, 1.30 per cent and 1.21 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed the session at 8,350.85 points, up by 0.12 per cent. Oman Cables, Al Maha Ceramics, Al Anwar Ce-ramics and Oman Refreshments increased 1.46 per cent, 1.14 per cent, 0.96 per cent and 0.40 per cent respectively. — United Securities

Top gainer was Oman Cables, up by 1.46 per

cent while Al Madina Investments down by

3.17 per cent was the top loser for the day.

Project to aid economic growth

Rashad Al Musafi r, Acting Chief Executive Offi cer, BankSohar said, “Bank Sohar has emerged as a leading bank in the Sultanate. It has become a front runner in ar-ranging and fi nancing landmark deals that generate foreign ex-change for the country.” The Bank supports projects by private and globally respected entities that encourage economic growth and generate local employment.

Commissioning of the Salalah plant, which has a capacity to produce eight million square me-tres of gypsum board annually, began in March 2015. The facil-ity is equipped to manufacture a wide range of USG’s universally recognised Sheetrock gypsum boards, including products re-sistant to water, fi re, sound, im-pact and mould.

Signifi cantly, gypsum as raw material for the project is sourced entirely from a major gypsum quarry located in the Thamrait area of Dhofar Governorate. The quarry is operated by Zawawi Gypsum, also jointly owned by USG-Boral and Zawawi Minerals.

“USG Zawawi Drywall’s invest-

ment is in keeping with the Om-ani government’s economic poli-cies advocating the sustainable commercialisation of natural re-sources to diversify the economy, create employment for Omanis as well as facilitate infl ows of invest-ment and know-how. The Sala-lah facility operates to the same stringent safety and environmen-tal standards applied by USG at its facilities in the United States,” said Alawi Al Zawawi, Chairman of USG Zawawi Drywall SFZ.

The exploitation of widely available natural gypsum depos-its and subsequent value addition for eventual export represents a successful exercise in In-Coun-try Value (ICV) generation, said Ramachandran, Director of USG Zawawi Drywall LLC SFZ.

This project shall be adopting American environmental friendly manufacturing technology com-plying with all applicable national and international standards re-lated to safety and environmental quality measures.

The gypsum board products manufactured with innovative USG technology will be mar-

keted as “Made in the Sultan-ate of Oman” branding, thereby enhancing the Omani industrial brand image in the international markets, added Ramachandran.

Awadh Al Shanfari, CEO of Salalah Free Zone explained that the project is a re-enforcement of the Free Zone’s commitment to maximise the Sultanate’s min-eral wealth through national and foreign partnership. “In the past, we have been focusing on projects that can create new industries linked to the available raw mate-rials in the Sultanate. As a result of our endeavours, we will be an-nouncing more investments dur-ing this year,” he added.

Salalah Free Zone is one of the channels through which the gov-ernment is looking for economic diversifi cation through invest-ment promotion. It is hoping to encourage the industry by fi nding ways to link sea, air and ground transportation routes with the regional and international net-works that will contribute to the diversity of economic income and help achieve the goal of sustaina-ble development in the Sultanate.

S A L A L A H P L A N T

< FROM

B1Don’t litter a beautiful

country like OMAN.

Ensure proper disposalof garbage.

B3T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

MARKET

March passenger traffi c of Middle East carriers rise

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Middle East carriers passenger traffi c demand climbed 9.8 per cent in March but capac-ity growth of 11.9 per cent meant that load factor fell 1.5 percentage points to 77.1 per cent compared to March 2014, International Air Transport Association (IATA), said in its latest report.

“Middle East economies are comparatively well-placed to withstand the drop in oil prices and measures of non-oil-related business activity continue to show improvement,” it added.

Global passenger traffi cGlobal passenger traffi c results for March 2015 shows demand (revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 7.4 per cent com-pared to March 2014. This was an improvement on February, when year-over-year growth was 6.4 per cent, IATA report said.

The acceleration in the year-on-

year comparison refl ects the re-sidual impact of the February Lu-nar New Year celebrations, which tend to boost leisure travel in the weeks before and after the holi-day. In 2014, the holiday occurred at the end of January. However, underlying traffi c trends confi rm demand remains robust. March capacity rose 5.6 per cent and load factor climbed 1.3 percent-age points to 80 per cent. Domes-tic markets experienced stronger growth than international mar-kets, but both performed well.

“March traffi c continues the trend of healthy demand for trav-

el. We may, however, see a soften-ing of demand in the second quar-ter. There are signs that regional trade activity in Asia-Pacifi c may be slowing and Eurozone eco-nomic weakness continues to dis-appoint,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

March international passenger traffi c rose 7.0 per cent compared to the period a year ago. Capac-ity climbed 5.4 per cent and load factor increased 1.2 percentage points to 78.9 per cent. All regions recorded year-over increases in demand except for Africa.

Asia-Pacifi c airlinesAsia-Pacifi c airlines recorded an 11.1 per cent increase in de-mand compared to March 2014, strongest among the regions. The timing of the Lunar New Year in mid-February contributed to the robust performance as holiday-related travel continued into early March. Capacity rose 7.1 per cent, boosting load factor 2.9 percent-age points to 78.5 per cent. The underlying trend in air travel on Asia-Pacifi c carriers is likely to be weaker than performance sug-gests as regional trade activity appears to be slowing after strong gains in late 2014.

European carriers’ interna-

tional traffi c climbed 5.4 per cent in March compared to the period a year ago. Capacity rose 3.6 per cent and load factor climbed 1.4 percentage points to 80.8 per cent, highest among the regions. While the Eurozone is reporting very weak economic expansion, outside the Eurozone, nations like Turkey continue to record strong growth. North American airlines experienced just a 2.7 per cent traffi c rise in March over a year ago, refl ecting the maturity of these travel markets. The US economy continues to lead devel-oped economies in performance. Capacity rose 2.1 per cent, edg-ing up load factor 0.5 percentage points to 80.4 per cent.

Latin American airlines’ traffi c rose 4.3 per cent in March com-pared to March 2014. Regional trade volumes have been improv-ing, but the Brazilian economy continues to tread water. Capacity rose 5.5 per cent and load factor slipped 0.9 percentage points to 77.4 per cent.

Middle East

economies are

comparatively well-

placed to withstand

the drop in oil prices

and measures of

non-oil-related

business activity

continue to show

improvement: IATA

Dubai puts hotel success to test by adding more roomsDUBAI: The Burj Al Arab. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The Palm Island’s Atlantis. All unmistaka-bly Dubai, the Arabian Gulf emir-ate that turned itself into a luxury tourist destination.

Now Dubai is building hotels at the fastest pace, putting pressure on occupancy and rates that are among the highest in the world. The 14,385 rooms under con-struction will increase supply by about a fi fth, according to indus-try researcher STR Global, and thousands more are planned.

“There is concern around Dubai that we won’t see the same high rates as before,” Philip Wooller, Middle East and Africa director at STR Global, said in an interview. “But there is a bigger picture here and Dubai’s room rates need to soften to keep people coming and to allow the market to evolve.”

From the Roman columns of the soon-to-open Palazzo Versace to the Ottoman domes of Zabeel Saray, Dubai is adding to a collec-tion of monuments that serve as tourist attractions in their own right. City authorities show no sign of impeding the rush toward growth, with plans to almost double rooms by 2020.

Profi tability is fl agging even before the new rooms hit the mar-ket. Revenue per available room,

or revpar, declined 8.1 per cent in the fi rst quarter from a year earlier. Occupancy dropped 2.2 percentage points to 85.7 percent, while the average daily room rate fell 6.1 per cent, according to STR Global. Demand is growing year on year, however supply is cur-rently increasing at a faster pace, Wooller said.

Big earnersFor now, owners and managers might fi nd it easy to shrug off a few points of declines. Revpar for the city stands at Dh839 ($228), the highest in the world. Hong Kong and Paris, which have more rooms overall and more mid- and low-priced hotels, come in second and third at $185 and $165 respectively.

“Even if occupancy softens by 5 or 6 percentage points, that’s a very strong market and any other city in the world would give its

right arm for that,” Alex Kyriakid-is, president and managing direc-tor of Marriott International Inc. for the Middle East and Africa. “Dubai is still a highly desirable market to be in.”

The rooms being built are part of a total pipeline of 25,949 under contract, second to New York, according to STR Global data. About 75,000 are already avail-able. JLL, the Chicago-based real estate adviser, says 28,000 rooms will be added by the end of 2018.

Rouble surpriseA drop in Russian tourists last year served as a warning that events outside Dubai could quickly hurt demand. The city is stepping up eff orts to woo tour-ists with marketing initiatives, additional fl ights and easier visa policies after the ruble’s decline caused Russian visits to drop by about a quarter, Helal Saeed Al-marri, director general of the De-partment of Tourism and Com-merce Marketing (DTCM), said at a conference in Dubai.

Hotels and restaurants con-tributed 5.5 per cent to Dubai’s economy in the fi rst half of 2014, Dubai Statistics Centre says on its website. The Dubai Depart-ment for Economic Development expects tourism to grow 4.1 per cent this year.

H O S P I T A L I T Y I N D U S T R Y

Chinese yuan transactions to rise in GCC

Times News Service

MUSCAT: A forex expert from Crédit Agricole Private Banking commented at a media roundtable today that GCC countries are set to witness an increasing level of Chinese currency transactions, to support the growing cross-border trade and investment fl ows be-tween China, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the wider Middle East region.

“As the GCC’s largest trading partner, China is seen more to play an important role in the region’s businesses, and particularly in re-gards to commodity related activi-ties and joint infrastructure in-vestment projects. China is also using the region, and particu-larly the UAE, as a strategic hub for conducting business with Africa and wider Middle East,” said Davis Hall, Global Head of Foreign Exchange and Precious Metals Advisory, Crédit Agricole Private Banking.

In this background, it can be said that China is increasingly becoming a major stakeholder for region. To further facilitate cross-border synergies, the adoption of the Chinese Yuan by local busi-nesses would further boost trade and investments between China and the GCC countries,” he added.

B A N K I N G S E R V I C E

Tony Tyler. — Bloomberg fi le picture

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com [email protected]

– Bloomberg fi le picture

B4

FEATURET H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

Ongoing problem with secular stagnation is that economies stay

in stagnant waters

EC

CS

WAMP

O

OM

I

N

In a very recent exchange between former US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers on the plausi-

bility of secular stagnation, one point of agreement was the need for a global perspective. But from that perspective, the hypothesis of secular stagnation in the period leading up to the 2008 global fi nancial crisis is at odds with a central fact: global growth averaged more than four per cent– the highest rate on record.

The same problem haunts Bernanke’s hypothesis that slow growth refl ected a “global savings glut.” From a Keynesian perspective, an increase in savings can-not explain the surge in activity that the world witnessed in the early 2000s.

Supporters of the secular-stagnation hypothesis, it seems, have identifi ed the wrong problem. From a truly secu-lar and global perspective, the diffi culty lies in explaining the pre-crisis boom. More precisely, it lies in explaining the conjunction of three major global developments: a surge in growth (not stagnation), a decline in infl ation, and a reduction in real (infl ation-adjusted) interest rates. Any persuasive explana-tion of these three developments must de-emphasise a pure aggregate-demand framework and focus on the rise of emerging markets, especially China.

Essentially, the world witnessed a large positive productivity shock ema-nating from the emerging markets, which accelerated world growth while reinforcing disinfl ationary pressures that had already been set in motion by the so-called Great Moderation in business-cycle volatility. This key de-velopment helps to reconcile two of the three major global developments: faster growth and lower infl ation.

The real puzzle, then, is to square rising global productivity growth with declining real interest rates. Bernanke correctly emphasized that long-term real interest rates are determined by real growth. So the positive productiv-ity shock should have raised the return to capital and, hence, equilibrium real interest rates. Moreover, this tendency should have been accentuated by the fact that the productivity shock refl ected a decline in the global capital-to-labour ratio implied by the integration of Chi-nese and Indian workers into the global economy. But this did not happen: in-stead, global real interest rates declined.

Central to understanding this puz-zle are two distinctive features of the emerging-market productivity shock: it was resource-intensive and mercantilist in origin and consequence. Both features increased global savings. For starters, because relatively poor but large coun-tries — India and especially China — were the engines of global growth, and were resource-hungry, world oil prices soared. This redistributed global income toward countries with a higher propen-sity to save: the oil-exporting countries.

Even more important were mercantil-ist policies. China and other emerging-market countries pursued an economic strategy that defi ed the standard tenets of growth and development theory. Mer-cantilist growth was based on — and to some extent required — pushing capital out rather than attracting it. By limiting foreign infl ows and keeping domestic in-terest rates low, China was able to main-tain a relatively weaker currency, which served to sustain its export-led growth model. This led to massive current-ac-count surpluses (more than 10 per cent of GDP at one point), which sent capital fl owing to the rest of the world.

Recognising the signifi cance of this strategy exposes a common fallacy whereby the global savings glut is attrib-uted to emerging-market countries’ de-sire to insure themselves against fi nan-cial turmoil by acquiring dollar reserves. That may have been true in the immedi-ate aftermath of the Asian fi nancial cri-sis of the late 1990s, but it was quickly overtaken by the growth imperative. In other words, the self-insurance motive might explain China’s fi rst trillion dol-lars of reserve holdings, but it has noth-ing to do with the subsequent three tril-lion. Further contributing to the savings glut was growth itself. As incomes rose, already-prudent Asians became even more prudent, and profi table companies became even more profi table. This en-dogenous response to rapid productivity growth was a key factor contributing to the savings glut. Old development veri-ties that savings drive growth had to be re-assessed, because, to some extent, emerging-market growth drove savings.

Here lies the explanation of the inter-est-rate puzzle. As savings (and hence the global supply of loanable funds) in-creased, real rates came under down-ward pressure. Low rates, in turn, pro-vided the lubrication needed to fi nance the asset bubble in the US and elsewhere. According to Summers, high savings caused weak growth; under the alterna-tive explanation off ered here, it was pri-marily rapid growth — and its distinctive features — that drove high savings.

Today, as world growth decelerates, secular stagnation seems plausible once again. But secular stagnation is an ail-ment of countries at the economic fron-tier. For the rest of the developing world, the real worry is not a shortfall of de-mand; it is the need to sustain high rates of productivity growth. — Project Syndicate

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Award-winning Ford Fusionnow available with big off er

MUSCAT: Ford Fusion is setting examples for all the right reasons. This vehicle has been created out of Ford’s desire to present custom-ers with not just an automobile but an experience they will love.

Moreover customers looking forward to owning the rewarding Ford Fusion now have a limited period opportunity to make the most of with exciting campaign off ers until May 14, says a press release. As part of the off er, a cus-tomer can choose any one option. Cash gift of OMR550 for 14 and 15MY Fusion or 3 years/60,000km

(whichever is earlier) and 5 years/100,000Kms (whichever is earlier) on 15MY Fusion and iPad Mini (16 GB only),

The Ford Fusion is available in three trim levels to begin with: S, SE and the exclusive SE SporTech. The Fusion comes standard with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cyl-inder i-VCT engine and 8 standard airbags including driver and pas-senger knee airbags. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

In Oman, Ford vehicles are brought to you by Arabian Car

Marketing Company. The Fusion S comes standard

with 16-inch wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, cruise control, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, a trip computer, 60/40-split-fold-ing rear seats, the voice-activated (SYNC) audio and cell phone in-terface and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxil-iary audio jack and a USB Port/iPod interface.

The Fusion SE has 17-inch alloy wheels, exterior touch sensitive keypad entry, heated mirrors with

integrated turn signal indicator, a 10-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), rear air ducts, 6-speaker sound system and re-verse perimeter sensing system.

The SE SporTech adds 18” sport alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, moon-roof, fog lamps, dual zone elec-tronic climate control and Ford’s class exclusive MyFord Touch (which includes a 8” LCD screen in the centre stack and 2 driver confi gurable 4.2” LCD’s in the in-strument cluster, 2 USB ports, SD card reader and a dedicated A/V input). The SE SporTech also fea-tures a charcoal black “eco-cloth” seating surface with unique red stitching to give it a more sporty appearance. Key contributors to how the Fusion feels are the ride and handling components that maximize vehicle dynamics.

Fusion is even more fun to drive with specially tuned electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), a McPherson strut front suspen-sion and an all-new premium-lev-el multilink rear suspension.

The Ford Fusion comes stand-ard with antilock disc brakes, trac-tion and stability control, driver and passenger airbags, front knee airbags and side curtain airbags. Also standard is Ford’s MyKey, which can be used to set and limit certain parameters such as vehi-

cle speed and audio volume for teenage drivers.

Engineers increased its body strength by 10 percent, using more high-strength steels such as boron and added dual fi rst-row knee air-bags and adaptive front airbags that vent and tether to conform to a specifi c occupant’s size, position and seatbelt usage.

Fusion interior tranquility reaches a new level with acoustic under body shields and weight-saving sound-absorption material; both minimis road and powertrain noise while boosting aerodynamic effi ciency to help save fuel.

The Fusion off ers the latest it-eration of Ford’s SYNC, the voice activated communications and entertainment system through a driver’s mobile phone and inter-action with the car’s audio system. It also off ers the MyFord Touch that allows drivers to interact with vehicle systems through voice control, a touch screen tap or a conventional button.

Ford vehicles are known the world over for their exceptional safety, luxury and unsurpassed technological superiority.

Ford ploughs in millions of dol-lars into R&D each year to ensure that every Ford off ers maximum safety and motoring pleasure for its customers.

Customer can choose

any one option: Cash

gift of OMR550 for 14

and 15MY Fusion or 3

years/60,000km and

5 years/100,000km

on 15MY Fusion and

iPad Mini (16 GB only)

Live music,

bangle maker

enthrall guests at

Mumtaz Mahal

MUSCAT: Besides its award win-ning menu and service, Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant has introduced two Indian art forms at the restau-rant as part of entertainment for its valued patrons, says a press release

Adding to its royal and tradi-tional ambience is the recently introduced duo of Indian classical musicians who keep the diners en-tertained on Sitar (plucked string instrument) and Tabla (percus-sion instrument). Within a short span of time, these musicians have made a fi ne impression with their melodious tunes that has the guests craving for more .

Along with musicians, the res-taurant has also roped in a talented bangle-maker from Rajasthan who skillfully showcases the art of Indian bangle-making, craft-ing bespoke bangles for the din-ers, particularly ladies who love to take back an exquisite bangle as a souvenir. “The idea of music with dinner has known to be a common practice of the noblemen and the custom has been carried forward,” commented Gautam Moudgill, General Manager, Mumtaz Mahal.

The music and bangle-making has not only added to the restau-rant’s charm, but has also elevated the diner’s experience, transform-ing a simple eating-out ritual to a pleasing dining experience.

F I N E D I N I N G

Rajesh, RDI students deliver superb showMUSCAT: Rajesh Master Dance Institute (RDI) students rocked the fl oor of Qurum Amphithea-tre with amazing perfection. RDI celebrated its 10th annual day ‘SPARK’ recently with a fusion of western and contemporary dance and music.

The event was a unique com-bination of Rajesh Master’s genius choreography and hard work which brought out the best in each one of his students. The packed audience in the Amphi-theatre was a witness to this grand event of talent showcased by more than 100 students, says a press release.

Vimala Raman, the famous South Indian actress who acted in numerous fi lms with almost all the leading heroes of south, was the chief guest. Being a dancer herself she was captivated by the performances of RDI students. “I felt like being a part of Shiamak Davar’s live show,” she said.

The highlight of the evening was the performance by hundred and ten students of RDI along with the famous south Indian ac-tress Sija Rose, world famous vio-linist Manoj George, singers Vid-hu Prathap, Renjini Jose and the music director Ronnie Raphael.

The event was powered by Oman Air.

Not only Rajesh’s choreogra-phy but also his idea of the color-ful costumes, the unique stage settings, the video wall anima-tion, breathtaking visuals, the display of full size photograph of each participant appealed to the dance lovers of Muscat. Desert Technology Events was the sup-porter of the event.

The fi rst performance was the show stealer, a semi classical dance was perfect fusion of clas-sical and contemporary dance. The tiny tots with their ‘Barbie’ kept the audience enthralled. The evening progressed with the stunning performances of diff er-ent styles of dances showcasing

hip-hop, salsa, western, Bolly-wood medley, aerial act, modern jazz, deboing and cinematic folk by talents of various age groups.

Rajesh’s appearance in the fi nal medley along with all his students was a visual treat for the audience. The performance of Sija Rose, the upcoming south Indian actress who is also a product of RDI, with the talents of RDI, added to the beauty of the show. Vidhu Prat-hap’s inspired voice lent an eff ec-tive support to the show.

The audience cheered the Music director Ronnie Raphael when Vidhu rendered the song ‘vennilave’ composed by Ronnie. “We never expected such mind blowing performances and huge crowd for the annual day of a dance school,” said the celebrity singer Vidhu Prathap, expressing his happiness after the event.

With her Arabic and Hindi number, singer Renjini Jose add-ed colour to the show. The duet sung by Vidhu and Renjini from the famous movie Yeh jawani hai diwani received great applause from the audience.

Manoj George, the world fa-mous violinist, took the show to totally diff erent level with his performance, especially the med-ley composed in ‘kappy ragam’.

“The response from the art lov-ers of Muscat was quite encour-aging. Their positive feedback and support gave us inspiration for innovations in dance. We are very happy that we could provide such a big platform to our stu-dents. Everything went well with God’s grace,” said Rajesh and Renjini, the directors and chore-ographers of RDI.

“We are thankful to Oman Air for their support in putting together this dance and music show. We also take this oppor-tunity to express our gratitude tos Desert Technology Events. The sound system support by GT Stagtech was amazing ,” conclud-ed Rajesh and Renjini.

A N N U A L D A Y

‘Wings Of Oman’ celebrates joy of His Majesty's return to OmanMUSCAT: The newly-published May 2015 issue of Oman Air’s in-fl ight magazine, Wings of Oman, celebrates the joyful return to his homeland of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, reportedly fol-lowing a period of ill health, says a press release.

“We are proud to have the op-portunity to celebrate, within the latest issue of Wings of Oman, the return to Oman of His Majesty the Sultan. His Majesty is an inspi-rational leader, an example to us all and much-loved by his people. Furthermore, he embodies the Omani spirit of drawing on our nation’s faith, culture and history to create a dynamic and visionary future,” said Usama Al Haremi, senior manager Corporate Com-munications and Media.

“His Majesty’s creation of the modern Oman has provided his people with previously undreamed of opportunities – for education, healthcare, economic develop-ment and much more. Oman Air owes its very existence to His Majesty’s vision and our Wings of Oman over story is a small token of our love, respect and apprecia-tion,” he added.

His Majesty arrived back in the Sultanate of Oman on March 23. His return was greeted by great cel-

ebration amongst the Omani peo-ple and the country’s expat com-munity. Thousands of celebratory postings and comments about his homecoming were published on social media pages, all highlighting

the love and praise that the people of Oman have for their great lead-er. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said was born in Oman’s southern coastal town of Salalah, in Dhofar, in 1940. Following his education in

Oman and England, he entered the prestigious Royal Military Acad-emy Sandhurst and then served as an offi cer in the British Army. After studying local government systems and touring the world, His Majesty returned to Oman, where he acceded to the throne in 1970.

He immediately began modern-ising the country, spearheading the grand development of Oman’s infrastructure and transforming it into the progressive economy and society that it is today. His Majesty boosted spending on health, edu-cation and welfare, and ensured that Oman’s rich cultural diver-sity and artistic heritage were pre-served. He also established healthy relationships with neighbouring countries and the rest of the world.

Today, as a thriving and pros-perous nation, the international respect in which the Sultanate of Oman is held is exceeded only by the Omani people’s love for their Sultan. Wings of Oman’s cover story provides details of Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s background and provides insight into why he is held in such high esteem.

Wings of Oman is available on all Oman Air’s aircraft, as well as in airport lounges and offi ces throughout the airline’s interna-tional network.

M O N T H L Y M A G A Z I N E

CBFS launches M.Sc. in Finance degreeMUSCAT: College of Banking and Financial Studies (CBFS) has launched for the fi rst time in Oman the Master of Science in Finance in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde.

Dr Ahmed Mohsin Al Ghassani, Dean of the College, has welcomed the fi rst batch of the programme with the presence of Dr Ronald Bradfi eld on behalf of the Univer-sity of Strathclyde.

Senior staff from CBFS also at-tended the event including the Assistant Deans, the Director of PG Studies and Research and aca-demic and administrative staff , says a press release.

This programme provides an opportunity to combine a full-time career with a world-class master programme in fi nance. The course will be taught on a part time ba-sis over two and half years. The courses are tailored to the need and demand of professionals as-piring to high-powered careers in the fi nancial sector in the area of corporate fi nance, security analy-sis, portfolio management, treas-ury management, management of fi nancial institutions and markets, and fi nancial decision-taking in the public sector.

This is the result of continuous eff ort of CBFS to achieve its vision and mission of off ering interna-tionally recognized programmes in order to cater the increasing demand of qualified workforce in Oman.

Dr Ahmed Al Ghassani, the Dean of CBFS, gave a welcome speech in which he expressed pride in be-ing the fi rst Institute of Higher Education in Oman to commence M.Sc. in Finance. He mentioned that CBFS has been off ering the MBA for the past 14 years where 361 students have successfully graduated and another 130 are currently registered.

He added that this new pro-gramme off ers a unique learning opportunity to pursue specialised master programme in Finance in the Sultanate of Oman from a tri-ple accredited and top ranked in-ternational university.

Dr Ronald Bradfi eld also gave a welcome speech in which he said that this programme is off ered through the Department of Ac-counting and Finance of Strath-clyde Business School (SBS).

The SBS has been off ering M.Sc. programme in Finance for the last forty years and has the privilege of being the fi rst business school in the UK to off er this programme.

The SBS has long been regarded as a top UK business school and the Department of Accounting and Finance is currently ranked 2nd in the UK for Accounting and Finance by The Times Good Uni-versity Guide 2014 and the Sunday Times Guide, and 4th in the UK in the Complete University Guide Subject League Table for 2014.

Dr Anand S., Director of PG Studies and Research also joined the ceremony. He encouraged stu-dents to benefi t from this unique programme. He wished them all the best in their future endeav-ors and guided them on several study matters.

L A T E S T A D D I T I O N

B6 T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

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Huawei branded bus on Oman tour

MUSCAT: To stay in closer touch with customers across Oman and to increase brand awareness in the interior regions of the country, a Huawei branded bus was fl agged off by senior Huawei offi cials at Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM 4) complex early this week. The bus is scheduled to make full day stops at various locations in all regions

of Oman before returning to KOM 4 on June 11, says a press release.

Offi cially inaugurated by Li Gang, Huawei Oman’s Account Director, and decorated in Huawei brand colours, the bus is boarding promoters and a supervisor, who will travel to diff erent wilayats in Oman, where roadshows will be conducted in close proximity

to the Oman Phone ABT outlets, Huawei Oman’s distributor.

Existing and potential custom-ers will get an opportunity to inter-act with the Huawei staff and give their feedback to them. The pro-moters will also disseminate in-formation about the latest Huawei products and distribute leafl ets in diff erent locations.

“This roadshow is a branding exercise for us and is basically planned for the interior regions. Through this initiative, we want to create awareness of our brand and also take direct feedback from our loyal customers and the commu-nity in general. There will be sev-eral prizes and discount vouchers up for grabs at the roadshows, so

I encourage people to attend,” said Manoj Chandran, terminal sales manager at Huawei.

The fi rst route of the bus will be towards Al Batinah region, start-ing from Barka, all the way till Shinas and the second route will include the Nizwa route, covering Sinaw, Adam, and third route will cover Sur, Jalan, Bu Ali, Bu Has-san, Al Kamil up to wilayat of Ibra and fi nally cover the Dhofar region up to Salalah.

“Road shows will be held from 5pm to 10pm at all the places where attendees will have a chance to win instant gifts and will also receive discount coupons which will en-title them to a 5 per cent discount on all smartphone and tablets and a 20 per cent discount on accesso-ries.” Chandran added

A feedback questionnaire will be distributed among the attend-ees at the roadshows and data will be collected and stored. At the end of the road shows, a lucky draw will

be conducted to pick a winner each from the regions, who will win themselves a Huawei X1 tablet.

“This is our special branding initiative, through which we aim to increase our market share to at least 15 per cent in the near future and improve our brand in-fl uence in the country. We want to serve our Omani audience in the best way possible,” stated Bill Yuzhaoyuan, country director at Huawei Oman.

Although this project will end by the 11th of June, a college tour is also in the pipeline, where Hua-wei staff will go around colleges in Oman, interact with the students and also give them exclusive off ers. This will be implemented after the successful completion of the ongoing project. Huawei’s latest smartphone, the P8 is due for the Middle East launch on May 25 in Dubai, the smartphone will be available in the Omani markets by the fi rst week of June.

The bus is scheduled

to make full day stops

at various locations

in all regions of Oman

before returning to

KOM 4 on June 11

Arab Open University’s workshop on eff ective research practices endsMUSCAT: Second national workshop on eff ective research practices titled ‘Unleashing your Research Potential’ was hosted recently by the Arab Open Univer-sity, says a press release.

This annual workshop is con-ducted as part of the Arab Open University’s commitment to re-search and knowledge sharing. The workshop was conducted by experienced researchers with strong research profi les, and was attended by a large number of participants from 29 educational institutions across Oman.

Dr Moosa bin Abdullah Al Kin-di, branch director – Arab Open University, Oman branch, wel-comed all the guests in his open-ing address. The inaugural session was followed by a presentation on ‘Publishing in high impact factor journals’ by Dr Otherine Johnson Neisler from Sultan Qaboos Uni-versity. This was followed by an in-

teresting talk by Dr Rakesh Belwal from Sohar University about ‘Fake journals and online journals’.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants in the form of a panel discussion to interact with representatives from The Research Council, In-formation Technology Authority, and Industrial Innovation Cen-tre to get an understanding of the research funding opportunities available in Oman.

The panel comprised many

esteemed members including Dr Moosa Al Kindi, Dr Ahmed Al Naamani (Modern College of Business and Science), Dr Obaid Al Saidi (The Research Council), Dr Bader Salim Al – Manthari (Information Technology Au-thority), Dr Lorna Cork (Indus-trial Innovation Centre), and Dr Huda Salim Al – Shuaily (Higher College of Technology).

The panel discussion was fol-lowed by a presentation on the need of ‘Multi-disciplinary re-

search’ by Dr Nafaa Jabeur from the German University of Tech-nology in Oman. The workshop concluded with a very informa-tive session about ‘Research Eth-ics’ conducted by Dr Muna Al Kalbani and Dr Muhammad Al Haziazi from the Arab Open Uni-versity. The workshop was highly interactive, with active participa-tion from all the participants. Dr Moosa Al Kindi presented com-memorative mementos to all the presenters and panel members.

S H A R I N G E X P E R T I S E

Sohar Aluminium holds Oman’s fi rst symposium on heat stress managementSOHAR: Sohar Aluminium (SA) recently concluded the Sultanate’s inaugural ‘International Sympo-sium on Heat Stress Management’ in Sohar, under the auspices of Sheikh Muhanna bin Saif Al Lam-ki, governor of North Al Batinah.

Organised by SA in association with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Manpower, Al Madina Takaful Gulf Insurance and Marsh Oman, the symposium gave more than 120 delegates an opportunity to discuss various heat stress pre-vention, mitigation, monitoring and management best practices, says a press release.

“As a company that is fully com-mitted to the health and safety of its employees, contractors, part-ners and the wider community, we decided to organise this fi rst-of-its-kind symposium to raise awareness on Heat Stress and the many dangers associated with this very important topic,” comment-ed Eng. Said bin Mohammed Al Masoudi, chief executive offi cer, Sohar Aluminium.

“Through the conference we were also able to share Sohar Aluminium’s perspective and in-depth expertise in championing heat stress prevention and man-agement, including how we moni-tor employees’ hydration status and how we successfully intro-duced an innovative annual heat stress management campaign to highlight the dangers of heat stress and how best to prevent them dur-ing the summer months,” he added.

“Underestimating the dangers associated with heat stress could pose serious occupational ill-nesses and injuries including heat strokes, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rashes,” added Dr Gummanar Manjunath, medical advisor at Sohar Aluminium.

“The symposium successfully brought a number of experts un-der one roof to discuss how com-panies can safeguard their em-ployees from a very preventable danger by raising awareness and taking action.”

During the symposium, speak-ers shared information on heat stress prevention and manage-ment programs currently adopted across diff erent industries, pro-posed a model for heat stress pre-vention, mitigation, monitoring and management for the GCC region, introduced the concept of

using Heat Stress Indices and ex-changed technical information on heat stress management protocols applicable in the region gener-ally and for Aluminium industries more specifi cally. Furthermore, delegates also discussed the Min-istry of Manpower’s regulations on heat stress management and reviewed ways of raising aware-ness on clinical management of heat related illnesses.

The full day event was attended by occupational health experts, members of the Gulf Aluminium Council Health Committee rep-resenting the medical teams from GCC Aluminium smelters, rep-resentatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Manpower as well as the Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI).

The keynote speaker was Dr Thomas Bernard, Professor and Head of the Department of En-vironmental and Occupational Health at University of South Florida and a world renowned ex-pert in Heat Stress Management. Other speakers included Dr Ra-jeev Aravindakshan, Professor, Department of Preventive Medi-cine at Pushpagiri Medical College in India and former Professor at Oman Medical College in Sohar, Dr Gummanar Manjunath, Sohar Aluminium’s Medical Advisor, Dr Mohammed Al Yazidi, Director of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Ministry of Health and Dr Younis Al Shezawi, Medical Offi cer and Head of Environmental and Occupational Health at Direc-torate of Health Aff airs in Sohar.

The attendees benefi tted im-mensely from the symposium and appreciated the opportunity to interact with the experts in the fi eld of heat stress management. Through such events, SA aims to maintain its close ties with the surrounding communities and raise awareness by sharing its values on various environmental, health and safety issues.

Sohar Aluminium was formed in September 2004 to undertake a landmark Greenfi eld aluminium smelter project in the Sultanate of Oman. Jointly owned by Oman Oil Company, Abu Dhabi National En-ergy Company PJSC - TAQA and Rio Tinto Alcan, Sohar Alumini-um has won global acclaim for its superior, environmentally-friend-ly and energy-effi cient technology.

H E A L T H & S A F E T Y

Mercedes-Benz Oman partners with Almouj GolfMUSCAT: Zawawi Trading Company (ZTC), the authorised general distributor for Mer-cedes-Benz in Oman, has signed a partnership agreement with Almouj Golf at The Wave, Mus-cat, bringing together two of the Sultanate’s premiere luxury and lifestyle icons.

In its fourth consecutive year, this renewed partnership will drive new experiences for golfers and Mercedes-Benz lovers alike, as they enjoy the world-class amenities and facilities of Almouj Golf, says a press release.

“Golf is more than just a game; like Mercedes-Benz, it is all about passion, perfection and exclusiv-ity,” commented Clive Hammond, CEO of Zawawi Trading Com-pany-Automotive. “It is a sport that understands our lifestyle and speaks to our customers. The love of competition, challenge and peak performance are what make us such great fans and why we continue to be a part of its grow-ing traction in Oman. Through this partnership, we will continue to connect with our customers, of-fering them a golfi ng experience like no other.”

Simon Duffi eld, General Man-

ager of Almouj Golf said, “This agreement is in line with our strategy to continue combining the best of luxury and sport in one unique off ering that delivers an elevated experience for our golf-ers and specifi cally our members. As part of our commitment to ex-panding the game of golf locally and raising the profi le of golf in Oman internationally, Mercedes-Benz Oman is an ideal partner of choice and we are pleased with their continuous support to this successful journey.”

In addition to a range of ex-clusive benefi ts, Mercedes-Benz Oman will co-host monthly members and guest golf events;

Mercedes-Benz members guest series and the Mercedes-Benz Matchplay Championships that will culminate with the fi nals in May 2015.

With a rich heritage, a culture of technical innovation, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect drive, Mercedes-Benz and the game of golf have much in com-mon. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz is proud of its long-standing in-volvement not just in the sport of golf but in the game’s legendary tournaments, including the Mas-ters, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship.

Each year these events produce incredible displays of power, pre-

cision and control – qualities close to the heart of Mercedes-Benz and are also refl ected in the outstand-ing performance of Mercedes-Benz golf brand ambassadors such as Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthui-zen and Bernhard Langer.

Mercedes-Benz also supports a multiplicity of amateur and pro-fessional tournaments at the na-tional level, among them Dubai Desert Classic, the Alfred Dunhill Links, the Northern Trust Open and the Talisker Australian Mas-ters. Impacting on the amateur game is The Mercedes Trophy, a tournament in its 22nd year, which attracts 60,000 amateur golfers from over 60 nations annually.

L U X U R Y L I F E S T Y L E

BABIL HYPERMARKET IN MABELAH INAUGURATEDSheikh Ali bin Nasar Al Mahrooqui, secretary general of Shura Council, inaugurated Babil Hypermarket in Mabelah which is the

second hypermarket of Babil group. Khamees Al Mandhari, S. M. Basheer (MD) and other dignitaries attended the inauguration.

At the opening ceremony, S. M. Basheer donated 10 wheelchairs for the needy people and monthly ration for 10 families for the

whole year. Basheer also announced 15 per cent of salary hike for all Omani and expatriate staff in connection with the happy

occasion of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s return to Oman. — Supplied photo

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HSBC Oman trains employeesMUSCAT: As part of its com-mitment to enhancing the skills and capabilities of its employ-ees, HSBC Bank Oman recently organised a series of innovative two-day internal training work-shops for more than 40 staff members entitled ‘Al Ro’ya Ca-reer Development Programme’.

The programme was designed to fast-track career progres-sion of highly talented Omanis through constant assessments, behavioural, and developmental reviews as well as career discus-sions with assigned managers.

Facilitated by a chartered psy-chologist, the ‘Al Ro’ya Career Development Programme’ fea-tured a range of exercises and trained HSBC Bank Oman staff in a variety of soft, managerial and technical skills. Participants learned self-motivational and in-teractive techniques in addition

to key leadership skills to prepare them for future managerial posi-tions. Members of the bank’s sen-ior leadership team were also on hand to deliver keynote speeches, provide industry insights, and share expertise.

Andrew Long, CEO of HSBC Bank Oman, said, “At HSBC Bank Oman, we have a long and suc-cessful track-record of delivering training programmes that draw from our global presence and expertise. The Al Ro’ya Career Development Programme dem-onstrates the bank’s commitment to nurturing talented staff and providing them with the essen-tial tools to grow within HSBC and progress in their careers. Our focus with this programme is to give high potential national em-ployees the support they need to develop and maintain leadership and technical competencies, aug-

ment core talents, and guide them along their chosen career paths.”

“Developing our employees is essential to achieving HSBC Bank Oman’s growth ambitions. We adopt a systematic approach to developing and deploying tal-ent to ensure we have a cadre of capable individuals to lead the Bank in the future,” Long added.

HSBC Bank Oman provides a variety of training opportunities to talented employees. The bank delivers face-to-face classroom training as well as via the HSBC e-learning portal, a fi rst of its kind in Oman.

In addition, staff can benefi t from a range of hands-on training initiatives and assistance in pur-suing professional qualifi cations. Other resources are also in place to aid employees and improve their career progression pros-pects, says a press release.

W O K S H O P S A’Saffa Foods nameswinners of Facebook Selfie competition

MUSCAT: Noora and Vineeth (fi rst prize); Hind and Noor (sec-ond prize) were the winners of this year’s A’Saff a Foodie Selfi e Con-test that was run on the brand’s Facebook page recently.

To participate in the contest all one had to do was click a selfi e with any or several food dishes; fi ll in an entry form and upload the selfi e photo with the description and hashtag #Asaff a Selfi e. The three selfi es with the most likes, creativity, uniqueness and origi-nality won exciting prizes, says a press release.

The fi rst prize winners won a voucher worth OMR50 each while second prize winners won a voucher worth OMR25 each from

Love At First Bite and Volare.“Through the contest, A’Saff a

Foods aimed to put a fun spin on the popular social behavior of tak-ing food selfi es and sharing them with friends. In doing so we wanted to reach out to the hundreds of fans we have on Facebook and reiterate to them the healthy, natural, fresh, halal and fun stance of A’Saff a Foods, whilst ensuring that a food selfi e reaped more than ‘likes’ – giving participants a chance to win the amazing prizes from Love At First Bite and Volare. On behalf of A’Saff a Foods, our heartiest con-gratulations to the winners and a sincere thanks to everyone who participated and helped make the contest the magnanimous success

it has been,” said Siddhartha Len-ka, Head of Marketing and Sales at A’Saff a Foods.

A’Saff a’s protein packed, 100 per cent naturally fed (corn and soya) chicken (fresh from the farms daily) forms a perfect part of any balanced diet, and is a wonder-ful way to help ensure that eve-ryone can enjoy the benefits of a better lifestyle that can lead to a healthier life.

There are no hormone, steroids, artifi cial fl avors or preservatives and no injecting of water to in-crease weight of the bird. Hence every chicken produced is fresh, halal, natural, pure, hygienic, healthy and safe for human con-sumption, added the press release.

The three selfi es

with the most likes,

creativity, uniqueness

and originality won

exciting prizes

Pakistani cuisine,culture showcasedat Food FestivalTimes News Service

MUSCAT: A colourful cultural show and a variety of delectable Pakistani cuisine were the high-light of Pakistan Food Festival 2015 organised recently by Paki-stan School Muscat on its grassy cricket ground and cemented basketball court simultaneously to raise funds for further devel-opment of the institution.

Syed Ayaz Hussain, ambassa-dor of Pakistan to Oman, inaugu-rated the event as the chief guest. The festival was witnessed by thousands of people from various communities residing in Oman, particularly the large Pakistani community. Senior offi cials and management of PSM BoD, Paki-stan Social Club and Embassy of Pakistan were also present.

In his address BoD chairman Adnan Shahzad acknowledged the overwhelming support rendered

by the community to fund the no-ble cause and thanked all those who contributed in cash or kind.

Leading to the main attraction of the evening, the talented stu-dents of Pakistan School Muscat and Pakistan School Seeb im-pressed everyone with stunning performances. Apart from high-lighting the cultural diversity of Pakistan, they entertained the audience with live singing that received instant applause.

Another highlight of the festi-val was the colourful ceremony of the auctioned cake.

Other than the scintillating performances, various stalls of diff erent fun-driven games and the sumptuous cuisine attracted the crowd’s attention. The tradi-tional Pakistani food like biryani, haleem, nehari, chicken tikka, dahi bara and chaat appeared to be the most popular items on the food court.

F O O D F I E S T A

National Detergent Co. launches new ‘Clean Oman’ drive for school studentsMUSCAT: National Detergent Company (NDC) has launched a yearlong campaign ‘Clean Oman’ for students of Omani schools in the Sultanate. As per the campaign, NDC offi cials will visit schools and brief students studying in fi fth to eight grades about staying healthy at home and school.

They will also talk about initia-tives to make Oman cleaner, says a press release.

In the fi rst phase, Omani schools in Muscat governorate will be covered. Till date, around 20,000 students have been part of ‘Clean Oman’ campaign.

A Facebook contest for students wherein they have to sketch their favourite Bahar products and post it on the NDC’s Facebook page has been launched. There will be a lucky draw to select the winners. After the briefi ng in each school, NDC offi cials will hand over sam-ples of Bahar, its premier product, to the students.

Speaking about the drive, NDC’s Head of Marketing, Anish Kumar said: “The purpose of this cam-paign is to educate students in the schools on the importance of healthy habits and steps to make Oman more clean. We feel that

by educating the students, we are investing in Oman’s future. The initiative is in line with NDC’s comprehensive corporate social responsibility strategy that focus-es on three main elements — the environment, human capital and community. We are proud to initi-ate this concept this year and we want to take it across all the gover-norates of the Sultanate.”

“Since Oman has a very young

population we thought it would be apt to impart cleanliness skills to children studying in fi fth to eight grades. The students and the schools have been very appre-ciative of our eff orts. Our team is looking forward to spread the mes-sage to all the schools in the Mus-cat governorate in the next few months,” he added.

As a responsible corporate citizen of Oman, NDC has been in-

volved in various social initiatives like using Omani transporters for its logistics activities and giving preference to use the services of Omani nationals at every possible step, says a press release.

The company encourages lo-cal talent and motivates them to become self-employed by giving training and jobs directly or indi-rectly related to the detergent in-dustry, adds a press release.

A W A R E N E S S C A M P A I G N

Oman UAE Exchange waives remittance charges to Nepal

MUSCAT: Oman UAE Exchange, the largest exchange company in Oman, has waived charges for transactions through banks to Ne-pal for a period of one month. This would mean that the customers need not pay charges while trans-ferring funds to Nepal and this would be applicable till May 27, says a press release.

“The initiative started from last month. This move is to declare our solidarity with the Nepali commu-nity in Oman whose relatives are facing diffi culties in their home

country. This was a unanimous de-cision taken by the company at the global level and is practised across 32 countries and in all 750 branch-es,” said Tonny George Alexander, CEO of Oman UAE Exchange.

In addition to this, UAE Ex-change has donated NPR 10 mil-lion, which was handed over to Dhananjay Jha, ambassador of Nepal to UAE.

Oman UAE Exchange has di-rect arrangement with Everest Bank, Himalayan Bank and Bank of Kathmandu.

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Ooredoo holds exhibitionof traditional Omani crafts

MUSCAT: Ooredoo recently held an exhibition showcasing the her-itage of Omani handicrafts, with the aim of contributing to the ad-vancement of the industry, as well as encouraging youth to maintain the tradition for generations to come. The exhibition was con-ducted in collaboration with the Public Authority for Craft Indus-tries (PACI), who represents and sponsors craft-based initiatives and industries in the Sultanate, says a press release.

Hosted at Ooredoo’s campus, the exhibition was opened under the patronage of Dr. Essam bin Ali Al Rawas, Vice President of PACI, accompanied by Kumail Al Moosawi, Chief People Offi cer at

Ooredoo. It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understand-ing between Ooredoo and PACI to provide training programmes; part of a series of MoUs signed be-tween Ooredoo and a number of government entities over the past few months.

“This exhibition demonstrates our commitment towards encour-aging young local talent to develop their abilities, while maintaining the traditions of their heritage.

Our aim behind organising this exhibition was to promote crafts-manship in Oman and its poten-tial,” stated Raed Dawood, Oore-doo’s Director of Government Relations and Corporate Aff airs.

“This exhibition symbolised the essence of our recent agreement with Ooredoo, which was centred on the empowerment of artisans and supporting traditional prod-ucts within the Omani market. We would like to thank the com-

pany for its partnership with the authority to deliver a number of specialised lectures and work-shops that will build the capacity of our budding local talent,” said Dr. Al Rawas.

Ooredoo’s exhibition formed part of its ongoing series of events, centred on the development of Oman’s local talent and providing them with support, in addition to facilitating events that promote human growth.

Aim of the exhibition

is to contribut to

the advancement

of the industry, as

well as encouraging

youth to maintain

the tradition for

generations to come

BankDhofar conducts training programmefor branch managersMUSCAT: BankDhofar recently launched a training programme for assistant branch managers (ABM). The programme comes in line with the bank’s vision to be the best bank in costumer experience, stressing on development of em-ployees and enhancement of their skill-set in order to meet the bank’s standards, says a press release.

“This programme is part of a bigger initiative of transforming our branches into a truly unique customer experience. 20 high calibre assistant branch manag-ers from our branches across the Sultanate joined this training pro-gramme which is divided into in-class sessions as well as on the job assignments,” said Hosam Qassim Al Jamali, Head of Learning & De-velopment at BankDhofar.

The comprehensive programme is divided into theoretical and practical parts, including seminars and workshops at the bank’s train-ing centre, as well as practical on-the-job assignments.

“This programme is part of our long-term training strategy that aims at enhancing our staff per-formance on all levels as to enrich BankDhofar customers’ experi-ence,” added Al Jamali.

Staff training and development is one of the key pillars in Bank-Dhofar operational strategy. The combination of the thorough vi-sion of BankDhofar’s executive management, the comprehensive

operational strategy that revolves around following best internation-al banking practices and providing best customer experience, as well as commitment to community de-velopment and contribution to the growth of the national economy, placed BankDhofar on top of the list of best banks in the region.

Aspiring to be the best bank in the Sultanate and the wider Gulf area, BankDhofar is committed to provide customers with the best banking experience through a di-verse range of unique products and services. Today BankDhofar is one of the fastest growing banks in the Sultanate, with a strong presence in corporate and retail banking, in-vestment and project fi nance.

The bank has an extensive net-work of branches across the Sul-tanate, in addition to ATM and CDM facilities that are located in all parts of Oman.

S T A F F D E V E L O P M E N T

Hosam Qassim Al Jamali

Global favourite Toyota Corolla comes with attractive benefi tsMUSCAT: To many enthusiasts in the automotive industry, the 11th generation of the world fa-mous Toyota Corolla is no less than an icon. Offi cially crowned as the ‘Middle East Car of the Year 2014’, the Corolla has a legendary reputation for providing low op-erating costs, high comfort levels, unyielding reliability along with outstanding safety.

All of this is topped up by the de-lightful resale value that a Corolla commands, even after years of use. Add to it the benefi ts galore avail-able until May 13 and it’s a mouth watering deal no one would want to miss, says a press release.

“Every customer who goes in for a Corolla will get registration and insurance for the 1st year done for them. Apart from this, 1000 litres of petrol can also be availed by them. However, they also have a choice — instead of availing the benefi ts they can opt to receive OMR350 as a Cash Gift,” said a company spokesperson.

Full details can be had at any showroom where courteous Toyota sales staff will explain the benefi ts to customers. Terms and conditions apply on the benefi ts mentioned here as a part of the

‘Summer Surprises’ campaign.Indeed, it is a good time to own

a global best-seller about which it is said that “the name ‘Corolla’ represents the peak of Toyota’s renowned quality engineering, de-sign evolution and value-for-mon-ey focus. This is unmatched in its class. That said, customers are to be thanked for their faith in Toyota and for making it a best-seller in the region”.

Brand evolutionMaking a strong design statement with its unique visual signature, the Corolla signifi es Toyota’s brand evolution.

“The Corolla’s design theme combines clean lines and balanced proportions to give the new vehicle an immediate visual impact. The design lends itself to an even more spacious cabin that off ers refi ned comfort and class-leading legroom with abundant storage space. It ta-pers at the front and rear of the ve-hicle to help emphasise the wheel arches and wheels-to-the-corner stance,” added the spokesperson.

The Corolla off ers choices be-tween compact, lightweight en-gines that deliver exhilarating performance and outstanding fuel

economy, says a press release. “Customers can choose a never-

before, powerful 2.0 L Engine with maximum power of 143 HP (Net). The second option is a 1.6 L en-gine delivering 121 HP (Net),” ex-plained the spokesperson

Engineered to provide high ac-tive and passive safety standards, the Corolla also off ers enhanced pedestrian impact protection. The adoption of numerous energy ab-sorbing components off er signifi -cantly improved pedestrian protec-tion in the event of a frontal impact.

The all-new Corolla also fea-tures other class-leading features such as LED projector headlamps with integrated-type daylight run-ning lights, smart entry system + start/stop button, new audio system with USB+AUX, 3.5’’ TFT multi-information display, re-tractable outer mirrors with turn signals, audio + MID controls on steering wheel, cruise control and moonroof, amongst others.

In Oman, Toyota outstanding product quality is supported by the nationwide parts and service net-work of Saud Bahwan Automotive. No wonder then that today, Toyota is one of the most trusted and well-known brands.

P O P U L A R C H O I C E

Lulu Bank Muscat card evokes strong responseMUSCAT: The unique ‘Lulu Bank Muscat credit card’ launched by Bank Muscat, the fl agship fi nancial services pro-vider in the Sultanate, and Lulu Hypermarket, the largest retail chain in the GCC region with over 125 outlets, has evoked strong re-sponse with customers enjoying a range of benefi ts and exclusive advantages, , says a press release.

Notably, the fi rst retail co-branded card in Oman rewards customers on all transactions which add immense value to their shopping experience.

The Lulu Bank Muscat card-holders earn points on all trans-actions. For every transaction done at Lulu outlets in Oman, cardholders receive 2 per cent of the total transaction amount in points and for all purchase trans-actions done elsewhere they earn 0.5 per cent in points.

Here is a simple example, if OMR100 is spent in Lulu Oman, Lulu Bank Muscat credit card-holders earn OMR2 in points. If they spend OMR100 elsewhere, they earn 0.5 per cent equal to 500 baisa. Cash withdrawal transactions are not eligible for earning points.

The benefi ts include exclusive check-out counters at all LuLu outlets in Oman. The dedicated express check-out counters

help cardholders avoid long queues. Customers will also en-joy discounts and special offers at Lulu Hypermarket, travel in-surance, extended warranty and customer protection.

The minimum monthly salary eligibility for the card is OMR250 and the annual fee is OMR10. Supplementary cardholders are also eligible to earn points on us-age of cards. The points will be credited to the primary account. Redemption of points is available at any Lulu store in Oman.

The Chip & PIN card enhances security and gives peace of mind for all transactions. The card is designed for everyday shopping. Transactions are authorised

using Personal Identifi cation Number (PIN) instead of signa-ture. Lulu Bank Muscat credit card is issued under the Mas-terCard International brand. MasterCard global brand is ac-cepted at millions of merchants worldwide and lulu bank muscat credit card can be used for secure Internet shopping.

The card is loaded with a wide range of free travel insurance covers that includes travel ac-cident insurance, lost baggage and money, cancellation, travel delay, delayed baggage, per-sonal liability, legal expenses and loss of passport and access to free medical and legal referral services worldwide.

R A N G E O F B E N E F I T S

Bank Sohar holds specialised fi nance training course for staff MUSCAT: Bank Sohar recently conducted a specialised training course titled ‘Finance for Non-Fi-nance’ for internal staff . Designed and delivered by KPMG, the two-day training programme was conducted at the bank’s Learning Centre in Al Qurum and focused on fundamentals of accounting, fi nancial analysis, and cash man-agement for value growth to sen-ior non-fi nance executives.

Such training is in line with the consistent eff orts made by the bank to ensure that their staff is always eff ectively geared towards facing any market challenge, says a press release.

Highlighting the importance of ongoing professional develop-ment and training, Munira Ab-dulnabi Macki, DGM of Human Resource and Corporate Support at Bank Sohar, noted: “In light of the competitive environment

that we work in, it is vital for all executive members in the Bank to retain a fi nancial background and competence over and above their departmental environment. Acknowledging the fundamen-tals of fi nance will always serve as an added value and help staff to develop their skills for ana-lysing fi nancial reports, income statements and balance sheets; which will in turn signifi cantly assist them in making the right fi nancial decisions and forecasts within each of their respective departments.”

Accounting and fi nanceThe programme was designed to provide basic knowledge of ac-counting and fi nance and help the participants in establishing a logical framework to gain an insight into fi nancial statements analysis, budgeting, working cap-

ital management, capital invest-ment and cost control. As a result, it equips the participants with the appropriate skills required in fi nance to deal with changing business environments and help them make better strategic and operational decisions.

“Conducting this training course comes in line with the bank’s strategy of keeping up with the latest human resource development practices and also provides our staff with opportu-nities to develop their skills, and themselves as an individual, to progress within the organisation. This in turn helps us preserve a strong and productive workforce that can better serve the needs of our valued customers as well as help reinforce our position us as one of the leading banking in-stitutions in the country,” added Munira Abdulnabi Macki.

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SECTIONC T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

YUVRAJ SINGH SAYS NO TIME FOR CRITICSAfter rediscovering his form with a stroke-fi lled half century, Yuvraj Singh rued that his team Delhi Daredevils could not deliver the knock-out blow on the Mumbai Indians despite reducing the hosts to 40 for 4 and lost the crucial IPL cricket game. >C2

Pakistan on top as Younis, Azhar hammer unfortunate Bangladesh

DHAKA: Younis Khan and Azhar Ali hit centuries as Pakistan capi-talised on Bangladesh’s misfortune to post a commanding 323 for three on the opening day of the second and fi nal Test on Wednesday.

Younis made 148 and Azhar was unbeaten on 127, the pair having shared a third-wicket stand of 250 to rescue the tourists from 58-2 af-ter Bangladesh captain Mushfi qur Rahim won the toss.

Both batsmen were lucky to reach three fi gures after being re-prieved by no-balls even as Bang-ladesh struggled to overcome the loss of strike bowler Shahadat Hossain in the day’s fi rst over.

Shahadat, who replaced the in-jured Rubel Hossain for the deci-sive Test, collapsed on his follow through after sending down the fi rst ball and hobbled off the fi eld after his second delivery.

Shahadat returned after the morning drinks break, and even

though he did not bowl for the rest of the session, he took a catch in the deep to dismiss Sami Aslam.

However, Shahadat broke down again while training during the lunch break and had to be lifted away on a stretcher. Chief selector Faruque Ahmed said the 28-year-old seamer had injured his right

knee and was unlikely to take any further part in the match.

Left with a depleted attack, Bangladesh used nine bowlers to try to contain the run fl ow, with Rahim and Tamim Iqbal the only ones who did not turn their arms over. Part-time seamer Soumya Sarkar would have dismissed

Younis on 78, caught in the covers from a mistimed drive, but TV re-plays showed the bowler had over-stepped to concede a no-ball.

Similarly, Azhar escaped on 18 when he was caught in the slips off Mohammad Shahid, only to see TV umpire Ranmore Martinesz con-fi rm a no-ball. Azhar’s dismissal

at the stage would have reduced Pakistan to 38-3 after Bangladesh had removed both openers cheaply. Mohammed Hafeez, who hit a dou-ble-century in the fi rst Test, was caught behind off Shahid for eight.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam had Sami Aslam caught by Sha-hadat on the mid-wicket boundary

for 19, but Younis and Azhar set-tled in to tame the depleted attack.

Younis, the 37-year-old veteran of 98 Tests, hit 11 boundaries and three sixes in his 29th Test centu-ry. Azhar, who reached his eighth hundred by lofting Taijul for his 10th four. Younis was dismissed by the hard-working Shahid fi ve overs before stumps when he slashed a short ball to gully, where Shuvagata Hom made no mistake.

Captain Misbah-ul Haq was un-beaten on nine at stumps with Pa-kistan well-placed to build a huge total and put the hosts under pres-sure. Pakistan are looking for their fi rst win at the end of a month-long tour in which they were routed 3-0 in the ODI series and also lost a T20 international for the fi rst time against Bangladesh. Both sides made one change each from the fi rst Test, with Bangladesh re-placing Rubel with Shahadat and Pakistan dropping spinner Zulfi qar Babar to play an additional seamer in Imran Khan. - AFP

Younis made 148

and Azhar was

unbeaten on 127, the

pair having shared

a third-wicket stand

of 250 to rescue the

tourists from 58-2

after Bangladesh

captain Mushfi qur

Rahim won the toss

and elected to

fi eld in Dhaka

TON MAKERS: Pakistan batsmen Younis Khan, right, and teammate Azhar Ali, left, run between the wickets during the fi rst day of the

second cricket Test match against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. – AFP

Pakistan 1st innings:Mohammed Hafeez c Rahim b Shahid 8Sami Aslam c Shahadat b Taijul 19Azhar Ali not out 127Younis Khan c Shuvagata b Shahid 148Misbah-ul Haq not out 9Extras (lb-6, w-1, nb-5) 12Total (for three wickets, 90 overs) 323Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Hafeez), 2-58 (Aslam), 3-308 (Younis).To bat: Asad Shafi q, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Junaid Khan, Imran Khan.Bowling: Shahadat 0.2-0-4-0, Soumya 11.4-1-32-0 (2nb), Shahid 21-6-43-2 (3nb, 1w), Taijul 30-2-102-1, Shuvagata 8-0-47-0, Shakib 14-0-68-0, Mominul 2-0-8-0, Mahmudullah 2-0-12-0, Imrul 1-0-1-0.Toss: BangladeshUmpires: Nigel Llong (ENG) and Paul Reiff el (AUS)TV umpire: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI)Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

S C O R E B O A R D

OAA wants Omani athletes to learn from Asian youth championshipsA. SESHAGIRI [email protected]

MUSCAT: An 18-member Oman athletic team left for Doha on Wednesday to take part in the inaugural Asian Youth Athletics Championships.

The new continental youth championships, being organised by the Asian Athletics Association, takes place in the Qatari capital from May 8 to 11.

The Sultanate’s delegation will be led by Oman Athletic Associa-tion (OAA) vice chairman Sheikh Ahmed Al Marhoon and includes 18 athletes as well as fi ve coaches.

The OAA is sending a strong contingent to Doha with an eye on the future rather than aiming for medals, according to Jihad Al Sheikh, general secretary of the Oman athletics body.

Speaking to Times Sport on Wednesday, he said: “This is an all new championships organised by the AAA to develop and shape the future athletes. And being a youth event the best under-20 athletes from all over Asia will be in action. So it will be diffi cult to have expec-tations and make any predictions.”

The OAA offi cial said the asso-ciation wants the young Omanis to learn from the experiencing of taking part in the inaugural event.

“We are not putting any pres-sure of expectations on our ath-letes,” Jihad said. “We are sending 18 young athletes. All of them are under 20 years and most of them schoolchildren. “Because of their academic engagements we could not send them to external training camps. But it doesn’t mean they have not prepared well.

“In fact, all of them have worked hard, attending both the school and our training sessions at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

“We want them to do their best. We want them to enjoy and learn from the experience of competing

against the best talents from Asia.”Jihad also said the OAA is send-

ing the athletes to the Asian event with an eye on the future. “As I said these are all under-20 athletes. Hopefully these 18 athletes will learn from Doha outing and the other upcoming championships.”

Jihad, himself a former athlete who represented Oman at vari-ous international championships and multi-sport events, said: “Ide-ally these athletes will go on and represent Oman senior teams. We would like to see at least fi ve from this bunch of young talents to com-peting at the senior level.”

Four-day eventThe four-day championships will see more than 400 athletes and 170 offi cials, coaches and medical staff from 40 countries in action.

Asian Athletics Association (AAA) chief General Dahlan Al Hamad had earlier said: “We are proud to host yet another signifi -

cant sporting event in Qatar. We have done whatever it takes to ensure that the fi rst Asian Youth Athletics Championships will be successful and will pave the way for the development of sport, es-pecially for the young generation.”

“Our strategic approach is to boost athletics and explore ways to encourage the youth in participating in sporting activities all across Asia. Our focus is on the long-term plan-ning and the development of sport.

“We have worked hard, hand in hand with our trusted partners at IAAF and the National Athletics Federations in order to deliver an exciting fi rst edition of the Asian Youth Athletics Championships,” Al Hamad added.

Interestingly, the OAA has also decided to honour the top eight athletes in each discipline. Be-sides the gold, silver and bronze medals, the winners of fourth to eighth places will be rewarded with certifi cates.

A T H L E T I C S

Gayle blows away PunjabBANGALORE: Chris Gayle tor-mented the Kings XI Punjab bowl-ers with a whirlwind 117 from just 57 balls as Royal Challengers Bangalore posted a mammoth 226 for three in an IPL cricket match, here on Wednesday.

Punjab paid a heavy price for dropping Gayle twice — on 27 and 53 — as the left-handed Carib-bean went on to hit his fi fth IPL century in an incredible display of power-hitting.

Before being caught and bowled by spinner Axar Patel, Gayle en-tertained the fans by hitting 12 sixes and seven fours as hapless Punjab players kept watching the shots soaring over their heads and vanishing in the stands.

With skipper Virat Kohli (32), Gayle shared a 119-run stand in just 11.2 overs and later with AB de Villiers (47 not out) he raised a 71-run partnership in just 5.4 overs. Gayle completed his centu-ry by guiding a Mitchell Johnson full-toss to square leg for four.

The carnage began in the sec-ond over when Australian pace-man Johnson pitched it up and was punished by Gayle, who creamed off 20 runs in that over with two sixes and two fours.

The burly Caribbean was in full fl ow and next to bear the brunt of his fury was Sandeep Sharma, who conceded 23 runs in the next over.

Sandeep though had created a chance to get Gayle out after be-ing hit for a six in the fi rst ball.

Skipper George Bailey dropped a skier at long-off next ball, running back. Gayle was on 27 at that time.

Bangalore crossed 50-run mark in just four overs even as Kohli was playing a second-fi ddle from the other end. The Indian Test

captain got into groove with two exquisite shots over extra cover.

Despite being denied a six off Anureet Singh when the ball on his shot touched the cable of the spider cam, Gayle completed his half-century off just 22 balls.

Gayle also completed 3000 runs in IPL. He is only fourth player do so. Axar Patel could have got wicket of Gayle in his fi rst ball but Manan Vohra, who replaced Virender Sehwag, dropped the Caribbean. — PTI

I N D I A N P R E M I E R L E A G U E

Being a youth event the

best under-20 athletes

from all over Asia will

be in action. So it will

be difficult to have

expectations and

make any predictions

Jihad Al SheikhOAA general secretary

SPARKLING TON: Man of the match Chris Gayle celebrates his 46-ball century. – BCCI

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALOREC. Gayle c & b Patel 117V. Kohli b S. Sharma 32AB de Villiers not out 47D. Karthik b S. Sharma 8S. Khan not out 11Extras (lb-3, w-7, nb-1) 11Total (3 wickets; 20 overs) 226Fall of wickets: 1-119, 2-190, 3-199Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 4-0-41-2; M. Johnson 4-0-43-0; Anureet Singh 4-0-25-0; G. Maxwell 2-0-23-0; A. Patel 4-0-50-1; Karanveer Singh 2-0-41-0KINGS XI PUNJABM. Vijay b Patel 2M. Vohra c Wiese b Starc 2

W. Saha c Kohli b Aravind 13G. Maxwell b Aravind 1D. Miller b Aravind 7G. Bailey b Aravind 2A. Patel not out 40M. Johnson b Starc 1A. Singh b Starc 0K. Singh b Starc 4S. Sharma c & b Chahal 7Extras (lb-5, w-4) 9Total (all out; 13.4 overs) 88Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-19, 3-20, 4-33, 5-34, 6-39, 7-49, 8-49, 9-65, 10-88Bowling: Starc 4-0-15-4; Aravind 4-0-27-4; Patel 2-0-13-1; Chahal 2.4-0-24-1; Wiese 1-0-4-0Man of the match: Chris Gayle

S C O R E B O A R D

GOLF FOR FUN: Kolkata Knight Riders cricketer Brad Hogg reacts after playing a shot as Robin

Uthappa and Jacques Kallis look on at Royal Calcutta Golf Course in Kolkata on Tuesday. – PTI

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Royals aim to stay in top four, face Sunrisers

MUMBAI: After snapping their losing streak with a win over Delhi Daredevils, Rajasthan Royals will now look to keep themselves on course for a play-off berth with another dominating show against an inconsistent Sunrisers Hy-derabad in their IPL cricket game on Thursday.

The Royals had blasted off to a great start by winning fi rst fi ve matches, before losing their way a bit with three losses and two no re-sults but the 14-run win over Delhi on Sunday arrested the slide.

The Shane Watson-led squad would be keen to regain their fo-cus after a short break and apply the knock-out punch on Sunrisers tomorrow as another win could vir-tually ensure their berth in the play-off s with two games left in hand.

Sunrisers, on the other hand, have blown hot and cold right through the tournament and are currently placed at the second-last rung of the points table but the David Warner-led side will have a chance to avenge their humiliat-ing 6-wicket defeat to the Royals at Vishakapatnam on April 16.

Lack of consistency has been Sunrisers’ bane and they need to regroup and show the sort of form they displayed during their 22-run win over league leaders Chennai Super Kings last Saturday before slumping to a loss against defend-ing champions Kolkata knight Rid-ers two days ago.

It’s seen that generally whenev-er their openers - captain Warner

and Shikhar Dhawan - fail to pro-vide a good start, the rest of the Sunrisers’ batting line-up comes a cropper, which makes the innings launch a very important factor for the Hyderabad franchise.

They have a good seam bowling at-tack led by the likes of Dale Steyn and Trent Boult and backed up by Indian seamers such as Bhuvaneshwar and Praveen Kumar, but lack suffi cient

sting in the spin department even though they have added left-arm Bipul Sharma to complement leg-spinner Karn Sharma.

Royals have a strong batting order led by opener and tourna-ment’s highest scorer Ajinkya Ra-hane, besides captain Shane Wat-son and Steve Smith to nullify the Sun Risers’ attack and post a big score or chase one.

Two young batsmen came to the fore in Royals’ last two games with Sanju Samson blasting a brilliant 76 albeit for a losing cause against MI at the Wankhede Stadium and then Karun Nair scoring a quick-fi re 61 against Delhi at the Bra-bourne. Their exploits show Roy-als have other batsmen also to fall back on, apart from the top three.

Royals also possess enough fi re-power in their bowling attack with Tim Southee, Dhawal Kulkarni and Watson to trouble the shaky and top-heavy Sun Risers batting.

Royals, thus, defi nitely hold a slight edge against the inconsist-ent Sunrisers for whom this is a make or break game as a defeat would virtually end their chances of making the top four.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Da-vid Warner (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Naman Ojha, Kane Williamson, Dale Steyn, Moises Henriques, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Trent Boult, Parveez Ra-sool, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Reddy, Ricky Bhui, Chama Milind, Praveen Kumar, Hanuma Vihari, Prasanth Padmanabhan, Siddarth Kaul. Bipul Sharma.

Rajasthan Royals: Shane Wat-son (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, James Faulkner, Deepak Hooda, Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Dhawal Kuikarni, Tim Southee, Stuart Binny, Chris Morris, Pravin Tambe, Abhishek Nayar, Par-deep Sahu, Rusty Theron, Dinesh Salunkhe, Vikramjit Malik, Ra-hul Tewatia, Rajat Bhatia, Sagar Trivedi, Dishant Yagnik and Ankit Sharma. - PTI

Second in the points

table, Rajasthan

Royals have played

a dominant brand of

cricket in IPL 8 so far.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

have been quite the

opposite and are a

place from last in

the points table

GETTING BACK ON TRACK: Rajasthan Royals having lost their way

are getting back on track. – PTI

KP an inspiration for me: HoodaMUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals batsman Deepak Hooda, who came into the limelight after his match-winning knock against Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter, said exiled England batter Kevin Pietersen inspires him to play at-tacking cricket.

“Kevin Pietersen is my inspi-ration when it comes to batting because he also is an attacking batsman and loves to play big shots. My role in the team is also to play big shots and score quick-ly whenever the situation arises like I have done in a few games this season. I also practise my big shots in the nets,” Hooda said.

The 20-year-old walked in to bat at No.6 against Daredevils on April 12 and smashed 54 off 25 balls, which included three fours and four sixes. His knock helped Roy-als register a three-wicket win.

“Before the start of the IPL, I was practising in the nets on

how to bat, both up and down the order and in diff erent situations. So I was mentally prepared on how to bat in diff erent positions and that is what helped me. The Rajasthan Royals management and coaches have also backed me fully and have encouraged me to play freely and express myself out in the middle which has fur-ther boosted my confi dence,” the right-hander said.

Hooda, who plays his fi rst-class cricket for Baroda, credited team mentor Rahul Dravid for constant support and motivation. “You learn a lot from someone like Rahul Dravid. I have spoken to him on things like how to bat in certain situations, how to handle pressure situations and lot of oth-er things related to my batting. I always love to go upto him and have a chat about batting. I also discuss a lot with Paddy Upton. They also come up to give me tips about batting,” Hooda said. - IANS

I N S P I R E D B I G H I T T E R

PASSION FOR BIG SHOTS: Deepak Hooda of Rajasthan Royals. – BCCI

Hosts KKR aim to dominate against Delhi DaredevilsKOLKATA: Defending champi-ons Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would look to continue their dominance at their home ground when they take on an unpredict-able Delhi Daredevils (DD) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) en-counter here at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.

While the Knights are third on the league table with 11 points from 10 games, the visitors are two rungs below at sixth with just eight points from 10 matches.

The Daredevils went down fi ghting in the last clash against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, as the latter scraped past the tar-get of 168 runs with just three balls and fi ve wickets to spare.

KKR on the other hand deliv-ered a stupendous performance with the leather, in their last match here against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Pacer Umesh Yadav was bril-liant upfront followed by the ef-forts of spin twins Johan Botha and Brad Hogg who shackled the Sunrisers batsmen. Chasing 168 the visitors managed to notch

only 132/9 in their 20 overs.The odds favour the Gautam

Gambhir-led KKR, who have beaten Delhi eight times in 14 games. Their fi rst-leg encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla was won by the defending champions by six wickets. Delhi would bank on their top order to perform, includ-ing both openers Mayank Agar-wal and Shreyas Iyer. Their star batsman Yuvraj Singh’s 57-run innings against Mumbia Indians would boost his confi dence as that augurs well for the side.

However, belting away the Kol-kata tweakers would be a diffi cult prospect for the middle-order batsmen of Delhi, particularly with Botha and Hogg being in such good form, ably supported by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

The Daredevils have a decent bowling led by veteran left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan and South African leggie Imran Tahir but bowling to a strong batting outfi t comprising quality domestic wil-lowers would be a tough ask.

While KKR would want to clinch the tie and go a step ahead in

sealing a place in the play-off s, for the Daredevils it’s about surviving and keeping their hopes alive.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Gau-tam Gambhir (captain), Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa (wicket-keeper), Piyush Chawla, Yusuf Pathan, Umesh Yadav, Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav Veer, Pratap Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sumit Narwal, Sheldon Jackson, Aditya Garhwal, KC Cariappa, Vaibhav Rawal, Manish Pandey ,Shakib Al Hasan, Morne Morkel, Pat Cummins, Ryan ten Does-chate, Andre Russell, Brad Hogg, Azhar Mahmood, Johan Botha.

Delhi Daredevils: JP Duminy (captain), Quinton de Kock, Ma-yank Agarwal, Manoj Tiwary, Yu-vraj Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Ange-lo Mathews, Kedar Jadhav, Imran Tahir, Amit Mishra, Shahbaz Na-deem, Zaheer Khan, Jaydev Un-adkat, Mohammed Shami, C.M. Gautam, Gurinder Sandhu, Jay-ant Yadav, Albie Morkel, Srikar Bharat, Marcus Stoinis, Dominic Muthuswamy, Shreyas Iyer, Na-than Coulter-Nile, Karapak Jiyas, Travis Head. - IANS

I P L P R E V I E W

Yuvraj Singh says no time for critics

MUMBAI: After rediscovering his form with a stroke-fi lled half century, Yuvraj Singh rued that his team Delhi Daredevils could not deliver the knock-out blow on the Mumbai Indians despite reducing the hosts to 40 for 4 and lost the crucial IPL cricket game.

“We had them (reeling) at 40 for 4. We should have won the game from there, but we didn’t pick up wickets,” said Yuvraj at the post-match presser after MI won by fi ve wickets with three balls to spare at the Wankhede Stadium here.

“I think after the rain came, the dew set in and the wicket got better. There was no spin. I think it worked to their advantage. No doubt they played well. But from 40 for 4, you should win games from there,” he added.

Asked if he has silenced the critics with his 44-ball knock on Tuesday, Yuvraj said he does not have the time to read criticisms.

“My job is to play cricket, crit-ics’ job is to write. I don’t read what comes out. I don’t have that much time in my life. I try and stick to my job and you guys stick to your job,” he said.

Yuvraj, who made 57 off 44 balls — only his second half cen-tury this season, complimented rival skipper Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu for the manner in which they guided MI from the rut and took them close to the winning target of 153.

“I think Rohit and Rayudu played very well. The wicket was gripping a bit at the start but because dew came in, the ball was coming on nicely to the bat,” he said. “If there was no rain and we got a bit of turn, may be the result could have been diff erent. But to be fair to MI, they played well under pressure from 40-4. Rohit and Rayudu took it to the end,” said Yuvraj.

Yuvraj said he got some time to get his eye in after his side lost early wickets, but rued it all went to waste as the Daredevils lost their sixth game out of ten and have only a very slim chance of going into the play-off s. - PTI

Y U V I S P E A K S

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Musandam-Oman Sail break Round Ireland Speed Record

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Tour-ism’s fl agship MOD70 Musan-dam-Oman Sail has made history for Oman by breaking the Round Ireland Speed Sailing Record and gaining another sailing world re-cord for the country. The MOD70 trimaran completed the 700-mile voyage in 40 hours, 51 minutes and 57 seconds — beating the previous record set in 1993 by American ad-venturer Steve Fossett by nearly four hours.

The six-man crew was skip-pered by Sidney Gavignet with Fa-

had Al Hasni, Yasser Al Rahbi and Sami Al Shukaili, key members of last year’s Round Britain and Ire-land world record setting team, Spain’s Alex Pella and French mul-tihull veteran Jean Baptiste Lev-aillant also on board.

“It is every sailor’s dream to achieve something like this, and I am very proud to be part of setting a world record. It is a great thing for Oman,” said Helmsman Fahad

Al Hasni. “We had a slow wind at some point which cost us around fi ve hours of boat speed but then the wind picked up and carried us towards the fi nish line. I’m re-ally happy because there have been some very famous sailors who at-tempted this record in the past but we are the ones who now hold it.”

Yasser Al Rahbi said: “It is some-thing extraordinary. It is defi nitely a great addition to my personal

achievements, but more than that it is for our home country. The waves were very high and it was very windy but we kept pushing. The key was to maintain good boat speed and to rotate shifts and rest time to stay focused.”

Sami Al Shukaili added: “I am very happy to have broken this re-cord. This was a diffi cult challenge, maybe even more diffi cult than last year’s Round Britain and Ireland

record, but thanks to our focused team work, we managed to pull it off . This might be the biggest mile-stone of my sailing career so far.”

Skipper Sidney Gavignet said: “To have achieved the record so early in our season is a great feel-ing. It had been a priority for the team and now it is done.”

In 2013, Musandam-Oman Sail became the fi rst Omani boat to at-tempt to break the Round Ireland record, but dangerous conditions forced them to abandon the attempt.

However, strong winds along Ireland’s East Coast provided ideal conditions to beat the re-cord this time around and claim a second world record for Oman, adding to the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race set in No-vember 2014.

David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail, led the congratulations back in Muscat.

“This is a great accomplishment for Oman Sail,” he said. “Attempting to break the Round Ireland record has been our goal for many years now and achieving the feat is a shin-ing example of the hard work and dedication of our sailing squad.”

“Racing against yourself to set a time is the hardest test of disci-pline. The team must remain fo-cused and motivated at all times, and we have instilled these values since the start of the Oman Sail programme. With a 50 per cent Omani crew, this record shows that the present and the future of sail-ing in Oman is on the right course.”

MOD70 Musandam-

Oman Sail trimaran

completed the 700-

mile voyage in 40

hours, 51 minutes

and 57 seconds —

beating the previous

record set in 1993 by

American adventurer

Steve Fossett by

nearly four hours

GREAT SAILING: Musandam-Oman Sail pictured during the Round Ireland Speed Sailing Record bid.

MAKING HISTORY: Musandam-Oman Sail crew celebrate after breaking Round Ireland Speed Sailing Record. – Supplied photo

OSA board lauds Omani swimmers achievements at GCC Beach Games

MUSCAT: The Oman Swimming Association (OSA) board mem-bers held their second meeting of the year under the chairmanship of association chief Taha Al Kisry on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Taha Al

Kishry and the members lauded the eff orts of Oman long distance swimmers who won laurelrs for the country at the second GCC Beach Games held in Qatat in April.

Taking part in 5km and 10km races, the Omani swimmers won

a four gold and two silver med-als as Oman emerged the overall leaders at the Games. The meet-ing also discussed Oman’s plans for participation in the 25th GCC Aquatic Games to be hosted in Qa-tar from September 3 to 6.

The members also discussed Oman’s preparations for the sev-enth Asian Open Water Champi-onships to be hosted in Bali frm September 16-21 and the Asian Swimming Championships in Thailand from October 1 to 7.

M E E T I N G

SIDDIQ, MANDI FOR ITF LEVEL II COACHES COURSE IN TEHRANOman Tennis Association (OTA) treasurer and experienced

offi cial Siddiq Al Hashmi and Madni Al Bakry left for Tehran

on Wedneday to be par of ITF Level II coaches course. Ac-

cording to a press release issued by OTA, the course which

starts today runs till May 17. — Supplied photos

Zimbabwe confi dent in Pakistan security

LAHORE: A Zimbabwe Cricket delegation expressed confi -dence on Wednesday in security measures taken by Pakistan be-fore the African country’s tour, the fi rst by any Test-playing team for six years.

The mini-series of two Twen-ty20s and three One-day Inter-nationals (ODIs) will be held in Lahore between May 22 and 31.

No Test-playing team has toured Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009, leaving eight people dead and seven visiting players injured.

Zimbabwe Cricket manag-ing director Alistair Campbell, heading the security delegation, thanked Pakistan for “for all the security arrangements involved to make sure that we will be safe and cricket will be the ultimate winner at the end of the day”.

The former batsman, who played 60 Tests and 188 One-day Internationals for Zimbabwe, said he had always felt safe in Pa-kistan when touring as a player.

“I had played many times in Pakistan on fi ve or six tours and had the opportunity of playing in the whole of the country and it was secure,” he said.

“Hopefully, in the years to come we will come again and play in the rest of the country” he added. - AFP

C R I C K E T

Pair avoid jail time over Ryder assault

WELLINGTON: Two New Zealand men who were involved in a bar fi ght that left former Black Cap Jesse Ryder in an in-duced coma were handed non-custodial sentences on Wednes-day, reports said.

Ryder was injured after an altercation outside a Christch-urch pub in March 2013, spend-ing six days in hospital before eventually resuming his cricket career seven months later.

Craig O’Neill was fi ned NZ$3,000 ($2,250) and sen-tenced to 250 hours community work, while his nephew Dylan O’Neill was fi ned NZ$250, the New Zealand Herald reported.

It said Craig O’Neill, 39, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to injure, with Dylan O’Neill, 22, admitting a charge of common assault. - AFP

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Sultan’s School win three titles in DubaiMUSCAT: The Sultan’s School won three separate football tour-naments this year in Dubai, mak-ing it the fi rst time the school has had threee winners in as many age categories.

The grueling two-day tourna-ments involved a league system which test the players over 30 minute matches (11-a-side) in hot weather conditions. The hat-trick of wins was achieved by the Un-der-16, Under-14 and Under-13 boy’s teams.

The Middle East Unity Cup (MEUC), formerly known as The Dubai Unity Cup holds sport-ing competitions for schools and clubs in football, volley-ball, basketball, swimming and track & fi eld.

The football competition re-mains a prestigious annual event in Dubai and brings schools and clubs together to compete in 11-a-side football matches for boys and eight-a-side matches for girls.

This year, The Sultan’s School travelled with seven teams/age ranges and was sponsored by Kh-imji Ramdas, Mohsin Haider Dar-wish and Turner Townsend.

The sponsorship money pro-vided by local companies gave the opportunity for the school’s ‘gifted and talented (G&T)’ pro-gramme to be enhanced. Key players in the G&T programme travelled free or subsidised, these players are those who display the highest performance qualities on a consistent basis. All players re-ceived team kit and tour T-shirts.

The process of involving Muscat businesses with Omani schools’

football programmes is to bring the community closer together.

The interaction between all par-ties is ultimately the key to suc-cess presently and in the future.

With new facilities available for community use at The Sultan’s School, we expect school and com-munity links to accumulate rap-idly over the next year and beyond.

“We thank the sponsors very much for their involvement and hope the community link can con-

tinue to thrive from year to year across the range of sports off ered by The Sultan’s School.

“We congratulate the winners this year and commend the mass participation that is seen each year via the school’s football and sports programmes.

“The Sultan’s School PE de-partment is proud of such suc-cesses and in promoting a healthy, active life style for grassroots Om-ani students.”

F O O T B A L L

CHAMPIONS: The Sultan’s School under-16 team pose with their trophy. – Supplied photo

Sohar Squash Championship from May 14MUSCAT: The Sohar Squash Championship will be organised in Sohar from May 14 to 16.

According to chief organ-iser Tahir Al Barwani, the Sohar championship is the third in a se-ries of squash tournaments being planned to promote the sport in the Sultanate.

“This is our third tournament and we will be hosting a squash event for the fi rst time in Sohar,” he informed.

“We are also planning to or-ganise the fourth tournament in Salalah during the forthcom-ing Khareef season and it will be known as Khareef Squash Open.”

Next tourney in SalalahThe fi rst two tournaments were held in Muscat.

In the fi rst event, which was open for Omanis, saw participa-

tion of 60 enthusiasts with Fa-had Al Hinai taking top honours ahead of Mohammed Al Hadad.

In the under-18 tournament, Ahmed Al Barwani took the ti-tle while Abdullah Alawaidi clinched the second place.

The second event, Oman Squad Open, has attracted 70 players from diff erent nationalities, in-cluding those form the UAE.

Jamal Al Barwani won the top place and Tahir Al Barwani set-tled for runners-up spot.

In the under-18 category, Ab-dullah Al Awaidi won the title ahead of India’s Leoan.

Tahir Al Barwani, meanwhile, said the organisers as well as squash lovers in in the Sultan-ate are looking forward for the formation of an offi cial body that will lead to the promotion of the sport in the country.

O P E N T O U R N A M E N T

PROMOTING SQUASH: Tahir Al Barwani. – Supplied photo

Home hero Alonso back in the Spanish GP spotlight

BARCELONA: While Lewis Hamilton chases his fourth vic-tory in fi ve races in Barcelona this weekend, much of the immediate attention at the Spanish Grand Prix will be on a home hero with no hope of winning.

Bookmakers were last week of-fering better odds, before the birth, on Britain’s latest royal baby being named Macbeth than on Fernando Alonso’s McLaren team winning at the Circuit de Catalunya.

They are now a more reasonable 250-1 on the Spaniard, winner in Barcelona with Ferrari in 2013 and Renault in 2006, and team-mate Jenson Button although just

getting into the points for the fi rst time this year will be a big step up for the ex-champions.

Alonso, who will attend an Fia news conference on Thursday, will be very much in the spotlight how-ever on his return to the circuit where he crashed heavily in pre-season testing.

That accident ruled him out of

the opening race in Australia and triggered all kinds of conspiracy theories about his condition and what had ‘really’ caused the crash.

Neither McLaren nor Alonso made any mention of the incident in their pre-race preview, prefer-ring to focus on improvements they expect to see in the fi rst race of the European season.

“I’m incredibly happy to be heading back to Europe, to my home country and racing in front of the loyal Spanish fans,” said Alonso. “We are seeing improve-ments race by race, and I want to ensure that we maintain this con-sistency throughout this weekend.

“Although we won’t be fi ghting for victory in Barcelona, I know

I can count on the support of the fans to bring even more motivation during the whole weekend, which will be very special.”

After a three week gap, the fi fth round of the season will be closely watched for signs of any shift in the pecking order with teams bringing upgrades to their cars now they have had time back at the factory.

The battle at the front, however, is still likely to be between Mer-cedes, with double world champi-on Hamilton in commanding form, and resurgent Ferrari.

The Briton, who posted on In-stagram a photograph of himself ringside at last weekend’s Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquaio welterweight unifi cation bout in Las Vegas, is up for another fi ght.

“Having tasted success there (Barcelona) for the fi rst time last year, I want to do it in even better style this time,” said 2014 winner Hamilton, who has a 27-point lead over teammate Nico Rosberg.

Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff added: “Lewis is in the zone right now, probably driving as well as he has ever done, and Nico showed his teeth in Bahrain with some forceful overtaking and a strong, ag-gressive race. We’re expecting more of the same in Spain.” - Reuters

Alonso will be very

much in the spotlight

on his return to the

circuit where he

crashed heavily in

pre-season testing

I’m incredibly happy

to be heading back to

Europe, to my home

country and racing

in front of the loyal

Spanish fans

Fernando AlonsoMcLaren driver

Lombardi feat was mere footnote to tragic 1975 raceLONDON: The 1975 Span-ish Grand Prix at Barcelona’s Montjuich circuit has gone down in Formula One history as a safety shambles after a deadly accident that might have been prevented.

It also entered the record books, almost as a footnote, for a unique result that remains unrivalled 40 years on as Formula One returns to Spain for Sunday’s race at the modern Circuit de Catalunya.

Finishing sixth, two laps behind McLaren winner Jochen Mass in a race stopped at one third distance with only half points awarded, was Italian Maria Grazia ‘Lella’ Lom-bardi in her March car.

Even if race reports focused more on her ability to keep out of harm’s way from the back of the fi eld, it was the best ever result by a woman driver and made her the only one to fi nish in the points —

in only her second race. No other driver has scored only half a point in their entire F1 career. Only eight cars fi nished the Spanish race, and there was little to celebrate.

A photographer, fi reman and three spectators died when the high rear wing on Rolf Stomme-len’s Lola Hill broke, sending the car over barriers with fl ying debris hitting bystanders. The German driver survived with broken bones.

The potential for tragedy had been fl agged up before the start, with some drivers threatening a boycott when they turned up at the circuit to fi nd hastily-assembled temporary barriers unbolted or tied together with thin wire.

The teams sent out their own mechanics to fi x the problems as far as possible but even that was not enough for some drivers.

Defending world champion Em-

erson Fittipaldi declared the situ-ation unacceptable and refused to race.

When told by then FIA presi-dent Jean-Marie Balestre that he would be banned from the follow-ing race in Monaco, the McLaren driver did one lap and retired.

Fittipaldi went on to race in Monaco but Lombardi, a butcher’s daughter from a village near Turin, was absent after failing to qualify

— along with the likes of Jacques Laffi te and Graham Hill.

Although she managed a sev-enth place in Germany that year — when only the top six earned points — and fi nished ahead of American Mario Andretti in 10th, the Italian left F1 in 1976. She died of cancer at the age of 48 in 1992.

Montjuich never again hosted a grand prix and Mass never won another either. - Reuters

S A F E T Y S H A M B L E S

Williams tester Wolff is close yet still so far

LONDON: Susie Wolff will be back at the wheel of a Williams Formula One car in Barcelona on Friday with little in the way of fanfare but a clear aim in mind.

Last year, the 32-year-old Scot made plenty of headlines in a similar practice session at Silverstone when she became the fi rst female driver in 22 years to take part in a Grand Prix weekend.

This time, her presence at the Circuit de Catalunya comes 40 years after the only F1 race in which a woman has fi nished in the points — Italian Lella Lom-bardi’s sixth place at the short-ened 1975 Spanish Grand Prix..

If Wolff has made it less of a novelty to see a woman on track along with the men in Formula One, at least on a Friday, her dream of becoming the fi rst woman grand prix racer since 1976 remains tantalisingly out of reach.

“I have performed in the car, I have shown I am capable, I’m in a very competitive team, I drive a car which is capable of podium positions,” she told Reuters in an interview before heading to Spain.

“So I do feel very, very close but in the same respect very far away. Because when they announced (Adrian) Sutil as the reserve at Williams, that was a clear sign that ‘Yes, you’re close but you are also still very far away’.”

Williams started the sea-son without a reserve but with Wolff , whose husband Toto is head of Mercedes motorsport and a Williams shareholder, as development driver with young Briton Alex Lynn.

When Finland’s Valtteri Bot-tas injured his back in qualify-ing and missed the Austral-ian season-opener, the team appointed Sutil — a veteran of 128 races — and not Wolff who has only tested and taken part in two practice sessions so far.

She will test in Austria in June and drive again in practice at the British Grand Prix in July, following a fi xed programme and putting in the laps.

It is important work, with Friday setup vital for Sunday’s race, but Wolff wants more and time and circumstances are against her.

“We’ve made such big strides forward and that’s a lot down to the team giving me the chance. They took a risk, took a chance and it worked out,” she said.

“So we are making strides forward but I still feel we’ve got a long way to go.” - Reuters

F E M A L E D R I V E R

Real top Forbes’ most valuable teams list

LONDON: European champi-ons Real Madrid are the world’s most valuable soccer club for a third straight year, according to a Forbes poll released on Wednesday that showed the average value of the top 20 teams rose 11 percent over last year.

The Spanish club’s value fell fi ve percent to $3.26 billion but their $746 million in revenue, the high-est of any sports team in the world, was enough to keep them top of the list, Forbes said in a statement.

Barcelona ($3.16 billion), Man-chester United ($3.10 billion), German champions Bayern Mu-nich ($2.35 billion) and Manches-ter City ($1.35 billion) rounded out the top fi ve.

The 10 most valuable soccer teams (in billions): 1. Real Ma-drid $3.26; 2. Barcelona $3.16; 3. Manchester United $3.10; 4. Bayern Munich $2.35; 5. Manchester City $1.38; 6. Chelsea $1.37; 7. Arsenal $1.31; 8. Liverpool $982; 9. Juventus $837; 10. AC Milan $775. - Reuters

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Oman Cricket awards contracts to 12 players in a historic move

A. SESHAGIRI [email protected]

MUSCAT: In a historic move, Oman Cricket (OC) has launched central contracts system adopting the model followed by other crick-et playing nations. As a fi rst step the Sultanate’s cricket governing body has awarded the contracts to 12 top players of the country.

OC Vice-Chairman His High-ness Sayyid Qais Al Said presented the contracts to the 12 selected cricketers during a ceremony

organised at the Oman Cricket headquarters. According to Oman Cricket Chief Development Offi c-er Duleep Mendis, a beginning has been made and the numbers will be increased in the coming days.

Speaking to Times Sport on Wednesday, the Sri Lankan great said: “The central contract system has been initiated. As of now 12 players have been awarded the con-tracts.” “The number may increase once we fi nalise the team for the ICC

Twenty20 World Cup Qualifi er,” Duleep added referring to the tour-nament to be jointly hosted by Scot-land and Ireland in July this year.

Three categoriesWhile refusing to divulge the fi -nancial details of the contracts, the former Sri Lankan captain said: “It is not appropriate at this time to talk about the fi nancial details. But what we can talk about now is the actual system of contracts.”

“We have three categories — A, B and C. The contracts are awarded based on the experience, seniority and performance of the players. Majority of those selected now are in A category,” Duleep, who is also coach of the Oman team, added.

Asked about the selection of the team for the Scotland/Ireland tournament, he said: “We have recently returned from a training camp in Dubai and we will soon be fi nalising the team.”

“At Dubai Sports City, the boys have trained on English type wick-ets and that experience will help them when they take part in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifi -er in Scotland and Ireland,” he said.

Training campDuleep, who has been stressing on the importance of consistency and physical fi tness since he arrived in Oman, has guided the team to the title triumph at the ACC Twenty20

Cup in the UAE early this year and that victory sealed their berth in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifi er.

Duleep also revealed plans to take the team to Scotland or Ire-land for a training-cum-condition-ing camp ahead of the Qualifi er.

“After fi nalising the team, we will also be fi nalising a plan for a training camp in one of the two host countries. That will help the boys acclimatise with the condi-tions,” he said.

Oman Cricket

Vice-Chairman His

Highness Sayyid

Qais presented the

contracts to the 12

selected cricketers,

who are awarded

in three diff erent

categories based on

their seniority and

performance

FIRST IN OMAN: The 12 contracted players pose for a group photo after receiving their contracts from

Oman Cricket Vice-Chairman His Highness Sayyid Qais Al Said. – Supplied photo

As of now 12 players

have been awarded the

contracts. The number

may increase once we

finalise the team for

the ICC Twenty20

World Cup Qualifier

Duleep MendisOC’s Chief Development Officer

SEEB, AL RAYYAN PLAY OUT A GOALLESS DRAWHosts Seeb held formidable Al Rayyan of Qatar to a goalless draw in the fi rst match of their

double leg semifi nal in the GCC Clubs Football Championship at the Seeb Sports Stadium on

Wednesday. Seeb will now travel to Qatar for the second leg match which is scheduled for

May 19. The winners will battle for the title with the winners of another semifi nal between

Al Shabab and Al Nasr, both from the UAE. The Emirati teams also shared the spoils in their

fi rst leg semifi nal match which ended in a 1-1 draw. — JUN ESTRADA/Times of Oman

Boxing fans fi le lawsuit against Pacquiao for concealing injuryLOS ANGELES: Two Nevada men fi led a class-action lawsuit against Manny Pacquiao on Tues-day, seeking millions in damages because they say he fraudulently concealed a shoulder injury before his defeat to Floyd Mayweather.

It is just the latest fallout from Mayweather’s victory in Las Vegas on Saturday in a unanimous deci-sion, with Pacquiao saying after-wards that the shoulder complaint hampered his performance in the welterweight world title show-

down. The plaintiff s argue that by failing to go public with the injury before the feverishly anticipated bout, the Philippine icon and his camp violated the Nevada Decep-tive Trade Practices Act.

The suit fi led in a US District Court in Las Vegas names Pacqui-ao, his manager Michael Koncz, promotional company Top Rank and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum and president Todd duBoef.

According to court documents available online, the lawsuit claims

that when plaintiff s Stephane Vanel and Kami Rahbaran — who bought tickets, forked out pay per view fees or bet on the fi ght — the defendants “knew and had full knowledge and information that defendant Pacquiao had been se-riously injured and was suff ering from a torn rotator cuff .”

“Defendants further know that such injury would severely aff ect his performance,” the lawsuit says.

“None of the defendants in-formed or apprised the public or

even the Nevada Athletic Commis-sion about the injury to defendant Pacquiao.”

Lucrative boutThe clash between Pacquiao and Mayweather at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was billed as the “Fight of the Century.”

It’s certainly set to go down as the most lucrative bout in history, with possible revenue of $400 mil-lion. That could include as many as three million pay-per-view pur-

chases, at about $100 each.The bout went the full sched-

uled 12 rounds, Mayweather easily winning on the judges’ scorecards to take his perfect record to 48-0.

After the fi ght, Pacquiao and Top Rank revealed the 36-year-old had been injured in training camp some three weeks earlier.

They said he’d been cleared by doctors to fi ght, although they had expected him to be able to take an anti-infl ammatory injection on fi ght night, but the Nevada State

Athletic Commission ultimately denied him.

Pacquiao attorney Daniel Pet-rocelli told The Los Angeles Times that he expects the lawsuit to be dismissed.

“It claims Pacquiao was injured (immediately) before the bout and that’s not true — he was injured (nearly a month) before the bout, was examined by doctors and cleared to fi ght,” Petrocelli said. “And he was examined by the com-mission right before he fought.” - AFP

S E E K I N G D A M A G E S

New Zealand coach Hesson calls for longer Test seriesLONDON: New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said he believed his side were worthy of longer series ahead of their two-Test campaign in England.

“We’ve started to earn the right now to play longer series than two Tests,” Hesson told reporters at Lord’s on Wednesday following a team training session. “That’s something we are looking for-ward to and our administrators want to make it happen.”

A two-match contest is the minimum required to consti-tute a series by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport’s governing body.

But Australia seamer Ryan Harris voiced a widespread con-cern when he labelled two-Test series “pointless”.

“I think some of it has been performance, I think we’ve been down the pecking order in terms of our ranking,” said Hesson, whose side are now fi fth in the standings to England’s fourth.

But New Zealand have won four and drawn two of their six Test se-ries since losing 2-0 in England in

2013. “For 18 months we’ve played good cricket, six series in a row Test wise,” said Hesson.

New Zealand, historically, have not tended to be viewed as a big ‘draw card’ by other countries and so have rarely played Test series longer than three matches.

But as on New Zealand’s last visit to the UK two years ago, Aus-tralia are also touring England this year.

With administrators in Eng-land and Australia adamant the Ashes must be played over a ‘full’ fi ve-Test campaign and English offi cials believing anything more than seven Tests in a home season is not a practical option, New Zea-land face another two-Test series.

“Often, England have two (in-coming) tours and we get the early one. We tend to be a bit of an entree to the Ashes, it seems to be the way we’ve been used in the past,” said Hesson.

Indeed the last time New Zea-land played a four-Test series against England was when they won 2-1, with one draw, in Eng-land in 1999.

And the only fi ve-match cam-paign involving the two nations came back in 1958 when an Eng-land team captained by Peter May won 4-0 with one draw.

Now New Zealand will face an England side who were recently held to a 1-1 draw away to a West Indies team labelled “mediocre” by incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves. But Hesson said whatever their opponent’s problems, win-ning a series in England would still be a landmark achievement

“We’ve won four Test matches here (England) in our history, so to win a series would be huge.”

New Zealand have revelled in the role of underdogs, but their run to the World Cup fi nal, which included an eight-wicket thrash-ing of England, has changed perceptions.

New Zealand begin their tour against Somerset on Friday be-fore playing another four-day warm-up match against Worces-tershire ahead of Tests at Lord’s (starting on May 21) and Head-ingley (starting on May 29). - AFP

C R I C K E T

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Indian tennis star Mirza wants to inspire girls across subcontinent

NEW DELHI: Outside Bolly-wood fi lms, Sania Mirza might be the only Indian success welcomed as warmly in neighbouring Paki-stan and the 28-year-old expects her doubles feats to inspire girls on both sides of the border to pick up a tennis racquet.

Mirza has long been the face of the women’s game in India and her high-profi le cross-border wed-ding to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik fi ve years ago placed her in a unique position. Her rise to the top ranking in WTA doubles was hailed in both countries, though they remain suspicious of each af-ter fi ghting three wars since inde-pendence in 1947.

Malik’s international career has stalled since his last one-day match two years ago, but Mirza last month became the fi rst Indian to climb to the top after winning the Family Circle Cup in Charles-

ton, South Carolina, her third suc-cessive title partnered with Mar-tina Hingis. “It feels good,” Mirza told Reuters in an interview.

“Me and my husband, we live in a kind of extraordinary situation because we both are professional athletes from diff erent countries who still represent their own country after marriage and I don’t

think that happens very often.“We both are very active, still

playing and it’s great if it can in-spire not just people in India and Pakistan but hopefully girls can pick up tennis racquets in the whole subcontinent, really think that sports can be a career option.

“That does not come fi rst to the head of any girl or parent ... Whether

it’s India, Pakistan or anywhere in the subcontinent, I’d like to believe peo-ple hopefully will get a little inspired by this and hopefully things change.”

Once a top 30 singles player with a potent forehand, Mirza was the fi rst Indian to win a WTA singles title in 2005, but after battling knee and wrist injuries, feels her switch to doubles has been vindicated.

“I ended my singles career solely for the reason that my body was not just able to take it anymore,” said Mirza, calling it a “surreal feeling” to top the doubles rankings.

“I had three surgeries in seven-eight years and in those years ... it was either playing doubles or not playing tennis at all. I love tennis too much to have given up on it so soon.”

Finally at peace, Mirza has set herself a couple of goals. “It would be great to try and get records on how long I stay there and defi nitely try and win a women’s doubles grand slam which has not happened. (I) have come close so many times even though (I) won mixed grand slams. Hopefully try and end the year at one, if not this year, next year.” - Reuters

Mirza has long

been the face of the

women’s game in

India and her high-

profi le cross-border

wedding to Pakistani

cricketer Shoaib

Malik fi ve years

ago placed her in a

unique position

Me and my husband,

we live in a kind

of extraordinary

situation because we

both are professional

athletes from

different countries

who still represent

their own country

after marriage and

I don’t think that

happens very often

Sania MirzaIndian tennis star

Nadal eases into third round as Serena, Sharapova clinch Madrid marathonsMADRID: Rafael Nadal lifted his clay-court record over Americans to a perfect 10-0 on Wednesday as he beat Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-3 to reached the Madrid Open third round. The third seed and defend-ing champion improved to 12-3 on clay in 2015 thanks to his win in an hour and a quarter.

The French Open champion, who has four Madrid titles and has played in six fi nals at his showcase home event, is aiming to extend his streak of winning at least one European clay title leading into Roland Garros to 11 straight years.

Nadal captured a second straight Madrid title last year by beating Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the fi nal. Up next for the nine-time French Open king will be Simone Bolelli, who overcame fellow Italian Luca Vanni 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Day 4.

Earlier, top seed Serena Wil-liams and defending champion Maria Sharapova survived mara-thon three-setters to reach the quarterfi nals.

Williams saved three match points and needed two and three-quarter hours to take her unde-feated record this season to 23-0, making the most of a late serving collapse from former number one Victoria Azarenka.

“I could have won, she could have won. I ended up winning and I don’t know how,” said Williams after her 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (7-1) win. “I feel like it was intense.”

“I don’t feel like there were a lot of long points, which was weird.”

Williams next faces either Ana Ivanovic, the Serbian seventh seed, or Spanish 10th seed Carla

Suarez Navarro. Third seed Shara-pova went for two and a half hours before seeing off Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

Sharapova ended the dramatic third-round match with a second-serve ace confi rmed from the chair after breaking for 6-5.

Williams had found herself in trouble in the third set against Azarenka, who saved a match point in the 10th game to make it 5-5 and then broke for a 6-5 lead.

But Azarenka fell victim to the serving yips, missing on three match points and sending over three double-faults in a row to lose serve and take the match into a de-ciding tiebreaker. Williams then raced to fi ve match points, escap-ing on her fi rst from Azarenka’s long forehand return.

Against Sharapova, the 28th-ranked Garcia, clearly peeved to have missed her chance against the fi ve-time Grand Slam winner, gave an abbreviated “drive-by” handshake as the players met for

a few quick seconds at the net, fol-lowing protocol in name only.

Sharapova is fi ghting to regain the number two WTA ranking that she lost last month with an early defeat in Stuttgart and needs to reach the fi nal to have a chance of standing second again behind Williams. The scenario opened up at the weekend when second seed and 2014 runner-up Simona Halep lost in her opening match.

Garcia reached the quarter-fi nals a year ago as a qualifi er and beat number 13 Karolina Pliskova in the second round this week to earn her spot against Sharapova.

Sharapova is also building for her French Open title defence af-ter beating Halep for the title in Paris last June.

The Russian started 2015 by winning 17 of her fi rst 18 matches, but came to Madrid having lost three in a row.

She has now won 57 of her last 62 matches on clay as she waits to play fi fth seed Caroline Wozni-

acki in the quarters. Wozniacki advanced over Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-2.

Sharapova produced a dozen aces to 10 for her opponent, break-ing Garcia fi ve times and losing her own serve on three occasions.

Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, the fourth seed, ad-vanced with ease over Russian An-astasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-4.

Romanian Irina Begu beat Bar-bora Strycova 6-4, 6-4 to next take on Kvitova.

In men’s second-round play, sixth seed Tomas Berdych beat weekend Estoril winner Richard Gasquet 7-6 (7/3), 7-5.

Spanish seventh seed David Ferrer beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 6-0 and Madrid’s Fernando Verdasco knocked out US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

John Isner, the 16th seed, fi red 23 aces to defeat Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (11/13), 6-1.— AFP

M A D R I D O P E N

GOOD WIN: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning against

Steve Johnson of US during their match at the Madrid Open.– Reuters

HARDFOUGHT WINS: Serena Williams, left, and Maria Sharapova were extended. –Reuters, AFP

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMSECTIONC T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5SIGHT & SOUND

(TURBULENCE INCLUDED)

It was definitive arena rock, loud and clear, filling Pacific Coliseum in Van-couver with surging sound. The Edge blared a distorted, two-chord guitar riff, Larry Mullen Jr.’s tom-toms and

cymbals landed hard on the backbeat, Adam Clayton’s bass throbbed down below and Bono unleashed “woo-oohs” in exultant fal-setto.

U2 had taken over the coliseum for a month of full-scale rehearsal to assemble its Innocence & Experience tour, which will start at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on May 14, and the band was charging through Eleva-tion. The stage was an austere geometry of fluorescent tubes, and the song was trium-phant.

“Wow, that’s four years since we played that?,” Bono said as the last chord faded. “Not bad!”

U2, the Irish band that released its debut album in 1980, is about to test its place in the present. Because Apple gave away mil-lions of copies of Songs of Innocence (2014), its 13th studio album and its first since No Line on the Horizon (2009), the band has no way to gauge the album’s impact through conventional measures of sales. The album also faced a furious online backlash from nonfans who resented it showing up in their music libraries or iCloud as “purchased,” even though it was free. Until it performs the songs on tour, U2 won’t know for sure wheth-

er anyone paid close attention to their work.“The idea that there may be a whole swath

of audience out there that don’t yet know they like the band is really turning us on,” Bono said. “It makes us want to go out and find them if they’re there.”

He paused.“They may not be there,” he admitted. The

Innocence & Experience tour scales down to arenas after U2’s gigantic “360º Degrees Tour” of 2009-2011, a tour that sold out sta-diums worldwide with a huge, flashy edifice of a stage. The new tour uses high-resolution video and takes a radical new approach to arena sound. It’s technologically savvy and determined to be intimate, and the Apple backlash apparently didn’t affect it. The tour has sold 98 percent of the 1.2 million avail-able tickets for its 68 concerts, including sellouts for its entire European stretch and, in New York, for the first six of eight shows at Madison Square Garden, starting on July 18. U2 hopes to stir more than loyalty and ea-gerness for oldies, however.

Songs of Innocence has a dual and some-times contradictory mandate. It aims for mass pop impact with songs full of indi-vidual, local details and memories. U2’s con-fidence was shaken by the response to No Line on the Horizon. Despite the international barnstorming of the “360º Degrees” tour, the album didn’t yield the hit single that U2 al-ways has prized, songs such as Pride (In the

Name of Love) (1984) and Where the Streets Have No Name (1987) that merge popularity with an implied sense of high-minded soli-darity.

So the band set out to discipline its song-writing, building from acoustic-guitar basics rather than the sonic experiments of No Line on the Horizon. It also chose younger-gener-ation producers. Even so, the new album’s lyrics steer away from simple, teen-oriented rock, often looking back.

The band remains nonplussed by what Bono now calls the “difficult birth” of Songs of Innocence. At the time, band members said, it seemed like a way to reach listeners as directly as possible.

“Just to puncture public consciousness at this time is really, really hard,” the Edge said backstage, “so we were trying to think of ways that would get our album through to people.

A month after the release, Apple an-nounced that 26 million people had down-loaded the entire album. However, what U2 and Apple considered a gift — Apple paid Universal Music to give away the album —was treated by a fast-reacting blogosphere as spam, an intrusion into personal devices and an overbearing exercise of power by a self-important rock band and a technology corporation.

U2 issued a partial apology in a video interview on Facebook, in which Bono de-scribed the album release as “a drop of megalomania, a touch of generosity, a dash of self-promotion and deep fear that these songs that we’d poured our life into over the last few years mightn’t be heard.”-Jon Pareles/The New York Times News Service

U2, the Irish band that released its debut album

in 1980, is about to test its place in the present

Just to puncture public consciousness

at this time is really, really hard, so we

were trying to think of ways that would

get our album through to people

The EdgeGuitaris, Keyboardist, Vocalist for U2

ETCETERAT H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

Luckily, long-suff ering fans of super-group Blur have learned not to take such announcements too seriously — and now their loyalty has been rewarded.

Not only are the original members of Blur going back on the road, but their new album The Magic Whip — is being hailed as one of the best they have ever done.

“We have been meeting regularly to work out and record songs,” says lead guitarist Graham Coxon. “We just did stuff when we felt like it and the time seemed right to make an-other album. Much of the stuff was recorded in Hong Kong last year and when we had another look at it we felt it was too good just to gather dust.”

Graham was working on two solo al-bums plus a single with Paloma Faith. “But Blur is my fi rst love,” he says.” We’ve still got a lot of music in us.”

Graham, Damon Albarn, Dave Rowntree, and Alex James last made an album together in 1999. After one of their regular break-ups, Damon enjoyed massive success with virtual band Gorillas, Graham and Dave went into record producing and writing and Alex moved to the country with his wife and children and became a

farmer. Damon says: “We all keep in touch and meet up for lunch from time to time and gradually the idea of getting together again took root. I think we all missed being in Blur.”

They were stirring times — back in 1995 bookmakers took over $8 mil-lion worth of bets on whether Blur or their bitter rivals Oasis would be top of the singles charts.

The row between Blur and Oa-sis — or more specifi cally between their lead singers Damon Albarn and Liam Gallagher — had started six months earlier when Gallagher branded Blur “middle-class toff s” and Albarn responded by labelling Oasis “Status Quo clones.”

Damon off ered a truce when Blur won the prestigious BRIT awards for best group by suggesting that Oasis share the trophy, but Gal-lagher scornfully snubbed what he called “a condescending gesture.”

From then on, it was all-out war, with both record companies throw-ing their full weight behind the groups’ new records — Blur’s Coun-try House and Oasis’s Roll With It.

Blur’s victory created a sensation. They were hailed as kings of the pop world when Country House hit the top

spot, pushing Oasis to second place. But Oasis complained that it wasn’t a fair contest, claiming that faults in the bar-codes on at least 100,000 of their discs meant they couldn’t be sold.

It had taken Blur seven years to rise from obscurity to the top of the pop tree. A year after fl unking dra-ma school, Damon Albarn re-met school friend, Graham, who intro-duced him to bass guitarist Alex.

Together they formed a band called Seymour. After playing a dozen or so rowdy shows around London, the band was rechristened Blur in 1990

It took two years of breadline strug-gle before their fi rst hit single There’s No Other — made the charts and the band joined forces with legendary pop producer Stephen Street to pio-neer “Britpop”, a brash, brassy punk-like sound which made Damon into a new pop hero.

Soon Blur were rivalling Oasis as the top Britpop supergroup — which brought Damon into confl ict with Oasis hard man Liam Gallagher who scoff ed that Blur were produc-ing “chimney-sweep music!”

“There were some nasty moments with Liam when we appeared in the same concerts and TV shows,” says

Alex. But Damon was always able to cool things down. He’s a very smooth operator.”

Now together again, Blur are spending an increasing amount of time together making music. Da-mon says: “I’ve written a lot of stuff which is very diff erent to anything we’ve done before.”

While Blur was in limbo Damon combined singing with acting and made the crime thriller The Face in which he was hailed as a major new movie talent.

“I started as an actor and I knew it was something I might one day go back to,” Damon says.

“The path of pop star to actor is lit-tered with people like David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Chesney Hawkes, who never really showed their true potential on the screen.”

Now enjoying the heady feeling of being top of both his chosen profes-sions, Damon intends to give most of his attention to Blur.

“We never thought we’d be doing this nearly a quarter century down the line,” he says. “But if we enjoy it and the punters still like what we do why should call it a day?”

-Judson Bennett/Tony James Features

POP LEGENDS

BLUR

HAVEN’T MADE AN

ALBUM TOGETHER

FOR 16 YEARS.

HAVE ANNOUNCED

THEIR BREAK-UP NO LESS

THAN

TEN TIMES SINCE 1990

T H E

CB

OA

MC

EK

ETCETERAC9T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

Foxx releases new song

ACTOR-SINGER Jamie Foxx has released his new song Baby’s in love featur-ing rapper Kid Ink. The collaboration is the latest song to have surfaced online from the actor’s new album Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses, which will be out on May 18, reported aceshowbiz.com. Foxx dropped the new track as a preview of his new album on Mon-day. The track is a feel-good funky dance fl oor anthem. Foxx sings lines like, “Forget about the plans that you got later. I kiss you like you can’t have too many,” before Kid Ink joins him.

Pattinson, Twigs to wed soon

ACTOR Robert Pattinson and singer FKA Twigs, whose real name is Tahl-iah Barnett, are report-edly planning to marry this summer in a low-key and relaxed celebration here. “Tahliah wants to get married sooner rather than later and have what she’s calling a ‘bangers and mash’ wedding. She’d like a low-key registry offi ce ceremony, pub lunch and party with their friends. They’re talking about August,” a source told Grazia magazine. The 27-year-old singer, known for her eccentric fashion sense, also plans to shun a traditional white gown for her big day.

One Direction to appear in ‘The Late Late Show’

ONE DIRECTION will make their fi rst television appearance after the departure of singer Zyan Malik on The Late Late Show With James Corden on May 14. “We’re excited to be appearing on The Late Late Show With James Corden. James is one of our best mates and we’re so proud of the massive success his show has. “We are currently working on a few surprises with his team. It’s going to be a great night,” band member Liam Payne told people.com.

Malik quit the band in March this year. -IANS

BR I E FS

Taking over the role last played on screen by Julie Christie half

a century ago, Carey plays a more free-spirited, headstrong

Bathsheba, who has three suitors vying for her hand in marriage

“I loved being scandal-ous,” Carey Mulligan says and pop-singer husband Marcus Mum-ford, standing nearby,

looked as though he didn’t mind a bit.That was because 29-year old

Carey was talking about her lat-est movie hit — playing Bathsheba Everdene in the latest screen ver-sion of the Thomas Hardy classic Far From the Madding Crowd.

Taking over the role last played on screen by Julie Christie half a century ago, Carey plays a more free-spirited headstrong Bath-sheba, who has three suitors vying for her hand in marriage after she inherits a prosperous farm.

“She’s a very liberated lady, and I loved that,” Carey says of the scenes in which she galloped through the woods on horseback (“It was knackering and I fell off several times!”) and dipping sheep while standing in a river.

“First they used fake sheep for insurance purposes, but that looked so ridiculous that they started putting real sheep through and I loved being hands-on.”

Carey agrees that it’s rare for an actress to be courted by three lead-ing men in a movie. “So often it’s a male lead in fi lms and then you have the girlfriend and the wife and often they’re not brilliant roles. But this

fi lm turns that classic dynamic on its head. I loved every minute of it.”

Carey is currently on Broad-way in David Hare’s hit play Sky-light and has had rave reviews — not bad for someone who was turned down by three drama schools and whose parents didn’t want her to be an actress.

But Carey had other ideas. “The more people tried to stop me the more I realised just how much I wanted to act,” she says.

And when in 2004 the unknown 18-year-old won the role of Kitty Bennett in the latest movie ver-sion of Pride and Prejudice and was hailed as the new Audrey Hepburn, even her parents had to admit they might have been wrong.

Today, commanding $5 million a picture, Carey is being hailed as one of the brightest new star in movies and everything is going right for her. She was distraught when her relationship with her Money Never Sleeps co-star Shia La Boeuf ended. But then she met Marcus Mumford — and they have been blissfully happy for two years.

It was Marcus who persuaded Carey to venture out from the budget $100 a night Best Western hotel in Hollywood where she had fl ed after the break-up with Shia.

“It was a great place to stay while I got my thoughts together,” Carey

said. “I’m not sure what the fuss is about — I love it there.. They’ve got the best sweet potato fries in town!”

A friend explained: “Carey is very low-key and feels much happier in a budget hotel than she would at a fi ve-star place. She found the fuss about where she stayed really funny. She’s a lovely girl and she and Marcus just hit it off . He made Carey laugh again and she hadn’t done that for a while. Although she puts a brave face on things, she was devastated by the break-up with Shia.

“Now she is loving being married to a great guy and although they both have very busy lives they seem to be able to arrange things so that they spend maximum time together.”

Carey remembers that her par-ents were keen for her to go to uni-versity after leaving school but by then she had been seriously bitten by the acting bug. “I even worked in a pub for a while but I was desperate to act and persuaded my headmis-tress to introduce me to a friend who was Julian Fellowes the screenwrit-er. “He was writing the Pride and Prejudice screenplay at the time and introduced me to the casting agent who was apparently looking for an unknown to play Kitty.”

Carey and Shia started dating after co-starring in Money Never Sleeps. Director Oliver Stone said: “You could see their chemistry

right away. It was pretty powerful.“They were completely profes-

sional on the set but there was no mistaking what was happening.” Later Carey left the UK and moved into Shia’s Hollywood apartment but, sadly things didn’t work out.

A friend said: “Carey was home-sick and had doubts about the future. She was lonely and moving from the UK was hard on her. “On top of that, they were both working so hard that they only had a couple of days a week to spend together. Eventu-ally the romance just petered out.”

So how did Carey cope with star-ring in the movie Never Let Me Go, which is an intense movie about love, jealousy and loss? “I was play-ing another person and nothing she did or suff ered had anything to do with the real me,” Carey says.

She says it’s the same in The Great Gatsby, in which she played Daisy Buchanan, with whom Gats-by has a doomed love aff air.

“I’ve never played anyone like Daisy before,” Carey says. “She’s light and fl uff y with no substance and she knows it. She’s cold with no feelings and that’s her tragedy.”

“On the other hand, off -screen I’m a hopeless romantic and al-ways say how I feel. Luckily in Marcus I’ve found a guy who feels exactly the same way!” -John Graham/Tony James Features

Three suitors were not enough for

CAREY MULLIGAN

Today, commanding

$5 million a picture, Carey

is being hailed as one of the

brightest new star

in movies

C10


That wasn’t easy to believe, be-cause obstacles of every kind threatened to doom the project, to be called Mad Max: Fury

Road, from the day he began it, way back in 2001. Among them were the Septem-ber 11 attacks, the American dollar’s fall in value against the Australian dollar, star Mel Gibson’s ageing and public melt-downs, and Twentieth Century Fox’s de-cision to pass on fi nancing the fi lm.

By 2009, however, Miller thought that all systems were a go. He’d locked in Tom Hardy to take over as Max Rockatansky and Charlize Theron to play Imperator Fu-riosa, and production was primed to begin in Australia. Then Mother Nature reared her ugly head, as fl oods soaked the Outback and forced Miller to start all over again.

Finally, in 2012, with Hardy and Ther-on miraculously still in tow, Miller — a doctor-turned-fi lmmaker who was clos-ing in on his 70th birthday — trekked to Namibia to shoot his high-octane opus. The fi lm will open, on May 15 (US).

“I think, deep down, I always thought it was going to happen,” Miller said, speak-ing by telephone from the relative calm of his offi ce in Sydney. “No matter what you did to it, it seemed to rise up somehow, in some way. It wouldn’t go away, and it sort of wouldn’t go away in my head.

“It was an itch you had to scratch,” he said, starting to laugh. “It sounds a bit crazy, because nothing is predictable, but it just felt like it was going to happen one way or the other. I didn’t think it would take this long.”

The plot of Fury Road boils down to an attempt to answer one question — How do you fi nd meaning in a world that’s gone in-sane? “Unfortunately that hasn’t changed

in the 14 years since we started out,” Miller said. “These Mad Max fi lms are basically allegorical, so, in a sense, they’re pretty timeless. Even though we go into the future, the world is one that has re-gressed into a very Dark Ages/medieval feeling, except that it’s got the technology that we recognise from today.

“A man struggling with meaning in a world gone insane, that’s pretty univer-sal,” he said. “I also like to describe Fury Road as a western on wheels. The west-erns were around for a long time. They were a cinema staple for the best part of a century. So it’s pretty much in that style.”

More specifi cally, Fury Road is a 120-minute chase fl ick with little dia-logue. Max doesn’t even speak for the fi rst 20 minutes. The impetus for the chase is Imperator Furiosa, a one-armed force of nature who drives a tricked-out rig that she uses to rescue fi ve women enslaved by a warlord named Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Immortan Joe sends his troops — the War Boys, among them Nux (Nicholas Hoult) — after her, and Max winds up embroiled in Furiosa’s fi ght.

Miller pointed out that the chase was fi lm’s bread and butter in its earliest days. The chase was fundamental to many of the fi rst classic fi lms, and it underlies much of moviemaking to the present day.

“If you look at the chase fi lms, there are the classics like Buster Keaton’s The General (1926), the Harold Lloyd movies, some of Chaplin’s movies, the Keystone Kops and even the westerns — before sound, before 1927, 1928, 1929 — essen-tially were all chase fi lms,” the director said. “That’s where fi lm language started, so in that sense the action movie is a kind of pure cinema, a more-distilled cinema.

“That’s something that really, really fas-cinated me,” he said. “I’m driven by curi-osity, and that’s one of the things that got me interested in cinema in the fi rst place.”

Given that Fury Road contained so lit-tle dialogue, Miller required deeply ex-pressive actors. He found them in Hardy, whom he cast before his performances in Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012) cata-pulted him to stardom, in Oscar winner Theron and in Hoult, the young British actor best known for About a Boy (2002) and his role as Hank The Beast McCoy in the X-Men movies.

“Not many actors come along in a gen-eration who have that quality of the origi-nal Mad Max, which is essentially a silent character,” Miller said. “Though, behind that stillness and silence, there’s a lot go-ing on in the character. I describe it as a kind of animal magnetism.

“What I saw in Mel Gibson, back when he fi rst played Mad Max at 21, is what I saw in Tom when he walked in the door to audition for Fury Road,” the fi lmmaker continued. “It’s that same kind of animal quality, but it’s underpinned by actors who are highly skilled. Mel and Tom were creatures of the theatre.

“The War Boys, because it’s a toxic world, succumb to all sorts of diseases that are going to limit their lives,” Miller said. “So they’re limited in the extreme, and the only thing they know since birth is to be a warrior in the cause of the Im-mortan Joe. So he’s somebody you’ve got to be able to empathise with, and there’s something about Nick that’s very relat-able. He’s a really crack actor, a very, very gifted actor.

“And Charlize — There’s a quality about

Furiosa that’s absolutely fearless,” he said. “So it was a perfect fi t. Whatever her fears — and no doubt Charlize has fears like the rest of us — she worked through them. As tough as she is, you never lose sight of the fact that she’s a human being. And she’s so certain of her womanness and so unmistakably a woman that there’s no problem for Charlize playing this charac-ter with a shaved head and one arm. She just got in there and played it true to the piece. There’s an authenticity to what she’s doing.”

Miller went on to describe Fury Road as “an incredibly tough shoot” in which, apart from the remote location and the brutal desert heat, the major concern was that stunts dominated every moment of every day — and the stunts were done old-school — When you see a car wreck, real cars were crashed. When you see an actor on top of a vehicle fi ghting another actor or a stuntman, a real actor handled the fi ghting.

“And, yes, when you see Max and Furio-sa go all out in a brawl against each other, it was all Tom and Charlize going for it,” Miller said. “So, physically, it was enor-mously demanding. My biggest stress, all the way through the movie, was, ‘How are we going to get through this without in-juring anybody and, quite frankly, without killing anybody?’

“That was the thing that was at the back of my mind every moment,” he said. “The way we dealt with that was that we really put an enormous amount of time and eff ort into the logistics. We had a fantastic stunt crew and we had fantas-tic riggings that they made, which made everyone safe. -Ian Spelling/The New York Times News Service

I think, deep down, I always

thought it was going to happen.

No matter what you did to it, it

seemed to rise up somehow, in

some way. It wouldn’t go away,

and it sort of wouldn’t

go away in my head

ETCETERAC11T H U R S DAY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

Call her an actress, an author, a director, even an Oscar winner if you want to.

But she insists all of us have our stories to tell

Diane Keaton has a story to tell

‘I feel that I’m an ordinary woman, but life is extraor-dinary,” the 69-year-old actress said, speaking by

telephone from a New York hotel. “All of us have our stories to tell. I have my stories, you have your stories. I don’t feel any diff erence between you and me, except for the performing thing.

“Otherwise I just am,” she in-sisted. “There is nothing particu-larly great about me. I’m just like everybody else.”

Keaton is on the telephone to talk about her new fi lm, 5 Flights Up, opening in limited release on May 8 (US). Based on a novel by Jill Ciment, it casts Keaton and Morgan Freeman as Ruth and Alex, a long-married couple who live in a beautiful walk-up apart-ment whose only drawback is all those stairs. Fearing further problems as they age, and know-ing that their neighbourhood, once run-down and neglected, is now chic and that local real-estate prices are soaring, they decide to put their beloved home up for sale. Are they really ready for a change, though, or are they jumping the gun and sacrifi cing their current happiness based on a “what if ?”

“I loved this story about a wom-an in an ordinary marriage, which is extraordinary to me, Diane, who has never been married,” said Ke-aton, who earlier in life had high-profi le relationships with Woody Allen, Warren Beatty and Al Pa-cino. “The most wonderful part of Ruth’s life is the man she chose to marry.

“Frankly, I enjoyed playing that part because it gave me the op-portunity to feel that way,” she said. “What a wonderful marriage they have in this fi lm. It’s sweet, it’s kind, it’s lasting. They’ve been married over 40 years.

“Again, I’ve never been married, so just imagine what that was like for me to play.”

Did it stir up any regrets?“I did think, ‘Diane, you have

missed out on a lot of these oppor-tunities in life,’” she admitted. “I don’t know what my problem was, but I didn’t marry. There’s no hope for me now!”

Keaton laughed. “Honestly, I think this fi lm honours marriage,” she said more seriously, “and mar-riage needs a little boost these days. This fi lm says that marriage is a wonderful thing.”

Director Richard Loncraine said, in a separate interview, that Keaton and Freeman were well matched. “Neither likes rehears-als,” he explained. “They have a lifetime of experience to fall back on. Between takes they both like to sing, so they would sit and sing old Hollywood favourites. We’d run through a few songs on the sofa while they fi xed the lighting.”

Keaton had nothing but good things to say about working with Freeman. “To me Morgan Free-man is the man who tells the sto-ries of our lives,” the actress said. “He is the decent man. He’s the man you look up to in The Shaw-shank Redemption (1994). He’s the man you go to in order to be-lieve in the common goodness of human beings.

“Plus he’s beautiful,” she added. “That gorgeous face!”

As she has aged, Keaton’s fi lms have come to be increasingly about aging and mortality. 5 Flights Up is no exception.

“I approach ageing from the idea that life keeps evolving and changing,” Keaton said. “So does your relationship with being older. Aging is definitely something I try to take on with a modicum of grace.

When is she at her least ma-ture? “Oh, easy — that’s when I get on a plane,” Keaton said with a rueful chuckle. “I really hate to fl y. It brings out the worst in me, although I tell myself to just let

go. I’m still white-knuckling it and being a big baby.”

The oldest of four children, Diane Hall was born in Los An-geles, where her mother was an amateur photographer and her father was a civil engineer and real-estate broker.

As a teen, she recalled, she was obsessed with her looks, to the point of opening and shutting her eyes 30 minutes a day, an exer-cise that she thought made them appear wider-set, and putting a bobby pin on the top of her nose to reduce its size.

“It was so ridiculous,” Keaton said. “It wasn’t about acting, but simply trying to live up to a cer-tain standard of beauty. It’s so sad that young women, and women in general, put so much pressure on themselves.”

After studying drama at Santa Ana College in California, she moved to New York to study act-ing at the Neighbourhood Play-house. Her fi rst major stage role was on Broadway in Hair (1968), and in 1969 she was cast in Woody Allen’s Broadway play Play It Again, Sam. She recreated that role for the 1972 fi lm version, the fi rst of eight fi lms she’s made with Allen. The most successful was, of course, Annie Hall (1977), in which she played a character based on herself and earned an Oscar as Best Actress.

Few actresses have appeared in as many classic fi lms as Kea-ton, or done so in the course of so long a career. Her fi lmography in-cludes The Godfather (1972), The Godfather: Part II (1974), Manhat-tan (1979), Reds (1981), Crimes of the Heart (1986), Baby Boom (1987), Father of the Bride (1991), The First Wives Club (1996), Mar-vin’s Room and Something’s Gotta Give (2003). She has earned four Oscar nominations in four diff er-ent decades, for Annie Hall, Reds, Marvin’s Room and Something’s Gotta Give.

Asked if she has a favourite of her fi lms, though, she didn’t hesi-tate. “I do have a favourite,” she said, “and it will always be Annie Hall. Annie Hall gave me my life. That fi lm gave me the opportunity to be in the movies I’m in today and to write my books. I’m eter-nally grateful.”

The actress is the author of several books, including two memoirs: Then Again (Random House, 2011) and Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty (Random House, 2014). “I really enjoy writing,” she said. “My mother enjoyed writing too. I love how I can sit down and express myself on the page. I can think about my mother and father or the beautiful men and write it down. It’s really fun for me. -Cindy

Pearlman/The New York Times News Service

To me Morgan

Freeman is the man who

tells the stories of our lives.

He is the decent man.

He’s the man you look

up to in ‘The Shawshank

Redemption’ (1994).

He’s the man you go to

in order to believe in

the common goodness

of human beings

Ashton gives his mother a nice Mother’s Day surprise

ACTOR Ashton Kutcher gave his mother Diane a surprise in honour of Mother’s Day by remodelling his childhood house in Iowa with his fi ance Mila Kunis, call-ing the project a lifelong dream. Kutcher remodelled the house with the help of a home-remodelling website to express his gratitude for his mother’s endless love. The actor also revealed that he and his stepfather Mark worked together to build the house when he was 13 years old.

“I think everybody has a place in their life that they call home, the renovation that we’re going to be doing is on a place that I call home. It’s a house that I helped build with my stepfather. It’s on a gravel road in a little town called Homestead, Iowa,” Kutcher said in a video made by the home-remodelling website. Kutcher went on to explain that the project was important to him. “It’s my way of saying thank you to my mom. My mom has been the great-est infl uence in my life. My parents gave me everything,” he said.

Martin Freeman set to join ‘Captain America: Civil War’

THE MAKERS of the fi lm Captain America: Civil War, which is expected to feature a smack-down between Captain America and Iron Man, have announced that actor Martin Freeman will also be playing a role in the comic-book sequel. The fi lm will hit theatres on May 6, next year, and is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who also helmed Captain Ameri-ca: The Winter Soldier. The cast is ex-pected to include Robert Downey Jr as

Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Anthony Mackie as Falcon.

Selena Gomez looked really gorgeous: Justin Bieber

SINGER Justin Bieber thinks Selena Gomez “looked gorgeous” at the Met Gala 2015 but the former couple only ex-changed a few words at the event. The 21-year-old singer, who split from Gomez last October after more than four years of dating, randomly paid her a compliment while being mobbed by fans here after the event. “Selena looked gorgeous at the Met Ball” while posing for photographs, Bie-ber told tmz.com. The former couple ap-

peared to be on good terms but didn’t spend much time together, as the Canadian singer was dancing and having a great time with his friends, including Kendall Jenner, Usher and Hailey Baldwin — who he was also linked to earlier this year. -IANS

C E L E B R I T Y N E W S

C12


Reese Witherspoon’s banner to adapt ‘Second Life’

ACTORS Reese Witherspoon and producer Bruna Papandrea’s Pacifi c Standard banner is developing a fi lm adaptation of S.J. Watson’s thriller novel Second Life. Second Life centres on a woman who creates an online per-sona to fi nd the truth behind her sis-ter’s violent murder — and starts to lose herself in the lies she creates, re-ported variety.com. Witherspoon and Papandrea teamed with Warner Bros to produce action-comedy Hot Pur-suit, which stars Witherspoon and So-

fi a Vergara has already released. An adaptation of Watson’s mystery novel Before I Go to Sleep was released last year with Nicole Kid-man, Mark Strong, Colin Firth and Anne-Marie Duff starring. Witherspoon and Papandrea formed Pacifi c Standard in 2012 in order to fi ll the vacuum for movies with female protagonists. They have produced Wild, Gone Girl and Hot Pursuit so far.

Amy marries artist Darren in a low key ceremony

ACTRESS Amy Adams and artist Darren LeGallo exchanged vows in a ceremony with just a small num-ber of guests in attendance. The duo married in California on Saturday, reported femalefi rst.co.uk. “Amy and Darren had always planned on get-ting married, but her career has been on such an amazing trajectory, it has been hard for her to take the time out. But now she has deliberately taken some time off work to be with her

family and fi nally get married,” said a source. The couple have been together for 14 years and got engaged in 2008.

Kylie Jenner slammed for taking selfi e while driving

STAR Kylie Jenner was fl ooded with criticism after she posted an Insta-gram image showing her taking selfi e while driving. The critics consider the 17-year-old’s action dangerous and “stupid.” The Keeping Up with The Kardashians star shared the photo-graph on Sunday. The image was taken while Jenner was driving her Mer-cedes SUV on a freeway here, reported aceshowbiz.com. The photograph showed Jenner steering the wheel

with right hand while using her left hand to take the image. -IANS

BR I E FS C A N N E S F I L M F E S T I VA L 2 0 1 5The Brits: The Brit-

ish aren’t coming! Mike Leigh and Ken Loach were in com-petition in 2014, but

UK fi lms are conspicuous by their absence from Cannes this year, the exception being a midnight screening of Asif Kapadia’s Amy Whitehouse documentary, Amy.

On the bright side, there are British producers behind Todd Haynes’s Carol, a 1950s-set ro-mance between Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, while Film4 has funded four contenders. But it’s a shame that new fi lms by Ben Wheatley, Stephen Frears, and Terence Davies weren’t ready in time to bathe in the Cannes spotlight — or else they weren’t good enough.The A-listers: Where to begin? Perhaps with Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, who will burn rubber in Mad Max: Fury Road whose world premiere, out-of-competition, will take place on the second day of the festival.

Other starry combinations set to be smiling outside the Palais des Festivals include Vincent Cassel and Salma Hayek, getting

weird in Tale of Tales, a Gillia-mesque fairy-tale horror from the director of Gomorrah; Mi-chael Fassbender and Marion Cotil-lard, strutting their Shake-spearean stuff in Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth; and Matthew McCo-naughey and Naomi Watts in Gus Van Sant’s The Sea of Trees. The ones to watch: Yorgos Lanthimos’s very odd Dogtooth made him an art-house darling in 2009. But the Greek direc-tor’s international profi le is set to soar courtesy of The Lobster, a sci-fi comedy starring Rachel Weisz, Colin Farrell, John C Reilly and Léa Seydoux. It’s set in a hotel in a dystopian future, where the residents must fi nd a spouse within 45 days to avoid being turned into wild animals. Meanwhile a newbie writer-di-rector to look out for is Sweden’s Magnus von Horn whose debut feature The Here After, about a young jail-bird’s return to soci-ety, screens in the more experi-mental Director’s Fortnight line-up and its pedigree is promising — its Polish cinematographer is Lukasz Zal, who was Oscar-nominated this year for Ida.

Tips for victory: Italy’s Paolo Sorrentino nabbed the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film last year with his Fellini-esque masterpiece The Great Beauty, so his follow-up, Youth, star-ring Michael Caine as a retired conductor, must be a Palme d’Or frontrunner. Japan’s Hirozaku Koreeda, cinema’s most tender observer of family life, won the Jury Prize with Like Father, Like Son in 2013, so hopes are high for Our Little Sister, a drama about four sisters sharing their late grandmother’s house. And watch out for Denis Villeneuve’s mob thriller, Sicario, with Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro. One of the Jury mem-bers, Jake Gyllenhaal, starred in Villeneuve’s last two fi lms, Pris-oners and Enemy, so it’s safe to say that he’s a fan. New this year: A new ruling — no selfi es. The Festival’s direc-tor, Thierry Frémaux, believes that taking a photo of yourself is “ridiculous and grotesque”, and will discourage celebs from the practice.Interesting fact: Last year, Michel Hazanavicius’s The

Search and Mike Leigh’s Mr Turner were both two-and-a-half hours long, but they were mere trifl es compared to Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Palme d’Or-win-ner, Winter Sleep, which ran for 196 minutes. However, all of this year’s competition fi lms are mercifully short .Where to party: A brief stag-ger from the Palais des Festivals, there are club nights in every beach bar and hotel: the roof of the Marriott houses Cannes’ quintessential Euro-trash pop-up club. Away from La Croisette, the Villa Oxygène is the place for pool parties, while the Hotel du Cap off ers old-school glamour at its Vanity Fair dinner. All you need now is an invite.What to say: “The offi cial line-up isn’t bad, but what do you think about this year’s Quin-zaine des Réalisateurs? Or Di-rector’s Fortnight, to translate.”What not to say: “Are Sly and Arnie due back? Last year’s Ex-pendables 3 press conference was my highlight.” The Cannes fi lm festival runs from 13 to 25 May, visit festival-cannes.com. - Nicholas Barber/The Independent

From A-listers to up-and-coming directors,

here’s what to expect from the prestigious festival this year

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ac units). Contact 94652485/

99273774 / 99202278

3 bedroom fl at for rent in Al Hamria

Contact: 99341112

First fl oor one unit fl at 3 bed, 3

bathrooms, hall, sitting, dining at

Ghubra South. Contact 98087644

2 BHK (with split AC) residen-

tial fl at at Honda road. Contact

98087644 / 99795241

3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß,

in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity

400KW, shed, staff accommodation

and offi ce. Ready to start any kind

of factory. Contact 99384255.

3 Offi ce space available between

120-142 sqm, with data cable,

pantry, cassette AC, parking, @ RO.

5/- per/sqm. At Jibroo Muttrah. 2

BHK fl at at Azaiba, behind Al Meera

Hypermarket. RO. 330/-.Contact:

93221054, 99229263, 95215289

DAILY GUIDET H U R S D AY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5 D3

ACC. AVAILABLE

FOR SALEFOR SALE

AVAILABLE

Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirt-

ing, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery,

Crockery, Glassware, Chafi ng Dishes,

Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Sys-

tems and spectacular lighting. Call

Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and

Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light.

www.tunesoman.com,

E-mail: [email protected]

BUYING / SELLING

Used household & offi ce furniture

and electronic items.

Contact 99834373, 97102699

Sharing for non-cooking Executive

bachelor in CBD area wi fi free,

advance deposit. Contact 95934642

Furnished room in Ruwi for non

cooking Executive bachelor.

Contact 94412557

Sharing accommodation available

opp. to oman house at Muttrah, for

executive bachelors.

Contact 92506852

Room for rent with fully furnished

available for non-cooking executive

bachelor (preferably Indian/ Srilan-

ka).near to GMC’ behind Bausher

Baladiya. Price OMR: 175/- inclusive

of Wifi , Elect & water.

Contact 97373888.

Family room available for rent at

Muttrah Souk. Contact 24712088 /

99022790

Single room available at Hamriyah.

Contact 92390266

Single room & AC attached bath at

Mumtaz area. Contact 95212017 &

93103337

Building of 2fl oors in Al Hail, each

3Bedrooms, 3bathrooms, Sitting

room, lounge, kitchen, store

Contact 92817777


Wadi Kabir attached room with shar-

ing, kitchen. Contact 96575016

1B/R available for bachelors in REX

ROAD, Ruwi. Contact 99889590

Sharing acc. Available in Muttrah

behind Oman house.

Contact 99354340

Sharing family accommodation in

Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057

Accommodation available for South

Indian family, one bedroom with

attached toilet, kitchen, hall in a villa,

Al Ghubrah. Contact 99209160

40 FT Seaworthy used containers

for sale located in Sur and Sohar in

very good condition.

Contact 99771466

Used Furniture of Ready made

showroom for Sale.contact

24704370, 99798452 (Ashwin)

Port cabin new & refurbished –

porta cabin for sale & rent.

Contact 96723468 / 97775501 /

97775502

60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in

Misfah, can be changed to Industrial

Land. OMR 27 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

All the fi ttings and equipment for

sale from a closed restaurant.

Contact : 99425461

1BHK Ruwi & Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99024730

Shopping center for sale at Bousher

by good price 400 m2 with all equip-

ment. Reason for selling part-time.

Contact 92916490

Shfandish & tables for sale.

Contact 99368907

House hold shop / Empty shop for

sale Al Hail Zam Zam line.

Contact 97039497

Solid metal scrap & scaff oldings/

jacks for immediate sale. Contact

94652485 / 99273774 / 99202278.

A Building in CBD opposite to the

central bank of 3100 Sq mtr built up

area of expected rent of 205 K per

annum for 1 million 350 thousands.

Contact 95330200

2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in

Wadi Kabir. First line on way to Al

Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol

station or hotel. OMR 1 Million. Tel:

99333479 or 95215360

5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in

Bousher: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel:

99333479 or 95215360

2 residential Lands together, one

610 and the other 600 sq mtrs, in

Al Haram on way to Barka. OMR 49

Thousand both. 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

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land

with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479

or 95215360

M.V. FOR SALE

2010 Camry GCC 94000 KM, auto-

matic, valid insurance price

RO 3700. Contact 91322757

Fabrication machinery & tools in ex-

cellent condition for immediate sale. #

94652485 / 99273774 / 99202278.

Furnished offi ce for sale at Walja.

Contact 99024272 / 95604205

558 Sq mtrs residential land in

Barka (Al Jenainah) near Lulu and

near to school. OMR 32 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Beauty parlour for sale. Serious

buyers. Contact 99609265

Shop for sale Al Khoudh.

Contact 92820541

Expat leaving, furniture for sale.

Contact 99224702

For running beauty saloon for sale.

Contact 97786792 / 96914627

Restaurant for sale well running

with open area and good parking

area. 3 new clearance also in Wadi

Kabeer near Mars hyper market.

Contact 99656863

For sale 18 Ton Mitsubishi 2014.

Contact 95292503 call between 5

pm -10 pm

Pajero 2010, GCC, 230000 km white

6200/- R.O. Contact 92857111

Freezer Trucks Volvo Scania Mer-

cedes Benz 10 & 12 & 18 Ton & 40 Ft

good condition. Contact 99890151 /

99814635

Expat owned car for sale in Sohar.

Nissan-Altima 3.5V-SL (Topend).

2013 Model, bought Jan 2014.

Only 25000 km.

As good as showroom condition.

Contact +968 97752903.

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40

ton petrol tank each working at the

moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35

Thousand each. Contact 97000155

or 92688692

Mercedes delivery van 2002.

Contact 99755644

Kia Rio, Maroon Colour, 7300 kms

Done, Very good condition, Insurance

valid till March 2016, Price OMR

3800/- Contact 95793970

Land Cruiser 2012. #99336093

Hyundai Elantra model 2015 km

37712, 1.6 cc, 10 months used, price

4650. Contact 99170202

Nissan Sunny 2007, 1.6, automatic,

good condition km 1,48000.

Contact 99781671

Mazda 3 model KMS 140,000

fully automatic single driven com-

pany maintained. Contact 92302159

CHANGE OF NAME

LOST

Flat for rent 1 & 2 bedroom avail-

able behind Zaker Mall Al Khuwair.

Contact - 99530405

For rent 3 industrial land.

Contact 92702891/ 95490842

1BHK with A/C in Ghubra 250/-

R.O. Contact 97799175

New one B/R directly from owner

Behind Bank Muscat Bausher.

Contact 92158031

New 2B/R fl ats with split unit D/C &

free Internet & offi ce space available

at Al Khuwair near Mustafa Sultan

Philips showroom. # 99460330

2BHK at Azaiba, 2 bedrooms,

1 hall, dining, 3 bath rooms.

Contact 99224748 / 99425665

Big fl at in Al Khuwair 33, 3 bed-

rooms, 3 bathrooms, sitting, dining,

family lounge, kitchen, store with

A/C, rent 550/- OMR. # 97278169

2BHK at Honda road, 2 bedrooms,

1 hall, 2 bath rooms. Contact

99224748 / 99332297

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in

Misfah Industrial area near to

Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly.

Electricity and boundary wall will

be provided. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

Residential land for sale 21000

sqm, best for housing complex

at Al Harm – Barka, opp to Khimji

logistic. Contact 99438397

2BHK Flats for families at Azaiba

next to Al Meera Hyper Market.

Contact : 96457757

Flats/villas owned by ROP pen-

sion fund available for rent in

Muscat. Contact 99349526

Spacious 2 BHK fl ats in Ruwi

MBD area only on 350/- OMR.

Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

FOR RENT

We Sanjeev Dayal (name of father as per the passport holder of Indian

passport No H 6683364 and Aparna Vasundhara (name of the mother,

holder of Indian passport No. G 5644364) having permanent address in

Dayal House, H. No 619 Shastry Nagar Ramna Muzaff arpur Bihar, (complete

postal address in India) and presently residing at the following address in

Oman (Muscat), P.B. No. 572 P.C. No. 122, Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly

affi rm and declare to change the name of our child Miss Soumya (name

as per present passport), holder of Indian passport No. K 0796262 date of

issue 05/03/2012 issued at Muscat. The name of our child will be hence-

forth known as Soumya (Given name) Dayal (Sur Name) (new name) for all

purposes. Any objection towards change of name of our minor child may

please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters,

Al Khuwair, PB No. 1727, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

We Sanjeev Dayal (name of father as per the passport holder of Indian pass-

port No H 6683364 and Aparna Vasundhara (name of the mother, holder

of Indian passport No. G 5644364) having permanent address in Dayal

House, H. No 619 Shastry Nagar, Ramna Muzafarpur Bihar, (complete postal

address in India) and presently residing at the following address in Oman

(Muscat), P.B. No. 572 P.C. No. 122, Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affi rm

and declare to change the name of our child Miss Sahil (name as per present

passport), holder of Indian passport No. K 0796126 date of issue 05/03/2012

issued at Muscat. The name of our child will be henceforth known as Sahil

(Given name) Dayal (Sur Name) (new name) for all purposes. Any objection

towards change of name of our minor child may please be communicated to

Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, PB No. 1727, PC

112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

Mohd Jahangir has lost Indian Passport No. A 0298279. Finder please

handover to ROP

Vengara Viswanathan has lost Indian Passport No. G 2990452. Finder

please handover to ROP.

DRIVING

LOST

Indian passport number - F6650837, name - Jaikishin Ma-

hadevmal Makhija. If found please

contact 99335013 / 95194007

I, Imran Abbas Khan, (Pakistani

National) have lost my passport

bearing number TM4102983 at Sala-

lah/Muscat Airport on 27 April 2015.

Anyone who fi nds it, kindly contact

me at +96899299790 or send it to

Pakistan Embassy, at Building No.

1702, Way No. 2133, MSQ,

P.O. Box. 1302, PC 112, Muscat Oman.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation. Contact :

99542393

Transportation Contact 99159277

Transportation. Contact: 98505294

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Transportation. Contact

99508282

Transportation. Contact

94087276

Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589

Pick & Drop any time.

Contact 97014786

*Classifi ed Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication.

* Subject to space availability

DAILY GUIDED4 T H U R S D AY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION VACANT

MEDICAL

MEDICAL

Email: [email protected] classifi [email protected].: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

CATERING

ADMIN

DOMESTIC HELPER

DRIVER

SALES / MARKETING

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Shawarma /BBQ/Tandoor /helper wanted. Contact 95529970

Required Quantity Surveyor for

Salalah, min 5 years experience.


Urgently required a SERVICE

ENGINEER with B.Tech or Diploma

for a heavy equipment trading fi rm.

Applicants should have 3-5 years

experience. Apply to

[email protected]

Young experienced English speak-

ing telephone operator wanted.

Contact 99466062

SITUATION WANTEDSIT. WANTED

SITUATION WANT-SIT. WANTED

Urgent! Omani healthcare com-

pany looking for a smart proactive marketing executive cum product

specialist, with strong English

communication skills and clinical

microbiology/biotechnology back-

ground, for medical equipment

division. Omani driving license is a

must. Candidates with experience

in laboratory diagnostics will be

given preference. Mail your CV to:

[email protected]

Wanted doctor or any person to

run a medical complex & pharma-

cy in Salalah. Contact : 95675488 /

99480068

Wanted Medical Lab Technician (male or female) for a reputed pol-

yclinic. Contact 97101062 or send

Email : [email protected]

Aesthetic and laser center in

Oman seeking full time

dermatologist with experience in

cosmetology (Botox Fillers) good

English as MOH license

required. Package upon the expe-

rience and skills. For more infor-

mation. Contact 00968 95233442

email: [email protected]

Urgently required Staff Nurse, Pharmacist and endodontist Fe-male Staff nurse, Pharmacist and endodntist with MOH License/Pro-

metric exam passed with 60% and

above. # 24780088, 97374459


Immediate placement ( with or

without MOH) A. Pharmacist - 3 nos B. Asst.pharmacist - 2 nos

Contact Tel.99338219 , 93240949

Housekeeper / nanny looking for

full time job (fi lipina)

Contact: 91758581 or 95784531

Wanted fulltime Housemaid or

houseboy for Indian family in

Azaiba. Contact 97448484

Indian male MBA fi nance, 6 years

experience fi nance & account-

ing, specially in Oil & Gas now on

visit visa. Contact 94327063 Email:

[email protected]

Indian female qualifi cation BBA

Finance exp 7 years in Media Ad-

vertising (Branch Manager) looking

job in Media Accounts / HR /Admin.

Contact 91342861


Education M.Com Finance experi-

ence 4 years, 7 months, 3 other

course IELETS British Council, soft-

ware ERP Oracle Tally ERP designa-

tion Chief Accountant.

Contact +968 96744752 Email:

[email protected]

Accountant 35 years India male 8

years experience in accounts up to

fi nalization & Admin with Oman D/L.

Contact 92838233


Indian male 26 Years, MBA Finance

with 3 years experience in Account-

ing Field, on visit visa, looking for an

opening - Contact 96435141

Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate

1 year exp in Accounts, currently on

visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94341848 /

Email – [email protected]

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

MANAGER

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

Required Civil Foreman with

electrical/plumbing 5 yrs

experience with Oman driving

license. Contact 94652485 /

99273774 / 99202278.

We are looking for the post of

diesel mechanic -2, thermo king mechanic -2, denting worker -1, Painter -1, Marketing & Sales -1 (with Oman light license), GCC

experience 3 years clearance are

available. Contact : 99890151 /

95160851/ 99814635


TOURS

Counter staff male/female experi-

ence 2 years of travel agency experi-

ence. Interested candidate shall

send his / her CV to

offi [email protected]

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

Required Offi ce Assistant

160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

Pakistani male B.Com /PGD having

2 years experience in Accounting

and Inventory fi eld seeking suitable

job, on visit visa. Contact 94129550

Indian male M.Com, 5 years experi-

ence in fi nance /HR and Purchase

department in Oman companies hav-

ing valid D/L available to join imme-

diately with NOC. Contact 98363897


Indian male, B.Com Graduate having

10 years exp 6 years in Oman

looking for an Accountant job.

Contact : 93830171


27, male ACCA with 4 years of work

experience in a reputed company

looking for a suitable position in ac-

counts / fi nance. Contact 98489141

MBA (international business) from

London, 4 years of UK experience in

banking operational, looking for suit-

able position. Contact 91710075

ACCA affi liate & B.Com hons with

NOC, morc than 5 years of expe-

rience in accounting & fi nance

looking for a suitable job car join

immediately. Contact 97012146

Indian female B.Com PGDCA,

Tally -9, 10 years exp in Accounts

& HR at Oman. Contact 93726921 /

99058722

30 yrs Indian B.Com 7 yrs experi-

ence looking for job in accounts, Ad-

min department. Contact 91935828

Indian Chartered Accountant post

qualifi cation experience 22 years

working in Muscat since July 2011.

Senior position seeks suitable change.

NOC available. Contact 94201290


M.Com, CA (Article ship), 15 years

Gulf experience looking for suitable

position in fi nance & account on visit

visa, valid up to 10/07/2015. Contact:

97135855 / 94097305 Email:

[email protected]

Tanzanian male, 25 yrs Accountant

3 month successful experience in

Tanzania looking for suitable place-

ment in any fi eld. Contact : 96710154

Indian male management (banking

& fi nance) worked with multina-

tional bank skill in MS Offi ce SQL etc.

Contac 94693310

Finance Manager, CPA, with more

than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC.

Fully knowledgeable in Finance,

General & Management Accounting .


India Accountant: Male, M com,

7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to

fi nalization, having knowledge of

ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment.

contact 93950138 Email:

[email protected]

Indian male, 32 years, M. Com.

7 out of 9 years experience in Oman

in Accounts/fi nance. Having NOC

and valid Oman D/L.

Contact 98277143,


Finance / Accounts Manager 12

years experience at senior position in

leading companies 9 years in Oman

CPA – USA& modern accounting cer-

tifi cate from AUC. Contact 99139926

Indian male with total 5 year

experience (2 years experience in

Accountant cum sales co ordinator

in a FMCG Company in Oman) in

accounts fi eld and NOC available

Looking for suitable job

Contact 92130188

MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in

fi nance/accounts/ auditing. Special-

ized in accounts payable dept, Oracle

app user, profi cient in Sap (fi co) end

user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma

certifi ed trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780

Part time Accountant with 15 years

experience in accounts, fi nance

tax, audit management.

Contact 95857199

DRIVER

CATERING

DESIGNER

AUTO CAD

Young Bangladeshi male 26 know-

ing coff ee shop work as waiter or

sandwich maker or juice maker,

presently in Bangladesh if any

employer need. Contact with his

brother 92278538

Indian male draft man,

3 D visualiser, 18 month experience

in Oman driving license.

Contact 96285891 / 98414107


Driver looking for job.

Contact 94195818

Driver with car and electrician,

3 years experience looking for job.

Contact 92041902

Light driver available, 4 years ex-

perience in Oman language English,

Hindi & Arabic. Contact 96162027

Looking for job light duty driver well

experience in Oman. # 96749970

Need job LTV exp driver Pakistani.

Contact 94436276

Driver looking for job exp 15 years.

Contact 95904566

Light driver, 4 years exp need job.

Contact 94208089

Bangladeshi male looking for

driving job. Contact 98066704

Pakistani male Light Duty Driver, past

4 years at Oman.Contact 96134311

White car with driver.

Contact 96771598

Looking for job light duty driver

and offi ce boy experience 2 years.

Contact 95789583

Driver looking for job. Contact

99748264

Indian male looking for driver job.

Contact 93051674

Driver looking for job. contact

94435912

Light Vehicle Driver requires job

in any transportation / private co.

Contact 96015617

Driver looking for job.

Contact 92137431

Light duty driver looking job experi-

ence 4years Oman. Contact 96088707

ADMIN/HR

ADMIN/HR

EDUCATION

Wanted for immediate appoint-

ment HSE offi cers - degree in

safety engineering, Electrical site

engineers- degree in electrical en-

gineering, linemen class C- trans-

mission – basic qualifi cation. Gulf

exp is preferred for all posts. Apply

with bio data to –

[email protected] immediately

MISCELLANEOUS

Interior Designer Syrian National-

ity one year experience in design.

Contact 95246737 Email:

[email protected]

Female architect bachelor, 4 yrs

experience (internal & external

design, project coordinate, offi ce

management) with valid Oman D/L


Wanted urgently

Full Time Cook for

an Omani family

Salary R.O.250/-

Kindly send your CV to

[email protected] or contact 24567070

Urgently required Accountant with

valid Oman D/L. Send your CV to

[email protected]

Cosmetic leading company is look-

ing for: professionally qualifi ed and experienced Accountant. Please email your CV at

[email protected]

Urgently required for a newly

opened shopping center in Ghubra: 1) Omani Lady – as Cashier, 2) Part time Accountant. Send CV to

[email protected] or

fax to 24492718

Urgently required: Junior Account-ant and Store keeper with 3 years

experience in building construction

and immediately join. Apply,

fax 00968–24605955,

emails [email protected],

[email protected]

ACCOUNTANT

Sales Executive male / female experience 2 years of travel agency

experience. Interested candidate

shall send his / her CV to

offi [email protected]

Urgently required 26 yrs & above

with 2 +years experience in sales, marketing, Business development

/ production controlling in FMCG.

Contact : 98989620


Software company is recruiting

minimum 3-5 years experienced

Omanis for Sales Manager position.

Interested candidates are requested

to send their resume to

[email protected]

A leading software company urgently requires marketing person with minimum 4-5 years

experience in Oman market with

good communication skills and driv-

ing license - Omani / expats with

release. Fax 24564459


Reputed fi rm in Oman is looking out for experienced Sales Executives with driver’s license (knowledge

in building materials will be added

advantage) and an experienced Sec-

retary. Please forward your CV along

with recent photograph to:


A company at Muscat looking for a senior salesman of building

materials who has minimum 3 years

experience & NOC as well.

Contact no 93991932

A reputed media advertising &

publishing company looking for

female Sales Executives. Send CV

to [email protected] or

Contact 91408005

Software company looking for Tel-

esales Executives – Female,

with minimum 2 years of experience.

Suitable candidates can send their

resume to [email protected]

Required Salesman for a press and

preferably if he has valid driving

license. Kingdom of Creative Press.

Contact 99520777


A leading Marble & Granite Trading

company looking for Experienced

Sr. Sales Executive with D/L.

Send CV with details :

[email protected] immediately.

Required Sales man - 1 Person

Qualifi cation. Gulf Experienced

- Minimum 5 Years with Oman

Driving Licence Language - English

Education:- Any Degree Further

Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Na-

shabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and

-92807399 [email protected]

Available heavy equipment Mechanic Driver’s Operators Civil Engineers with Oman

GCC license ready. Medical and hundred helpers.

Contact: 98408488 / 97784397


Road construction Demolition Company invites equipments for long term on rental basis. 10

Nos. Tipper 18 Cu. M, 5 Nos. 3 Axle

tippers, 5 Nos. Excavators, Showel,

Roller & Grader. Payment - 60 days.

Contact 99454425

Required heavy Driver, Operators for Excavator, Grader, Dozer & Showel. Contact : 99454425

Wanted female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse -2 no, Dentist, Dental Technician with MOH

license for Al Saadi specialized

Medical Centre in Mussana.

Contact 92025033

India Female MBA 3 Year Ex-

perience in Admin MIS. Contact

98234427, [email protected]

Omani national fl uent in English

looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91908052

Indian Female, 34 yrs, B.Com,

Knowledge in MS Offi ce & Tally, exp

in accounting & admin seek suitable

placement 99199710/96744965

Indian female Post Graduate with

5 years experience in HR & Admin

looking for good opportunity.

Contact 94692244

Omani experience in the legal,

administrative, public relations,

education. Contact 97243393


Female Expat, 10 yrs exp in

Oman with valid driving License

as a project co ordinator, tenders

documentation, Admin & HR.NOC

available, looking for suitable job.

Tel no.93285538.

Email:[email protected]

Over 15 years of gulf experience

in Admin /HR /Logistics, fl uent in

Arabic & English with D/L looking

for suitable position.

Contact 95824598

B.A graduate with 8 years experi-

ence (2 years in Oman) in admin

/ business development and sus-

tainably (green buildings) on visit

visa. Contact 91626216

Indian female with 10 yrs of experi-

ence in HR/Banking/Operations

seeks a suitable placement.

Can be contacted on 98919015 or

[email protected]

Female 26, 3 yrs exp in HR & Admin,

with Oman D/L, looking for a suitable

opening. Contact 98236033

A school requires teachers for

English, Science, Math, IT and

Science Laboratory technician

minimum requirements masters

degree IELTS (band6).

Contact send CV to: 96606121.


A reputed hotel has a

requirement for front desk Receptionist (Omani). Apply to

[email protected]

Contact: 94146486 / 92883346

HOSPITALITY

Urgently required for Omani Fam-ily: a private driver with minor

knowledge of domestic mainte-

nance. Contact 93387962.

Looking for freelance driver with

car in Mabela industrial area.

Contact 24460287 / 96220165

Multinational Consultant Hiring, Senior: Architect/ Design Manag-er/ Project manager above 10 Years’

Experience, Senior: MEP & Site Engineers Above 5 years’ experience.

Send CV: [email protected]

Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR.

joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437


DAILY GUIDESITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

Indian- B.E.-MBA having 25 years

Experience. Last 12 years in Oil

& Gas Sector in Oman. Business

Development /Sales. Looking open-

ing in Oil Gas Trading/Drilling

Service Companies as GM/ Country

Manager/ Business Development

Manager. Email :

[email protected];

Contact -94688594

Mechanical Design Engineer, 7

years of experience in Piping Design

& Development, with good sound

knowledge of AutoCAD, AUTOPLANT

3D,CATIA/V5,SOLIDWORKS,etc

Looking for a suitable position. NOC

available. Contact :+968-94549776,

[email protected]

Expatriate male MBA marketing

and engineering working in Oman

having valid D/L available to join

immediately with NOC and release.

Contact 94553097

Indian male, 24 yrs B.Tech (MECH)

on visit 1 year experience as PPC

Engineer looking for suitable place-

ment. Has, HVAC, AutoCAD and

CATIA designing skills.

Contact: 98925685

Indian male Senior Site Engineer

(Diploma) having total 11 years expe-

rience in GCC, 7 years in Dubai and 4

years Oman. With valid Omani driv-

ing license, seeking for suitable posi-

tion in building construction fi eld,

NOC available. Contact 97943703 /

93458841


3Years Experienced Indian Male

Electronics & Telecommunication

Engineer Seeks Suitable Job in Elec-

tronics Design and or Relevant Field

in Muscat. Ph.99286081.

Sudanese looking for job as Desktop

Support Engineering good experi-

ence in UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Contact: 94519363

PIPE fi tter 3 years experience CS

pipe DSS pipe, SS PIPE, P.D.O permit

holder seeks suitable placement in

only P.D.O areas seeking urgently.

Contact 92533253

Civil Engineer (DCE) Indian male

with 20 years experience, 10 years in

Oman worked with reputed consul-

tancy and contracting companies as

RE, PE, PM and did projects for MOD

and PDO with D/L Seeks suitable

position. Contact 93251720

Indian male I.T.I diesel mechanic

experience 4 yrs Qatar (11 yrs in In-

dia) seeking for suitable placement

carpentry on visiting visa.

Contact 91969224


Bachelor degree B.SC (Honours)

Telecommunication Engineering

CCNA , CISCO, Certifi ed network

associate experience installation

operation maintenance, ATMS & Elec-

tronics, Surveillance Security systems

Nationality Sudanese age 25.

Contact: 92617282

Male Civil Engineer (B.Sc) having

10 years Gulf experience 2 years in

Oman looking for suitable place-

ment. Contact 99561877


Electrical Engineer (B.Tech) looking

for suitable vacancies, Now in Oman

on visit visa. Contact 93293597.


Indian male 25 B.Tech ( IT) Engineer

3 years experience in networking

(MCSE- CCNA) certifi ed currently

on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 91006851

Indian male 25 diploma Civil

Engineer 6 years experience in

India looking for suitable placement.

Contact 96750429

Indian / male B. E / B. Tech Civil /

Site Engineer 3 years D.L.


email:mohammedcivilengineer.mct

@gmail.com

Iraqi Civil Engineer with more than

25 years experience in (Iraq ,U.A.E.

and Oman) looking for a job, (N.O.C.)

is available. Contact 94043735,

[email protected]

Indian male Instrumentation Engi-

neer having 2 years experience in

process instruments, seeks suitable

placement. Contact 95954385

Omani 9 years as PRO & 8 years

safely HSE Offi cer with PDO, D/L

seek good job. Contact 96996938

Network / system Engineer B.E /

ECE + CCNA & Ms certifi edwith 4+

yrs exp looking for a job. currently in

Oman on visit visa.

Contact : 92589502


EDUCATION

HOSPITALITY

Indian male 18 yrs hotel experience

Dubai procurement logistics stores

suitable position NOC available.

Contact + 968 96573591 Email:

namraj1973@rediff mail.com

IT

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

B.Tech, instrumentation Engineer,

Indian male with 4 yr experience in

EPC and Sales / 2 yr Oman experi-

ence having valid Oman driving

license. Contact 94145460


B.Tech biomedical Engineering

having Omani driving license.

Contact 91352248

Project (Electrical) Engineer with

BE 10 years of experience (8 years

in Oman).Driving license and NOC

available. Looking for job.

GSM- 92197288

Civil Engineer Female, 3 yrs experi-

ence in structural design, on visit

visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99195433

Indian Engineer B.Tech & diploma

in instrumentation & control having

one & half years experience seeking

for suitable post. Contact 98873416


Male civil Engineer 6yrs experience

4 yrs in Oman (B.B.S and steel shop

drawing prepare, M.Q.C sit manage-

ment, D, W, M report) with valid

Oman D/L NOC available.

Contact 99870370

Diploma in electronics & Telecom,

Engineering with 5 years experience

in Engineering & sales, marketing.

Contact 95932219

MISCELLANEOUS

MEDICAL

GM/Head of Business with experi-

ence in developing and managing

group of healthcare companies in

Oman actively seeking fresh op-

portunities in healthcare related

companies. Contact 93504997,


Dentist more than 10 yrs of experi-

ence in Muscat with release looking

for suitable post. Contact 91232778

BSc male Nurse with MOH license

and NOC on visit visa.

Contact 96414215

Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf

experience) looking for a suitable

job (NOC available)

Contact-93344378

Well experienced MOH Licensed

Indian GP Doctor looking for

locum / permanent position in the

Capital area. Contact 98140024

email:[email protected]

Indian female, 24 yrs, B.Tech

Engineer excellent academic

qualifi cation 2 yrs experience at

IBM India, SAP- ABAP, currently

under dependent visa,

looking for suitable placement.

Contact 99450960


Indian male, B.E ( computer science

engineer), MBA (fi nance), OCA certi-

fi ed, having 5 years of experience

in oracle Dba/ oracle apps Dba,

seeks a suitable position in the fi eld

of IT. Contact: 96212062 email:

[email protected]

Indian male 24 years, Mechanical

Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in

pipeline,16years in oman seeking

immediate placement

Contact 95775742

B.E (Mechanical), Indian male 8

years experience (HVAC – 4 years,

operation / production /

maintenance, 4 years)

looking suitable position.

Contact 96696190


Indian male 26 yrs B.Com PGDM,

IETS-6, 2 yrs exp.

Contact : 91694170

Indian Graduate (32) computer

literate seeks any offi cial job pres-

ently on visit visa. 95697715

Indian female (M.Com B.Ed) 3 years

experience in teaching commerce

subjects, seeks placement.

Contact 94256332

Indian female MSc, MPHIL Chem-

istry currently on visit visa, 3 years

teaching experience seeks immediate


Indian female Graduate 26 yrs hav-

ing 3 years exp in teaching seeks a

suitable position in the fi eld of

biology. Contact 99341926

Indian female B.Ed M.SC Organic

Chemistry 3 years experience looking

for suitable job. Contact 91006851

Indian female 32 yrs, BSc, MCA , 3+

years teaching experience in India

and 3 yrs exp in technical side in

Muscat, Oman seeks suitable place-

ment in teaching. Contact 96124929

B.Ed & BCA Indian female with 5 yrs

exp in teaching primary section in

Dubai currently looking for appropri-

ate placement in teaching.


contact: 97384206

Sudanese male BSC electronic

Engineer 2 years experience in GSM,

10 years experience in oil industry

(Drilling & Measurements).

Contact 91198104


Sudanese BSC industrial Engineer

experience 4 yrs in QA /QC and 8 yrs

in production. Contact 94041960

Email: [email protected] /

[email protected]

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

TOURS & TRAVELS

Indian male looking job in Sales &

Marketing on visit visa having Qatar

experience with driving license.

Contact 96669152

Indian male 10 years experience in

Welding Supervisor NDT Technician,

MIG Welding specialist seeking suit-

able job. Contact 96771841

Egyptian male 11 years in fi ve

stars international hotels manage-

ment sales marketing D/L available

residency visa. Contact 93577497


Indian male 28 years with 3 years

experience in Oman suitable place-

ment in sales, having Omani D/L on

visit visa. Contact: 92784776

Indian male 31 years, MBA, 7yrs

experience in sales & marketing with

valid driving license seeking suit-

able placement. Contact 98719219.

EMAIL: [email protected]

Indian male BBA, 5 years worked as

Operations Manager Omani D/L. Born,

brought up in Muscat seeking suit-

able position. Contact : 93408014

Experience Restaurant Manager with valid driving license and NOC

for immediate placement.

Contact: 92953199

Indian male Graduate with Oman

work experience for 10 years in

construction trading, automotive

Industries seeking mid management

position in business development,

sales & marketing. Contact 92133277


NOC available. Living in Oman more

than 20 Years, With Valid Drivers

license and more than 3.5 Years

Working Experience in Logistics/

Operations/ Supply chain/ QHSE.

Contact : 98515670

Joinery & Interior Manager seeking

opportunities Indian male 10 years

industry experienced, excellent

knowledge in technical line, produc-

tion, materials and machinery. Good

experience in business strategy, well

experience in factory setting up.

Contact 93974701


MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

Network Engineer,Female,CCNA,3

yrs exp specializing in

DHCP,DNS,NTP also desktop

level 3 assistance in diff erent

OS.94525630 / 93215372

Indian 25 yrs B.Sc computer science

2 yrs exp in computer hardware and

networking and CCTV looking for job.

Contact 93243372

Indian male 22 years BCA graduate,

CISCO Certifi ed Network Associate

and COMPTIA A+ (Installing, confi gur-

ing and troubleshooting). Fresher with

good computer profi ciency seeking

for suitable opportunities. Ready to

do other offi ce routines and work

anywhere in Oman. Valid Indian driv-

ing license. Currently on visit visa.

Contact 99704508 / 91258708


IT System Support Engineer,28

Years, Indian male,7.8 years experi-

ence,3 years from Oman, NOC avail-

able, having driving license, ready to

join immediately, Mob : 93551182,

E-mail: [email protected]

Network system Engineer B.E / ECE

+ CCNA & Ms certifi ed with 4+ yrs exp

looking for a job. Currently in Oman on

visit visa. Contact: 92589502


Indian male 22 yrs fresher BCA

young and energetic,

seeking good opportunites.

email: [email protected]

Contact 00919567722270

IT Network and Security Engineer

with a master degree, CISCO and

Linux red hat certifi ed seeking a

suitable job in a good company.

Contact 99818601

Indian female MBA Finance

currently on visit visa,

seeks immediate placement.

Phone - 968 - 98430089

Indian Male 34 years Mechanical

Engineer 3 years of Experience seek-

ing suitable placement immediately

Contact: 91991435, 93310821

Female British Beauty Therapist looking for suitable situation.

Contact 97175240

Indian Male 34 years Mechanical

Engineer 3 years of Experience seek-

ing suitable placement immediately

contact: 91991435, 93310821

Indian female BA graduate. My total

experience is 4 and half year in Call

Center looking for jobs in admin

and HR. Contact : 96089143, Email:

[email protected]

Civil supervisor-8 year’s experi-

ence in commercial and residential

building, including portable cabin,

natural and artifi cial play ground’s,

and Oxy petroleum fi eld, at sultan-

ate of Oman. GSM :91249005. Mail

:[email protected]

Indian Male 28yr age having 6year

gulf+ Indian experience in HR fi eld.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97914340,


Indian male 27, looking for suitable

placement in Piping Design & Engi-

neering. Having 7 years of experi-

ence in AutoCAD. Also familiar with

PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Con-

tact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail :

[email protected]

ACCA affi liate & Bsc (Oxford

Brookes University), 2.5 years expe-

rience in oilfi eld & audit/fi nance in

Big6 fi rm, seeking permanent place-

ment. Release available. #95140445,

[email protected]

Indian male 21 Diploma in Mechani-

cal Eng with HVAC certifi ed having 6

yrsexp and seeking job in HVAC fi eld

as a supervisor. Currently on visit

visa. Contact 92835952/ 92734863

Indian Female: MCA, 3 Years Exp. as

Asst. Professor, Specialization in C #

(sharp).net, Data Comm.& Network-

ing, Knowledge about Web Develop-

ment, ASP.Net, Oracle, SQL,VB.net.

Seek Immediate Placement. Now on

Visit Visa.9588 7051

[email protected]

Indian female, B.Com. Knowledge

of MS Offi ce &Tally, 4yrs experience

in accounting & admin dept. looking

for good placement in any fi eld.

Contact.98928220

Indian male, 28 years, 7 years

experience in transporting & heavy

equipment renting company. Having

Omani driving license seeks suitable

positions. Contact 94410485

Sudanese/Bsc IT/26/2 years experi-

ence/excellent Eng-Arb speaking/

Omani driving license/96387227/

[email protected]

Sudanese / 29 years old / Bsc

English language and Translation / 3

years experience in Oman teaching

& translation / have driving license.

94211377. [email protected]

Indian Male 27, Piping Design

Engineer looking for suitable place-

ment in Piping Design & Engineer-

ing. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6

Version),CAESAR ll, AutoCAD. Con-

tact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail :

[email protected]

Mechanical Engineer B.E fresher

(QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month

practical training in production & oil

fi eld) seeking immediate placement

currently on visit visa. Contact –

0096896107833, Email -

[email protected]

Civil Autocad draughtsman looking

for part time job. Mobile: 95218737

Indian Male 33 looking for Scaff old-

ing Supervisor vacancy in Oil & Gas

fi eld in Oman. Having 5 years experi-

ence in CCC Qatar and 3 years in

Saudi” contact fysal.nellaya@gmail.

com or 96155921

Well experienced hair dresser/

beautician required, visa available.

Contact – 96524717


for ladies opposite Al Nahda hospital.

Contact - 96524717

Indian Male 58yrs, Oman experi-

ence 31yrs in Multifunctional Man-

agement, Administration, Business

Development, Purchase & Opera-

tions, seeking suitable Manager/

Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/

NOC Available. GSM: 95036410

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE

Indian male more than 10 years

Gulf experience in Offi ce / Sales

Coordinator, Admin (employees visa

processes), Secretarial and purchase

coordination with good computer

skills. Having Driving license and

NOC available. Looking for suitable


Indian- B.E.-MBA having 25 years

Experience. Last 12 years in Oil &

Gas Sector in Oman. Indian Male ,4

year experience as Safety Offi cer

with NEBOSH currently on visit visa.

Contact 9565910,email:

[email protected]

Marine Engineer, Filipino, 33 years

old, seeking for suitable job in Oman

with 8 years work experience.

Contact Number-96627685

Indian female, B.Sc in Travel &

Tourism, 9 months exp in Oman

as Travel Consultant .GDS-Sabre,

Amadeus, Galileo, seeking suitable

Job. GSM-95883404.

25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion

Technology. 5 years experience in

textile industry as a merchandiser

and good in fashion marketing.

Currently available on visit visa,

seeking for a suitable job.

Contact 96990368.


Indian male 22 Mechanical Diploma

holder Engg with HVAC certifi ed,

having 1 year exp. seeking suitable

position. Currently available on visit

visa. Contact - 92835952

Omani Mechanical Engineer, has

3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S,

Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing

/ cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and

Initial Fire Response Courses. good

with computer and English language

looking for suitable job. Contact

99224319-98454500

Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer

skills and 2 years experience as

associate research analyst (Media

Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seek-

ing growth oriented jobs. Contact

92044603 /918056169148 or

[email protected].

25 yrs (f) B.Tech (Civil) 2 yrs in

Oman (QS & Tendering) Estimation.

Contact 91228615

Education +2 Diploma Mechanical

Engineering skills 2 C (Non destruc-

tive testing) experience 1 year 6

months company GB Engineering

Pvt Ltd S.D Engineering pvt ltd.

Position Production Engineer,

Production Supervisor.

Contact 99799237

Electrical and Electronics Engineer

(BE) 1+ year of experience now on

visit visa seeking suitable opportu-

nities Email: [email protected]

Contact 99254469

Electrical Engineer: Indian male 29

years having 5 years of experience

in industrial automation and utility

maintenance in India (MRF Tyres)

seeking suitable placement.

Contact 92789995 Email:

[email protected]

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer,

2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experi-

ence. Contact 97311847

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need

suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.


Stores In Charge / Purchase coordi-

nator with 6 years oman experi-

ence seeking placement. Contact

95439645 or [email protected]

Release / NOC available.

Indian male 24 years, MBA in

Marketing looking for suitable place-

ment currently in Muscat on visit

visa. Contact: 93507063


Indian 23 years B.Com Graduate, 2

years experience in sales knowledge

of tally E.R.P & MS Offi ce.

Contact 93134643

Indian female Graduate, 3 yrs expe-

rience in MNC as process associ-

ate & CED seeking for suitable job.

Contact: 94657273

Indian male 26 yrs BSC Maths

with 5 yrs exp in sales / operations

/ banking looking for a suitable job

currently on visit visa. Contact :

96673159 / 95602012

Graduate Indian male 25 with Good

communication skill looking for suit-

able placemen in sales or marketing

fi eld in a reputed organization.

Contact 98558648


Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermedi-

ate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing

in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864

Indian male MBA 7 years experi-

ence in Hospitality industry,

operation, sales & marketing looking

for suitable vacancy.

Contact 92115860

Email [email protected]

Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as

sales supervisor in India looking for

indoor sales /stores /cashier or any

suitable placement can speak

Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil,

kannada can join immediately

on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546

Indian female B.Com graduate,

4years experience in accounts &

administration department looking

for suitable placement. #98928220

Indian male, 34 yrs, ca inter pass,

with 14 yrs experience, is seeking

suitable placement, currently on

visit visa & ready to join immediate-

ly. Contact: 95585069 or 95630747

26 years Indian male with MBA &

PGDFM, Total 3.8 years experience

in Administration, seeking suit-

able placement in any gulf region.

Holding Oman valid driving license.

Contact :93359371

23 yrs old Pakistani bachelor in

accounts and marketing 3.5 yrsexp

2 yrsexp in Oman, looking for a job.

Contact- 99374062

Indian female 25 yrs MBA fi nance

currently on visit visa seeks immedi-

ate placement. # +(968) 9843 0089

Indian male 27 years, MBA, hav-

ing more than 5 yrs experience in

sales and marketing, looking for

suitable job. Contact no.99224057,

+919824823734

Indian male 21 IT Engineer

Networking & Computer hardware

course 01 yr experience currently

on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 96036273, E mail

[email protected]

Sales/ Marketing Executive : 35

years old Indian male, MBA, having

experiences in UAE and India in

sales and marketing fi eld, presently

on visit visa, looking for a suitable

job in Salalah or in Oman.

Contact 91233648

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 =

[email protected]

Part- Time Accountant, well versed

with all accounting, Finalization,

Budgeting available.# 98803439

ACCA affi liate,male,2.5 years expe-

rience in an audit fi rm in Finance &

Audit, looking for suitable immedi-

ate placement. Release available. #

95140445, [email protected]

Indian female MBA fi nance cur-

rently on visit visa seeks immediate

placement.# (968) 9843 0089

Indian female, B.Com graduate, 2

years experience in admin depart-

ment looking for a suitable place-

ment. Contact 92531929

*Classifi ed Advertisement space booking with text,

should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication.

* Subject to space availability

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461Fax: 24812624




D6 T H U R S D AY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5

SITUATION WANTEDSERVICES

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet

& sofa shampooing, Contact

99314807/24792998

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your

marble.# 24793614/ 99314807

WINDOW & SPLIT unit A.C servic-

ing & repairing. contact 99557080

SPLIT & WINDOW A.C servicing &

maintenance. Contact 96236476

SPLIT & WINDOW A.C servicing &

maintenance.# 93769089 / 95323517

A/C maintenance & servicing.

Fridge, washing machine & dish

washer repairing. Painting & clean-

ing services & electrical & plumb-

ing. Contact 99447257/97014234/

24504281

Electric, Plumbing, painting & all

kinds of building maintenance.

Contact 93896787 / 97924862

Split & window A.C servicing &

maintenance. Contact 93769089 /

95323517

Sewage remove tanker sewage

tank cleaning & block remove all

maintenance sewage tanks. Con-

tact 97412505 / 98852238

We do building maintenance all

kind of works. Contact 99247663

P.R.O services. Contact 99368907

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles

polishing, carpet shampooing,

maintenance.#ABU QABAS-

99320217 /24788722

House shifting packing. Contact 99657644/ 98518013

Water proofi ng ABUQABAS-

Contact 99320217/24788722

Learn driving with professional

only automatic. Contact 94022250

WEBSITE

A/C maintenance split A/C servic-

ing. RO. 10 only. Contact 94217681/

99210141

House shifting. Contact 99708138

Pest Control Treatments, Termites, Cockroaches, Bedbugs.

Contact Ocean Centre LLC.

Contact 99344723

Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean

Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 /

92682970

Painting- building maintenance &

management - excavation.

Contact : 99057348

MANPOWER

CANADIAN MANPOWER CO. based

in Oman Recruitment for legal

jobs - Hotel staff ,Construction

staff , Medical staff ,Gas & Oil Free

consultancy, 2 years contract, work

visa, free tickets, accommodation,

social & medical ins. Contact us on

93392630 , pls send CV to

[email protected]

WEB, ERP and Business Intelli-

gence (BI) creation and man-

agement at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

CLASSES COMPUTER

FOR LADIES

GOOD NEWS

Ayurvedic treatment for backache,

paralysis, arthritis etc & massage,

All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact

24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980

www.siddhayur.com

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain,

backache, paralysis massage, steam

bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE

Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street,

Azaiba.#99639695 / 99117987

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM.

If you would like to know more

about Islam, please call: 99425598,

96050000, 99353988, 99253818,

99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360,

99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com

Taimour Ayurvedic Clinic, Ruwi

off ers genuine & eff ective treatment

for back pain, paralysis, cervical and

lumbar spondylitis, osteoarthritis,

joint pains, sinusitis, migraine, al-

lergic problems, varicose vein and

all other health related problems.

Kerala massage and rejuvenation

package available. For details please

Contact 92197920/ 24799689

MATRIMONIAL

Kerala Ezhava girl (presently in

Oman) 25 yrs, 167 cm B.Tech, Star

Pururutathi, (Sudhajathakam)

upper middle class, seeking suit-

able alliance from professionals.

Contact: 93881787

Indian male 38 yrs working in

Muscat, looking for life partner.

Any Nationality. Divorced or

widow. Contact:96059801

Hindu Ezhava family, settled in

Muscat looking for suitable groom

working within Oman for their

daughter 25 yrs (MBA) working

with a reputed company in Muscat.

Contact : 98689663

We are Muslim family seeking alli-

ance for our son interested families.

Contact 97664009

NRI

10 and Half cent land for sale in

Cochin Cheranellor.

Contact : 99410160

5.1 cents land with a house at

Tripunithura hill palace for immedi-

ate sale. Contact 0091 7736764525


56 cents plot for sale at NH 47

Eramallour Ernakulam – Cheethala

road. Contact 0091 7736764525


Residential land for sale in Chennai

Kundrathur and Poonamaalee, we

construct house in your budget.

Contact 98753366

Beauty package for vacation for

ladies 10/-R.O, 15/-R.O, 20/-R.O.

Contact : 99410160

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

BUSINESS

Local company based in Ghala

requires business development

Manager with good experience and

driving license.Contact 99166930 /

93782735

Software development based on

requirements such as: Web devel-

opment & cloud computing, SAP

implementation & services. Android

App development networking.

Contact 97423932

Looking for a genuine investor for an IT

company. Good prospects. # 99329216


Required business Researcher.

contact 99229700


We have some companies for rent

with the following activities: press

publishing & advertising, informa-

tion consultancy, organizing event

management & conference, real es-

tate, landscaping, maintenance etc

Contact 93946622 / 91408005

Road Safety concrete barriers for

sale all over Oman available in sizes

2 meters and 3 meters. #94546200

Business Consultant, feasibility

study. Contact 99229700


DAILY GUIDESITUATION WANTEDCARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise

with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain

Marine Tours Contact- 98029602,

92808636

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

TOURS



D8 T H U R S D AY, M AY 7, 2 0 1 5







Party booking & sugges�ons 99320065, 99341643

Indian, Arabic, Chinese dishes, Buffet Lunch

(On Friday)Indoor & Outdoor, Catering, Party hall

availableTake Away & Home Delivery

Times of Oman - May 7, 2015

Documents

Transcript of Times of Oman - May 7, 2015