Times Of Oman - March 25, 2015

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WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2015 /4 Jumada Al Thani 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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150 feared dead as German plane crashes

OMANWhy is His Majesty the best ruler in the world?

1Citizens and expatriates all over Oman started rejoicing as soon as they heard that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is back in Oman. The story of “HM returning,” posted online on social networking sites reached out

to thousands of readers within minutes of his arrival. There were 170,000 hits for the HM’s arrival stories on the Times of Oman website till 5pm on Tuesday, on Facebook it reached to 108,262 readers. We also asked readers about their thoughts of why HM is the best leader in the world? >A4

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

A. E. JAMES & ELHAM [email protected] &[email protected]

MUSCAT: Joy sweeping the na-tion spread to the Sultanate’s stock market as the value of shares surged close to OMR100 million higher in a single day thanks to the return of His Majesty.

Oman’s business confi dence, especially those of investors on the local bourse, received a shot-in-the-arm with the return of His Majesty (HM) to the country, after a gap of eight months.

Muscat Securities Market wit-nessed a smart recovery with the MSM 30 Index, the barometer of market sentiment, surging ahead by 1.21 per cent or 75 points to close trading at 6,282.50 points, which translates a straight investor gain of OMR94 million (to close the market at OMR14.80 billion mar-ket capitalisation) on a single trad-ing session.

Blue chip shares like Bank Mus-cat gained by 3.1 per cent on bet-ter support. As many as 27 shares recovered among 44 stocks trad-ed on the bourse. Around 125 to 130 companies are listed on the Omani bourse.

Market sources said that if there was no triggering factor, share values would have gone down on Tuesday due to dividend adjust-ments. >A6

Business confi dence

of investors on the

MSM received a shot-

in-the-arm with the

return of His Majesty

to the country

March17 18 19 22 23 24

Source: MSM Graphics

6,223

6,233

6,220

6,235

6,208

Market recoveryMSM30 Index

6,282MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Com-mander, has issued a Royal pardon to a number of prisoners convicted of diff erent cases. Among were 246 prisoners, including 78 foreign prisoners.

His Majesty, the Supreme Commander’s Royal pardon coincides with the safe return of His Majesty to the coun-try. May Allah protect His Majesty and grant him a good health, happiness and a long life. — ONA

HM pardons prisoners

OMANOmani policeman working in UAE jailed

2An Omani working as a policeman in the United Arab Emirates has been

jailed for attempting to force a British pilot to pay him Dh3,000 after the Porsche driver made an illegal U-turn in Dubai. He was sentenced to six months in jail, according to a report. >A7

OMANSultanate to host airport conference

3Oman will host a forum on operational preparedness and shifting to new

airports under the patronage of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications. The two-day conference will be held on Wednesday. >A8

HM receives greetings

HM greets Greece >A6

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of greetings from His High-ness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait on the occasion of the safe return of His Majesty the Sultan to the homeland.

Sheikh Sabah expressed his greetings on this occasion. He af-fi rmed that the State of Kuwait; the leadership and people share with His Majesty and the Omani people happiness and joy on this occasion, praying to Allah to per-petuate good health and continu-ous wellbeing on His Majesty, protect him as leader to continue realising all aspirations of pro-gress, growth and prosperity un-der HM’s wise leadership. — ONA

E M I R O F K U W A I T

The HM effect

A2 W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

OMAN

Ministers, offi cials pledge loyalty for His Majesty the SultanMUSCAT: Ministers and top of-fi cials have expressed their joy on the return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Hareb Al Busaidi, Minister Responsi-ble for Defence Aff airs said that “all Omanis are happy that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces has returned. Eve-rybody was fi lled with joy and thanking Allah for His Majesty’s safe return home after success-fully completing the treatment in Germany. The date will be immor-talised in the annals of the Sultan-ate’s history. The chanting of the people yesterday ‘Be optimistic,

HM Qaboos has come’ refl ects the true feeling and absolute loyalty and love of loyal Omanis to their leader and architect of their mod-ern Renaissance.”

He added, “on this occasion, on behalf of all the Ministry of De-fence, the Sultan’s Armed Forces and Firaq Forces personnel and myself, I express deepest greet-ings to His Majesty and affi rm to His Majesty that we will always remain loyal soldiers who are ready to defend our dear nation and the achievements made. We will always remain committed to upholding the Omani values.”

Dr Ali bin Masoud bin Ali Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce

said, “We congratulate all Omanis of the safe return of His Majesty the Sultan.”

“The real happiness on the faces of all Omanis and their truthful hearts are expressing loyalty and gratitude to His Majesty. This is also an expression of the people’s love for their leader who have been working relentlessly for the digni-ty and happiness of his people. Un-der the wise leadership of His Maj-esty the Sultan, the Sultanate has made impressive achievements in all walks of life”, he concluded.

Dr Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniyah, Minister of Educa-tion said His Majesty’s return has brought happiness to all parts of

the Sultanate. She added in a state-ment that this return has brought smiles to the faces of students, teaching staff , administrators and those working at the Ministry of Education.

“Today Oman schools are adorned with national fl ag and HM the Sultan’s pictures,” she said.

“The Royal Directives have played a prominent role in enhanc-ing the march of education and pro-moting all the components of the education sector in the Sultanate.

“They also promoted the human resources, which has been the cor-nerstone of the development pro-cess; as outlined by His Majesty who repeatedly affi rmed that the

Omani man is the cornerstone and aim of the development process,” she concluded.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower said that “His Majesty is always pre-sent in the heart of every Omani as all pray to Allah to perpetuate a good health, happiness and a long life on the architect of Oman’s modern glory. After the safe re-turn of His Majesty the Sultan, the Omanis have escalated their moti-vation and dedication for Oman’s present and future.”

Meanwhile Lt. Gen Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs af-fi rmed that they will remain com-

mitted to stand behind His Maj-esty the Sultan’s wise leadership. The Inspector General added that they have been appealing to Al-lah to grant HM the Sultan good health and happiness for the pros-perity HM has achieved for Oman and its people.

“While we are enjoying this blessed return of His Majesty, we appeal to Allah to grant His Maj-esty good health so that he can continue this victorious march, he further said. “We take oath before His Majesty to remain always un-der His Majesty’s leadership and to implement the Royal Directives that protect the security of this dear country,” he concluded.–ONA

C E L E B R A T I O N S

The Royal Directives have played a prominent role in enhancing the march of education and promoting all the components of the education sector in the Sultanate.

Dr Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniyah Minister of Education

His Majesty’s return sparks jubilations in the wilayats

WILAYATS: Citizens in vari-ous governorates and wilayats of the Sultanate on Tuesday celebrated the safe return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the homeland, after a suc-cessful treatment journey to the Federal Republic of Germany.

After the Diwan of Royal Court issued the statement on the return of His Majesty to the country, overwhelming joy and happiness pervaded through-out the Sultanate. During the celebrations, marches were organised in all wilayats, and the citizens expressed their love and loyalty to His Majesty the Sultan.

All schools in the Sultanate also celebrated the safe return of His Majesty the Sultan to his homeland.

Students expressed their overwhelming joy on this happy occasion. They organised vari-ous activities and presented many programmes expressing their love and loyalty to the His Majesty the Sultan.

Local offi cials in all wilayats expressed their sincere feel-ings and overwhelming happi-ness on the safe return of His Majesty the Sultan to the dear homeland. They prayed to Allah the Almighty to perpetuate on His Majesty good health, happi-ness and grant him a long life, to continue realising aspirations of further progress, growth and prosperity for the Omani peo-ple under His Majesty’s wise leadership.–ONA

M A R C H E S O R G A N I S E D

MUSCAT: In an indication of the increasing purchasing pow-er of the Omani rial (OMR), the currency’s real exchange rate index recorded a 5.6 per cent increase at the end of Decem-ber 2014, logging 101.6 points compared to 96.2 points at the end of 2013.

According to statistics issued by the National Centre for Sta-tistics and Information (NCSI), the total issued (traded) cash at the end of December 2014 increased to RO1,593.7 million marking an increase of 18.7 per cent compared to RO1,342.7 million recorded during the same period in 2013.

The money supply compris-ing the total cash outside the banking system along with current accounts and demand deposits in the local currency has increased by a signifi cant 21.7per cent to reach RO4,808 million compared to RO3,951.2 million in 2013. On the other hand, local liquidity at the end of 2014 saw a sharp growth of 16.3 per cent, logging RO13,766.9 million as against RO11,837.9 million at the end of 2013.

Total foreign assets at the Central Bank also grew 2.3per cent to reach RO6,276.9 million compared to 2013 when the Sul-tanate’s foreign assets were val-ued at RO6,133.3 million. NCSI fi gures also indicate that the private sector’s current deposits at commercial banks reached RO11,186.4 million at the end of 2014 logging an increase of 13.5 per cent over 2013. -ONA

R E A L E X C H A N G E R A T E

Omani rial logs 5.6% increase

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OMANW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

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Omanis celebrate HM’s returnStaff Reporter

MUSCAT: Oman was fi lled with scenes of jubilation and unbri-dled joy as citizens took to the streets and to the social media as well, to celebrate the return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said from Germany after his suc-cessful eight-month treatment on Monday evening.

While State Council and Majlis Al Shura held special meetings and celebrations to express their deep veneration towards His Majesty the Sultan, employees in both pub-lic and private sector and students in diff erent schools and colleges organised programmes to express their happiness on HM’s return.

Almost all the government de-

partments held prayers for HM’s good health in the morning and or-ganised traditional folk art forms to celebrate his return.

In Muscat and other regions, buildings, roads, bridges, schools, colleges and vehicles were seen decorated with national fl ags and HM’s picture.

Nationals were also seen dis-tributing sweets on the roads for everyone to share their happiness in rallies at diff erent places.

While some school students were seen holding rallies with HM’s pictures and national fl ags, others held special prayers for his good health.

Employees at fi nancial institu-tions also celebrated HM’s return at their head offi ces and branches.

While, Oman Environmental Services Holding Company ‘be’ah’ tweeted that this day will be cel-ebrated annually by ‘be’ah’ to mark the nation’s joy and happiness, Oman Air has announced treats on their regional fl ights for three days to celebrate HM’s return.

Special off ersTelecom service providers also came up with special off ers to cel-ebrate HM’s return.

Omantel has off ered 1970MB free data for its subscribers, Oreedoo has off ered free four min-utes talk time for national calls when a four-minute call is made.

In addition to that Oreedoo has also launched a special cam-paign to welcome the Sultanate’s

beloved leader back to his home-land. Proudly bearing the hashtags #OurSultan and #OurOman, Ooredoo has created an artistic portrait of His Majesty, to show the love and admiration held for him in the hearts of the people.

The design specially created for the occasion will be printed on car stickers and shades which can be collected from any of Ooredoo’s 29 stores across the Sultanate, as a token of the company’s celebration of this long-awaited occasion.

People can also access the image from www.ooredoo.om to reprint it themselves and use as they so wish during this special time.

Later in the evening, vehicles emblazoned with images of His Majesty fi lled the Muscat’s main

carriageways as motorists honked horns and waved the Omani fl ag while expressing their joy.

Meanwhile, online social net-working sites were seen fl ooded with pictures and videos of cel-ebrations held on Tuesday. Online postings were voicing aff ection for His Majesty and lauding his 44-year rule.

Salalah Port CEO tweeted pic-tures of a cake being cut during the celebration of HM’s return from Germany.

While State Council

and Majlis Al Shura

held meetings to

express their love,

employees in both

public and private

sector and students

organised special

programmes

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

Five-year Plan to be reviewed

MUSCAT: A review meeting for the fi rst draft of the 9th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) will be held by the Supreme Council for Planning on Wednesday.

The meeting will focus on social development, economic diversifi cation, utilisation of available natural resources and the Sultanate’s unique geo-graphic location.

In response to the Royal orders of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the coming Five-Year Plan will focus on the social development, especially the areas related to the living of the citizens by allowing more job opportunities, training and rehabilitation programmes and enhancing the production effi -ciency. It will also focus on the scientifi c, cultural and knowl-edge development, shifting from providing access to social services to the quality of these services and attaching special importance to the development of the governorates to ensure fair distribution of the fruits of developments.– ONA

S U P R E M E C O U N C I L


OMANWe thank Almighty Allah for granting His Majesty good health and well being, and returning him safe and sound to his homeland and people

Sayyid Khalifa bin al Murdas Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam

Why is HM best leader in world?

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Citizens and expatri-ates all over the Sultanate started rejoicing as soon as they heard that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is back in Oman.

The celebrations all over the country highlighted the strong bond between the people and the leader. The story of “HM re-turning,” posted online on social networking sites reached out to thousands of readers within min-utes of his arrival.

There were 170,000 hits for the HM arrival stories on the Times of

Oman website till 5 p.m. on Tues-day, while on Facebook it reached out to 108,262 readers.

We also asked readers on their thoughts as to why His Maj-esty Sultan Qaboos is the best

leader in the world.Within fi ve hours, the hits

reached 101,248 people of which 471 people commented, 323 shared and 6,767 liked the Face-book page.

Celebrations all

over the country on

return of His Majesty

refl ected his strong

bond with the

people of Oman

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES1. He is a symbol for peace, religious tolerance, equality

and humanity.

2. He cares for people.

3. Keeps his nation’s interest fi rst.

4. Never blindly follows other leaders.

5. He is a man with a golden heart.

6. He is a leader with a vision for his people.

7. His thoughts are always for the nation.

8. Common laws for all including Omanis and expatriates.

9. Good governance.

10. Has taken the lead in solving GCC disputes.

11. Broad vision.

12. Personally gets involved in Oman’s development.

13. Because of his honesty.

14. Brought equality among all citizens.

15. Bridging gaps between the Gulf countries.

16. Made Oman a safe country for everyone.

17. Provided housing for everyone.

18. Linked all wilayats with good roads.

19. Good thinker.

20. Displays strong governance.

Monday 237:00pm 1 hour

Tuesday 247:00pm

Social media response

PEOPLE

LEADERSULTANMAJESTY

LIFE

NATION

LEADERSHIP

HEART RELIGIOUS

HUMANITY

BEST

GREATKING

TOLERANCE

GOOD

QABOOSGOD

PEACE

WORLDLOVE

BLESSCOUNTRY

EQUALITYOMAN HEThese are the most used words on Times of

Oman’s Facebook post ‘Share your thoughts: Top five reasons why Sultan Qaboos is the best leader in the world’

SCAN THIS TOINSTANTLYCHECK THE POSTIN YOUR PHONE Source: trends24.in Graphics

These are the top tweets in Oman during the 24-hour period after His Majesty returned to Oman. The topic of His Majesty’s return ranked first in the network

His Majesty the Sultan tweets

Barcelona-Real Madrid match tweets

Time when the return ofHis Majesty the Sultanwas anounced: 7:30pm

SHARING SULTANATE’S JOYOn behalf of the Indian Embassy and the Indian community in Oman, we would like to congratulate the government and the people of the Sultanate of Oman on the return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. We fully share the Sultanate’s joy and celebrations on this occasion. The Indian community in Oman is ever grateful for the benevolence of His Majesty and for providing them with a second home in Oman. While praying for the health, happiness and long life of His Maj-esty, the Indian community re-commits itself to contribute for the development of Oman.

J S Mukul Ambassador of India

DISPLAY OF LOVE AND AFFECTIONIt was with greatest joy and happiness that we all have received the news of the safe return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to His beloved country. The excitement and relief felt by Omanis and expatriates alike was palpable as people celebrated this auspicious occasion in a display of genuine love and aff ection. I would like to take this opportunity to off er my heartfelt best wishes for the longest and healthiest continuation of His Majesty’s sage and inspiring leader-ship as well as for the everlasting peace and prosperity of the Omani people.

Uğur Doğan Ambassador of Republic of Turkey

EMBODIMENT OF NATIONAL UNITYOn behalf of the Government and the People of Bangladesh and especially from the Bang-ladesh community living in Oman, I take this opportunity to convey my deepest gratitude and heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on his safe return to the Sultanate after successful completion of medical treatment. His Majesty’s visionary leadership has transformed the Sultanate of Oman into a modern and prosperous country. The Bangladeshis living and working in the Sultanate of Oman are grateful to His Majes-ty’s kindness. May Allah the Almighty bestow upon His Majesty bounty of blessings to lead his beloved Nation for many more years.

Sheikh Sekander AliAmbassador of Bangladesh

Governors hail HM’s returnTimes News Service

MUSCAT Governors across Oman have expressed happiness over the return of His Majesty.

Sayyid Khalifa bin al Murdas Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam said, “With the glad tidings of the return of His Majesty Sultan Qa-boos bin Said to the homeland, we thank Almighty Allah for granting His Majesty good health and well being, and returning him safe and sound to his homeland and people.” He said that the loyal people of Musandam feel joyous on the auspicious return of the Sultan and felt elated with joy on the arrival of His Majesty and they expressed these feelings through loyalty marches which emphasise

the unity and loyalty between the leader and his people.

Sheikh Muhanna bin Saif Al Lamki, Governor of North Al Bati-nah said people in the Governorate of North Al Batinah, expressed their joy on the return of His Maj-esty the Sultan.

Positive impactHe added that his memory re-calls all aspects of development which Oman experienced since His Majesty the Sultan assumed power. The Blessed Renaissance has had a positive impact all on the country.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Saif Al Mahrouqi, Deputy Governor of Dhofar said, “We express our deep happiness and great delight and

pray to Almighty Allah to bless His Majesty. May he be surrounded by the love of his people. This day will remain in the soul for long and it’s hard to fi nd words that describe what joy we experience on this glo-rious day.

Sheikh Yahya bin Hamoud al-Ma’amari, Governor of North A’Sharqiyah said, “We thank Al-lah on this generous blessing that deserves thanks of all citizens in various governorates”.

He pointed out that citizens in the Governorate of North Al Shar-qiyah received the news of His Majesty’s return with overwhelm-ing joy and happiness, expressing their sincere feelings through the celebrations witnessed in the wilayats.

CELEBRAT I ONS

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ROHM to celebrate HM’s return

Times News Service

MUSCAT: The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) on Tuesday announced a pro-gramme to celebrate the return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said to Oman.

In a press release issued yes-terday , the ROHM welcomed all residents to participate in the grand celebrations of this joyful occasion. The celebration will be brought to life with a week-long Military Music Show at Al Maydan, which will last one hour (5:15 pm – 6:15 pm).

In addition to this, a daily audio-visual presentation will be showcased from 8 pm–11 pm at the South Porch Entrance, starting from Sunday.

F E S T I V I T Y

HM greets Greece president MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to President Prokopis Pavlopoulos of the Republic of Greece on the occasion of his country’s National Day. His Maj-esty expressed his best wishes to President Pavlopoulos and the friendly people of Greece.–ONA

Arab League hails HMSHARM EL-SHEIKH: The Council of the Arab League wished His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the safe return home. While convening the League’s session on Tuesday the Council expressed its greetings to the Omani people and the Government on this occasion.–ONA

G O O D W I S H E S

Showers in wilayats fl ood wadis

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Diff erent parts of Al Dakhiliyah region, includ-ing Nizwa, Jabal Al Akhdhar and Barkat Al Mouz witnessed rain and thunderstorm yes-terday. The showers led to the overfl ow of wadis. Due to the wadi’s strong fl ow, some of the roads were blocked, includ-ing the road leading to Jabal Al Akhdhar.

Meanwhile, clear to partly cloudy skies over northern gov-ernorates of the sultanate with chances of isolated rain over the governorates of Musan-dam and North Nl Batinah and chances of clouds development and isolated rain over Al Hajar mountain and adjoining areas towards afternoon. Chances of late night to early morning low level clouds and fog patches over Governorates of South al Sharqiya and al Wusta.

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Positive vibes all around“It will help improve the market sentiment and will help foreign investors to focus on Oman,” Loai B. Bataineh, general manager and head of investment banking group of Oman Arab Bank, told the Times of Oman.

“This is one of the best driving forces for boosting investor senti-ment,” said Bataineh.

“This is what foreign investors have been looking at in the local bourse and it is clearly refl ected in today’s market performance. Key stocks like Bank Muscat soared by 3 per cent,” added a senior re-search analyst, who did not want to be named.

Institutional supportLocal fi nancial institutions were major buyers, triggered by HM’s return coupled with reason-able valuations. Until Monday, the Omani bourse fell almost 5 per cent since the beginning of the month, which helped the stock market settle down at attractive valuations.

“Investors are expecting more positive developments, especially on project announcements, which will reinforce the market senti-ment,” said the analyst.

Echoing a similar view, Anwar Al Balushi, chairman of Anwar Asian Investment, said that the return of His Majesty, who has been ruling the country for more than four decades, encourages and motivates the people.

Foreign direct investmentDavis Kallukaran, managing part-ner of Crowe Horwath Oman, said that the Sultanate has embarked upon huge infrastructure devel-opments across the country to catapult the economy to the glory envisaged by HM in his vision of Oman 2020.

“While the resources within are limited, great emphasis is given to attract foreign direct investments on a large scale. His Majesty’s re-turn home has boosted the enthu-siasm of the business community to take on this massive challenge. Every citizen is overjoyed with the royal presence which I am sure will mark the second renaissance

for Oman,” added Kallukaran.Eng Abdul Qadir Salim Al Bal-

ushi, director general of Sohar Industrial Estate, said that HM’s return will positively aff ect in-vestment in industrial estates, including the Sohar Industrial Estate. “It will also motivate us to improve our services and do our best to encourage both local and foreign investors to make in-vestments in the Sohar Industrial Estate,” he said adding that the business community in the indus-trial estates will benefi t from the advice of HM regarding how to at-tract more investments.

Major infrastructureThe country has been focusing on the development of major infra-structure, which can encourage investment in all areas, said Abdul Qadir Salim Al Balushi, adding that the Sohar Industrial Estate is witnessing quite good demand in various fi elds, including chemical products, aluminium, plastic and building materials.

Also, with several large-scale projects coming up, there is a huge potential for integrating small and medium businesses and down-stream industries in the Sohar In-dustrial Estate, added the offi cial.

Mohammed Al Mashani, gen-eral manager of corporate aff airs, Port of Salalah, said that HM’s

return has brought confi dence to the market and to the business community in Oman.

“It was a very positive thing to happen and will defi nitely give a boost to the economy,” said Al Mashani, adding that it would lead to further investment in vari-ous sectors.

He also noted that Port of Salalah would benefi t from the positive impact of HM’s re-turn like other segments of the business sector.

Abdul Wahab Abdulkarim Al Balushi, general manager of secu-rity and facilitation at the Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC), said that HM’s return to Oman was a great ‘morale booster’ for the whole country, including the business community.

“In this part of the world, lead-ership plays a very important role and gives moral support to busi-ness. The business community has to feel confi dent and comfort-able. This is how business works,” he said, adding that HM’s return has brought a sense of optimism to the market.

“Oman has already been de-veloping and things have been moving in the right direction, but with HM’s return, those question marks and doubts have been put aside for the moment,” said Al Balushi, expressing hope that the

already ‘healthy’ economy will develop further now that HM is in the country.

Dispelling fearsSultan Ali Ahmed Al Busaidi, managing director at the United National Oilfi eld Services, said that the business sector, along with other segments of the coun-try, is rejoicing over HM’s return to the country. It was a major mo-rale boost for the entire nation and restored confi dence and sta-bility in the market, he said.

Al Busaidi added that HM’s presence in the country has dis-pelled the fears that diff erent ini-tiatives regarding small and me-dium enterprises (SMEs), youth organisations, funds, In-Country Value (ICV) and other busi-ness-related activities may lose momentum.

“Now we are assured that HM is there to manage the things, and we are back to the best state of se-curity,” he said.

In addition, an Omani eco-nomic expert, who asked not to be named, said that HM’s return will help improve business prospects in the country.

“New economic decisions may be taken now that HM is back in the country. New projects, which might have been awaiting approv-al, may be implemented,” he said.

I N V E S T M E N T S C E N A R I O

< FROM

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HAPPY TIME: As people celebrated the return of His Majesty the Sultan, the market sentiment too

turned optimistic leading to a spurt in the stock market.– ONA

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WHO Director General, Margret Chan, expressed the organisation’s appreciation for the eff orts made by the Sultanate in developing the health sector. She hailed the advanced level of healthcare services in Oman

MUSCAT: On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers on Tuesday received Dr Margret Chan, Director Gen-eral of the World Health Organi-sation (WHO).

Dr Chan is visiting the Sultan-ate leading a high ranking del-egation comprising her deputy and the regional directors of the WHO regions to attend the Glob-al Policy Group’s regular meeting. Dr Chan congratulated the Sul-tanate on the safe return of His Majesty the Sultan to Oman.

Sayyid Fahd conveyed greet-ings of His Majesty the Sultan along with his best wishes of con-tinuous success to the WHO. He expressed the importance of the role being played by the WHO in global health fi elds.

Sayyid Fahd reaffi rmed the keenness accorded by the Sultan-ate under the leadership of His Majesty for cooperation with the WHO, particularly in developing primary healthcare and combat-ing communicable diseases.

The WHO Director General expressed the organisation’s ap-preciation for the eff orts made

by the Sultanate in developing the health sector. She hailed the advanced level of healthcare ser-vices in Oman. She also lauded Oman’s role in supporting the WHO and hosting its meetings.

Dr Chan expressed the or-ganisation’s willingness to pro-vide its expertise to further en-hance healthcare in Sultanate. The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sa’eedi, Minister of Health and Dr Ali bin Talib Al Hina’ei, Un-dersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning Aff airs.

Global Policies Group Meanwhile, the Global Policies Group meeting (GPG) organised by the WHO continued its ses-sion for the second day in Mus-cat on Tuesday. The meeting discussed a number of issues, in-cluding WHO administrative and fi nancial reforms, the Ebola virus and the budget for the fi nancial year 2016–2017.

The meeting discussed issues related to global health policies, updates in international health aff airs and medical emergency techniques. It familiarised the participants with the Omani health sector.–ONA

I M P O R T A N T G U E S T

HEALTH MISSION: Sayyid Fahd conveyed greetings of His

Majesty the Sultan along with his best wishes of continuous

success to the WHO.–ONA

Omani working in UAE police arrestedSALAM AL AMIR

DUBAI: An Omani national work-ing as a policeman in the UAE has been jailed after attempting to force a British pilot to pay him Dh3,000 after the Porsche driver made an illegal U-turn in Dubai.

The policeman, was found guilty of seeking and accepting bribes by Dubai Criminal Court which

sentenced him to a six-month jail term and fi ned him Dh3,000 and ordered his deportation after com-pleting his jail term, The National has reported.

Emirates Airline pilot R�D, 32, said that on June 22, last year he was driving his Porsche Car-rera near the Mall of the Emirates when he took an illegal U-turn.

“A police patrol followed me

then stopped me and the offi cer asked for my licence and registra-tion,” the Briton said. “He told me that I made a grave mistake that could have landed me in a traffi c accident.”

“He told me he will seize the car then asked me to wait until he talked to his partner,” said R�D. “He then returned and gave me back my documents but asked for my

mobile number. He called later and asked for the Dh2,500 in order not to seize the car.”

Police told him not to answer calls from the offi cer until a war-rant was obtained.

The Omani defendant was later arrested in a sting operation while he was still in uniform. “This didn’t happen,” said the policeman in court, denying the charge.

S I X - M O N T H J A I L T E R M

Fahd holds talks with WHO chief

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After the successful launch of Alila Jabal Akhdar, our fi rst luxury development outside Asia located in Oman’s Al Hajjar mountain range, we are honoured to expand our collection of luxury resorts in the Middle East, particularly in Oman

Mark Edleson, President of Alila Hotels and Resorts

Pakistani community welcomes HM’s return

SARAH [email protected]

MUSCAT: It was as doubly joyful occasion as the Pakistani commu-nity in Muscat celebrated their country’s 75th National Day as well as His Majesty Sultan Qa-boos bin Said’s return to Oman.

At the 75th Pakistan National Day celebrations at the Crowne Plaza on Monday evening ambas-sador Ayaz Hussain spoke candid-ly for a few minutes to share his joy about the long-awaited news of His Majesty’s return.

“This speech I have written about 15 or 20 days before and there was one prayer. The prayer was for the return and the recov-ery of Sultan and today we learned the Sultan, mashallah, has re-turned to the Sultanate,” Hussain said to a warm applause.

The ambassador went on to speak about the importance of his country’s national day, its current state of aff airs, and its relations with Oman. March 23 marks the day in 1940 when a separate Mus-lim homeland was called for by the Muslim League in what was then British India, laying ground-work for the eventual independ-ence of Pakistan in 1947.

“Today in Pakistan we are con-solidating democracy, simulating economic growth, and defeating forces of extremism. We are work-ing for a stable neighbourhood, for peace, for amity, and for harmo-ny,” Hussain commented.

Hussain said his country faces many challenges but is a resilient and strong nation which will work for a better future.

He said he was proud to see many Pakistanis contributing to Omani society and development and he thanked them for upholding a “posi-tive image of Pakistan through their hard work and dedication.”

The ambassador said since ar-riving in Oman less two years ago he has been impressed by the development he has witnessed and said he and all Pakistanis

are proud of Oman’s success. He added that he hoped the relations between the two countries would strengthen in years to come.

“This past year has been good for our strategic partnership, from bilateral trade and people-to-people contacts, but we want our trade to grow, investment still to increase, and interfl ow of people to surge,” he noted.

Pakistan’s

ambassador to

Oman, hoisted the

Pakistani fl ag to

start the festivities

attended by a large

number of Pakistanis

and Omanis

Al Futaisi, Irish delegation discuss training, educationMUSCAT: To ensure training opportunities for Omani physi-cians, Dr Abdullah bin Moham-med Al Futaisi, chief executive offi cer of the Omani Medical Spe-cialties Board (OMSB) met with a delegation from the Royal College of Physicians of the Republic of Ireland (RCPI).

They discussed some of the agreements of OMSB with vari-ous international colleges within the framework of joint coop-eration between the countries in the areas of education and medical training.

The meeting aims to follow up Omani physicians, members of

Omani Medical Specialties Board within the diff erent medical spe-cialties and take advantage of the expertise off ered by the College to trainee physicians, to follow modern systems to provide good programmes for dispatched Om-ani cadres, in addition to search for the best training opportuni-ties for the development of Om-ani physicians and provide them with the requisite skills, as Omani Medical Specialties Board was working on consolidating rela-tions of cooperation in the fi eld of advanced medical training in the past year and the exchange of visits with the Royal College

of Physicians in the Republic of Ireland.

Joint cooperationThis relationship resulted in the signing of a memorandum of joint cooperation between the two par-ties, headed by Professor Frank Murray, President of the Royal Col-lege of Physicians and his accompa-nying delegation and Dr. Al Futaisi, CEO of the Omani Medical Special-ties Board in the fi eld of education, where the two parties agreed to provide opportunities for education and advanced medical training for Omani physicians in various medi-cal specialties. -ONA

H E A L T H

Alila Hotels announces plan for second resort in SultanateTimes News Service

MUSCAT: Alila Hotels and Re-sorts has announced plans to open its second luxury resort develop-ment in Mirbat, east of Salalah, a coastal town in the Dhofar gover-norate, in South-western Oman.

The development is owned by Alil Salalah, a subsidiary of the Oman Investment Fund.

“After the successful launch of Alila Jabal Akhdar, our fi rst luxury development outside Asia located in Oman’s Al Hajjar mountain range, we are honoured to expand our collection of luxury resorts in the Middle East, particularly in Oman,” said Mark Edleson, Presi-dent of Alila Hotels and Resorts.

“Salalah is another unique mi-cro-environment in Oman with its tropical monsoons, special culture and the beautiful beaches of Mirbat. We can now off er our guests the Hajjar Mountains and Mirbat beaches in one Oman hol-iday. Furthermore, we look for-ward to deepening our relation-ship with the Oman Investment Fund,” he added.

Slated to launch in the second half of 2017, Alila Salalah is en-visioned as a unique ecologically sensitive luxury destination resort, comprising 100 suites, 25 villas, fi ne dining restaurants and a Spa Alila wellness centre. The resort will dis-tinguish itself by its contemporary Dhofari architecture.

Lifestyle choicesThe signature Alila hospitality ser-vices, are highly personalised and tailored to its clientele’s lifestyle choices and rhythm, off ering unique ways to discover the destination

and engage in the local culture and traditions of the Dhofar region. The increased investment and develop-ment of infrastructure includes the new international airport sched-uled to be fully operational in April 2015 and the expansion of the port of Salalah.

The project will signifi cantly enhance the product off ering and attractiveness of Dhofar and Salalah as a major tourist destina-tion, providing additional growth opportunities to the domestic market while drawing new visi-tors to the Dhofar governorate.

M I R B A T L U X U R Y R E S O R T

Oman to host major airport conferenceMUSCAT: Operational prepared-ness while migrating to new air-ports wil be the subject of an inter-national conference to be hosted by Oman under the patronage of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Fu-taisi, Minister of Transport and Communications.

The idea of the two-day confer-ence, to be held at Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa on Wednes-day, emanated from the Oman Air-ports Management Company’s (OAMC) desire to review similar international experiences.

The forum will bring together companies involved in the man-agement and operation of some of

the best airports to review their experiences and benefi t from the success factors that ensured a smooth shift to new airports.

It will also review the challeng-es, diffi culties and gaps that led to failure while shifting to actual op-erations by some other airports.

OAMC seeks to achieve maxi-mum benefi t by reviewing these experiences, enhancing the strength areas and eliminating the weakness areas by developing pre-set plans that ensure a smooth shift to the actual operation stage, full readiness and sustainable suc-cess of the diff erent aspects of op-erations. -ONA

T W O - D A Y F O R U M

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Syria, Iraq discuss tackling militants

AMMAN/BEIRUT: The foreign ministers of Syria and Iraq met in Damascus on Tuesday to discuss ways to tackle militant groups and Syria said it hoped Bagh-dad would help “break the siege” against it, Syrian state media said, ahead of an Arab summit.

Tuesday’s discussions “focused on the fi ght against terrorism and common dangers that threaten

our countries”, Syrian state tel-evision said, citing a joint news conference by the foreign minis-ters at Damascus airport. It did not specify which groups the dis-cussions were referring to.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari, who also met Assad, is one of the most senior foreign offi cials to visit Syria recently. His country has acted as a go-

between for information about the US-led strikes against IS in both countries.

“I have great confi dence that Dr Ibrahim and our brotherly leaders in Iraq will not spare any eff ort to break the siege which was im-posed upon Syria,” Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al Muallem said, appearing to refer to his country’s international isolation. — Reuters

MEET ING

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REGIONW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

Houthi fi ghters have entered the Red Sea port of Al Mukha, bringing them closer to Hadi’s refuge in Aden, security offi cials and residents said on Tuesday

Houthis, allied army taketown 100km north of Aden

ADEN/DOHA: Houthi fi ghters and allied army units captured the town of Kirsh, about 100km (62 miles) north of Yemen’s sec-ond city of Aden, on Tuesday after heavy fi ghting with forces loyal to President Abdurabbo Mansour Hadi, local offi cials and residents said.

The area sits astride a main north-south road and lies about a 40-minute drive to the north of a major airbase, Al Anad, which re-mains in the hands of Hadi, who is based in Aden. Houthi fi ghters have entered the Red Sea port of Al Mukha, bringing them closer to Hadi’s refuge in Aden, secu-rity offi cials and residents said on Tuesday. The advance also placed the Houthis, who seized Yemen’s capital Sanaa in September, a short drive from the Bab Al Man-deb strait, a Red Sea shipping lane vital to oil shipments.

Hotbed of separatismTo the east, Houthi units on Tues-day entered Dhalea town, tra-ditionally a hotbed of southern separatism, and fought gun battles with tribesmen and militias from the southern independence move-ment, residents said.

Residents said the Houthi fi ght-

ers entered Al Mukha, the south-ernmost Yemeni port before the Red Sea tapers to its narrowest point, overnight. They were ac-companied by units from Yemen’s divided military.

A Houthi spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Security offi cials said the Hou-this’ motive in entering Al Mukha, about 80km (50 miles) north of Bab Al Mandeb might be to reach a new coastal highway that links the town to Aden, a 260-km drive away, rather than to obtain control of the strait.

Bab Al Mandeb - which means Gate of Tears in Arabic - links the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal. More

than 3.4 million barrels of oil per day passed through Bab Al Man-deb in tankers in 2013, according to the US Energy Information Ad-ministration. Hadi’s forces have stationed tanks and artillery on a number of roads linking north and south Yemen and residents reported clashes between the ri-vals forces on Tuesday morning on a main road 125km (80 miles) north of Aden. An array of tribes-men, militiamen and army units loyal to Hadi are resisting the southward advance of the Houthis in skirmishes that have escalated since the weekend.

Four shot in TaizThe Houthis’ arrival in Dhalea mark their fi rst inroads into the territory of the formerly inde-pendent south: The town has for years been the centre of an armed movement to secede from Sanaa.

Troops aligned with Houthi militia shot dead at least four

demonstrators on Tuesday during protests against the movement in and outside the central city of Taiz, medical offi cials said.

Hundreds of activists set up a protest camp in the city centre of Taiz on Sunday when Houthi fi ghters and aligned army units seized the highland city, a takeo-ver that has angered many resi-dents but encountered little mili-tary opposition.

30 killed in clashesAt least 30 people have been killed in clashes between pro- and anti-government forces in cen-tral Yemen, tribal sources said on Tuesday.

The Houthi militia, backed by troops allied to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, clashed with armed tribesmen in Baida prov-ince late Monday, the sources said, adding that nine tribesmen and 15 Houthi fi ghters were killed.

The tribesmen booby-trapped

two houses used as bases by Houthi fi ghters and ambushed several patrols, the sources added.

Clashes raged in Marib, east of Sanaa, where tribesmen loyal to Yemen’s President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi confronted ad-vancing Houthi fi ghters and pro-Saleh troops, tribal sources said.

Six tribesmen, including a tribal chief, were killed in these clashes. The sources said that many Hou-this had also been killed.

The advancing forces included units from the former presiden-tial guard, an elite force that Saleh built during his three-decade rule, the sources added.

The gunfi ghts took place as the Houthis, who seized control of Sanaa last year, sent additional re-inforcements south, upping pres-sure on Hadi, who is refuged in the southern port city of Aden.

Military sources in south Yem-en said that reinforcements from the army’s Al Hamza Brigade -- under Saleh’s command -- had been mobilised from central Ibb province to Qatabah, in Daleh, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Aden.

Dozens of tanks belonging to the 133rd Brigade, also loyal to Saleh, were also sent to Qatabah, military sources and witnesses said. The reinforcements came as anti-Hadi forces deployed south of the key city of Taez, which lies strategically on the road between Sanaa and Aden.

Demonstrations continued Tuesday in Taez against the ar-rival of pro-Saleh forces and mi-litiamen in the city, after security sources said they seized the air-port. The head of Taez police de-nied late Monday that the airport or other government installations had been taken over.

In a statement carried by Saba state news agency, which is now controlled by anti-Hadi forces, General Mutahar Al Shuaybi said air traffi c at Taez remained “normal”. — Agencies

Houthi fi ghters

have entered the

Red Sea port of Al

Mukha, bringing

them closer to Hadi’s

refuge in Aden,

security offi cials and

residents said

Tunisia closes airspace to fl ights from western Libya

TUNIS: Tunisia has again closed its airspace for fl ights from west-ern Libya, an offi cial said on Tues-day, just days after allowing Libyan planes from Tripoli back for the fi rst time in around six months.

“We’ve suspended temporar-ily again Libya fl ights for security reasons,” the transport ministry offi cial said, without elaborating.

The moves come after militants killed 20 foreign tourists in an at-tack on the national museum in Tunis last week.

Tunisian offi cials say the two gunmen had been trained at a mili-tant camp in Libya, where IS mili-tant group has made inroads.

WorriedTunisia is worried that violence will spill over from Libya, where two rival governments fi ght for control four years after the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi . Libyan air-lines had been allowed only since last week to resume fl ights to Tu-nis from Tripoli and other airports in western Libya outside the con-trol of the offi cial government.

The internationally recognised administration has been based in the east since losing control of Tripoli in August when an armed group seized the capital and parts of western Libya. Flights from Tunis to eastern Libya have never stopped. Tunisia is the lifeline for many Libyans seeking to escape violence or travel abroad. For-eign airlines and embassies have mostly withdrawn from Libya for security reasons. The few foreign connections from Libyan airlines are often booked out for weeks.

On Monday, Libyan pro-gov-ernment forces said they had tar-geted a weapons depot belonging to an hardliners-backed militia, as peace talks continued in Mo-rocco and a UN special envoy met both sides late Monday. A militia spokesman said however that the raid had hit a refugee camp, killing eight civilians. — Reuters

S E C U R I T Y R E A S O N S

RUNNING FOR SAFETY: Anti-Houthi protesters run as pro-Houthi police troopers open fi re to dis-

perse them in Yemen’s southwestern city of Taiz on Tuesday. Troops aligned with Yemen’s dominant

Houthi militia shot dead at least four demonstrators during protests against the movement in and

outside the central city of Taiz, medical offi cials said. – Reuters


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American diplomats like to portray their country’s allies in glowing terms. So the world should take note when they do not — such as when US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, at a recent conference in Washington, DC,

on Asian security, publicly scolded South Korea for its seemingly endless vilifi cation of Japan. Accord-ing to Sherman, South Korea’s stance — refl ected in its demand that Japan apologise, once again, for forcing Korean women to provide services to the Imperial Army during World War II — has produced “paralysis, not progress.”

But Sherman’s criticism could also be levelled against Japan. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has rare-ly missed an opportunity to provoke Japan’s Korean critics, whether by visiting Tokyo’s Yasukuni shrine, where the “souls” of 14 Class A war criminals are interred, or embracing revisionist critiques of previ-ous offi cial apologies for Japanese aggression.

Instead of working together to help their Ameri-can ally confront the challenges posed by a rising China and the North Korean nuclear threat, South Korea and Japan have allowed their rancour to sty-mie eff ective action. This seemingly endless tension has been frustrating — and worrying — American leaders for years, especially as it has undermined the United States’ strategic “pivot” toward Asia.

Since President Barack Obama announced the pivot fi ve years ago, the US has been attempting to bolster its forces and alliances in Asia, thereby re-inforcing its strategic role in a region that China is increasingly attempting to dominate. But the relent-less sniping by its two most important Asian allies has blocked the kind of concrete cooperation needed to help it achieve its main goals, including ensuring a durable, long-term military presence in the region.

Intelligence sharing is a case in point. In De-cember, US offi cials, seeking to better their under-standing of North Korea’s missile and nuclear pro-grams — and enable commanders to react swiftly if potential threats materialise — announced a new information-sharing agreement with South Korea and Japan. But the deal could be a script for a situ-ation comedy: Japan and South Korea refuse to pro-vide intelligence data to each other, leaving the US to play the middleman. The US has accentuated the positive, calling the agreement an important step forward. But, though it does represent progress from 2012, when popular opposition in South Korea to the idea of military cooperation with Japan caused a similar agreement to collapse, the latest eff ort is in-effi cient, at best. China has been eager to capitalise on the animosity between Japan and South Korea to undermine America’s security interests in Asia. During a visit to South Korea last July, President

Xi Jinping highlighted not only the two countries’ deepening economic relationship, but also their shared views regarding Japan’s wartime past. Other Chinese offi cials have picked up the theme, drop-ping hints that China’s 70th anniversary celebration of the end of World War II could exclude Japan — unless, that is, Japan is more contrite about its his-toric transgressions.

It is time for the US to tell its Asian allies to get over it. As the underwriter of both Japan’s and South Korea’s national defence, the US simply cannot al-low their historical animosities to impede action to address urgent threats in this critical region.

The timing could not be better, as rising security fears are altering public perceptions. Recent opin-ion polls suggest that at least half of all South Kore-ans are worried enough about regional tensions to support closer military ties with Japan.

And, indeed, the security risks facing Asia are only growing — exemplifi ed in China’s move from mili-tary expansion to assertiveness. Most notably, in the South and East China Seas, China has been staking its claim to disputed island territories, deploying ad-vanced military hardware, and aggressively patrol-ling an expanded security zone.

Meanwhile, leaks from Chinese think tanks have suggested that if the North Korean regime collapses, China could well send troops to preserve the coun-try’s stability. Asia’s new security landscape places a premium on seamless cooperation among US allies — a prospect that the sustained bickering between South Korea and Japan calls into question. It could even be said that their longstanding dispute makes America’s Asian alliance system worth less than the sum of its parts. Repairing relations between South Korean and Japan could not be more urgent. Even with good will on both sides, it will take time to build a strong defence partnership. Eff ective military co-operation requires personal ties that take years to build, and, aside from some joint naval and air exer-cises, the two countries have little experience work-ing together. Boosting technical interoperability also will take considerable time, though both coun-tries maintain sophisticated defence forces with great potential to be linked together.

After spending the last six decades defending South Korea and Japan, the US has every reason — and plenty of leverage — to demand that its two long-time allies enhance their military cooperation. Simply focusing on the positive — America’s clas-sic approach to alliance diplomacy — is no longer enough. Whatever their historical disagreements, South Korea and Japan both face serious risks in their immediate neighbourhood. It is up to the US to ensure that they work together to protect them-selves — and ensure long-term stability throughout Asia. – Project Syndicate

Repairing relations between South Korea and Japan could not be more urgent. Even with good will on both sides, it will take time to build a strong defence partnership. Effective military cooperation requires personal ties that take years to build

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])

It seems the political crisis that had been brewing in Pakistan for many months between the ruling party and the PTI, over alleged rigging in the 2013 general election, may fi nally be moving towards

resolution. This is a hugely welcome development given that the ‘long march’ to Islamabad, staged by the PTI in August last year, followed by a 126-day demonstration and street protests and rallies in diff erent cities, had threatened to bring the country to a halt. Against this back-ground, the agreement reached on March 20 between senior leaders of the PML-N and the PTI to set up a judicial commission to probe the 2013 polls is a positive move. As Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who led the government delegation, has said the agreement on this had al-most been reached late last year with discord remaining mainly on the wording of the document signed by both parties.

This has now been worked out with the agreement setting up a judi-cial commission to look into the impartiality or otherwise of the man-ner in which the 2013 polls were conducted, the question of whether anyone tried to manipulate them and whether they were on the whole fair and free. The undertaking of this task, which will be carried out through an ordinance covering the setting up of the commission, is important beyond party lines too. It will help us determine how the crucial matter of holding elections is carried out in our democracy and one hopes that the commission that is formed will function in a fair and honest manner. Both sides have agreed that with the establish-ment of the commission, there is no further room for tension.

We must hope then that both parties will be able to work together to solve the doubts that still exist over electoral rigging and the prob-lems stemming from this. Imran Khan has described this settlement as a “victory”. In some ways, it is indeed just that even if some might feel otherwise. It is a victory for the whole country which now gets an opportunity to bring matters out into the open and settle the doubts that have been hanging in the air for far too long. We need to put these doubts to rest and by doing so also improve working relations between parties. . - The Express Tribune

Finally, solution is in sight

Lee Kuan Yew, the founding leader of Singapore who died on Monday morning, was a towering fi gure on the global stage who helped transform his small city-state into an economic power-

house. President Obama went so far as to describe Lee as a “true giant of history.” But praising Lee, who was 91, for his vision, as many have, would be incomplete. His leadership undoubtedly helped make Sin-gapore one of the richest and least corrupt countries in the world. His “Singapore model” of economic development inspired other leaders, including Deng Xiaoping of China, toward free-market policies. He was also an autocrat who silenced critics and sent opposition leaders to jail, suppressing dissent and intimidating the press.

Lee did not deny these tactics and, indeed, revelled in them. “No-body doubts that if you take me on, I will put on knuckle-dusters and catch you in a cul-de-sac,” he said in 1994. And that was after he had ostensibly stepped aside as prime minister to become senior minister, a position from which he continued to exercise signifi cant infl uence. People on the receiving end of those dirty tricks like the opposition politicians J.B. Jeyaretnam and Chee Soon Juan were ruined fi nan-cially after losing defamation suits brought by Lee and his family.

By the standards of Southeast Asian autocrats, Lee was hardly a tyrant. He did not brutalise and impoverish his country, unlike mili-tary leaders in Myanmar and Cambodia. And he has been far more successful at turning Singapore into a developed nation than other strongmen in neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. Nevertheless, he and his protégés in the ruling People’s Action Party — including Lee Hsien Loong, his eldest son and the current prime minister — main-tained tight control over politics and speech long after other fast-growing Asian nations like South Korea and Taiwan became competi-tive democracies, and long after Singapore had achieved the kind of prosperity that Lee had cited as a reason to limit free expression and multiparty democracy.

If there ever was a moment for Singapore to embrace democratic principles fully, it is at hand. The country’s 5.6 million people appear to be increasingly unhappy with one-party rule and growing income inequality. In an election in 2011, despite formidable obstacles, oppo-sition parties got 40 per cent of the vote, though a much smaller share of seats in Parliament. And, in recent years, poorly paid migrant work-ers from China and South Asia have held protests and, in late 2013, ri-oted in the streets. As Singapore refl ects on Lee’s legacy, in seven days of national mourning, many people will focus on the country’s eco-nomic growth under his rule. But a leader’s accomplishments should not be measured by material achievements alone. The next generation of leaders should make Singapore a political model, not just an eco-nomic one. - The New York Times News Service

Lee Kuan Yew’s mixed

legacy in Singapore

K E N T H A R R I N G T O N

Oman is happy because His Majesty has returned homeFor over eight months we have been praying for the good health of His majesty and waiting for his return from Germany. And we, the nationals and expatriates, are more than happy that His Majesty has returned in good health. There is no debate on the fact that Oman today, ruled and guided by His majesty, stands head over shoulder above the rest of other Gulf and North African nations in terms of its stability, both political and economic, peacefulness and in availability of amenities of all conceivable types — civic, health care, fi nancial etc. And according to acclaimed international index, Oman occupies the top position in the entire Gulf region as the best place to live and doing business — an oasis amid an endless swathe of

arid desolation. May His Majesty have a long life and sound health.Anu ShaikhWadi Kabir

Celebrations prove Oman’s love for His MajestyI felt ecstatic when I saw a large number of vehicles on roads in Wadi Kabir in Muscat in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. The ve-hicles were colourfully decorated with Oman’s national colours and fl ags and picture of His majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. People were celebrating the return of His Majesty from Germany after eight long months of treatment. Their happiness and enthusiasm showed how much His majesty the Sultan is loved by his people. We in Oman are indebted to the Almighty for granting our beloved leader, His

Majesty a good health. Syed Qaiser JafriMuscat

His Majesty’s return has brought relief and ecstasy The eagerly awaited news of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said returning home after undergo-ing treatment overseas for eight months brought happiness and relief to all citizens and expatri-ate residents of the Sultanate of Oman. The safety and security that we, both expariates and nationals, enjoy in this country under his valuable guidance and administra-tion are commendable and worth emulating. He has build the nation, given it a mission and has secured its future.Usha Devi Rao SuddapalliRuwi

Return of His Majesty has enthused the countryI felt happiness soaring in me when I learnt about the return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said from Germany after eight months. Honestly speaking, I have never seen any ruler been so venerated by his people. We the expatriates who live in this won-derful country equally share the veneration of the nationals for His Majesty. His absence was really felt and a void was getting bigger. Now that His Majesty has re-turned we, both nationals and ex-patriates, will certainly be having a purpose to work with renewed zeal and enthusiasm for the growth of the country; we are now feeling encouraged in facing all challenges with grit and determination.Mohammed Osama RawatRuwi

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The bickering allies of United States in Asia

GROWING RANCOUR

PERSPEC IVET I M E S O F O M A N W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5T I M E S O F O M A N A13

When I went to stay with a relative in Singa-pore in the mid-1980s,

I marvelled at the fact that the charming old colonial house he was renting had survived intact, surrounded by the booming city state’s offi ce towers. Simple, he explained: the owner of the land it stood on was at school with Lee Kuan Yew, and had made the grave mistake of bullying the little fel-low. He had wanted to knock the house down and build something more profi table for years, but for some reason planning permission was always refused.

For Lee Kuan Yew the personal was intensely political and vice-versa: modern Singapore was his creation, he was immensely proud of it, and for half a century he was not merely the city-state’s prime minister but also its unques-tioned boss.

Overseas Chinese had made fortunes and established busi-ness dynasties across south-east Asia under the protection of the colonial powers, but once inde-pendence arrived their diff er-ences from the majority popu-lations — of ethnicity, language

and customs as well as wealth — often inhibited them from seek-ing the political power to which their fi nancial clout and busi-ness skills would otherwise have opened the door.

Singapore, so small, so stra-tegically located, was the excep-tion that proved that rule, and Lee Kuan Yew turned out to be an entirely exceptional leader. Singapore’s break with Malaysia in 1965, six years after he came to power, was “a moment of an-guish”, he later said, but it was also the making of the city-state, and of his own political pre-eminence.

Poised on the Malacca Strait which controls sea trade between south and east Asia, Singapore was one of those colonial posses-sions, like Aden and Hong Kong, that were brought into being by the imperatives of the maritime trading empire, and in his style of rule Lee was the inspired succes-sor to the British: balancing au-thoritarianism with pragmatism; committed, like the British colo-nial government, to the rule of law but with no interest in complicat-ing matters by introducing real democracy; lacking the racial or

religious chauvinism that plagued other Asian territories after inde-pendence, so the Malays, Indians and other non-Chinese Singa-poreans continued to prosper under his rule without having to worry about political or religious persecution.

Just as remarkable was Lee’s freedom from the taint of corrup-tion, and he succeeded in impos-ing a high standard of morality on the territory.

Deng Xiaoping was doubt-less inspired by Lee’s achieve-ment when he turned the atten-tion of the People’s Republic to capitalism.

Singapore’s success has been a beacon to other maritime entities like Qatar and Abu Dhabi: proof that pocket size plus strategic lo-cation is potentially a recipe for post-colonial success, if shrewdly (and undemocratically) managed.

If those statelets also share with Singapore a certain deraci-nated dullness, a lack of genu-ine cultural vigour — compared with dynamic, rackety Hong Kong, Singapore was always a bore — that is probably part of the package. – The Independent

TODAY IN HISTORY

OPINION POLL

708 Constantine begins his reign as Catholic Pope.

1776 The Continental Congress authorizes

a medal for General George Washington.

1807 British Parliament abolishes the slave

trade. 1879 Japan invades the kingdom of Liuqiu

(Ryukyu) Islands, formerly a vassal of China.

1919 The Paris Peace Commission adopts a

plan to protect nations from the infl ux of foreign labor.

1941 Yugoslavia joins the Axis powers.

OMAN – JAPAN TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECT ENDSMUSCAT: Dr Ahmed bin Khalfan bin Mohammed Al Rowahi, minister of agriculture and fi sheries, yesterday presided over a function held on the min-istry premises yesterday to mark the completion of a technical cooperation project between the Sultan-ate and Japan in the fi eld of fi sheries training and development.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Few rulers, politicians or sovereigns, have ever been so venerated as the monarch of Oman. In working to modernise his country and teleport it to the twenty first century His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said essentially led a peaceful revolution

In jubilation over the return of His Majesty, Sul-tan Qaboos bin Said, Oman embodies the rules of joy the German philosopher Immanuel Kant so

well defi ned more than two centuries ago. Kant said, “Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.” As his Majesty returned home on Monday evening after over eight months of medical treatment in Germany Oman has indeed found something to do, something to love and some-thing to hope for.

Few rulers, politicians or sovereigns, have ever been so venerated as the monarch of Oman. In work-ing to modernise his country and teleport it to the twenty fi rst century His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said essentially led a peaceful revolution rarely seen in the Arab world and even elsewhere.

Not many outside the Sultanate will realise the rev-erence His Majesty commands in Oman. And people living in this country certainly have a billion good reasons to be reverent. His reign, the best thing which could have happened to Oman, has been an epitome of what His Majesty always believed and followed: “The more thought becomes diverse, open and free of fanaticism, the more it becomes a correct and sound basis for building generations, the progress of nations and the advancement of societies.”

Oman’s transformation into one of the most modern and advanced nations in the world has precisely been a magic — charm of vision and an extremely bold out-look envisioned by its ruler, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. A farsighted among seers, His Majesty trans-formed an inwardly looking Sultanate of Oman inside out in less than the lifetime of a single generation.

Oman took the world by storm. Forty fi ve years ago, to be precise, when the Sultanate, led by its young and visionary ruler His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, initiated the Renaissance little did the world imagine that so onerous a task could be achieved in such a re-cord time. His Majesty the Sultan empowered Oman to take a massive frog leap to the full blaze of moderni-sation in less than the lifetime of a single generation.

With the gift of hind sight, it can safely be surmised that Oman owes much to His Majesty’s administra-tive reforms for its growth, development, moderni-sation and entry into the twenty fi rst century. These administrative reforms not only ensured democrati-sation of the governance but also ensured stability.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and the Renaissance he initiated gave the nation and its citizens a sense of purpose. Oman’s aspirations and the expectations of the Omanis are perceptibly diff erent from that of their regional brethren — both in terms of essence and character. The aspiration of the nation today is not to change the regime but perceptibly seeks improve-ment over it. His Majesty has steadily steered the na-tion towards a broader liberal system. He united the

country and in a unique demonstration of a classic nation building strategy and successfully brought the erstwhile separatists into the national mainstream.

The reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has been marked by his deep understanding of the Omani cul-ture and tradition — the need to “balance the tradi-tion of royal sovereignty with the demands of popular participation in government”. And that was why he al-ways remained cognizant “of the political tradition of shura, or consultation, a central principle of Oman’s Ibadi school of Islam. The shura tradition was institu-tionalised in 1981 with the creation of the State Con-sultative Council (SCC)”.

Within a relatively short period of time reputation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos as an apostle of global peace and a liberal ruler crossed beyond the geo-graphical horizons of the Sultanate, Middle East and Arab world. International recognitions poured forth from all over the world.

At the core of such global perspective lay his unique foreign policy. Joseph Kechichian, in his much-read book, Oman and the World: The Emer-gence of an Independent Foreign Policy, concludes that Oman made great strides in foreign policy rela-tions since His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said took over the rule of the Sultanate.

What Kechichian fi nds consistently evident in His Majesty’s foreign policy is pragmatism. His Majesty overestimated neither Oman’s capabilities nor other nations’ intentions toward the Sultanate. Never did he rule out former enemies as potential partners nor hesitated in undertaking bold initiatives that served the long-term goals of securing Oman’s political, eco-nomic, and security needs.

His Majesty’s foreign policy was marked by balanc-ing interests, tolerance toward diff erences, and a de-termined search for mutual benefi ts. While its neigh-bours in the Middle East were busy pursuing policies driven by ideology and short-term gains, the Sultanate of Oman pursued its own course, holding on to the be-lief that peaceful co-existence is critical to the holistic, long-term goals of Omani security and prosperity.

Like the legendary French leader and president, Charles De Gaulle, the vision and dynamism of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said portrayed a certain idea of Oman and engaged all his energy in the restora-tion of its past glories on the foundations of its legacy to achieve the best of the Western and Eastern mod-ern civilisations. Oman, led and ruled by His Majesty, today off ers a unique symbiosis of some of the fi nest and most advanced civilisations of the world.

The author is the Opinion Editor of Times of Oman. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not refl ect those of Times of Oman. He can be reached at [email protected]

HISTORYNET.COM

Lee Kuan Yew, 1923-2015

GraphicsGraphic News /Source: Associated Press

Sep 16, 1923

Key dates in life oflee kuan yew

Born in then British colony of Singapore1959Britain grants Singapore self-governance in all matters except defence and foreign affairs1963Declares full independence from Britain. Singapore unites with Malaya to form Federation of Malaysia

1965Singapore splits from Malaysia to become independent

1990Resigns as prime minister – but continues to wield influence – after more than 20 years of spectacular economic growthin Singapore2004Son Lee Hsein Loong becomes prime minister

2011Resigns from executive committee of PAP after poor election results

Mar 23, 2015Lee dies six weeks after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia

1942-45Education at Raffles College interrupted by Japanese occupation of Singapore duringWorld War II1946Studies law at Cambridge University in England, where he is known as “Harry”

1947Secretly marries fellow student Kwa Geok Choo1950Returns to Singapore

1954Helps form People’s Action Party (PAP) and becomes party’s secretary-general

1955Wins seat in legislative assembly and with his wife starts law firm Lee & Lee

1959Becomes Singapore’s first prime minister after PAP wins decisive election victory

The founding father of modern Singapore and the city-state’s first and longest serving prime minister, has died aged 91

LAST POLL RESULT

Will the economy of Oman be stretched if refugees start pouring in from Yemen?

Will the return of His Majesty from Germany galvanise Oman to face all challenges?

Visit timesofoman.com to cast your vote

Yes76.8%

No17.4%

Can't say5.8%

When I heard the news about the assassination of

the Russian politician Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, I was reminded of a conversation I once had with a Soviet dig-nitary before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

We were walking alone in the park at Versailles, talk-ing in general terms about the twentieth century and its tragedies when my Soviet guest suddenly uttered some-thing that has stayed with me ever since.

“Russians have suff ered more in this century than any other people,” he said.

“During the First and Sec-ond World Wars, no other country suff ered as many deaths as we did. But it was Soviet power, through a com-bination of purges and forced famines, that killed more of its children than all the en-emies of Russia combined.”

The tragedy of Russia is that it poses as great a threat to itself as it does to its neighbours. As Europe faces off with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, a larger and ultimately more important battle is taking place within Russia itself, one that pits the country’s rich culture against the cruel mendacity of its politics.

Given the nature of Pu-tin’s regime, we will likely never know the truth behind Nemtsov’s murder. But it is impossible to contemplate the case without thinking that somehow, directly or indirectly, the path to as-sassination started near the Kremlin’s door.

Putin has expertly used an endless and highly profes-sional barrage of propaganda to widen the gulf between the beliefs of most Russians and those of most Westerners.

Indeed, offi cial propaganda — playing off deep strains of nationalism — is the key that allows the Kremlin to foment a climate of jingoism and in-tolerance. The power of Pu-tin’s propaganda can be seen in the way it resonates far be-yond Russia’s borders. Dur-ing Soviet times, it was easy to understand how the com-munist ideal could seduce those of generous spirit, even if its promise of a just and free society ultimately turned out to be a lie. What is harder to explain — beyond the crass fi nancial and commercial interests of some — is why so many in Western Europe demonstrate such an affi nity for Russia today.

For some, it may be the al-lure of anti-Americanism, mixed with the defense of conservative values and the rejection of liberal “deca-dence” (for which Exhibit A is the West’s growing social acceptance of same-sex mar-riage). Others may be search-

ing for an ally in the face of a greater threat.

Just as some in the West advocated cooperation with Nazi Germany against what they saw as the far more men-acing Soviet threat, so today some support Putin as a part-ner against the danger of fun-damentalism.

Russia’s Western allies do not necessarily like the regime — just as many of Germany’s supporters ab-horred the Nazis — but there seems to be no alternative. In tough times, according to this view, one cannot choose one’s allies.

The result can be seen in the perfectly logical alliance between Europe’s populist parties — for many of which the greater threat seems to be the European Union — and Putin’s kitschy imperialism.

For now, in the struggle for the Russian soul, its ve-nal politics seems to have the upper hand. But, although the country remains mired in violence and fear, there are signs of light in the darkness.

In the immediate after-math of the fall of the Soviet Union, I was lucky enough to meet young idealistic Rus-sians like Nemtsov. They believed in democracy and the rule of law and did not consider these values to be incompatible with Russian history and culture.

In their enthusiasm and audacity, they reminded me of the young generals of the French Revolution. But the battlefi elds these young Rus-sians were fi ghting on were in the realm of ideas, and their struggle was for freedom, not territory.

These young idealists may have lost many battles, but the war is far from fi nished. Their banners rose again, shortly after Nemtsov’s as-sassination, when tens of thousands of Russians took to the streets in protest.

The forest of Russian fl ags provided a powerful symbol, a promise that another Rus-sia was possible — and may yet still be. - Project Syndicate

The battle for Russia

An exceptional and pragmatic leader

D O M I N I Q U E M O I S I

D E B A S I S H M I T R A

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has given Oman a sense of purpose

P E T E R P O P H A M

In the immediate

aftermath of the fall of

the Soviet Union, I was

lucky to meet young

idealistic Russians.

These young idealists

may have lost many

battles, but the

war is far from finished.

Their banners rose

again shortly

after Nemtsov’s

assassination

A14

INDIAW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

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Apex court strikes down ban on online ‘offensive’ content

NEW DELHI: In a landmark judgement upholding freedom of expression, the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday struck down a provision in the cyber law which provides power to arrest a person for posting allegedly “off ensive” content on websites.

Terming liberty of thought and expression as “cardinal”, a bench of justices J. Chelameswar and R. F. Nariman said, “The public’s right to know is directly aff ected by section 66A of the Information Technology Act.”

Justice Nariman, who pro-nounced the verdict in a packed court room, also said that the pro-vision “clearly aff ects” the funda-mental right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined under the Constitution.

Referred judgementsElaborating the grounds for hold-ing the provision as “unconstitu-tional”, it said terms like “annoy-ing”, “inconvenient” and “grossly off ensive”, used in the provision are vague as it is diffi cult for the

law enforcement agency and the off ender to know the ingredients of the off ence.

The bench also referred to two judgements of separate UK courts which reached diff erent conclu-sions as to whether the material in question was off ensive or grossly off ensive.

“When judicially trained minds can reach on diff erent conclu-sions” while going through the same content, then how is it pos-sible for law enforcement agency and others to decide as to what is off ensive and what is grossly off ensive, the bench said, add-ing, “What may be off ensive to a person may not be off ensive to the other”.

The bench also rejected the assurance given by NDA govern-ment during the hearing that cer-tain procedures may be laid down to ensure that the law in question is not abused. The government had also said that it will not mis-

use the provision. “Governments come and go but section 66A will remain forever,” the bench said, adding the present government cannot give an undertaking about its successor that they will not abuse the same.

The bench, however, did not strike down two other provisions- sections 69A and 79 of the IT Act- and said that they can remain en-forced with certain restrictions.

Section 69A provides power to issue directions to block public access of any information through any computer resource and 79 pro-vides for exemption from liability of intermediary in certain cases.

The apex court pronounced its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging constitutional valid-ity of certain sections of the cyber law. The fi rst PIL on the issue was fi led in 2012 by law student Shreya Singhal, who sought amendment in Section 66A of the Act, after two girls — Shaheen Dhada and

Rinu Shrinivasan — were arrested in Palghar in Thane district as one of them posted a comment against the shutdown in Mumbai follow-ing Shiv Sena leader Bal Thacker-ay’s death and the other ‘liked’ it.

In the wake of numerous com-plaints of harassment and arrests, the apex court had on May 16, 2013, come out with an advisory that a person, accused of posting objectionable comments on so-cial networking sites, cannot be arrested without police getting permission from senior offi cers like Inspector-general of police or Deputy Commissioner of Police.

After the apex court had re-served its judgement in the mat-ter on February 26 this year, an-other controversial case hogged the limelight for alleged misuse of section 66A, in which a boy was arrested on March 18 for allegedly posting on Facebook objectiona-ble comments against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. -PTI

Justice Nariman,

who pronounced the

verdict in a packed

court room, also said

that the provision

‘clearly aff ects’ the

fundamental right to

freedom of speech

and expression

enshrined under

the Constitution

ELATED: Rinu Srinivasan who was arrested for posting comments on the social networking site

against the shutdown in Mumbai following Bal Thackeray’s death reacts after the Supreme Court

struck down Section 66 A of the IT Act, in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. - PTI

India’s frugal Mars mission extended by six months

BENGALURU: India’s famously frugal Mars mission has been extended by around six months thanks to a surplus of fuel on board the spacecraft, the country’s space agency said Tuesday.

The Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft had been scheduled to wrap up its mission this month af-ter India in September became the fi rst Asian nation to reach the Red Planet, all on a shoe-string budget.

But scientists said the un-manned spacecraft would remain in orbit to study the planet’s at-mosphere and its surface after burning less fuel than expected over the last six months.

“As the... Mars Orbiter has suf-fi cient fuel to last longer than it was intended earlier, its mission has been extended for another six months,” said Devi Prasad Karnik, director of the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation.

“The fi ve scientifi c instruments on board the spacecraft will con-tinue to collect data and relay them to our deep space network centre here for analysis,” Karnik said.

India’s successful mission to Mars, all on its fi rst attempt, is a huge source of national pride, while the government has her-alded the project as an example of Indian-made capability. - AFP

NEW DELHI: Congress party on Tuesday admit-ted that Section 66A of cyber law, introduced by the UPA regime in 2008, was poorly drafted and vulnerable to misuse after the provision was struck down by the apex court.

The party, however, tried to defl ect criticism by targeting Modi govern-ment on its stand in the court on the provision which allows arrest of a person for posting alleg-edly off ensive content on websites. Congress leader P. Chidambaram welcomed the Supreme Court judgement holding Section 66A of the Infor-mation Technology Act as unconstitutional.

“I welcome the judge-ment of the Supreme Court holding that Section 66A of the IT Act is unconstitutional. The section was poorly drafted and was vulner-able. It was capable of be-ing misused and, in fact, it was misused,” he said.

Misuse of freedomChidambaram said there could be a case of misuse of freedom of speech and in such cases ordinary laws should apply and the off ender should be dealt with under them.- PTI

Congress admits to fl aws in cyber law

SUCCESSFUL MISSION: Scien-

tists said the unmanned space-

craft would remain in orbit for

another six months. - PTI fi le photo

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

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PAKISTANW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

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Medics under threat as kidnappings, killing rise

PESHAWAR: When Pakistani doctor Mehmood Jafri gets ready for work in the morning, the fi rst thing he does is put his AK-47 in the car.

Then, after briefi ng the armed guards at his home, he sets off for the hospital where he works in the troubled northwestern city of Pe-shawar with his most trusted rela-tive beside him as an escort.

Daily threatAfter surviving one murder at-tempt and one kidnap bid, Jafri takes no chances with his per-sonal safety. He is one of hundreds of Peshawar doctors living with the daily threat of being killed or abducted for ransom by Taliban militants or criminal gangs.

The doctors’ association in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, of which Peshawar is the capital, estimate that in the past three years around a dozen doctors have been killed and more than 30 kid-

napped, while up to 3,000 have fl ed in search of a peaceful life elsewhere.

Guns have become as impor-tant as stethoscopes at clinics and guards watch over doctors’ homes.

Easy targetsDoctors are seen as relatively easy targets in Pakistan. They are well paid, but often lack the protection of infl uential connections that the relatively wealthy businessmen might enjoy.

“I was lucky that I survived two attempts because I sensed the threats moments before they tried to attack me and I escaped,” Jafri told AFP as he fi nished surgery at Peshawar’s main hospital.

“Many other colleagues were not so lucky and they were either shot dead or kidnapped.”

Provincial health minister

Shehram Khan Tarakai confi rmed the kidnapping of 30 doctors and the killing of “a couple”.

Not confi ned to northwestThe problem is not confi ned to the northwest -- the medics’ as-sociation in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, says 20 doctors have been killed in targeted attempts in the past 14 months while 10 have been kidnapped in two years. Kid-napping leaves most of the medics deeply traumatised after their re-lease and unwilling to speak about their experiences for fear of retri-bution from their abductors.

“They stop interacting with others and restrict themselves to their homes and clinics as the kidnappers tell them they will fi nd them if they ever reveal any de-tails at all,” Doctor Amir Taj Khan, senior vice president of the Pro-

vincial Doctors Association, said.“They don’t even come to our

meetings. It’s impossible for them to tell their stories publicly even if you pay them Rs100 million ($1 million).” Khan said that of the 32 doctors who had been kidnapped, only two had confi ded in him what had happened to them.

They told of being tied up with ropes and taken to lawless North Waziristan, for decades the stronghold of Al Qaeda and Taliban militants. The abductees were isolated from human con-tact, suff ered illness and went un-treated, Khan said.

A major off ensive launched against militant strongholds in North Waziristan last June brought fresh anxiety.

With the military wading in with artillery barrages and air strikes on insurgent positions,

kidnappers and kidnapped be-came scared, never knowing if the next shell would kill them.

One detainee was moved re-peatedly, Khan said, until fi nally an $80,000 ransom was agreed for his release.

$130,000 for releaseEven the best-laid security ar-rangements do not always work. One doctor said his kidnappers simply disarmed him and he ended up paying $130,000 for his release.

Revenue-earnerMost doctors in Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa now simply pay off the Taliban and criminal gangs, Khan said, making the extortion and kidnapping business a hugely lu-crative revenue-earner for mili-tants. “Almost 100 per cent of sen-ior doctors pay extortion to avoid kidnapping and killing -- they know there is no other way to sur-vive,” Khan said.

Hanif Afridi, a successful eye specialist with clinics in several cities, pays $2,500 each month to Mangal Bagh, a feared warlord in Khyber tribal region.

“I am paying extortion since 2010. I know I am doing wrong but there is no other solution, security forces are unable to protect us,” Afridi told AFP. “I have to keep Taliban happy for my own securi-ty and security of my business. Be-sides the monthly fee, I pay them around $5,000 when they demand more money for ‘special assign-ments’,” he said.

Afridi says he is sometimes tak-en to the tribal areas for the treat-ment of Taliban commanders.

Militants pick their targets carefully, carrying out sophisti-cated undercover surveillance before striking. “They know eve-rything about everybody. Many Taliban visit our clinics in the dis-guise of patients and assess how rich we are, so we have to abide by their demands,” Afridi said. — AFP

The doctors’

association in Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa,

estimates that in

the past three years

around a dozen

doctors have been

killed and more than

30 kidnapped, while

up to 3,000 have fl ed

in search of

a peaceful life

DARK SHADOWS: A Pakistani private security personnel stands guard outside the Jinnah Postgradu-

ate Medical Centre, in Karachi on Monday. — AFP

Nine Pakistani rebels killed in Afghanistan by US strike

PESHAWAR: A US drone strike in eastern Afghanistan has killed nine militants linked to the Paki-stani Taliban in an area close to the countries’ rugged border, offi cials said Tuesday.

The strike came in the Nasyan area of the eastern Afghan prov-ince of Nangarhar, close to the border with the Pakistani tribal district of Khyber.

Pakistani security offi cials said the militants belonged to the Lashkar-e-Islam, Taliban and Abdullah Azam Brigade militant groups. A NATO spokesman in Ka-bul confi rmed the strike and said it was carried out on Monday, but gave no details on the number of causalities.

Precision strike“We can confi rm there was a US precision strike during an opera-tion in Nasyan district, Nangarhar province, 23 March,” the spokes-man said. The strike is the latest evidence of increasing coopera-tion between the two neighbours and US-led forces in combating Taliban militants who have fl ed across the border from a Pakistani military operation.

Improving relationsAfter years of fractious ties and mistrust, Kabul and Islamabad are improving relations under new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and both countries have agreed to take action against militants using their territory to launch attacks.

Pakistan’s army chief visited Kabul after a deadly Taliban at-tack on a school in the northwest-ern Pakistani city of Peshawar in December that killed 154 people, mostly schoolchildren.

Last Thursday, the Pakistani Taliban said a US drone strike in eastern Afghanistan killed a senior commander who was a close asso-ciate of two of the group’s former chiefs. — AFP

D R O N E W A R F A R E


A21

WORLDW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

150 feared dead as German plane crashes in Alps

SEYNE (FRANCE): A plane operated by the budget carrier of Germany’s Lufthansa crashed in a remote area of the French Alps on Tuesday, killing all 150 on board in the worst plane dis-aster in mainland France for four decades.

Germanwings said the Airbus A320 plunged for eight minutes into a snowbound inaccessible mountain area in southeastern France, but French offi cials said no distress signal had been issued.

The plane, carrying 144 mainly Spanish and German passengers and six crew, was travelling from Barcelona to the western Ger-man city of Duesseldorf when it came down near the ski resort of Barcelonnette.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said there were no survivors, adding that the authorities “can’t

rule out any theory” on the cause of the disaster.

Spanish authorities said 16 German teenagers on a school trip were feared to be on board the doomed plane, as tearful relatives converged on the airports in the two cities anxiously seeking in-formation about their loved ones.

It was the fi rst fatal accident in the history of Germanwings, and the deadliest on the French mainland since 1974 when a Turkish Airlines crashed, killing 346 people.

“It is a tragedy, a new airline tragedy, we will determine what caused the crash,” French Presi-dent Francois Hollande said.

Hollande said the dead in-

cluded Germans, Spaniards and “probably” Turks, while Brussels said at least one of its nationals was on board.

Germanwings said 67 Germans were believed to have been on board while Spain said 45 people with Spanish sounding names were on the fl ight.

A crisis cell has been set up in the area between Barcelonettee and Digne-les-Bains along with an emergency fl ight control cen-tre to coordinate the operation to the crash site.

“Ground access is horrible, I know the Estrop massif, it’s a very high mountainous area, very steep and it’s terrible to get there except from the air during winter,” local resident Francoise Pie said.

A witness who was skiing near the crash site told French tel-evision he “heard an enormous noise” around the time of the disaster. — AFP

The plane, carrying

144 mainly Spanish

and German

passengers and six

crew, was travelling

from Barcelona to the

western German city

of Duesseldorf when

it came down near

the ski resort

of Barcelonnette

INCONSOLABLE: Family members of passengers killed in the

Germanwings plane crash arrive at Barcelona’s El Prat airport on

Tuesday. — Reuters


ARTICLE, PHOTOS

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A23W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

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Muscat

6,282.50+ 74.94

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3,512.87+ 11.54

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Abu Dhabi

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

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

Euro ............................................ 2.35

Pound ............................................1.72

Indian Rs ...............................161.13

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

Bangla Taka.......................199.64* Rates are as of Mar. 24

Source: Bank Muscat

Indian Rs ...................................161.60

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

Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 343.65

Bangla Taka............................ 201.65

Phil Peso .................................... 115.60

* Rates as of Mar. 24 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......15.20

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......14.65

Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 143.75

Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............136.50

* Rates as of Mar. 24

Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

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

Oman Crude ............. (Spot) ........$53.46

Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$53.36

Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$55.96

Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$56.38

N.Sea Brent ............... (Spot) ........$55.84

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$48.08

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Sohar gears up to meet growing demand for commercial space near port, freezoneTimes News Service

MUSCAT: Sohar Port City’s fi rst phase development, which is now open for business, will cater for in-creasing demand for commercial space as Sohar continues its rapid growth as a major industrial and logistics hub, says Cluttons.

According to leading interna-tional real estate consultancy Cluttons, Sohar Port City provides tenants with modern and well considered stock.

Strategically located at the

main entrance to Port of Sohar, Port City’s master plan has been considered to accommodate the varied commercial space needs of businesses associated with the port and freezone. Conceived as a three-phase development, on full completion it will provide an of-fi ce park, government offi ces, re-tail and dining facilities, a petrol station and a mosque.

The fi rst phase of the develop-ment has been recently completed by Port City Development, and provides a range of high quality,

fully fi nished offi ce units in two low rise three-storey buildings. The six ground fl oor units avail-able range in size from 163 square metres to 351 square metres, while the eight fi rst fl oor units range from 133 square metres to 283 square metres.

Based on early demand, the sec-ond fl oor offi ces in each building are already fully leased.

The office spaces at Sohar Port City boast a modern exte-rior and provide tenants with high grade communal areas,

good natural light levels and full finishing to allow them to start operating immediately.

Flexible designFlexible design also allows units to be amalgamated if required and extensive parking is provided to make both tenants’ and visitors’ lives as easy and convenient as possible. In addition, the fi rst phase also provides six ground fl oor retail units of around 80 square metres each, and an Oman Oil petrol sta-

tion. The retail units have been de-signed primarily for services and food and beverage outlets catering to the daily needs of both Port City tenants and the surrounding area.

Cluttons has been appointed as the sole marketing and leasing agent for the project.

Philip Paul, head of country for Cluttons in Oman, said, “We are delighted to be involved in the ex-citing and innovative Port City commercial park which we feel is uniquely positioned to provide high quality space for tenants as

Sohar continues its rapid growth trajectory. Our appointment re-fl ects our successful track record and expertise with marketing and leasing commercial developments in Oman, and our ability to off er market-leading services.

“The recent move of the major-ity of commercial cargo to Sohar from Muscat has supported the ex-pansion of the port and freezone, and is actively encouraging fur-ther investment and improved lo-gistic facilities in the North of the country,” he added.

S O H A R P O R T C I T Y - P H A S E I

B3W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

MARKET

Local businessman shares experience

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Being one of the lead-ing business owners and entre-preneurs in Oman, Fahmy Al Hinai shared his experience in managing his business in the presence of a group of business leaders in various fi elds in Oman.

The National Business Centre (NBC) on Tuesday hosted Fahmy Al Hinai, the director of Poly Products as part of the monthly networking event — Reyooq, which aims at presenting an ulti-mate platform for Omani entre-preneurs to network with experts and learn about entrepreneurship to get innovative and creative ide-as for their businesses.

Reyooq initiative aspires at developing the abilities and knowledge of entrepreneurs and put their perspectives forward to the experts in the fi eld, besides enhancing communication channels.

Speaking at the event, Al Hinai informed the audience that he de-veloped and built business from start-up in Saudi Arabia and Qa-tar, besides opening the market ahead of Gulf Cooperation Coun-cil (GCC) competition.

He also pursued ‘Blue Ocean theory’ of new market develop-ment and established business at Seychelles and Ethiopia. Al Hinai established excellent market base at holy pilgrim centres – Mecca and Medina.

Omani productsAl Hinai stressed the importance for Omani products to be present in the GCC region as well as at the international markets through participating in various exhibitions. “In addition to the very well-known companies, small and me-dium enterprises (SMEs) must be present in such events either through participation or even by visiting these events to get ac-quainted with the development triggered in the sector at the in-

ternational level,” he said.“Entrepreneurs must enjoy

three components while manag-ing their businesses. The fi rst is achieving the client’s confi dence, the second is commitment to-wards their business and clients, and the third is attaining constant knowledge.

Moreover, the quality of the products and services is vital as it represents the main standard of excellence,” he added.

Al Hinai is a board member of Poly Products (RAHA and Cloud Nine), Al Khoudh Steel Furniture (Hadid), Fahmy Furniture, and Modern Carpentry.

He is also the vice-president of Export Committee and Inter-national Exhibition Committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, member of Omani Products Promotion Commit-tee, member of Paiped Export Division Committee, member of Industrial Committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and In-dustry, and honorary consul of Ethiopia in the Sultanate of Oman, approved by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

He noted that Poly Products was established in 1979 and has become a leading manufacturer of superior quality bedding and other sleep related products.

Fahmy Al Hinai,

director of Poly

Products, shared

his experience with

Omani entrepreneurs

at the Reyooq event

UK infl ation falls to zero LONDON: Britain’s infl ation rate dropped to zero in February, the fi rst ever stagnation in prices since the data series began almost three decades ago.

The slowdown in infl ation from 0.3 per cent in January was sharp-er than economists had forecast and marked the fi rst zero reading since 1989.

Based on constructed historical data, it’s the weakest since 1960, the Offi ce for National Statistics (ONS) said on Tuesday.

The largest downward eff ect to the annual rate in February came from food and non-alcoholic drinks as well as furniture and household equipment and com-puter equipment. Food and drink

prices plunged a record annual 3.3 per cent. There was a slight down-ward eff ect from gasoline prices, which fell to an average 107 pence per litre last month from 108.3 pence in January.

Temporary factorsBank of England (BoE) governor Mark Carney forecasts that the infl ation rate will drop below zero in the coming months, though pol-icy makers have said they’ll look through the slump as it’s driven by temporary factors, particularly a slump in oil. Weak price growth means there’s little pressure on the BoE to raise its key interest rate from a record-low 0.5 per cent.

Carney has also said the eff ect

of lower oil costs will start to fade later this year and infl ation will ac-celerate in 2016.

Nevertheless, BoE chief econo-mist Andy Haldane has warned of a risk that low price growth will persist, pointing to a key division on the Monetary Policy Commit-tee as offi cials debate when to be-gin raising interest rates.

Economists had forecast that in-fl ation would slow to 0.1 per cent in February, based on the median es-timate in a survey. From the previ-ous month, prices rose 0.3 per cent.

Core infl ation slowed to 1.2 per cent last month, the lowest since November and below the 1.3 per cent forecast by economists. Input prices at factories fell. - Bloomberg News

F E B R U A R Y

HSBC to issue

$2.25b of bonds

LONDON: HSBC will issue $2.25 billion of bonds that would convert into shares if the bank’s capital strength falls below a certain level, it said on Tuesday.

HSBC said the so-called contingent convertible bonds, or ‘CoCos’, would pay annual interest of 6.375 per cent. The bonds will convert into shares if HSBC’s core equity Tier 1 capi-tal ratio falls below 7 per cent.

Bonds that convert into shares or are cancelled when a bank’s capital falls below a certain level are increasingly being sold by banks to improve their capital cushion if they run into trouble.

Regulators want banks to sell the bonds to provide a bigger cushion to prevent the need for taxpayer bailouts. - Reuters

C O N V E R T I B L E B O N D

B4

MARKETW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

SLOW DOWNENJOY THE RIDE

ahlibank’s plans to raise capital gets green signal

Times News Service

MUSCAT: An extraordinary general meeting of ahlibank on Tuesday approved a proposal to increase the bank’s authorised capital to OMR250 million from OMR150 million and a reduction in the size of board members from

nine to eight. Approval was also given to meet the requirements of tier 2 capital (subordinated debt) in accordance with the Regula-tory Framework Basel III issued by the Central Bank of Oman, said a bank release.

At the annual general meeting here, the bank’s shareholders ap-proved the board of directors’ rec-ommendation to distribute bonus shares of 10 per cent of the capital (10 shares per 100 shares) for the year ended 2014.

Chairman Hamdan Ali Nasser Al Hinai said, “In view of the cur-

rent market conditions, it is pru-dent to conserve the bank’s inter-nally generated resources wisely and further strengthen its capital base.” The chairman also empha-sised on ahlibank’s commitment to the shareholders and the con-fi dence it has in its ability to grow and enhance shareholders value.

Other approvalsPresided over by Al Hinai, the shareholders approved the board of directors report, the corporate governance report, auditor’s re-port and audited fi nancial state-

ments for 2014 at the meeting. The bank’s earnings per share (EPS) for 2014 was 19.4 basias as compared to 17.8 baisas in 2013.

The bank’s annual general meeting ratifi ed the payments of sitting fees for the board of direc-tors and board sub-committees meetings held during the fi nancial year 2014 and determined the sit-ting fees of the board of directors and board sub-committees for the next fi nancial year.

The shareholders approved the board remuneration for the fi nancial year ended December 2014, and ratifi ed the payments of remuneration and sitting fees to the Sharia Supervisory Board for 2014 at the meeting.

The appointment of the Sharia Supervisory Board members and their remuneration and sitting fees for the fi nancial year ended December 2015 was also ap-proved at the meeting.

Shareholders

approved a proposal

to increase bank’s

authorised capital

to OMR250 million

from OMR150 million

Smart recovery on MSMMUSCAT: Muscat bourse’s gen-eral index, MSM 30 Index , gained to close at 6,282.50 points on Tuesday, up by 1.21 per cent. MSM Shariah Index increased 0.33 per cent to close at 976.86 points.

Al Anwar Holding continued to be the most active in terms of vol-ume, while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover. Oman & Emirates Investment Holding, increased by 5.74 per cent was the top gainer and Al Maha Petroleum, down by 4.93 per cent, lost the most.

As many as 2,279 trades were executed in the session gener-ating a turnover of OMR12.199 million with more than 43.051 million shares changing hands. Out of 46 traded securities, 29

advanced, 7 declined and 10 re-mained unchanged.

Omani investors were the net buyers to the tune of OMR1.066 million shares followed by GCC and Arab investors, while for-eign investors, who were the net sellers, sold stocks amounting to OMR1,164,000.

Financial Index increased by 2.06 per cent to close at 7,587.61 points. Oman & Emirates Inv Holding, Bank Muscat, ONIC Holding, Bank Sohar and Nation-al Bank of Oman increased 5.74 per cent, 3.13 per cent, 2.94 per cent, 2.60 per cent and 2.50 per cent, respectively. Al Izz Bank and Oman National Engine Invest-ment declined 1.18 per cent, 0.64 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index gained 0.34 per cent to end the day at 8,320.57 points. Al Hassan Engineering, Gulf International Chemicals, Galfar Engineering, Oman Ca-bles, up by 3.42 per cent, 1.96 per cent, 1.44 per cent and 1.35 per cent, respectively.

Al Maha Ceramics and Semb-corp Salalah fell 2.52 per cent and 1.71 per cent, respectively.

Services Sector Index closed the session at 3,447.52 points, down by 0.38 per cent. Oman Hotels & Toruism, Oman United Insurance, Ooredoo and OIFC gained 3.51 per cent, 1.97 per cent, 1.69 per cent and 1.38 per cent. Renaissance Services was the only loser that fell by 0.52 per cent. – United Securities

O M A N S T O C K S

Indian stocks down; rupee gainsMUMBAI: In a choppy trade at the fag-end of the session, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex on Tuesday gave up initial domi-nance and even extended its losses for the fi fth straight ses-sion, declining by 30 points to end at 28,161.72 on lack of any major trigger from overseas markets.

The BSE 30-share barometer resumed better and rallied further to a high of 28,455.32, up by over 263 points onsustained capital

infl ows amid Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) report that India’s economic growth to accelerate to 7.8 per cent in the fi scal year end-ing March 31, 2016 on improved performance in the industry and services sectors amid business friendly structural reforms.

Similarly, the 50-issue CNX Nifty of the NSE moved er-ratically in a range of 8,627.75 and 8,535.85 before ending at 8,542.95, a net fall of 7.95 points

Rupee appreciatesThe Indian rupee on Tuesday inched up by a paisa against the American currency to end at 62.26, extending its winning streak to seventh straight session — the longest string of gains since June 2011.

The rupee opened higher at 62.20 per dollar as against Mon-day’s closing level of 62.27 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) Market. - PTI

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


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Al Mumayaz Scheme's 6th weekly draw held

MUSCAT: Following the launch of the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme 2015 in February, Bank Sohar reported a surge in cus-tomer interest with its new weekly draws, with the sixth weekly draw being held recently.

The draw was concluded in a special ceremony at Bank So-har’s Al Amerat Branch. The draw witnessed Khamis Yasir from the bank’s Nizwa Branch as the OMR5,000 winner and Rehab Al Wahaibi from the bank’s Al Am-erat Branch as the OMR1,000 branch weekly winner, says a press release.

The sixth prize draw event was held in the bank’s Al Amerat’s Branch under the auspices of Sheikh Salim Hamood Al Jabri,

one of Bank Sohar’s HNI custom-ers, and was attended by Abdullah Rashid Al Shidi, Manager of Bank Sohar Al Amerat Branch, Thurai-ya Al Hashmi, Manager of Liabili-ties, Bank Sohar senior staff and HNIs customers.

The event was inaugurated with a welcome speech by Abdullah Rashid Al Shidi followed with an overview of the 2015 Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme by Thuraiya Al Hashmi. Following the presenta-tion, the chief guest announced the names of the two winners.

The event concluded with the handover of a token of apprecia-

tion to Salim Al Jabri on behalf of the bank.

Commenting on the response the bank has received for the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme Draws, R. Narasimhan said, “With our fi rst monthly draw behind us, the 2015 edition of the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme is off to a great start, having already announced more than 155 winners so far. We have already begun to receive posi-tive feedback from our custom-ers with many appreciating the increased number of winners and chances to win at both; our weekly and monthly draws. Many also ex-

pressed their appreciation for the new dedicated branch draws that ensures we have winners spread across our branch network.”

“On behalf of Bank Sohar, I would like to congratulate Khamis Yasir and Rehab Al Wahaibi on be-ing the winners of our sixth weekly draw. I would also like to wish all our customers the best of luck in the upcoming draws of the year and encourage them to continue saving for even more chances to win,” added Narasimhan.

Following the success and popularity of last year’s Savings Scheme, the bank has enhanced the scheme to provide even bet-ter incentives to save by off ering signifi cantly more chances, more winners and more prizes. In addi-tion to continuing with its hourly prize draws of OMR1,000 each from Sunday to Wednesday; the bank will undertake a branch-wide tour conducting the weekly draw at each of its branches through-out the year where one winner will win OMR5,000. The bank will also conduct a dedicated branch draw every week worth OMR,000 specifi cally for customers of the branch in which the weekly draw event is held. In total the weekly draws will see more than 70 win-ners before the end of the year.

The draw was

conducted in a

special ceremony

at Bank Sohar’s Al

Amerat branch

Renault Oman’s Facebook page gains momentumMUSCAT: Suhail Bahwan Au-tomobiles, the exclusive import-ers and distributors of Renault vehicles in Oman, has been in the forefront of innovation and inspi-rational ideas.

In an eff ort to make Renault a more viable brand in Oman its Facebook page has been receiv-ing some rave reviews from car afi cionados, says a press release.

The Renault Oman Facebook page directs viewers to dedicated links which comprise Renault’s interactive car videos, pictorial galleries, aesthetic details, and weekly winner updates.

The page has enabled viewers to engage themselves with all the in-formation on vehicles and a testa-ment to that is its gradual increase in the demand for additional con-tent and exclusive off ers.

The page also provides a pleth-ora of information on the wide range of models from Renault which is updated on a daily basis to provide the latest information at all times comprising interactive vid-eos, behind-the-scenes access, in-ternational news, pictorial galler-ies, aesthetic details, and unique model features. The page also reg-ularly runs contests on all its latest models to keep viewers enticed and engaged at all times. The aim has been to be at par with custom-ers’ requirements and needs.

Today, Renault off ers a classy

range of vehicles of which the best sellers are the Fluence, the strik-ingly good looking Safrane, the Duster and the newly launched Captur. The SUV range also com-prises the dynamic Koleos.

Highest safety rating Safety is a key priority for Re-nault so it is not surprising that, across the range, Renault cars have scored top marks in the Euro NCAP safety tests, carried out on each class of vehicle. Koleos is now the 10th Renault to be awarded the top 5 star adult occupancy score and follows the Laguna, Clio and Mégane. With 12 cars earning this top score, it’s more than any other manufacturer.

Renault’s exponential penetra-tion in the international market has been signifi cant in the last few years. Along with that, their safety policies are also being modifi ed to match stringent safety standards. Renault engineers design hi-tech equipment to prevent risky situ-ations, by alerting the driver and making driving easier.

SBA perspective Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is largely committed to supporting Renault Oman’s growth in the Sultanate through major empha-sis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman.

S O C I A L M E D I A

KR annual party celebrates ‘People Power’MUSCAT: The Khimji Ramdas Group conducted its head offi ce annual party at Crowne Plaza lawns recently for its employees and their families.

The event forms part of the company’s strong ‘People Power’ policy that classifi es employees as the most valuable asset for any company, says a press release.

“At the KR Group we are un-equivocal about employee welfare

and well-being; the signifi cance of maintaining an upbeat morale among our staff and, above all, ad-vocating our policy of people pow-er throughout all our businesses,” said Kanaksi Khimji, Director, KR.

This year too, KR employees were set for a day of limitless fun, games and R&R with activities such as magic shows, dances, skits and song recitals that had great prizes in store for participants.

F U N D A Y

B6 W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UP

A’Saffa Foods delighted to see growth in sales

MUSCAT: A’Saff a Foods, one of the nation’s fastest growing and most successful Omani food pro-ducers, has announced a growth in sales for 2014. Acknowledging the contribution of the company’s staff who worked hard to achieve goals that were set to maximise shareholder returns in 2014, the results were announced by the company’s Chairman, Saleh Al Shanfari, says a press release.

The chairman dedicated the growth results towards the hard-work and dedication of the or-ganisation’s employees across the company’s ever-expanding busi-ness units. The total net sales for 2014 reached more than OMR30 million. The total net sales for 2013 was more than OMR28 million, showing an increase in company’s sales revenue, hence

depicting a growth of over 6.72 per cent.

Speaking at the company’s an-nual general meeting (AGM), CEO, Dr Nasser Al Mauli said, “The management continues to focus on dynamic markets and is committed to improve previous performance records. The focus on operational excellence is the key factor to future success of the company, creation of long term value to all the stake hold-ers while ensuring sustainability in its operations.”

Saleh emphasised that the year 2014 witnessed considerable growth and was able to achieve strong fi nancial results with sig-nifi cant increases in net profi ts, gross profi ts and net sales. He elaborated, “With the company’s range of processed food products that include poultry, red meat, fi sh products and frozen vegeta-bles, Fruits pulp under the A’Saff a, Khayrat and Taybat brands; the sustainable growth and brand var-iation in our products has helped us achieve maximum growth. We look forward to spearhead-ing our operation in the same manner for the coming year too. With our state-of-the-art highly automated plant at A’Saff a Food Processing, located in Rusayl in Muscat, we ensure all value-add-ed processed value products are

delivered to our consumers fresh, pure, healthy and tasty.”

“The year 2014 has therefore been another milestone year for our company with strong perfor-mance across all dimensions. It has been made all the more memo-rable with the organisation achiev-ing the OMR30 million mark in revenue at the end of the fi nancial year. This has been made possi-ble by the sustained performance of our employees, the executive management and the higher man-agement,” Saleh said.

Sustainable marketing strategy A’Saff a Foods is proud to be by far the leading domestic poultry producer in Oman with a lead-ing market share that is steadily growing and introducing poultry and allied products in addition to being the producers of the “Khay-rat” and “Taybat” range.

The key factors in securing such brand prominence in Oman has been the very aggressive and innovative work undertaken by the marketing and sales depart-ment that promotes the compa-ny’s varied and diverse range of products to publics across the whole of Oman. The meticulous scientifi c management under-taken at A’Saff a’s farms is also worth mentioning.

The total net sales for

2014 reached more

than OMR30 million.

The total net sales

for 2013 was more

than OMR28 million,

showing an increase

in company’s sales

revenue, hence

depicting a growth of

over 6.72 per cent

‘baituna Souq’ showcases prime residential propertiesMUSCAT: As part of its commit-ment to facilitating a ‘home for every family’, Bank Muscat, the fl agship fi nancial services provid-er in the Sultanate, opened a 3-day ‘baituna Souq’ at Muscat City Cen-tre yesterday under the auspices of Abdullah Al Mukhaini, Undersec-retary at the Ministry of Housing.

Bringing together prospective home buyers, leading property and real estate developers, baitu-na Souq off ers attractive interest rates, quick and convenient ap-proval process, specialised mort-gage advisory and loan facilitation across 140 branches as the main attractions of the 3-day exhibi-tion showcasing properties from all leading developers, says a press release. The participating com-panies include The Wave, Muscat Hills, Badr Development, Zain Development, Al Argan, Omani Homes, Arabian Properties, AIG, Home Centre and E-Max. Rep-resentatives of the participating companies are available under one roof for one-to-one meetings with potential home buyers, thereby opening a channel of contact with interested customers. The 3-day event ends on Thursday, March 26.

“Complementing government eff orts, baituna Souq is a unique opportunity aimed at off ering citizens and residents an array of attractive home options. All par-ticipating real estate and proper-ty developers have long associa-tion with Bank Muscat’s baituna home fi nance. Fulfi lling the as-pirations for a ‘home for every family’, Bank Muscat remains committed to supporting citizens and residents in acquiring their dream homes,” commented Said Al Badai, DGM – Branches.

“The real estate sector is a major component of the national econo-my and Bank Muscat is committed to energising the real estate sector

and enhancing its role in the na-tional economy,” Al Badai added.

Bank Muscat’s tailor-made ‘baituna’ home fi nance facilitates purchase and construction of new homes as well as land for residen-tial use. The fi nance is available for Omanis, GCC nationals and expa-triates as well. The bank also off ers refi nancing of housing loans.

The residential segment as-sumes importance in light of the growth in population as well as the buoyant economy. The de-regulation in property ownership rights granting foreign owner-ship to GCC and non-GCC na-tionals has also attracted Oman as an investment destination.

R E A L E S T A T E

Tropical continues to strengthen its presence with two new outletsMUSCAT: Building on the suc-cesses of outlets in Al Khuwair, Qurum, Ruwi, MBD, Al Khoud, Azaibah, PDO and Bank Muscat HQ, Tropical continues to make its mark in the capital region with two new outlets in Seeb Souq and Mabelah, achieving the highest milestone recorded for any hundred percent Omani brand with a count of 10 outlets, says a press release.

With a few more surprises up

their sleeves, the health menu is being tailor-made and planned to be introduced in April.

The Golden Spoon Group cater-ing to Tropical after achieving this milestone is now considering fran-

chising opportunities within the Sultanate, off ering a comprehen-sively emerging trend of business with an eff ective low investment platform for young and upcoming entrepreneurs.

E X P A N S I O N

With a few more surprises up their sleeves, the health menu

is being tailor-made and planned to be introduced in April


B8

ROUND-UPW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

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Much-awaited all-new Audi A7 now in Oman

MUSCAT: Wattayah Motors, the offi cial dealer for Audi in Oman announced that the new all-new 2015 Audi A7 is now available at their showroom in Azaiba.

Thanks to new engine confi gu-rations, transmissions, headlights, taillights and infotainment sys-tems, the spacious fi ve-door A7 coupe is now even more powerful and attractive; and combines the emotional appeal and sportiness of a coupe with the comfort of a sedan.

Back when the A7 debuted in 2010, Audi was already setting new standards in automotive de-sign, embracing an athletic aes-thetic and elegance in style.

Its long engine hood, sporty, fl owing C-pillars and the sharply dropping rear end create a dynam-ic overall impression. The revised version of the fi ve-door model,

measuring 4.97m in length, now has additional striking, sporty fea-tures, says a press release.

“The model is one of the most eagerly anticipated models of 2015 in the Audi range, and we’re certain that its indistinguishable features will stand out in the lo-cal market,” said Ahmed Shariefi , general manager of Audi Oman, Wattayah Motors.

Exclusive features“The A7 gives ‘sedan’ a new mean-ing, off ering customers’ elegance and convenience through exclu-sive Audi features. Its innovative design integrates the classic pro-portions of a large, sporty sedan with modern luxury and pioneer-ing technology.”

The most striking changes are to the single frame grille, bump-ers, tailpipes and headlights. LED technology is now standard; upon request, Audi can supply Matrix LED headlights, which light the road optimally without causing glare for other road users. Com-bined with the Matrix LED head-lights, dynamic turn signals are also installed at the front; they come standard at the rear.

The body of the new Audi A7 consists primarily of aluminium and hi-tech steel grades. It is light-weight and designed for maximum comfort in terms of noise.

The cargo space under the long, electrically driven trunk lid has a base capacity of 535l. When the rear seat backs are folded down it grows to 1,390l.

The sporty style of the exterior refl ects in the car’s interior. The dominant element is the horizon-tal line surrounding the driver and passenger. The dashboard gives an impression of lightness and elegance.

The new interior materials, in-cluding the aluminium/Beaufort walnut inlay and standard Valcona leather, are impressive for their fi nish. The colour palette has been redesigned, off ering six colour op-tions even for the seats.

Three powerful enginesAudi is off ering the new A7 with a choice of three powerful and high-ly effi cient engines: two TFSI and one FSI engine. Their power rat-ing ranges from 220hp to 333hp. The top of the range engine, the 4.0 TFSI, is available in the Audi S7 and Audi RS7, delivering 450hp and 560hp respectively and using innovative COD (cylinder on de-mand) technology.

In addition, the TFSI technol-ogy employed in the latest model, allows for better fuel utilisation and reduced consumption.

The engine is paired with the S tronic transmission and quattro

permanent all-wheel drive, allow-ing the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.

The engine confi gurations have a seven-speed S tronic transmis-sion; the RS7 is equipped with the eight-speed tiptronic trans-mission. In the version with front-wheel drive, the dual-clutch transmission has been fully rede-veloped. In engine confi gurations starting at 333hp, quattro perma-nent all-wheel drive can be supple-mented with the sport diff erential, which actively distributes power between the rear wheels.

The chassis too, combines sporty precision with high com-fort. The new Audi A7 features wheels with diameters ranging from 18 to 21”. The power steer-ing system features an electrome-chanical drive for high effi ciency.

Extensive rangeThe A7 off ers an extensive range of standard options: Electric sun-roof, keyless entry and go, parking sensors with rear view camera and individual contour seats with Val-cona leather to just mention some of them. Options include dynamic steering, two sport suspension ver-sions and adaptive air suspension.

The new Audi A7 leads the com-petition in terms of infotainment. The standard MMI navigation plus system with MMI touch, utilises the latest generation of the modular infotainment system; its highlight is a powerful graphics processor from Audi’s partner Nvidia.

Touchpad control lets the driver scroll and zoom in lists and maps. The top of the Hi-Fi line is the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System (standard in the RS7).

The assistance systems — in-cluding adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, the fur-ther improved night vision assis-tant and the Audi pre-sense safety system — are also state of the art. Audi side assist and Audi active lane assist work closely together to make lane changes even safer.

This is one of

the most eagerly

anticipated models

of 2015 in the Audi

range, and we’re

certain that its

indistinguishable

features will stand

out in the local

market, said Ahmed

Shariefi , general

manager of Audi

Oman, Wattayah

Motors

Sohar Aluminium honours key staff MUSCAT: Sohar Aluminium (SA) recently held its annual cer-emony for its employee recogni-tion scheme ‘Mumtaz’, to recog-nise the eff orts of its employees, and reward them for contributing to the company’s achievements in 2014.

The event, which was attended by Eng. Said Mohammed Al Ma-soudi, CEO of SA, SA Executive Committee (ExCo), managers as well as employees who work across diff erent departments, highlighted some of the major achievements made in 2014, says a press release.

Addressing the gathering, Eng. Said Al Masoudi, said “Our peo-ple’s passion for excellence plays a key role in achieving our vision to be the best, embodying the values we live by. Knowing that our business can only be as good as our people, we dedicate our success to them.”

“Through competitive ben-efi ts, continuous competency im-provements, strong internal com-munication and wide business literacy we seek to achieve the best business outcomes, and sus-tain our position as the employer of choice,” Masoudi continued.

Sohar Aluminium fosters an environment that encourages working and celebrating success together as teams thus leading to an excellent and highly effi -cient workforce that continues to achieve new milestones.

The Sohar Aluminium Mumtaz Scheme is an example of the harmonious synergy between its workforce and management, in that staff who demonstrate

outstanding achievements be-yond their call of duty within the company or their communities are recognised.

At the event ExCo also an-nounced the launch of its re-vamped Employee Recognition scheme now called ‘Mumtaz Club’. The Mumtaz Club has been tailored to fi t SA’s culture and is made to be more dynamic giving a chance to all employees to take part in it. This new scheme has been the result of many months of preparation that focused on en-suring that a recognition scheme brings back value to the team as well as rewards individual excel-lence. A committee was formed to listen and observe what moti-vates the employees to contrib-ute to the success of the business. This resulted in revamping the employee recognition scheme and amplifying its impact.

R E C O G N I T I O N

During the event

Executive Committee

of Sohar Aluminium

announced the launch

of its revamped

Employee Recognition

scheme now called

‘Mumtaz Club’

Travel Point Vacations starts ‘Big Summer Sale’MUSCAT: Vacations, the out-bound holidays division of Trav-el Point, Oman’s largest travel and hospitality company, has launched the ‘Big Summer Sale’ powered by Oman Air and in as-sociation with Honda.

This fi rst of its kind summer holiday off er in Oman will run for two months from March 26 to May 26 and will cover 5 regions — Sala-lah, Nizwa, Sur, Sohar and Muscat, says a press release.

The Travel Point team will be off ering 30 grand prizes divided as 6 prizes per region comprising 5 Honda TRX 90 quad bikes, 10 air tickets to various global destina-tions on Oman Air and 15 excit-ing vacation packages to various countries across the globe. The off er which ends on May 26 will culminate with the announcement of the 30 winners during the grand draw to be held on May 28, with each region having 1 quad bike winner, 2 air ticket winners and 3 vacation package winners.

The company has organised 4 weekend markets from 10am to 10pm at various locations starting with the Garden Mall in Salalah on March 26 and 27, Lulu Hypermar-ket in Nizwa on April 2 and 3, Sur Beach Holiday Resort and Safeer Mall Sohar on April 9 and 10 and will end with the grand Big Sum-mer Sale weekend at Muscat City Centre in Seeb on April 16, 17 and 18 this year.

The fi nale weekend in Muscat will also have in attendance vari-ous campaign partners and travel and tourism service providers from across the globe including tourism offi ces of various destina-tions during the showcase.

The Tourism Authority of Abu Dhabi will also be making a special presentation during this weekend promoting this fast growing and leading cultural landscape of the Gulf region.

Customers who purchase holi-day packages from Vacations – a division of Travel Point between March 26 to May 26 — will be eligi-ble to enter the grand draw. In ad-dition, customers making any holi-day purchases using credit cards of banks which have partnered with travel point will enjoy the option of paying for their trip in 12 easy

0% interest instalments. Talking about the new destinations on of-fer this summer season, the team talked of countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Morocco, Oslo, Stockholm and Denmark, southern Spain, Uzbekistan, Alas-kan Cruise, Scandinavia, Japan, China, Iran, Cyprus and Zanzibar in addition to all other convention-al holiday locations.

For Family Vacations, especially for the kids, special itineraries including the London Harry Pot-ter tours, Gold Coast, Australia, Paris Disneyland and Park Astrix, Hong Kong Disneyland, Singapore Universal Studios, Malaysia Lego Land, Germany Europa Park and Orlando Universal Studios itiner-aries will be off ered.

For those wanting to explore the wild, Safari Vacations such as the Great Migration Special Off er in Masai Mara, South Africa, Ken-ya, Tanzania, Zambia have been picked. For those wanting to enjoy the sun, sea and sand, beach vaca-tions in Malaysia, Bali, Australia, Miami and Valencia will be on of-fer. For couples, romantic vacations in Male, Mauritius, Seychelles, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui, Greece and Austria are available. For those fancying a cruise vaca-tion, Travel Point is off ering a wide range of packages on leading cruise liners with the most exciting Dis-

ney Cruise Liner being this year’s recommended cruise package.

Ahmed El Desouky, Head – Va-cations, stated that the entire campaign has been built around the theme of “Change the way you holiday” and hence customers will be able to pick from a very unique range of holiday packages in Oman which include nearly 32 various concept vacations including ad-venture vacations – hiking/camp-ing/motorbiking, rail vacations, pink vacations – for ladies only, especially the shopaholics, mous-tache vacations – men only, self drive vacations where customers can rent their own cars in a foreign country and drive around enjoying the location at their own pace.

“Keeping in tune with the Islam-ic culture, we have also introduced Halal Vacations this year, where customers will be able to holiday in any country of the world, without disrupting their religious princi-ples. Hotels off ered to such clients will be sharia-friendly, serve Halal food, will have rooms facing the Holy Kaaba and have separate fa-cilities for men and women. Halal tourism is gaining fast popularity globally and we felt it was the per-fect option to off er those custom-ers who would like to holiday the Islamic way, with due respect to their beliefs,” he added.

The company has successfully

introduced and sent a number of passengers on group vacations including coach tours, student groups to Nasa as well as sports events such as the recent El Clas-sico match between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“Our group vacations concept has been the most successful and during the summer sale we will be off ering such fi xed group depar-tures to various other destinations such as Europe, USA, Malaysia, India, Singapore and more. The advantage of this option is the low-er price we are able to off er cus-tomers on group travel along with the opportunity to our customers to holiday with their new friends from Oman,” said Desouky.

The company has also intro-duced the Travel and Learn Vaca-tions, where interested customers can opt to learn something new during their holiday, for instance a foreign language course or a skill development crash course, along with networking with and learning from people belonging to varied cultures.

For those who prefer the extra bit of opulence, the team will also off er Luxury Vacations which even include staying at the most lavish hotels in the world, shopping at the swankiest boutiques and even tak-ing helicopter tours around vari-ous cities in the world. Another in-

teresting concept introduced this year would be the Special Need Vacations where physically chal-lenged customers will be off ered A to Z itineraries, keeping in mind their special requirements.

“We are grateful to all our cam-paign partners, tourism offi ces and in particular Oman Air and Honda who have helped us put this en-tire campaign together and off er a fantastic Summer Sale to Oman,” said Sunil Prabhakar, CEO of the Travel Group.

“Holidays are like a lifelong in-vestment and by off ering unique concepts to our customers we intend to change the way they holiday and provide more value to their money in addition to making interesting memories with their loved ones,” he added.

“The company has received an overwhelming response to the pro-motion right from the time we sent the teasers of this promotion and we have geared up the entire team with adequate sales and customer service skills to make them full equipped to handle all customers during this entire campaign. We wanted to go where our custom-ers are and off er them a variety to choose from and hence chose 500 diff erent itineraries to take to 5

diff erent regions in Oman,” said El Desouky. He also mentioned about the company’s Whatsapp Vaca-tions concept, where customers will be able to chat on 92087552 , send in their queries as well as book their holiday packages all on the world’s most famous so-cial messenger application, stat-ing it to be their VAS to surge customer convenience.

The campaign has been pow-ered by Oman’s National Carrier Oman Air as the main sponsor and Honda (Omasco Services) as the Silver Partner. The hotel partners are Shangri La Hotels and Resorts, DamacMaison Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah Group, Vichy Spa Hotel, Vivanta Bentota Sri Lanka by Taj. The campaign has been backed by Times of Oman and Al Shabiba, Oman’s leading dailies as media partner. The support partners of the Big Summer Sale are Cox & Kings, Education First, Tamarind Tours India, Disneyland Paris, Dis-ney Cruise Line, Rail Europe, Jet Wing Holidays, Thomas Cook In-dia, Swagatam Tours Private Lim-ited India, Kuoni Group of Travel Experts, Sri Lankan Holidays, 360 Experience, Tour East Australia, Walkers Tours, Marhaba Services, Printemps, Heli Dubai, Princess Cruises, Norweignan Cruise Line and Star Cruises. Tourism offi ces of Abu Dhabi, Germany, Swit-zerland have also supported this event. With the help of all the part-ners on board, the company will be off ering special discounts, child travels free off ers, free upgrades, free city tours and transfers, holi-day add ons, international shop-ping discount vouchers and free gifts during their purchase at the 5 holiday markets, in addition to the 30 Grand Prizes on off er to all holi-day buyers this season.

Travel Point is also running a special Whatsapp contest which is open to everyone in which the customer will need to send a what-sapp text ‘I need a summer holiday’ on 92087552 to enter the draw to win a 2 nights stay in Maldives for a couple. The winner’s name will also be announced during the grand draw in May. All pack-ages have been listed on the Travel Point page www.facebook.com/travelpointoman.

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

Keeping in tune with the

Islamic culture, we have

also introduced Halal

Vacations this year, where

customers will be able to

holiday in any country of the

world, without disrupting

their religious principles

Ahmed El DesoukyHead – Vacations

SECTION

RECRUIJ O B P O S T I N G S

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop. — Confucius

TO ADVERTISECall: 24726666

Managing your after-hours work demandsHAVE you ever gotten an e-mail from your supervisor’s secretary late one afternoon, just as you were wrapping up for the day, saying: “The boss needs to see you now”? Or worse, the sum-mons came late Friday when you had plans to enjoy the night with your family?

I have heard from employees la-menting the fact that their bosses pile on more work or ask to see them after hours and on the week-end. Some of these requests are legitimate, and some jobs require critical immediate decisions and actions. But do all jobs? Do all these tasks have to be done right away or can some of them wait un-til the following morning or after the weekend?

According to data from the Bu-

reau of Labour Statistics, the aver-age productivity of US workers has increased more than 400 percent since 1950.

At least 134 countries have laws setting the maximum work week length, but not the United States. Technology makes us avail-able 24-7 (or at least everyone thinks we are). Two out of three employees reported that they receive e-mails from their boss-es over the weekend, and one in three said they are expected to reply, according to a 2011 sur-vey by Right Management.

People should feel fortunate to have a job, and many are working hard to do well — in many cases even putting in extra hours, espe-cially with reduced staff s in many fi rms today. But the real issue is

what can we do to better manage expectations for after-hour work without getting fi red?

Good communication is impor-tant in any conversation you have with your boss. Clear, concise comments, delivered in a calm tone and face-to-face are your best bet. Email or texting your concerns is not the best way to ap-proach these issues.

Ask your manager to prioritise your assignments. Sometimes bosses are not even aware of the vast number of projects they have dumped on their employees.

Present data to your boss about the hours you have worked. May-be you’re supposed to work 40 hours but your manager has had you working 60 to70 for the past month. Perhaps you were initially

helping out since staff had left and positions had not yet been fi lled. Document what you have been doing and calmly share it.

Work with your manager to set more realistic expectations. This can help eliminate or post-pone the extra work your boss throws at you.

Before you talk to your manag-er, practice what you’ll say. Have someone role-play the scenario so you can practice how you will re-spond to questions or issues. This will give you increased confi dence when you do meet.

If the conversation gets heated, take a break.

It’s better to come back to the issue again when both parties have had more time to refl ect.

— Joyce E. A. Russell/The Washington Post

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ELLIOTT’S SIX TAKES NEW ZEALAND HOMESouth Africa-born Grant Elliott’s brilliant 84 not out, capped with a stunning six off the penultimate ball, saw New Zealand to a four-wicket win over the Proteas in a cliffh anger World Cup semifi nal on Tuesday. >C5

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OMAN JUNIOR TEAM TO UNDERGO TRAINING CAMPOman national junior team will undergo a training-cum-conditioning camp in Muscat from

March 28 to 31. The team are preparing for the GCC Youth and AFC U-19 Championship

qualifi ers to be held in September. The players called for the camp are Islam Al Hinai (Ibri),

Haider Al Ajmi (Saham), Ayyub Al Baraiki, Yousif Al Shiyadi, Mahmoud Al Saadi, Moham-

med Al Khamesi, Mohammed Al Shukaily and Nawaf Al Majaini (Suwaiq), Ahmed Al Hosni

and Thamer Al Zaabi (Al Khaboura), Naji Al Ghailani and Ahmed Al Ghailani (Sur), Rashid Al

Alawi, Sanad Al Araimi, Mohammed Al Alawi and Mohammed Al Qayedi (Al Arouba), Issam

Al Makhzomi, Mutasim Al Bakri, Yousif Al Maliki, Ali Al Maamari, Yaqdhan Al Mashaifari

and Nawaf Al Harrasi (Seeb), Laith Al Said (Oman Club), Moadh Al Jadhami (Nizwa) and

Sultan bin Saeed and Najib Al Shajaibi (Al Nasar). — Supplied photo

Oman defeatLaos 8-3

MUSCAT: Oman recorded their second successive victory in the ongoing Asian Beach Soc-cer Championship when they defeated Laos 8-3 in a Group A match in Doha on Tuesday.

According to information received here, Yahya Al Araimi and Ghaith Abdullah scored a brace each in Oman’s victory. Abdullah Masoud, captain Hani Al Dhabit and Mandhar Al Arai-mi scored the other goals.

Oman, who beat Bahrain 3-2 on Monday, are virtually as-sured of a place in the quarter-fi nals from the four-team group. They play their next match against Qatar on Wednesday.

The quarterfi nals are sched-uled for Thursday.

B E A C H S O C C E R

Under-fire Blatter appeals for ‘unity’ to soccer chiefs

VIENNA: Fifa President Sepp Blatter on Tuesday appealed to his biggest critics to show unity and solidarity ahead of an election in which he faces an unprecedented challenge to his rule.

Blatter refused to appear with the three rivals challenging him for the leadership of football’s gov-erning body at Uefa’s annual con-

gress but made his plea in a speech at the start of the meeting.

After Uefa President Michel Platini made a veiled joke at Blat-ter’s expense, the Fifa president received polite applause from the heads of the 54 European national federations leading opposition to Blatter’s bid for a fi fth term.

Without mentioning the Fifa

election on May 29 and contro-versies that have engulfed his lat-est term, Blatter said all the heads of continental federations should rally round.

He called on the presidents of the European, Asian, North Amer-ican and South American confed-erations, who were at the meeting, to show the “unity and this solidar-

ity which exists as the foundations of football. “Together with Europe, we need to build this unity on the inside and on the outside of your respective organisations.”

European federations are ex-pected to vote en mass against Blatter, but he said: “Europe is the root of the strength that helps all the other associations and fi ve

confederations. I would invite you to lead by example today and every other day.”

He added: “Football can only be strong if the governing bodies and structures are strong and united. It is solidarity and unity. This is the message today, it is the message for tomorrow. It is the message for the future, for the good of the game, for the world and for Uefa.”

Blatter’s election opponents are Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jor-dan, a Fifa vice-president, Dutch federation chief Michael van Praag and former Portugal star Luis Figo.

Blatter also renewed his con-demnation of appeals for a boycott of the 2018 World Cup in Russia over the Ukraine confl ict.

“Boycott has never given any re-sults,” he said.

Uefa President Michel Platini made a dig at Blatter’s expense in his opening speech to the Con-gress with the Fifa leader still in the audience.

“I regard myself as a simple team-mate — at most your captain. But not the captain of a ship that is be-ing battered by a storm, clinging to the helm for dear life,” Platini said.

In 2011, Blatter said in a key speech that Fifa was in “troubled waters” and as its “captain” it is his duty to steer the ship back on course. - AFP

Fifa chief called on

the presidents of

the European, Asian,

North American and

South American

confederations to

show the ‘unity

and this solidarity

which exists as

the foundations

of football’NEED TO BUILD UNITY: Sepp Blatter at Uefa Congress in Vienna on Tuesday. – Reuters

Re-elected Platini blasts Sepp Blatter

VIENNA: Football legend Michel Platini on Tuesday scored a hat-trick of victories for the presidency of Uefa and made an immediate attack on Sepp Blatter’s leadership of world body Fifa.

The Frenchman secured un-opposed a third four-year term running one of the world’s rich-est sports federations.

But within minutes of taking the applause of the 54 mem-ber federations, and with Blat-ter sat in the audience, Platini launched new criticism of Fi-fa’s scandal-plagued leadership.

“We do love Fifa dearly. Europe’s entire football com-munity loves Fifa dearly. It is precisely because we love and respect it that we want it to be perfect,” Platini said.

The Uefa boss also sought to win over the heads of the Asian, North America, South Ameri-can and Oceania confederations who likewise were at the Euro-pean body’s annual congress.

Without naming anyone, Platini said: “Certain people are perhaps trying to turn us against each other. Do not be-lieve everything that you hear.

““You should know that we are willing to work with you, for the good of world football, and for the good of Fifa.” - AFP

F O O T B A L L

Retiring Misbah launches tirade against his critics

LAHORE: Pakistan’s normally mild-mannered cricket cap-tain Misbah-ul Haq on Tues-day launched a blistering tirade against his critics as he con-fi rmed his retirement from One-day Internationals (ODIs).

After patiently enduring years of abuse for almost every failing by the perennially mercurial Pa-kistan team, the 40-year-old said he was ready for a rest.

He said he had no intention of changing his mind about one-day cricket but would continue to play Tests, in which format he is Paki-stan’s most successful captain.

He said it was disappointing to see former stars on television lay-ing into the team, “using abusive words that are way below the ba-

sic standard of ethics”.“Pakistan’s media houses

should have some rules for people appearing on television screens or at least some basic training, because it seems that anyone who can’t fi nd a job in the country becomes an expert or analyst on TV screens,” he said.

Misbah was also regularly lam-basted for supposedly negative tactics as captain and contrasted unfavourably with the swash-buckling, big-hitting all-rounder Shahid Afridi. “I was being pin-pointed for everything: when the batting failed, the media blamed me, when the bowling failed, the media blamed me and when the fi elding failed, the media blamed me,” he said. - AFP

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Bank Muscat defeat Ahli Bank by three wickets

MUSCAT: Varun Sirohi scored 41 runs off 33 balls as Bank Muscat de-feated Ahli Bank by three wickets in the inaugural match of the third Inter-bank Cricket Tournament at Municipality Ground in Al Amerat.

Electing to bat fi rst, Ahli Bank were given a brisk start by opening batsmen Imran Syed (21 runs) and Manoj Anchan (10). After their dismissal in quick succession, Omani player Issa Al Balushi and Partha Swain continued the scor-ing with some fi ne shots. A late onslaught by Mohammed Ramzan ensured Ahli fi nished at 163 for eight in their allocated 20 overs.

For Bank Muscat, Bala Krishna and Abbas Al Balushi bagged two wickets each.

In reply, Bank Muscat got their

chase off to a mixed start losing skipper Osman early, before Varun and Adil Vawda steadied the ship. After Adil’s dismissal, Pankaj Gupta and Varun Sirohi continued

the brisk scoring by stitching up a partnership of 40 runs.

Omani player Yousuf played a little cameo of six-ball 24 runs. His knock included three fours

and two sixes. This laid the foun-dation for a well deserved victory for Bank Muscat who chased down the target in 18 overs.

For Ahli Bank, Partha claimed three wickets while Ramzan and Imran Syed bagged a wicket each.

Varun Sirohi, who hit four fours and a six for his eff ort, was de-clared the man of the match.

In a match to be played on March 28, Bank Muscat face Bank Dhofar.

Brief scores: Ahli Bank 163 for 8 in 20 overs (Ramzan 27, Par-tha 24, Issa 22; Bala 2/27, Abbas 2/30) lost to Bank Muscat 164 for 7 in 18 overs (Varun Sirohi 41, Pankaj 31, Yousuf 24; Partha 3/29, Ramzan 1/32, Imran 1/14). Points: Ahli Bank (0), Bank Muscat (2).

I N T E R - B A N K C R I C K E T

WINNERS: Bank Muscat after their win over Ahli Bank. – Supplied photo

NATIONAL GAS TEAM LIFT TITLENational Gas Team defeated Master XI to lift the title at

the Karnataka Cup cricket tournament. Electing to bat

fi rst, National Gas Team scored 82 runs for four wick-

ets in eight overs thanks a top score of 41 from Wasim.

In reply, Master XI were bundled out for 50 runs. The

tournament was sponsored by Bahwan Metal & Glass

Engeering LLC and Suhas Anil. Wasim won man of the

match and man of the series awards. Amal of Master

XI took the the best batsman award. — Supplied photo

Pietersen released from IPL deal to make county switch

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen has been released from the major-ity of his Indian Premier League (IPL) contract with Sunrisers Hy-derabad so that he can play domes-tic country cricket in an attempt to earn an England recall.

The 34-year-old, who won 104 Test and 136 One-day Interna-tional (ODI) caps, was sacked in February 2014 after England’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia but incoming England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chairman

Colin Graves suggested this month he could be recalled if he “scores a lot of runs” for a county.

Pietersen said his agreement with Hyderabad will allow him to miss the IPL’s league fi xtures but he could be recalled should the team reach the knockout stages of the competition.

The IPL starts on April 8, with the knockout stages of the compe-tition commencing on May 19 and the fi nal taking place on May 24.

“I’m hugely grateful for all the

support and understanding I’ve received from everyone at the Sunrisers and the IPL,” Pietersen said in a statement on his website (www.kevinpietersen.com).

“My focus is now very much on the upcoming season in England and I’m absolutely determined to

score as many runs as possible.“I’ve never made any secret of my

overwhelming desire to once again represent England and I’m going to do everything in my power to earn a recall to the international set-up.

“To once again put on that Eng-land shirt would be a privilege

and an honour but now I have to focus on performing domestically and give myself the best possible chance of meriting selection.”

Pietersen parted company with Surrey last September because of his IPL and Caribbean Premier League commitments. - Reuters

Pietersen’s agreement with Hyderabad will

allow him to miss the IPL’s league fi xtures

but he could be recalled should the team

reach the knockout stages

My focus is now

very much on the

upcoming season

Kevin Pietersen

Simeone to stay at Atletico till 2020

MADRID: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has agreed to extend his contract with the Spanish champions by three years to 2020.

The deal, announced on the Twitter feed of the champions, was widely expected although there was plenty of speculation a wealthy rival could try to lure Simeone away from the club he twice represented as a player.

The former Argentina cap-tain has transformed Atletico since taking over at the end of 2011, leading them to their fi rst domestic league title in 18 years last term and putting them back among Europe’s elite.

Atletico won the Europa

League at the end of Simeone’s debut season in charge and reached the fi nal of the Cham-pions League in 2013-14 where they lost 4-1 to Real Madrid after extra-time.

They thrashed Chelsea 4-1 to claim the 2012 European Super Cup, won the King’s Cup a year later by beating Real in the fi nal and defeated their neighbours over two legs to secure the Span-ish Super Cup in August.

Real will again be their oppo-nents in the quarterfi nals of the latest edition of the Champions League, with the fi rst leg at Atleti-co’s Calderon stadium on April 14 and the return at the Bernabeu eight days later. - Reuters

F O O T B A L L

Diego Simeone

Adderly Fong joins Lotus

LONDON: Hong Kong’s Ad-derly Fong has joined Lotus as a development driver, the For-mula One team revealed on Tuesday.

The team, who already have Spaniard Carmen Jorda signed up in a similar role, added that the 25-year-old would undergo a development programme while taking part in the GP3 and GT Asia series.

“I’ll be able to learn how an F1 team operates during race weekends as an integral part of the team and these invaluable experiences are going to lay the foundations of my future devel-opment as an F1 driver,” said Fong in a statement.

“I aim to become the fi rst Chi-nese driver to compete in a For-mula One Grand Prix which will assist to promote the sport in China and also in Hong Kong.”

Lotus already have Britain’s GP2 champion Jolyon Palmer as offi cial reserve to race drivers Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean. - Reuters

F O R M U L A O N E

C3W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

TOMORROW’S MATCH (SECOND SEMIFINAL)INDIA V AUSTRALIA (7:30AM OMAN TIME)

THRILLER

GRANT ELLIOTT

84*runs from 73 balls 7 fours, 3 sixes

MATCH REPORT

ON

C5

“Bloody love Cricket ...”— Former England captain Michael Vaughan

* * *“Bloody hell #GrantElliot is a stud 4 New Zealand! My god what a fi nish! & no off ense but nice “injury” timeout from Steyne @cricketworldcup.”— Retired Australian tennis player Rennae Stubbs

* * *“Grant Elliot - take a bow!”— Kevin Pietersen on his fellow South African.

* * *“What a game. Whats the 1st thing you when u win a semi? Eve-ryone cleans there boots for Oz customs.”— New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor

* * *“Holy moly! Shot of the tournament?! #AB.”— Kevin Pietersen after AB de Villiers carts a huge six off Co-rey Anderson just a ball after being dropped on 38.

* * *“I wonder if SA will read their Duckworth Lewis sheet correctly this time? #hopenot.”— Former New Zealand player Scott Styris

* * *“That was as good as sport gets. Don’t think the SA boys will be sending Mr Duckworth and Lewis a Xmas card anytime soon.”— Former Australian Test player Ed Cowan

* * *“What an unbelievable game. So proud of the @BLACKCAPS and what they have achieved. Also feel the raw pain of @Offi cial-CSA on an amazing day.”— Ex-New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming

* * *“Still proud of my boys, good fight thru out the game. Great game of cricket by u buggers. U can stand up tall and b proud of ur perfomance.”— South Africa international Lonwabo Tsotsobe

* * *“What a semifi nal! I feel for the SA boys. Well done to NZ.”— Sri Lanka’s recently retired batting star Mahela Jayawardene

‘Take a bow ...’

C4 W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

De Villiers takes blame for the blunder show

AUCKLAND: Distraught South Africa captain AB de Villiers laid the blame for the World Cup semi-fi nal loss to New Zealand on a string of costly errors led by his own failure to run out Corey An-derson. Anderson was on 33 at the time and scored a further 25 in a 103-run partnership with match-winner Grant Elliott.

Elliott clouted a colossal six off the second-to-last ball of the game to get New Zealand home

by four wickets as they reeled in a 298-run target, revised under the Duckworth/Lewis method in the rain-aff ected game.

South Africa, batting fi rst, made 281-5 after the match was reduced to 43 overs a side following a two-hour rain interruption.

De Villiers, who proclaimed before the semifi nal that South Africa would go on to win the Cup, believed it was a defendable target and his team had paid a high price

for their own errors. “We had our chances especially in the second half of the game and we didn’t take them so it’s diffi cult to say what kind of emotions I’m feeling. It’s obviously painful,” said the cap-tain, who had made an undefeated 65 when his team batted. “There were lots of people back home sup-porting us. It hurts to think of all of them. We wanted so badly wanted to take that trophy back home.”

De Villiers had a chance to break the Elliott-Anderson part-nership with a run out when, with Anderson nowhere near the crease, he dropped the ball and re-moved the bails with his hand.

“I tried my best to catch it but I didn’t. Life moves on. I didn’t take that unfortunately, but yes if you want to see it that way that I cost us then I’ll gladly take it.”

De Villiers said it was no con-solation in knowing he had taken part in a classic match. “We play to win games of cricket to take glory home and make a diff erence

in our nation’s heart and hope, and we didn’t do that. It hurts quite a bit. Gutted. We had our chances and didn’t take them.”

In the fi nal over, the plan was for Dale Steyn to try to lure Elli-ott into thinking the last two balls would be yorkers but instead they would be length balls. “We were hoping he would play and miss but he played one of the best shots of his life. Probably the best.”

De Villiers ruled out using the rain as an excuse, despite South Africa losing seven overs when they had set themselves up for a big charge at the end of their innings.

“We had opportunities to adjust and we did and I felt it was enough. The chances we had in the sec-ond innings showed that it was enough,” he said. “So I don’t think it played a big role in the game. We always talk about expecting the unexpected, and the unexpected happened today, and we adjusted as well as we could, and it wasn’t good enough at the end.” - AFP

The South African captain, who proclaimed

before the semifi nal that South Africa would

go on to win the Cup, believed it was a

defendable target and his team had

paid a high price for their own errors

Missed run-out of Anderson, 32nd over of 43

Corey Anderson had made 33 when, after Grant Elliott pushed the ball to point, he was sent back to the non-striker’s end by his partner. South Africa captain AB de Villiers, one of the best fi eld-ers in world cricket, was at the bowler’s end stumps to take a hard throw on the half-volley but broke the wicket before collecting the ball and was then unable to remove a stump with ball in hand as he made a second attempt to eff ect a run-out. Anderson went on to make 58, sharing a fi fth-wicket stand with Elliott worth 103 runs.

Missed run-out of Elliott, 41st over of 43

South Africa wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock failed to gather a low throw from Rilee Rossouw and knocked the bails off with his gloves, with Elliott, going for a risky second run, outside of the crease by a distance. Had Elliott been run out for 66, it would have left New Zealand 272 for six.

Elliott dropped, 42nd over of 43

South Africa-born Elliott, who went on to make a match-winning 84 not out, was on 75 when he tried to pull fast bowler Morne Morkel but got a huge top edge. Replacement fi elder Farhaan Be-hardien was under the ball but, with JP Duminy distracting him as he rushed in from fi ne leg, dropped the chance with neither man apparently calling for the ball. Had the catch been held, New Zealand would have been 284 for seven, needing 14 to win off the fi nal over. - AFP

South Africa’s three key errors


SOUTH AFRICAH. Amla b Boult 10Q. de Kock c Southee b Boult 14F. du Plessis c Ronchi b Anderson 82R. Rossouw c Guptill b Anderson 39AB de Villiers not out 65D. Miller c Ronchi b Anderson 49JP Duminy not out 8Extras (b-1, w-13) 14Total (5 wkts, 43 overs) 281Did not bat: Steyn, Philander, Morkel, TahirFall of wickets: 1-21 (Amla), 2-31 (de Kock), 3-144 (Rossouw), 4-217 (du Plessis), 5-272 (Miller)Bowling: Southee 9-1-55-0 (w1), Boult 9-0-53-2, Henry 8-2-40-0 (w1), Vettori 9-0-46-0

(w2), Williamson 1-0-5-0, Elliott 1-0-9-0, Anderson 6-0-72-3 (w5)NEW ZEALAND(victory target 298 in 43 overs under Duck-worth Lewis system):M. Guptill run out (Amla/de Kock) 34B. McCullum c Steyn b Morkel 59K. Williamson b Morkel 6R. Taylor c de Kock b Duminy 30G. Elliott not out 84C Anderson c du Plessis b Morkel 58L. Ronchi c Rossouw b Steyn 8D. Vettori not out 7Extras (b-6, lb-2, w-5) 13Total (six wkts, 42.5 overs) 299

Did not bat: T. Southee, T. Boult, M. HenryFall of wickets: 1-71 (McCullum), 2-81 (Williamson), 3-128 (Guptill), 4-149 (Taylor), 5-252 (Anderson), 6-269 (Ronchi)Bowling: Steyn 8.5-0-76-1 (w1), Philander 8-0-52-0, Morkel 9-0-59-3 (w1), Tahir 9-1-40-0 (w1), Duminy 5-0-43-1 (w2), de Villiers 3-0-21-0Toss: South AfricaResult: New Zealand won by four wicketsMan of the match: Grant Elliott (NZL)Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG)TV umpire: Nigel Llong (ENG)Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

Black Caps make history

AUCKLAND: South Africa-born Grant Elliott’s brilliant 84 not out, capped with a stunning six off the penultimate ball, saw New Zealand to a four-wicket win over the Proteas in a cliffh anger World Cup semifi nal at Auckland’s Eden Park on Tuesday. Elliott’s win-ning six, off injured South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn, took New Zealand into the World Cup fi nal for the fi rst time and they will play the winner of Thursday’s second semifi nals, between Australia and India in Sydney, in Sunday’s show-piece match in Melbourne.

New Zealand faced a revised tar-get of 298 under the Duckworth/Lewis method after South Af-rica made 281 for fi ve in 43 overs, which included a near two-hour rain stoppage. Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum made a typi-cally quickfi re 59 off 26 balls at the head of the innings.

Then came a valuable 103-run partnership between Elliott and Corey Anderson and New Zealand appeared to have the game in hand with six overs to go.

But Morne Morkel regained the initiative for South Africa by tak-ing a wicket and conceding only one run in the 38th over and by the start of the 43rd, and fi nal, over New Zealand required 12 to win.

They started with a bye, a single, a four to Daniel Vettori, another bye and then Johannesburg-born Elliott, who turned 36 last week-end, smacked Steyn high into the stands as New Zealand, after los-ing all six of their previous World Cup semifi nals, completed a thrill-ing win. South Africa, struggling to throw off their unwanted “choker” tag, have now failed to win all four World Cup semifi nals they have contested.

As McCullum fl ung his bat at the start of New Zealand’s run chase, South Africa captain AB de Vil-liers was forced to take three of his

frontline bowlers out of the attack.Vernon Philander, replacing

Kyle Abbott in the side, gave up 14 runs to McCullum with his fi rst over and was immediately re-placed by Morkel.

Morkel also lasted one over that cost 14 runs but came back from the other end after Steyn was spelled when McCullum hit two sixes and three fours off his third over.

The return of fast bowler Mor-kel paid immediate dividends. He undid McCullum who plopped a simple catch into the hands of Steyn at mid-on and in his next over he bowled Kane Williamson.

After nine overs, New Zealand were 81 for two.

Martin Guptill, looking to back up his World Cup record 237 not out against the West Indies in last weekend’s quarterfi nal, looked in fi ne touch making 34 before being run out in a mid-pitch mix-up with Ross Taylor.

Taylor did not last much longer before he was caught behind and New Zealand were 149 for four when Elliott and Anderson set up

camp before the latter was out for 58.De Villiers had set South Africa

up for a big fi nish with heavy hit-ters in hand only to be denied sev-en overs when rain swept in when they were 216 for three in the 38th over. He produced a rapid 65 not out and, following the rain break, David Miller’s boundary-laden 49 from 18 deliveries got South Africa up to 281 for fi ve

De Villiers was in command in the lead up to the near two-hour rain disruption cracking 60 off 38 balls, but when the weather cleared and play resumed he could only stand and watch as Miller took charge.

Of the 65 put on in the fi ve overs after the resumption, Miller scored 49 after replacing Faf du Plessis who was out for 82 on the second ball after the restart,

Luck was with South Africa when they won the toss, elected to bat and gained early momen-tum when edges raced to the short boundaries. New Zealand wick-et-keeper Luke Ronchi dropped Quinton de Kock on six and Trent Boult missed a diffi cult chance to catch Hashim Amla.

But left-arm paceman Boult, the tournament’s leading bowler with 21 wickets, added to his tally by dismissing Amla and de Kock on his way to fi gures of two for 53. - AFP

Grant Elliott’s

winning six, off

injured South

Africa fast bowler

Dale Steyn, took

New Zealand into

the World Cup

fi nal for the fi rst

time and they will

play the winner of

Thursday’s second

semifi nals, between

Australia and India in

Sydney, in Sunday’s

showpiece match

in Melbourne

Cool Grant Ellliot

hit a stunning six

off the penultimate

ball to take New

Zealand to first ever

World Cup final




Experience of a lifetime

AUCKLAND: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum sa-voured the experience of a life-time as his team celebrated an epic cricket World Cup semifi nal victory over South Africa at Eden Park on Tuesday.

Grant Elliott gave the co-hosts a four-wicket victory when he struck Dale Steyn over long-on off the penultimate ball of the rain-reduced match.

New Zealand will now meet the winners of Thursday’s semifi nal in Sydney between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

“Pretty amazing,” McCullum said at the presentation cer-emony. “It was a great advertise-ment for cricket, everybody will remember this for the rest of their lives. It’s the greatest time of our lives.

“We have enjoyed the experi-ence, the crowds that have turned up, the brand of cricket we have tried to play. We hope the crowds are all dreaming the way we are.

“We don’t mind who we face in the fi nal, they are both qual-ity sides but we know if we play the way we want to we are a good chance. I’m really proud to repre-sent New Zealand.”

AmazingMan-of-the-match Elliott, who scored 84 not out, said the sup-port from the crowd had been amazing as New Zealand chased down their demanding target.

“It’s not for myself, not for the team but it’s for everyone here. The support has been amazing,” he said.

“We just wanted to take it as deep as we could. Corey (Ander-son) batted fantastically well. We timed the pace of the innings to perfection.

“When you have got 40,000 fans screaming at you every ball, it’s been an absolute pleasure

playing at Eden Park, playing in front of the home crowd. Now it’s the fi rst fi nal we have been in as the New Zealand team.”

South Africa captain AB de Vil-liers said it had been an amazing

game of cricket. “Probably the most electric crowd I have ever heard in my life,” he said.

“I guess the best team has come out on top. We gave it out best.” - Reuters

The New Zealand

skipper who laid

a solid foundation

during the chase

by scoring a blitzy

half century said

the semifi nal was a

great advertisement

for cricket and

everybody will

remember this for

rest of their lives

Brendon McCullum

Dream come true for ElliottAUCKLAND: New Zealand’s Grant Elliott realised a childhood dream when he belted South Afri-can speedster Dale Steyn into the stand for six at Eden Park on Tues-day to get his adopted homeland into the World Cup fi nal.

South African-born Elliott gave a brief celebratory wave as the ball sailed into the crowd before run-ning to comfort a distraught Steyn, who lay sprawled on the ground.

The winning runs came on the penultimate ball of the rain-af-fected match where New Zealand were set a revised target of 298 un-der the Duckworth/Lewis meth-od after South Africa had made 281 for fi ve.

The Black Caps will now meet the winner of Thursday’s Austral-ia-India semifi nal in Sydney, in Sunday’s fi nal in Melbourne.

New Zealand needed 12 off the last over to win a thrilling semi-fi nal and Elliott said it was a nerve-wracking experience sealing a four-wicket victory with probably the best shot of his career, given what was at stake.

“I guess it was. I really did feel the pressure,” said Elliott, who fi nished on 84 not out. “I had two balls to try and take us home. I knew that four runs would do it because a tie was as good as a win.

“I think the chase, we probably left it a little bit late and it was stressful towards the end. It would have been nice to win with an over to go”

Elliott said he had always want-ed to play in a World Cup since 1992 when his mother let him stay home to watch Australia play South Africa in Sydney in what was the Proteas’ inaugural appear-ance at the tournament.

“I got suspended from cricket and from school for a while be-cause I did that, but it left a mas-sive impression on me,” said El-liott, who turned 36 last weekend.

“I thought that tournament, the coloured clothing and everything was what I wanted to do and it’s funny how life works. It’s amazing to be at Eden Park today to hit the winning run.”

Although Elliott has immersed

himself in New Zealand culture since leaving South Africa in 2001, he said he still felt sorry for the Proteas, adding that was why he tried to console Steyn and helped him to his feet.

“You have to feel compassion. Humble in victory, humble in de-feat. I felt quite sorry for him. I felt quite sorry for a lot of the South African guys for losing the game,” said Elliott, who made his New Zealand debut seven years ago.

“It could have been us. It could have been me sitting there hav-ing missed the last two balls and I would have been pretty gutted as well along with 40,000 people in the stadium.”

South Africa were on course for a huge total, at 216 for three in the 38th over, when the rain set in.

“That was a key moment in the game,” Elliott said.

“You don’t know what they would have scored but it was a very good batting wicket and they were set.

“But 298 was a tough score in 43 overs as well.” - AFP

B I G W I N N I N G S I X


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BEST AMONG INDIANS: Former England captain Michael Vaughan says Ajinkya Rahane’s technique is watertight.

Rahane’s technique is best among Indian batsmen: Vaughan

SYDNEY: Former England cap-tain Michael Vaughan says that Ajinkya Rahane has the best technique among Indians and the youngster will be one of the premier willow wielders in world cricket in the next four to fi ve years.

“Indian team has a wonderful array of batsmen, who have been there and done that. They have got couple of good young players and I like Rahane. I think, he is the best technician among Indian players. He plays quicks and spin as well as anybody in the world,” Vaughan said during an interaction organ-ised by the ICC, on Tuesday.

To a query as to why he thinks Rahane is special, Vaughan elab-orately discussed the Mumbai batsman’s watertight technique.

“It’s very simple. It’s his align-ment at the crease. He doesn’t get that left-foot too far across and that’s why he has got great balance when he is on the backfoot. He has not only got options of playing

both cut shots and pull-shots but also has the option of going down the ground for straight hits.”

“When you have those options as a batsman, you make it diffi cult for opposition to set fi elds as you can’t set fi elds for shots down the ground. I think he showed in Eng-land last year, he can allow the ball to come to him.”

“I think in the next four or fi ve years, we will be talking a lot about Rahane. More than what we have heard even up till now as he is a wonderful player,” the veteran of 82 Tests was eff usive in his praise.

There are times one needs to know the recipe for success and Vaughan feels that Mahendra Sin-gh Dhoni certainly knows a thing or two about winning World Cup.

“There is something about MS Dhoni and World Cups. What he did after the tri-series is remark-able. There was a change of team and also change of mentality. I have always said that in semifi -

nals, the team that plays well in the fi rst 15 overs — be it with the ball or bat is the team that gets ahead and wins that game.”

“MS Dhoni knows how to win World Cups and that goes quite a long way,” the 40-year-old York-shireman summed it up as to what exactly is India’s strength.

From Australia’s perspective, Vaughan said that it will boil down to how well skipper Michael Clarke and his deputy Steve Smith coun-ter Ravichandran Ashwin, who could pose a real threat for Austral-ian batsmen on a slow SCG track.

“Had India been given a choice of venue for their semi-fi nal against Australia, they would probably have chosen SCG as it’s the best option for them. It (pitch) will take some spin. Ashwin is get-ting the ball to shape through the air, which is very important for his style of bowling.”

“Come Thursday, Smith and Clarke will be crucial for Austral-ia as these two are the best players of spin. One of them at least will have to get a decent score,” ob-served Vaughan.

“Similarly, Dhawan and Rohit need to provide a good start for India. If India play Mitchell Starc well, they would be well on their way to winning the semifi nals. Similarly, Maxwell has his day, In-dia will lose the match. He will be scoring 100 off 50 balls as he can hit around 360 degrees around the ground from ball one,” he added.

Having played a number of Ashes Test matches at this venue, Vaughan has his own take about

how the SCG surface will behave.“If you are a good side, you can

win irrespective of you are batting fi rst or chasing as performance on that day matters. Although the last 10 out of 13 games at the SCG has been won by the team that’s chasing but I think it’s a bat fi rst wicket. Just get runs on the board,” he said.

Can Australia win the match targeting opposition No 1 bats-man Virat Kohli, Vaughan replied, “I think if you single out one, you would be then struggling with the other 10.”

Vaughan, who is known for wit-ty remarks on social networking sites feel that a bit of chirping and banter on the fi eld is okay as long as one doesn’t cross the line like what happened in Wahab Riaz-Shane Watson incident.

“You are going to pretty much see that when you play Australia. It isn’t going to be quiet and I like to see the competitive edge. A bit of confrontation is okay although I don’t think I enjoyed the Wahab Riaz-Shane Watson confrontation as I thought it was over the line.”

“Unless it’s not swearing, a lit-tle bit of sledging, banter is okay. I am sure Indians will give it back in plenty.”

“They are not going to be quiet. Virat and co, will give it back,” smiled Vaughan.

When asked about England’s exit, Vaughan said,”I think we have never played well in World Cups after 1992. Our exit shows how badly we played in the tour-nament.” - PTI

From Australia’s perspective, Vaughan said

that it will boil down to how well skipper

Michael Clarke and his deputy Steve Smith

counter Ravichandran Ashwin, who could

pose a real threat for Australian batsmen on

a slow Sydney Cricket Groundtrack

India still bear the scars: SmithSYDNEY: India still bear the scars of the mauling they suff ered at the hands of Australia at the start of their tour Down Under and Steve Smith thinks it could be a factor when the countries meet in Thursday’s World Cup semifi nal.

The world champions have stormed back to imperious form in the World Cup and are unbeat-en going into the last four show-

down at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where they will be out to end Australia’s bid for a fi fth world crown. “I think we’ll have a little edge over them with a few scars from the matches through-out the Summer, they didn’t beat us once,” Smith said.

“So I think that’s going to be playing on their mind a little bit.

“They’ve been here for a long

time now, they’ve been able to get accustomed to the conditions, the bounce we’ve got here compared to back in India. Other than that, I just think we need to do what we can do well, to control that. If we do, I’ve no doubt it’s going to be a competitive game for us.”

Smith’s own spectacular form with the bat played a large part in Australia’s supremacy. - Reuters

S U M M E R M A U L I N G


Lee feels Indian attack is the fastest to have ever played

SYDNEY: Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee on Tuesday termed the current Indian pace attack as the “fastest ever” to have emerged from the cricket-crazy nation, with Mohammed Sha-mi being the “most impressive” among the trio in the World Cup.

The three-pronged pace attack comprising Umesh Yadav and Mo-hit Sharma, besides Shami, has so far accounted for 42 out of the 70 wickets for India in the ongoing mega event.

Asked if the trio of Shami, Yadav and Sharma are the fastest ever bowling unit to have represented India, Lee said, “I think it will defi nitely be up there, yes. When they are on song and bowling fast, then they are defi nitely up there as I mentioned. They are in the 145kmph barrier.

“If they land in the right spot, then they have a really good chance to get wickets and win.”

The fastest bowler during his time in international cricket, the 38-year-old was all praise for Sha-mi, with whom he had spent a cou-ple seasons in IPL playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

“Mohammed Shami has got the most number of wickets in the tournament and he is right up

there. He has been really impres-sive. I have actually played a fair bit of cricket with Shami over the last couple of years and he is a wonderful guy. He comes in hard.

“Umesh Yadav is another bowler, who bowls at a good pace. They have got a three-prong pace attack that can all bowl quick up towards a 145kmph mark,” the speed merchant said in appre-ciation. Although his heart is with Australia, Lee felt India do have a good chance to win the semifi nals against the hosts.

“I think India do have a very good chance to win the game. I will obviously always back Australia being an Australian player. But having said that, India have got a great side and have great momen-tum going. So as I said it is going to be a tough game and I am looking forward to Thursday.”

Like many other former stars, Lee too is not surprised at India’s remarkable turnaround.

“Not really. I know what India

can do on the cricket fi eld. They have got great players and a lot of experience to think that they have played pretty ordinary cricket against Australia throughout this summer. Then to turn it around and win seven games back-to-back just goes to show how much they love playing in the big tournament. They are defending champions too, so we have to keep that in mind.”

Lee said that India’s slow bowl-ers might come in handy if the re-ports of the SCG track being slow in nature turns out to be true.

“I haven’t seen the pitch, but from all the reports that I am read-ing, I feel it will be a slow wicket. We saw it was very slow in the last game that South Africa won. It could be a bit low and slow and probably the slower bowlers will come into play which might just favour India,” observed Lee.

Lee agreed that Virat Kohli’s per-formance could be the game-chang-er as he is a “big occasion player”.

“Virat is a world class player and

he has proven that over the last few years. He obviously has got the right technique, a wonderful opportunity now for him to go and stamp his authority in the game. He is a big game player.

He will be looking forward to the semifi nal as he also loves to play against Australia. He will be look-ing forward to Thursday.”

Can India expect some ‘chin music’ coming their way, Lee said, “If the wicket is conducive to fast bowling then yes. They obviously have got three bowlers that can bowl some chin music.”

For Lee, the advantage for Aus-tralia is in the kind of balance that they have struck in their playing XI combination. “I think they (Aus-tralia) now have the right balance of the team. Warner and Finch at the top, Steven Smith has settled in beautifully at No 3. Michael Clarke comes in at No 4, Shane Watson at No 5, which gives a really good bal-ance to the side.”

Around 70 percent of the SCG

turnout is supposed to be Indians and Lee felt the atmosphere will be electric.

“It is going to be a tremendous atmosphere. With 50-odd thou-sand people in the Sydney Cricket Ground, fully packed, we know how passionate the Indian fans are. They love to scream and be nice and loud. So it is going to be exciting. I think it just comes down to obviously the toss and who brings their best game on game-day going forward.”

So how much marks will he give both India and Australia, and pat came the reply, “Well, I give both of them 100/100.”

Doherty dilemmaWith two confi dent teams going head-to-head in a blockbuster World Cup semifi nal on Thursday, it could be the tiniest misjudge-ment, the smallest detail that de-cides whether Australia or India emerge triumphant.

Disregarding perhaps only the

toss, Australia’s biggest decision this week is likely to be whether to include spinner Xavier Doherty in their side to face the world champions.

Much, of course, will depend on the wicket, which on Tues-day afternoon was covered by a huge white blanket as rain tum-bled down on the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

If, as coach Darren Lehmann ex-pects, it is a similar track to that on which Australia beat Sri Lanka in the pool stage, Doherty’s contribu-tion might be restricted to handing out water bottles.

If, however, it is more similar to the wicket on which spinners Im-ran Tahir and JP Duminy took sev-en wickets in South Africa’s quar-terfi nal win over the Sri Lankans last week, Doherty might be set for his second start. The trouble for Australia is that despite the SCG’s tradition for off ering turn, it is not always that easy to tell in advance whether a track will or not.

“Last time we played here, it looked like the wicket would spin quite a bit but it didn’t, it played re-ally true,” Australia opener Aaron Finch said on Tuesday.

“It’s still two days out from the game so it’s hard to tell, the wicket can change quite a bit here in Syd-ney in two days.”

Left-armer Doherty did play against Sri Lanka, going for sixty runs without adding to his less-than-stellar tally of 55 wickets in 60 one-day internationals.

Australia captain Michael Clarke is a big fan of including a spin bowler, especially at his home ground, but is no longer a selector.

The committee that meets to de-cide which players Clarke will lead on Thursday may decide that Aus-tralia’s part-time slow bowlers — Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, David Warner, even Clarke himself — have enough quality to carry the load.

Certainly, in a perfect world, Australia would like to retain right-arm quick Josh Hazlewood to get stuck into India’s highly-regarded corps of batsmen along with the ‘Mitchs’, fi rst choice left-armers Johnson and Starc. - PTI, Reuters

The three-pronged

pace attack

comprising Umesh

Yadav and Mohit

Sharma, besides

Shami, has so far

accounted for 42 out

of the 70 wickets for

India in the ongoing

mega even

TRAINING SESSION: Indian cricketers play football in a training session ahead of their 2015 Cricket

World Cup semifi nal match against Australia. – AFP

WARMING UP: Australia cricketers gearing up with sprint excercises run during a training session at

the Sydney Cricket Ground. – AFP

SYDNEY: Fast bowler Mitch-ell Johnson says he is con-sidering taking on the role of Australia’s Sledger-in-Chief for Thursday’s World Cup semi-fi nal against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Outspoken opener David Warner has been on his best behaviour at the World Cup after getting into hot water over a series of spats with the Indian side during the test series over the New Year.

The fi ery exchanges con-tinued into the Tri-series and Warner was fi ned for asking India’s Rohit Sharma to “speak English” during a slanging match in a one-dayer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in January.

“I heard Davy said he wasn’t going to get involved in all that stuff ,” paceman Johnson told Fox TV on Tuesday.

“Someone’s got to do it and I might put my hand up. It’s part of the game and what happened the other day with Shane (Wat-son) and Wahab (Riaz) was exceptional.

“I thought it was great enter-tainment and I think you’re go-ing to see more entertainment in this game.”

Watson had the last laugh on Pakistan paceman Wahab after their compelling duel in the quarterfi nals last week when he helped steer Australia to vic-tory. Both players were later fi ned.

Johnson has some his-

tory with India in the sledging stakes and made them pay for having the temerity to lampoon him after he went wicket-less in the fi rst innings of the second test at the Gabba last December.

The 33-year-old slugged 88 off 93 balls to help rescue Aus-tralia’s fi rst innings and then took three wickets in a dazzling spell of bowling and fi nished with fi gures of 4-61 as Australia won the match by four wickets.

“I love it. The more that comes my way, the better,” he said at the time.

As well as Warner, Indi-ans Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli were fi ned for clashes during the Test series. - Reuters

I’ll sledge India if Warner won’t, says Johnson

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At this year’s SXSW in Austin, Texas, a chatbot on Tinder con-vinced a number of users that she was a cute 25-year-old woman eager to strike up a romantic rela-tionship. Too bad “Ava” turned out to be just an Instagram account for a character in an upcoming fi lm (Ex Machina) about the implica-tions for romance in the era of ar-tifi cial intelligence.

In many ways, “Ava” was playing a simplifi ed form of Alan Turing’s famous “imitation game” by trying to convince human conversational partners that it was human — or at least human enough to get Tinder users to watch a trailer for a movie. In one conversational exchange captured by AdWeek, Ava used a typical chatbot tactic — keeping a human off -balance by asking ques-

tions you wouldn’t expect from a computer (“Have you ever been in love?” and “What makes you hu-man?”) — to convince male, techie-hipsters at SXSW that she was a real woman.

We’ve already seen evidence that carrying on a relationship with a bot is easier than it sounds. Consider the Invisible Boyfriend (and Invisible Girlfriend) expe-rience, which really started as a clever way to use technology to cover up a lack of a romantic sig-nifi cant other. It turns out the experience was so addictive that people started to fall for the Invis-ible Boyfriend bot — even when they knew the whole relationship was made up — and paid for — from the beginning.

In an era when teens rely so much on text messages to launch, maintain and end relationships, it’s perhaps no surprise that a bot experience such as Invisible Boy-friend or Ava could take off . If you think about the typical teen ro-mance carried out via text message these days, it’s essentially a chat-bot experience powered by a really powerful computer — the human brain. The witty reply, the shared insider lingo between two lovers, the concerned text from a lover de-manding a rapid reply — this could all be simulated by an artifi cially intelligent chatbot.

No wonder AI thought leader Ray Kurzweil has suggested that a real-life human-AI romance might be possible in as little as 15 years. In his review of the 2013 Spike Jonze fi lm Her (in which the char-acter played by Joaquin Phoenix carries on a romantic relationship with a disembodied operating sys-tem called “Samantha”), Kurzweil said he expected similar types of advances by the year 2029: “Sa-mantha herself I would place at 2029, when the leap to human-

level AI would be reasonably be-lievable.”

Where things could really take off is when new technologies give computers the ability to interact with humans in radically new ways that go beyond just hold-ing intelligent conversations. An AI-powered computer that could learn to analyse your facial expres-sions or look into your eyes and sense your moods could theoreti-cally simulate the types of emo-tional responses and triggers that we typically associate with a hu-man relationship. Discussing the central plot line of Her, Kurzweil says that your romantic partner might not even need to have a physical body, as long as there’s a “virtual visual presence.”

So imagine a computer that could convince you that it was actually physically interacting with you. Kurzweil sees this hap-pening via a type of virtual reality experience: “With emerging eye-mounted displays that project im-ages onto the wearer’s retinas and also look out at the world, we will indeed soon be able to do exactly that. When we send nanobots into the brain — a circa-2030s scenario by my timeline — we will be able to do this with all of the senses, and even intercept other people’s emo-tional responses.”

The next frontier, then, could be the creation of romantic experi-ences in homes for humans using virtual reality devices such as the Oculus Rift. There have already been some attempts at adapting the world of romance for the vir-tual reality headset, and while the original experiences were largely considered to be overhyped, the elusive goal for some remains a type of highly customizable “Ocu-lus Rift XXX” experience, in which you can choose the appearance of your partner. Imagine the types of bonds that could be formed when

your Invisible Boyfriend suddenly becomes a visible, AI-powered Christian Grey in a virtual reality world where anything is possible.

One thing is clear — technology is already changing the way hu-mans think about relationships, whether it’s via something simple such as texting or something more complex, such as artifi cial intel-ligence or virtual reality. When so much of our lives are spent con-suming digital 0’s and 1’s, is it any surprise that computers are start-ing to factor into those relation-ships in interesting — and some might say disturbing — new ways? In the future, the way to your ro-mantic partner’s heart might not be fl owers, chocolates or jewellery — it might be the ability to code a really cool romantic experience for his or her digital device. -Dominic

Basulto/The Washington Post

C10

FIND-IT-ALLW E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

PHARMACIESRound the clockAl Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715Muscat RegionApollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080Dhofar RegionMuscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah. Tel: 23291635

HOSPITALSAl Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000Al 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: 246045401st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274Hamdan Hospital: 23212340International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 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: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199Oman Dive Centre: 24824240Park Inn: 24507888Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443Ruwi Hotel: 24704244Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666The Chedi Muscat: 24524400The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570

AIRLINE OFFICESMuscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223Aerofl ot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacifi c: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033

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, Thurs: 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

W E A T H E R

OMAN

Max 30Min 19

Max 32Min 23

Max 30Min 24

Max 36Min 20

Max 33Min 23Max 37

Min 22

Max 34Min 21

Max 33 Min 25

Clear to partly cloudy skies over northern governorates of the Sultanate with chances of isolated rain over the governorates of Musandam and north Al Batinah and chances of clouds

development and isolated rain over Al Hajar mountain and adjoining areas towards afternoon. Chances of late night to early morning low level clouds and fog patches over Governorates of South Al Sharqiyah and Al Wusta.EXPECTED WINDS: Over most governorates of the Sultanate winds will be northerly to northwesterly light to moderate and Southerly light to moderate along southeastern coast.SEA STATE: Moderate along western Musandam with maximum

wave height of 5.5 metres, and slight along the rest of Oman’s coast with maximum wave height of 1.25 metres.HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog formation and rain.THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Clear to partly cloudy skies over northern governorates with chances of isolated rain over Governorate of Musandam and the coastal areas of Oman Sea. Chance of convective clouds developments and thundershower over Al Hajar mountains and adjoining areas. Chances of late night to early morning low level clouds and fog patches over Governorates of South Al Sharqiyah and Al Wusta.

Max Min

GULFAbu Dhabi 24 18Doha 25 16Dubai 24 18Kuwait 23 16Manama 22 18Riyadh 25 17

WORLDAthens 17 12Baghdad 24 10Beijing 18 4Berlin 10 4Boston 8 1Cairo 32 16Colombo 33 24Frankfurt 9 2Hong Kong 20 17Istanbul 13 8Johannesburg 21 15Kuala Lumpur 33 24Lisbon 16 9Paris 10 3Perth 29 15Singapore 31 25Tokyo 14 4Toronto 7 3

WORLD

Max 7Min 5

Max 36Min 15

Max 11Min 5

Max 35Min 24

Max 25Min 16

Max 23Min 19

Max 7Min 3

Max 32Min 25

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)

WEDNESDAY

FLT NO ARRIVALS FROM ETA WY636 ABU DHABI 0005WY406 CAIRO 0005WY682 RIYADH 0005WY676 JEDDAH 0005WY648 KUWAIT 0010WY816 BANGKOK 0015WY910 SALALAH 0030WY916 SALALAH 0125PK229 LAHORE 0215TK776 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0255QR1132 DOHA 0345EK866 DUBAI 0355GF560 BAHRAIN 0405EY384 ABU DHABI 0405FZ041 DUBAI 0415WY114 FRANKFURT 0610WY658 BAHRAIN 06404H562 JEDDAH 0645WY638 ABU DHABI 0650WY902 SALALAH 0655WY686 RIYADH 0700WY144 MALPENSA 0720WY674 JEDDAH 0730WY668 DOHA 0735WY644 KUWAIT 0735WY132 PARIS 0800WY602 DUBAI 0805WY202 BOMBAY 0815WY432 TEHRAN 0815WY102 LONDON HEATHROW 0820NL768 LAHORE 0830FZ043 DUBAI 0850G9114 SHARJAH 0915WY342 LAHORE 0920WY242 DELHI 0920WY236 HYDERABAD 0920WY226 COCHIN 0930EK862 DUBAI 0940WY252 MADRAS 0940WY282 BANGALORE 1000IX443 COCHIN 1010QR1128 DOHA 1010EY382 ABU DHABI 1015IX549 TRIVANDRUM 10209W530 TRIVANDRUM 1035WY3922 DUQUM OMAN 1035WY604 DUBAI 1110WY918 KHASAB 1115G9841 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120GF562 BAHRAIN 1130WY372 COLOMBO 1140FZ037 DUBAI 1200WY384 MALE 1205IX337 CALICUT 1210WY904 SALALAH 1215PA450 LAHORE 1215WY3302 MUKHAIZNA 1230WY818 BANGKOK 1305WY606 DUBAI 1330WY324 KARACHI 1355WY906 SALALAH 1445WY920 KHASAB 1445WY632 ABU DHABI 1530FZ045 DUBAI 1555WY348 ISLAM ABBAD 1625WY3304 MUKHAIZNA 1630WY656 BAHRAIN 1630WY216 TRIVANDRUM 1705WY204 BOMBAY 1710WY292 CALICUT 1720WY246 DELHI 1730WY610 DUBAI 1730WY264 LUCKNOW 1735WY274 JAIPUR 1740WY232 HYDERABAD 1740QR1126 DOHA 1745WY664 DOHA 1745EK864 DUBAI 1750GF564 BAHRAIN 1810WY822 KUALA LUMPUR 1910G9116 SHARJAH 1915WY254 MADRAS 1920WY646 KUWAIT 1925FZ047 DUBAI 1945WY338 KATHMANDU 2010WY614 DUBAI 2030WY848 JAKARTA 2055WY124 MUNICH 2105AI977 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105WY386 MALE 2110KL441 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120AI973 DELHI 2125WY624 DUBAI 21256.00E+81 BOMBAY 21309W534 COCHIN 2140WY312 CHITTAGONG 2140FZ049 DUBAI 2145AI907 MADRAS 2200WY914 SALALAH 2205QR1134 DOHA 2210GF566 BAHRAIN 2240BA073 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240EY388 ABU DHABI 2250WY414 AMMAN 2255WY908 SALALAH 2305AI985 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310WY662 DOHA 2315LX242 ZURICH-DUBAI 23209W540 BOMBAY 2325LH618 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330WY612 DUBAI 2335WY654 BAHRAIN 2340WY928 SALALAH 2345WY696 DAMMAM 2350

THURSDAY

FLT NO ARRIVALS FROM ETA

WY406 CAIRO 0005WY682 RIYADH 0005WY676 JEDDAH 0005WY636 ABU DHABI 0005WY648 KUWAIT 0010WY816 BANGKOK 0015WY910 SALALAH 0030BG021 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0100WY916 SALALAH 0125PK225 KARACHI 0210TK774 ISTANBUL 0215QR1132 DOHA 0345ET624 ADDIS ABABA 0350EK866 DUBAI 0355GF560 BAHRAIN 0405EY384 ABU DHABI 0405PK291 ISLAM ABBAD 0410FZ041 DUBAI 0415MS930 CAIRO 0430WY114 FRANKFURT 0610WY658 BAHRAIN 0640WY638 ABU DHABI 0650WY902 SALALAH 0655WY678 MEDINA 0700WY686 RIYADH 0700WY412 AMMAN 0705WY144 MALPENSA 0720WY154 ZURICH 0720WY674 JEDDAH 0730WY668 DOHA 0735WY644 KUWAIT 0735WY602 DUBAI 0805WY202 BOMBAY 0815WY102 LONDON HEATHROW 0820NL768 LAHORE 0830FZ043 DUBAI 0850G9114 SHARJAH 0915WY242 DELHI 0920WY236 HYDERABAD 0920WY226 COCHIN 0930WY346 ISLAM ABBAD 0930WY252 MADRAS 0940WY212 TRIVANDRUM 0940EK862 DUBAI 0940QR1128 DOHA 1010IX443 COCHIN 1010EY382 ABU DHABI 10159W530 TRIVANDRUM 1035WY604 DUBAI 1110WY844 MANILA 1110WY918 KHASAB 1115GF562 BAHRAIN 1130WY424 BEIRUT 1130WY372 COLOMBO 1140FZ037 DUBAI 1200IX337 CALICUT 1210WY904 SALALAH 1215WY716 ZANZIBAR 1225WY324 KARACHI 1230WY3302 MUKHAIZNA 1230WY818 BANGKOK 1305WY606 DUBAI 1330BG023 CHITTAGONG 1345IX817 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI 1440WY920 KHASAB 1445WY906 SALALAH 1445PK229 LAHORE 1500WY3922 DUQUM OMAN 1520WY632 ABU DHABI 1540SV530 JEDDAH 1550FZ045 DUBAI 1555WY328 LAHORE 1600WY656 BAHRAIN 1630WY204 BOMBAY 1710WY292 CALICUT 1720WY246 DELHI 1730WY3304 MUKHAIZNA 1730WY610 DUBAI 1730WY264 LUCKNOW 1735WY284 BANGALORE 1740WY232 HYDERABAD 1740WY274 JAIPUR 1740QR1126 DOHA 1745EK864 DUBAI 1750WY3932 SOHAR 1805GF564 BAHRAIN 1810WY822 KUALA LUMPUR 1910G9116 SHARJAH 1915WY254 MADRAS 1920WY646 KUWAIT 1925TG507 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1935WY434 TEHRAN 1940FZ047 DUBAI 1945WY664 DOHA 1955WY338 KATHMANDU 2010WY614 DUBAI 2030WY124 MUNICH 21054H561 DACCA 2115KL441 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120AI973 DELHI 2125WY624 DUBAI 21256.00E+81 BOMBAY 21309W534 COCHIN 2140WY312 CHITTAGONG 2140WY374 COLOMBO 2140FZ049 DUBAI 2145AI907 MADRAS 2200QR1134 DOHA 2210WY914 SALALAH 2215UL205 COLOMBO 2225GF566 BAHRAIN 2240BA073 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240EY388 ABU DHABI 2250SG061 AHMEDABAD 2300WY908 SALALAH 2305AI985 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310WY662 DOHA 2315LX242 ZURICH-DUBAI 23209W540 BOMBAY 2325LH618 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330WY612 DUBAI 2335WY654 BAHRAIN 2340WY928 SALALAH 2345WY696 DAMMAM 2350WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

FLT NO DEPARTURES TO ETD AI986 BOMBAY 0005LX243 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020BA072 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 00259W539 BOMBAY 0025LH619 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050WY685 RIYADH 0105WY251 MADRAS 0110WY201 BOMBAY 0120WY225 COCHIN 0125WY235 HYDERABAD 0135WY601 DUBAI 0150WY341 LAHORE 0150WY281 BANGALORE 0150WY431 TEHRAN 0155WY241 DELHI 0155WY643 KUWAIT 0200WY821 KUALA LUMPUR 0205WY657 BAHRAIN 0205WY637 ABU DHABI 0205WY123 MUNICH 0210WY371 COLOMBO 0210WY667 DOHA 0225WY383 MALE 0235WY901 SALALAH 0240WY847 JAKARTA 0245PK230 LAHORE 0315TK777 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350EK867 DUBAI 0455FZ042 DUBAI 0510QR1133 DOHA 0520EY385 ABU DHABI 0525WY3921 DUQUM OMAN 0740GF561 BAHRAIN 07454H562 DACCA 0745WY903 SALALAH 0800WY603 DUBAI 0800WY3301 MUKHAIZNA 0800WY917 KHASAB 0815WY215 TRIVANDRUM 0845WY263 LUCKNOW 0920WY323 KARACHI 0920WY291 CALICUT 0920WY347 ISLAM ABBAD 0920NL769 LAHORE 0930FZ044 DUBAI 0935WY385 MALE 0940WY245 DELHI 0955WY231 HYDERABAD 0955WY843 MANILA 1000G9115 SHARJAH 1005WY815 BANGKOK 1010WY273 JAIPUR 1030WY905 SALALAH 1030WY605 DUBAI 1030WY203 BOMBAY 1030WY253 MADRAS 1040WY337 KATHMANDU 1040EK863 DUBAI 1055WY311 CHITTAGONG 1100EY383 ABU DHABI 1105IX554 TRIVANDRUM 1110QR1129 DOHA 1115IX442 COCHIN 11159W533 COCHIN 1135WY919 KHASAB 1145WY655 BAHRAIN 1210G9842 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210GF563 BAHRAIN 1215WY631 ABU DHABI 1220WY3303 MUKHAIZNA 1300IX350 CALICUT 1310PA451 LAHORE 1315FZ038 DUBAI 1315WY663 DOHA 1330WY113 FRANKFURT 1400WY101 LONDON HEATHROW 1400WY153 ZURICH 1405WY645 KUWAIT 1405WY927 SALALAH 1415WY143 MALPENSA 1415WY609 DUBAI 1420WY405 CAIRO 1430WY413 AMMAN 1455WY675 JEDDAH 1630FZ046 DUBAI 1700WY613 DUBAI 1700WY913 SALALAH 1800WY623 DUBAI 1820QR1127 DOHA 1845WY681 RIYADH 1845WY907 SALALAH 1850GF565 BAHRAIN 1855WY647 KUWAIT 1900WY661 DOHA 1900EK865 DUBAI 1905WY695 DAMMAM 1910WY653 BAHRAIN 1920G9117 SHARJAH 2005WY909 SALALAH 2015WY611 DUBAI 2025FZ048 DUBAI 2040WY635 ABU DHABI 2040WY915 SALALAH 2110AI978 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200FZ050 DUBAI 2225KL442 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230WY817 BANGKOK 2235WY411 AMMAN 22409W529 TRIVANDRUM 22406.00E+82 BOMBAY 2245AI908 MADRAS 2300AI974 DELHI 2310WY677 MEDINA 2310QR1135 DOHA 2320GF567 BAHRAIN 2325WY673 JEDDAH 2350EY381 ABU DHABI 2350

FLT NO DEPARTURES TO ETD AI986 BOMBAY 0005LX243 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020BA072 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 00259W539 BOMBAY 0025WY715 ZANZIBAR 0040LH619 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050WY685 RIYADH 0105WY211 TRIVANDRUM 0110WY251 MADRAS 0110WY423 BEIRUT 0115WY201 BOMBAY 0120WY225 COCHIN 0125WY235 HYDERABAD 0135WY345 ISLAM ABBAD 0150WY601 DUBAI 0150WY241 DELHI 0155WY643 KUWAIT 0200WY637 ABU DHABI 0205WY657 BAHRAIN 0205WY821 KUALA LUMPUR 0205WY123 MUNICH 0210WY371 COLOMBO 0210WY667 DOHA 0225WY901 SALALAH 0240BG022 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0250PK226 KARACHI 0310TK775 ISTANBUL 0315ET625 ADDIS ABABA 0450EK867 DUBAI 0455FZ042 DUBAI 0510PK292 ISLAM ABBAD 0510QR1133 DOHA 0520EY385 ABU DHABI 0525MS931 CAIRO 0530GF561 BAHRAIN 0745WY903 SALALAH 0800WY323 KARACHI 0800WY603 DUBAI 0800WY917 KHASAB 0815WY3301 MUKHAIZNA 0830WY291 CALICUT 0920WY263 LUCKNOW 0920NL769 LAHORE 0930WY327 LAHORE 0930FZ044 DUBAI 0935WY283 BANGALORE 0940WY245 DELHI 0955WY231 HYDERABAD 0955G9115 SHARJAH 1005WY815 BANGKOK 1010WY273 JAIPUR 1030WY203 BOMBAY 1030WY605 DUBAI 1030WY905 SALALAH 1030WY337 KATHMANDU 1040WY373 COLOMBO 1040WY253 MADRAS 1040WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045EK863 DUBAI 1055WY311 CHITTAGONG 1100EY383 ABU DHABI 1105IX442 COCHIN 1115QR1129 DOHA 11159W533 COCHIN 1135WY919 KHASAB 1145WY655 BAHRAIN 1210GF563 BAHRAIN 1215WY3921 DUQUM OMAN 1220WY631 ABU DHABI 1230IX350 CALICUT 1310FZ038 DUBAI 1315WY3303 MUKHAIZNA 1330WY433 TEHRAN 1330WY113 FRANKFURT 1400WY101 LONDON HEATHROW 1400WY645 KUWAIT 1405WY927 SALALAH 1415WY143 MALPENSA 1415WY131 PARIS 1420WY609 DUBAI 1420WY405 CAIRO 1430BG024 CHITTAGONG 1500IX818 MANGALORE 1530WY663 DOHA 1540WY3931 SOHAR 1600PK230 LAHORE 1600WY675 JEDDAH 1630SV531 MEDINA-JEDDAH 1650FZ046 DUBAI 1700WY613 DUBAI 1700WY913 SALALAH 1810WY623 DUBAI 1820WY681 RIYADH 1845QR1127 DOHA 1845WY907 SALALAH 1850GF565 BAHRAIN 1855WY661 DOHA 1900WY647 KUWAIT 1900EK865 DUBAI 1905WY695 DAMMAM 1910WY653 BAHRAIN 1920G9117 SHARJAH 2005WY909 SALALAH 2015WY611 DUBAI 2025WY635 ABU DHABI 2040FZ048 DUBAI 2040TG508 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2040WY915 SALALAH 21104H561 JEDDAH 2215FZ050 DUBAI 2225KL442 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230WY817 BANGKOK 22359W529 TRIVANDRUM 22406.00E+82 BOMBAY 2245AI908 MADRAS 2300WY677 MEDINA 2310AI974 DELHI 2310QR1135 DOHA 2320GF567 BAHRAIN 2325UL206 COLOMBO 2335EY381 ABU DHABI 2350WY673 JEDDAH 2350

A I R L I N E S

—www.met.gov.om

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr 12.18pm

Asr 3.45pm

Maghrib 6.25pm

Isha 7.35pm Fajr (Tomorrow) 4.51am

Sunset 6.19pm

Sunrise (Tomorrow) 6.07am

High tide 12:07am 1:40pm

Low tide 6:35pm 6:58am

BORN today, you have been endowed with almost boundless creative energy, which you will surely use to your advantage throughout your lifetime. You will get an early start at a long and lucrative career and parlay one success into another until you become, in the minds of many, something of a legend. What is most interesting about your creative spark is that it is often applied to your own image; you like to reinvent yourself periodically, transforming yourself almost instantaneously into something quite diff erent from what you were before. This can prove quite profi table for you — provided, of course, that you don’t lose sight of the “real you,” the immutable core that lies at the centre of everything.

You enjoy looking at the world through a diff erent lens as often as possible, gaining valuable new perspectives and avoiding any kind of prejudicial attitude. What’s more, you enjoy showing the world to others in unusual ways and helping them free their minds from limitations.

Also born on this date are: Elton John, singer-songwriter and musician; Sarah Jessica Parker, actress and producer; Lee Pace, actor; Aretha Franklin, singer; Danica Patrick, auto racer; Marcia Cross, actress; Gloria Steinem, journalist and publisher; Jim Lovell, astronaut; Paul Michael Glaser, actor; Howard Cosell, sportscaster; Bonnie Bedelia, actress; Bela Bartok, composer; Arturo Toscanini, conductor; Tom Glavine, baseball player.

You must strive to be fair in your dealings, even with those who have been unfair with you in the past. This is most important!

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22]

LIBRA [SEPT. 23-OCT. 22] LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL[S[[[S[S[S[[S[SS[SSSS[S[[[[SSSSSSSSSS

SCORPIO [OCT. 23-NOV. 21] S[

SAGITTARIUS [NOV. 22-DEC. 21] S[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

Guard against doing anything that could be interpreted as an aggressive move. You want to keep the peace, no matter what!

You’ll want to examine where you have been with more care than usual. Someone else’s opinion may aff ect you in a strange way.

It’s a good day to pitch in and help someone who isn’t likely to ask for help directly. You know what is needed, and when.

You’re wondering what’s next, but that may be just a bit premature. There is something that requires attention right now.

You must take care that all aspects of a task are completed before you declare the job fi nished. Every minute detail counts for much.

Much is going on inside, but appearance counts for a lot. You should focus on how you are presenting yourself.

Looks can be deceiving, as always, but you have a feeling that you know what’s really going on better than most. And indeed you do!

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20]

You’ll want to be more infl uential than you have been in the recent past. There is a certain barrier you must break through fi rst.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20]

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22]

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22]

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19]

Y O U R B I R T H D A Y

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19]

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20]

You don’t want to miss your cue! Keep your eyes and ears open, and pay attention as others fulfi l their own responsibilities.

You may suspect that someone is not telling the whole truth. Your own investigation yields an important and telling clue.

You will want to see things through the clearest possible lens, so you mustn’t let a negative experience cloud your view.

HELEN Mirren said, “I prefer the fi nesse of French humour. English humour is more scathing, more cruel ... as illustrated by Monty Python and Little Britain.”

Surely the English have not lost their subtle humour. British understatement cannot be a thing of the past, can it?

This week, we have been looking at some deals that might at fi rst glance appear to involve a fi nesse, but have in fact required leading twice toward the hand with the two honours. Is this another example? South is in three no-trump. West leads the spade queen. How should South plan the play? Faites vos jeux.

South starts with seven top tricks: two spades, two hearts, one diamond and two clubs. Obviously, he will have to take three diamond tricks to reach nine. And, it must be admitted, on many deals, starting the suit by leading a sneaky jack from hand will not hurt. First, the suit might split 3-2. Second, that play might gain, when West starts with king-doubleton and fails to cover an honour with an honour. But assuming there is no misdefence, it cannot gain to lead the jack fi rst, and it might cost. Imagine West or East has a singleton king. Or look at today’s layout.

This is another case of leading twice toward the hand with the two honours. After taking the fi rst trick, declarer should lead a diamond to dummy’s ace and return a diamond toward his hand. Here, East will probably play low. South wins with his queen, notes West’s discard, returns to dummy with a heart, and leads another diamond through East to get home.

— By Phillip Alder

C11

ENTERTAINMENT

With another card, is it now a fi nesse?

B I G N A T E

B O R N L O S E R

M A R M A D U K E

A C E S O N B R I D G E

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

K I D S P O T H E A L T H C A P S U L EC R O S S W O R D

Ans

wer

to p

revi

ous

puzz

le

WITH LOVE 8 1 6 2 4 1 9 2 3

5 8 3 7 1 2 4 2 6 7 5 1

1 3 5 8 4 4 5 3 7 2

6 7 8 3

9 4 7 1 3 2 6 8 5 1 8 6 5 4 7 3 2 9 5 3 2 8 9 6 1 7 4

4 7 3 6 5 8 9 1 2 6 1 9 2 7 3 5 4 8 8 2 5 9 1 4 7 3 6

7 6 1 4 8 5 2 9 3 2 9 4 3 6 1 8 5 7 3 5 8 7 2 9 4 6 1

Previous puzzle Solution

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area. — Seven Galaxies

S U D O K U

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 2 5, 2 0 1 5

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are

celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number

and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi

or through e-mail to [email protected]

AMMATANDA C. BOPANNAMarch 25, 2005

P. S. NIKHILESHHMarch 26, 2008

NANDANA RAMESHMarch 26

NANDITHA SREE KUMARMarch 27, 2008

AARAV M. NAIRMarch 26, 2013

REUBEN SAMUEL AMBAMarch 27, 2011

NAYANITA NITHINMarch 27, 2010

LOHITH S. KANCHANMarch 26, 2012

24 Bandleader Count —

26 Coff ee container28 Umbrella spoke30 Fright32 Some binary

digits33 Hit the Tab key34 Arrow cousin36 Unexpected

developments37 Network off ering38 Jump out of the

way40 Bump into42 Dupe44 Now or in the past45 Remnant51 Mal — mer53 Wide shoe

ACROSS

1 Fish organs 6 Charlatan11 Language oddities13 Wrinkle14 Locale for a cattail15 One-time

Sorenstam rival17 Charged particle18 — kwon do19 Cookie or candy20 No matter which21 Veer off -course23 Sock fi ller24 La — Tar Pits25 Junk email27 Quick raids29 Wheel track31 Bro’s sibling32 Criticised, wittily35 Horses’

mouthpieces38 Hideaways39 Male in the

meadow41 Wide-mouthed

pitcher43 California fort44 Dropped the ball

46 Umbrage47 Forest grazer48 Politician picker49 Nurse a drink50 Feminine or

masculine52 Waver

precariously54 Organic

compound55 Mural undercoat

DOWN 1 They may be all

tied up 2 Lofty goals 3 Form a queue (2

wds.) 4 Behold! 5 Metro haze 6 Wharf 7 Doubtful answer 8 Honey farm 9 Genetic copies10 Somalia neighbor12 Kilt sporter13 Calf-roping

events16 Pony foot22 Holds down a job

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

Run All Night ( Action/Crime) Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed haris10.00 p.m; CP No: 668 (15+)Lazarus Eff ect (Horror/Thriller ) Cast: Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass4.00, 8.00 p.m; CP No: 749 (12+)Suite Francaise (Drama/Romance) Cast: Michalle Williams, Kristin Scott2.00 & 6.00 p.m.; CP No: 747 (PG12)Winx Club: The Mystery Of The Abyss (Animation)2.00 & 6.00 p.m.; CP No: 748 (PG )Insurgent (Action/Sci:Fic) Cast: Shailen Woodley, Ansel Elgot 3.45, 7.30, 9.45 pmCP No: 746 (PG 12)Ex- Machina (Thriller/ Sci:Fic) Cast: Oscar Isac, Alicia Vikander 11.55 pm; (15+)Get Hard (Comedy) Cast: Will Farell, Kevin Hart, Alison11.55 p.m (15+)

Fireman (Mal) (Act \Thriller) Cast: Mammootty & Nyla Usha 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm Cinema Main Kakki Sattai (Tamil) ( Com\Act) Cast: Shiva Karthikeyan, Sri Divya & Prabhu3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm Cinema -2 NH 10 (Hindi) (Action\Thriller) Cast: Anushka Sharma, Deepti Naval & Neil Bhoopalam 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm Cinema – 3 Temper (Telugu) (Act) Cast: Jr Ntr, Kajal Agarwal 3:45pm Cinema-4 Picket 43 (Mal) (Act) Cast: Prithviraj, Javed Jafry6:45 & 9:45pm Cinema -4 Next Change: 100 Days Of Love (Mal )

Insurgent (3D) (Adventure/ Sci Fi) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, 7:00, 9:15, 11:30 PM (PG12)Insurgent (2D) (Adventure/ Sci Fi) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, 2:30 PM (PG12)The Gunman (2D) (Action/Crime) Cast: Javier Bardem, Sean Penn (15+) 4:45, 9:30, 11:45 PMEx- Machina (2D) (Drama, Sci Fi) (15+) Cast: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac 11:30 PMGet Hard (2D) (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Will Ferrel, Kevin Hart9:30 PMCinderella (2D) (Adv/Drama) (PG) Cast: Lily James, Hayley Atwell3:45, 5:45 PMWinx: The Mystery of the Abyss (2D) (Animation) (PG) 2:00, 3:15 PMSuite Francaise (2D) (Drama)(PG12) Cast: Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott Thomas, Margot7:30 PMThe Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2D) (Comedy I Drama) (PG) Cast: Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott5:00, 7:15 PM

Cast: Javier Bardem, Sean Penn (15+)7:30 PMGold Class: 02:15 PM & 09:00 PM Insurgent (2D)(Action/Crime) (PG12)Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort 11:45 AM Insurgent (3D) (Sci-Fi/Thriller (PG12)9:30 PM & 11:45 PMGold Class: 4:30 PM & 11:15 PMCinderella (2D) (Adventure) (PG)11:00 AM & 5:30 PMRun All Night (2D) (Action) (15+)7:30 PMWinx: The Mystery Abyss (Animation) (PG)10:15 AM, 2:00 & 3:45 PMCrazy Beautiful You (2D) (Action) (PG12)Cast: Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo3:15 PMThe Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2D) (Comedy/Drama) (PG)Cast: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill 1:00 & 5:15 PMGold Class: 6:45 PM

Ex Machina (Sci-fi /Drama) (15+)Cast: Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac11:45 PMGet Hard (2D) (Comedy) (15+)Cast: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Alison09:40 PMThe Gunman (2D) (Action/Crime)

SCREEN 1Dilliwali Zalim Girlfriend – Hindi (Comedy/Romance) (12+)Cast: Divyendu Sharma, Jackie Shroff , Prachi Mishra, Ira Dubey3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

SCREEN 2NH 10 – Hindi (Suspense/ Thriller) (12+)Cast: Anushka Sharma, Neil Bhoopalam, Ravi Jhankal, Darshan Kumaar3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM

Run All Night – 2D (15+) (Action)Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris11:15 PMCinderella – 2D (PG) (Adventure)Cast: Lily James, Hayley Atwell, 4:30 PMInsurgent – 2D (PG12) (Adventure)Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel 5:15 PMInsurgent – 3D (PG12) Adventure|Sci-Fi | ThrillerCast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Theo James8:00, 9:30, 11:45 PMThe Gunman – 2D (15+) (Action) Cast: Javier Bardem, Sean Penn3:00, 7:25, 9:15, 11:45 PMWinx Club : The Mystery of the Abyss – 2D (PG) Animation3:30, 5:00, 6:30 PMThe Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – 2D (PG) Comedy |Drama Cast: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill5:00, 7:00 PMSuite Française – 2D (PG12) Drama |Romance | War Cast: Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott Thomas, Margot3:00, 7:15 PMThe Lazarus Eff ect – 2D (Horror) Cast: Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass 10:15 PM (12+)

The Gunman – 2D (15+) (Action) Cast: Javier Bardem, Idris Elba3:00, 5:00, 9:15, 11:30 PMInsurgent -2D (PG12) (Adventure)Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort5:00 PMInsurgent – 3D (PG12) (Adventure)7:15, 9:30, 11:45PMThe Lazarus Eff ect – 2D (12+)Horror, ThrillerCast: Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Evan3:30 PMEx- Machina 2D (15+) (sci-fi c)Cast: Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac11:45pmDilliwali Zaalim Girlfriend – 2D Romance, ComedyCast: Divyendu Sharma, Jackie Shroff 7:00, 9:30 PMWinx Club : The Mystery of the Abyss – 2D (PG) Animation3:00, 4:30, 6:00 PMRun All Night – 2D (15+) Action 7:30 PM

Insurgent (3D) (Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel5:45, 9:30, 11:45 PMThe Gunman (Action) (15+) Cast: Javier Bardem, Sean Penn7:00, 9:05 PM

Winx : The Mystery of the Abyss (2D)(PG) (Animation) 11:00AM, 2:15, 5:45PMInsurgent (2D)(PG12) (Adventure) 2:40PMInsurgent (3D)(PG12); 9:15, 11:30PM The Gunman (2D)(15+) (Action) 5:00, 7:05, 9:40PMEx Machina (2D)(15+) (Drama) 11:45PMRun All Night (2D)(15+) (Action) 12:30PMGet Hard (2D)(15+) (Comedy) 9:30PMCinderella (2D)(PG) (Adventure) 12:15, 3:45PMDilliwali Zaalim Girlfriend (2D) 7:20PMThe Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2D)(PG)( Comedy/ Drama) 11:30AM, 7:15PMCrazy Beautiful You (2D)(PG12) (Drama) 3:15PMSuite Française (2D)(PG12)(Drama) 5:15PMThe Lazarus Eff ect (2D)(12+)(Horror/Thriller) 1:45, 11:30PM

The Lazarus Eff ect (Horror | Thriller) Cast: Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Evan4.15PM (12+) Get Hard (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Alison Brie8:00PMWinx Club: The Mystery of the Abyss (Animation) (PG) 4:00, 5:30 PMEx Machina (Drama | Sci-Fi) (15+) Cast: Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac11:15 PM

SCREEN 3Badlapur – (Action | Drama) – 15+3.45, 9.45 pmCast: Varun Dhawan, Huma Qureshi, Yami GautamRun All Nighht (Action) – 15+Cast: Genesis Rodriguez, Liam Neeson 6.45 PM

Get Hard – 2D (15+) ComedyCast: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Alison9:15 PMEx Machina– 2D (15+)(Drama) Cast: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac11 :30 PM


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

CONNECT H E D A I LY G U I D E

D

D4 VACANCY CARGO D7

W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 2 5 , 2 0 1 5

RENT D2

*Classifi ed Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to

space availability

OFFICES FOR RENT

Contact: 97377355 / 97307476, Email id: [email protected]

Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c. Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

DAILY GUIDEEmail: [email protected] classifi [email protected].: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

1bedroom, 2 bedroom + showroom,

18 November road Al Azaiba.

Contact 99565364 / 99617786

Shop available at Ruwi 2 shutters.

Contact 99345044

Good 1,2 BHK fl ats at Darsait,

Al Khuwair offi ce place in

Al Khuwair. Contact 99369081

Spacious villa, 2 fl oors with swim-

ming pool garden, garage, servant

room, 3 bedrooms with seaside view,

three lounges, dining room, 5 bath

rooms in Qurum area rent R.O 1500/-

per month, 1 yr advance. Contact

99335594 / 95501858

Villa for rent 4 rooms, 3 toilets

behind Kuwait Mosque, Wadi Kabeer.

Contact 92925173

Villa in Bosher behind Dolphin,

5 BHK hall living room with split A/C

RO 650/- family only.

Contact 92479515

Flat Al Ghubra South fi rst fl oor,

3BHK hall, living room split a/c for

family only 500/-. Contact 92479515

Flat Al Azaiba ground fl oor 4BHK

living room split a/c for family only

parking 550/-R.O. Contact 92479515

Flats shops and store for rent in

MBD area and Honda road. Contact

92433127/ 97293708/ 95150632

Flat for rent in Wadi Kabir near

Lulu 4BHK. Contact 97007934 /

92629232

Commercial Villa in Al Khuwair

with Private Parking’s,7 Rooms Hall

and Reception and Kitchen

Contact 95202430

Al Ghubra small house for rent

160/-. Contact 95032152

2 & 3 BHK Darsait School new

building. Contact 99024730

2 BHK & studio fl at at Darsait 1SM.

Contact 99024730

Furnished single room with A/C and

attached bathroom is available at

Rex Road for Non cooking Executive

bachelor from 1st April 2015.

Contact 99116286

2 BHK Flat in Qurum.

Contact 99792181

1, 2 & 3 BHK Flat in Alkhuwair.

Contact 99792181

4 Bhk Villa in Alkhuwair & Madinat

Ilham. Contact 99792181

250 Sqr Mtrs offi ce in CBD.

Contact 99792181

2 BHK fl ats Muttrah near Oman

House. Contact 97007934 /

92629232

2 BHK fl at - Spacious Hall,bed

rooms and 2 bathrooms for rent in

Al Khuwair Prime Location near

Zawavi Mosque next to Wave Hotel.

Rent RO 370/- - Contact - 96178677

Studios starting from 160 in Qurum

near Mars supermarket. Contact

96755180, 96755181

D2 W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 2 5 , 2 0 1 5

3BR top class fi tting fl at , ideal for

top Executives Mumtaz area, Ruwi.

Contact 91287824

Labour Camp in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99792181

Spacious 2 BR, fl at in MBD.

Contact 99713489

Flat for rent in Wadi Al Kabir,

2 rooms & 3 toilets next to Platinum

Gym. Contact 99210008

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

Flat 4 rent south Al Mabelah.

Contact 95331177 / 95230355

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Mis-

fah Industrial area near to Khanco.

OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity

and boundary wall.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Flat with 2 bedrooms and big hall in

Mawalih near King burger

R.O 310/-. Contact 99886099

2BHK Apartment available at

Al Khuwair 33. Contact 94057023

2BHK /3BHK apartment available at

Qurum, near PDO Gate-2.

Contact 94057023

2 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @

AZAIBA, 2 B/R Luxury Fully

Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33,

1 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al

Khuwair, 3 B/R Luxury Fully Fur-

nished @ Al Khuwair 25. 5 B/R Fully

Furnished villa @

Madinat Al Ilam. For Daily, Weekly,

monthly or Yearly contract. Contact:

Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC

99249069 / 99436312/92888376,

Email: [email protected]

2BHK fl at for rent Wadi Kabir near

Kuwaiti Mosque. Contact 97007939

/ 92629232

Villas & fl ats at Ansab.

Contact 98458542

Flat Wadi AL Kabeer, 2BHK, sitting

room, 3 bathroom balcony split /AC

300/- R.O Contact 99324402

2 bedroom fl at in Al Ghubra near

Oman oil 18 November Street. OMR

330. Monthly. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

Brand new deluxe fl ats located near

Seeb fl yover on the right band side of

the main road coming from the Seeb

palace round about, 2 bedrooms fam-

ily, hall, kitchen, 3 toilets with split

unit ACs. Contact 97755586

1 Bedroom attached toilet Al Khu-

wair area only for ladies or husband

and wife without children. Contact

9:00 pm to 7:00 am 95765719

85 SQM shops in Ruwi only on

350/- OMR. Contact 95122188 /

96441499

Spacious 2 BHK fl ats in Ruwi MBD

area only on 350/- OMR.

Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

Beautiful offi ce space available in

Ruwi MBD area only on 2/- OMR

per sqm. Contact 95122188 /

96441499

If require fl ats for rent in Wadi

Kabir please send messages through

Whatsapp or call – 99376454

Furnished room available on Seeb

share with small family for couple

working ladies.

Contact 96996938

1000 sq mtrs industrial land for

rent in Ghala suitable for Ware

house workshop.

Contact 24700120 / 925

Flats/villas owned by ROP pension

fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526

Industrial /commercial shops at

Wadi Kabir 4 x 5.6 x 4.6 MTR height.

Showroom with mezzanine & offi ce at

Al Noor Street near Switz bakery & Al

Masa hall corner building all on roads

& parkings in front of shops & show

room. # 99065900 or 99354975 Villa for rent with 4 bedroom at

Al Khodh, Rent 750/-RO.#92888115

Prim location, nice fi nishing villa

for RENT. 2 big bedrooms . Main

large sitting room. Small maid

room. Kitchen and 3 bathrooms.

At Alkhuwair. near Holiday Inn &

Oman Club. Contact 99426662,

PDC only. For families & college

girls.

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Dental clinic for sale in Seeb area.

Contact 96903341

Readymade garment shop with

furniture. Contact 99386170

Treadmill motorized in

good running condition for sale.

Contact 99358025

Urgent sale man tipper, Tata Novus

prime mover with trailer, Tata

Daewoo tipper, Tata water tanker,

Tata Hyup, Roller, Bitili, roller double

drum bitili, PTR Roller Bitili, Titan

paver, Volvo, back hoeloader, SDLG

wheel loader. Contact 92964673

1BHK C.B.D. Contact 99024730

5 B/R double storied 4500 sq ft

house 27 cents 200 mtrs Away from

main road Cherianad JN. Chenga-

noor. Contact 99236846


For sale work shop carpenter

with 4 clearances in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99345137

Construction building material /

equipment for sale on urgent basis.

Contact 95526871

Building material shop with mate-

rial for sale in Al Musannah.

Contact 98053324

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

Building material shop for sale in

Al Hail. Contact 98003111

558 Sq mtrs residential land in Bar-

ka behind Lulu and near to school.

OMR 32 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

1 bedroom attached toilet in

Al Khuwair bachelors/ family

R.O 140/-. Contact 95154331

Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879

New building near the Bousher -

Al Misfah high way, with showroom,

offi ces, and shops. Great for banks,

medical clinics and companies

95202430

Shop for sale at Ruwi. Contact

99103077

DAILY GUIDEW E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 2 5 , 2 0 1 5 D3

FOR SALEACC. AVAILABLE

ACC. WANTED

Wanted a separate room near

Lulu Darsait. Contact 92481082

Furnished accommodation wanted for April, May for Keralite

family. Contact 99378397

Used household & offi ce furni-

ture and electronic items. Contact

99834373, 97102699

Looking for purchase of Used Portable Compressor (350 CFM,

7 Bar Pressure) powered with

Diesel run Generator.

Kindly Contact 99014686 or

[email protected]

BUYING/SELLING

AVAILABLE

Running beauty parlor for sale in

Barka Souq with license & visa. Con-

tact 92168729

Brand new UK made wheel balancer

for sale with accessories,

contact 94052713, 99885638

Coff ee shop for sale at Mawala.

Contact 99646640

Used Restaurant Equipments & Fur-

niture for immediate sale. Interested

Parties contact 97824001.

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40

ton petrol tank each working at the

moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35

Thousand each. Tel: 97000155 or

92688692

Commercial registration with

excellent name Grade A for business

software for sale. Contact 92959251

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40

ton petrol tank each working at the

moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35

Thousand each. Tel: 97000155 or

92688692

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land

with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479

or 95215360

Ready mix concrete for sale.

Contact 99054673

Land for sale residential commer-

cial and residential and tourist and

industrial, and hotels for sale in

Muscat (Al Khuwair and the Qurum,

and crushed stone, and Bowshar,

and spite and Gala heights, and the

heights of the airport) to deal with

the buyer. Contact 99070093

3 fl oor building in Muttrah behind

Police. Generating income of OMR

18 Thousand annually. 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

WANTED

Clinic required, One Established

new Clinic in Muscat, with Valid

License & Clearance is required to

purchase interested Parties can con-

tact 91283188 or send your inquiries

to [email protected]

Looking for a contractor to build my

house. If you wish to apply for the

position, please feel free to contact

the following number: 94488999

Freelance HSE Advisor. Contact

93637030

Established Restaurant for rent with

sponsorship. Contact 97628242

Party & Wedding equipment rent-

als. Full line, from Tables, Linen

& Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers,

Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chaf-

ing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large

Sound Systems and spectacular

lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for

Catering and Croyden 9623 5555

for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.

com, E-mail: [email protected]

M.V. FOR SALE

Dodge Nitro 4.0 ltr engine 2007

model 130000 kms, red colour, regis-

tration valid for one year. RO.2700/-.

Contact - 91251966

Toyota Camry white 2011 km -51000

R.O 4800/-.Contact 99561562

Renault Duster (2013) for immedi-

ate sale only 15,200 kilometers

driven (OMR 4300/-) Expat leaving.

Contact 93083453

Car sale BMW 740 Li & Model 2008

KM 124181, Company maintenance.

Single person used (GM).

Contact 97989094

BMW 318i & model 2004 KM

180678, company maintenance.

Single person used (DY.GM)

Contact 97989094

Suzki SX4 2012. Contact 99484342

Yaris 1.5, 2008 fully automatic ex-

pat driven. Contact 92227165

Vitara 2013. Contact 99336093

Room with separate bath available

for non cooking Executive at

Al Khuwair. Contact 99224185

Furnished spacious room with at-

tached bath available for Executive

bachelor in Ruwi near Al Maha

fi lling station. Contact 98290299

Single room with AC, toilet, highway

side at Al Hail. Contact 92968292

Furnished accommodation in W/K

R.O 135/-. Contact 97167857

Well furnished single room / shar-

ing for Exe bachelor or small family

at Rex Road. Contact 92873832

2BR, 1BTR for Indian family ladies

near Ruwi Church.Contact 99746379

Single room with furniture available

behind Kamat Restaurant Al Khu-

wair. Contact 24125300 / 94158350

Studio fl at MBD Ruwi.

Contact 95698714

Furnished Single Room avail-

able for a decent Keralite Bachelor

(Sharing Kitchen/Bath) Near Oman

House/Khimji Mart, Muttrah,

Rent:- 85/- (Including Elec/Wat).

Contact 98450071

Single room with separate bath at

Rex Road, working lady preferred.

Contact 95423572

Sharing accommodation rooms at

Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 /

97004265

Single room behind main Indian

School Wadi Kabir. Contact 99376454

Single room attached bathroom

separate entrance near Rex Road

Kolivada .# 99870317 / 98218453

One bed room fl at with hall for rent

in Al Khuwair area near Radisson

blue hotel. Contact 97646492

A big room available near Hamriya

R/A for Muslim couple / small family

/Executive bachelor rent 150/- Rial

per month including W+E.

Contact 99495131

Single room attached bathroom with

kitchen near Riyam park Muscat

RO 70/-. Contact 95094028

1B/R available for bachelors in

REX ROAD, Ruwi. Contact 99889590

Billiards and snooker table 1 no.,

hand football game table 1 no. with

all accessories on (as is where is)

basis. The items are in Sur Industrial

area. Interested parties please

contact - [email protected]

Furnished Room with attached bath

for Indian Bachelor in Al Falaj area

Ruwi & sharing room lady in

Wadikabir. Call 95941515

Family sharing accommodation

available in Al Khodh.# 98292798

Single room available with A/C for

non cooking executive bachelor at

Hamriya R/abt. (on main road side,

Opp. Apollo Hospital).

Contact 91673718, 98232567

Sharing family accommodation in

Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057

Gubrah furnished room, attached

bath dish TV, WIFI, kitchen available

for Executive single person, couple.

Contact 99658689

Room in CBD area for non cooking

Executive bachelors free WIFI, Ad-

vance deposit. Contact 95934642

3 Bedrooms, with spacious hall

& 3 bathrooms near ism, Darsait

from 1st april 2015. Gsm 94288861

Furnished Sharing accommo-

dation available for executive

bachlor at Muthrah near OIFC.

Pls contact. 91398353.

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

Dental Clinic with license for sale in

Sohar. Contact 92816015

NRI

Spacious 4BHK semi furnished 1917

sqf fl at located in Mayur Paradise

at Sarjapur road, Bangalore. 5 kms

from Wipro. Call - 95194007

Investments, insurance and pen-

sion plans from SBI life (State Bank

of India group). Contact 95778431

MATRIMONIAL

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

Kerala Malankara Catholic girl

28/155 GNM, MOH Oman looking for

suitable match from Muscat / Kerala

(Pta dist) M4 ID 4002623.

Contact 96708960 / 95338210

Keralite Ezhava girl BSc Nurse wheatish Bharani Nakshatram 28

yrs, 160 cm working with MOH seeks

suitable alliance from Keralite pro-

fessionals in Muscat.

Contact 94273585

Keralite RCSC parents invite alli-

ance from RCSC boy Graduate Post

Graduate 26/29 their daughter

23/167 B. Tech. Contact 97112038 /

24493497

32 yrs old Nadar Executive is work-

ing in Oman for last 8 years require

bride from same caste.

Contact 95892831

Keralite Syrian Christian Parents

seeking alliance from any Syrian

Christian Denominations Graduated

working girls preferably in Oman or

UAE for their son MBA 29/175-born

brought up in Muscat working in a

reputed organization.

Contact 97226324

email: [email protected]

We are looking for a Muslim Girl

for our son interested parents or

daughter May. Contact 97664009

Male Nurse Keralite Christian

RC Boy, Age 28 Years, Inviting Pro-

posals. Contact: 93657535

DAILY GUIDED4 W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 2 5 , 2 0 1 5

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION VACANT

EDUCATION

MEDICAL

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

Email: [email protected] classifi [email protected].: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

ADMIN/HR

DOMESTIC HELPER

ACCOUNTANCY

BEAUTICIAN

CATERING

DRIVER

ADVOCATE

SALES / MARKETING

IT

SALES / MARKETING

Indian CA, male, having 12+ Years’

experience in the fi eld of A/Cs,

fi nance, auditing, consultancy and

also knowledgeable in SAP B1,Tally

ERP ,etc. Working as Finance

Manager for last 2 years in Oman

and have valid D/L of Oman. NOC

available. PLZ contact: 98234761,

Email:[email protected]

Indian male 24 yrs MBA marketing

21 days visit visa looking for market-

ing accounts and sales good com-

munication skills. Contact 91379124


Indian male 28 years experience

in Accounts & Admin with B.E, MBA

fi nance seeks suitable placement

with a reputed from on visit visa.

Contact 97409606


Indian male MBA (fi n & market-

ing) 9 years experience in business

development, healthcare insuring fi n

& actng seeking suitable job on visit

in Oman. Contact 98653962


Asst Accountant BBM, 2 yrs experi-

ence seeking suitable vacancy in ac-

counts, operation logistics etc. 1 year

experience in hardware & network-

ing as well. Contact 97623267

CA with 8 years Experience

(6 in UAE & Oman) in A/cs, Finance

& Audit. Contact: :98707434 /

[email protected]

Bachelor degree in business

(Accounting) from Majan College

searching for job with D/L and 2

years exp . Contact 96132149

Finance Manager, CPA, with more

than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC.

Fully knowledgeable in Finance,

General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331

Indian 34 yrs B.Com CA Inter pass

12 yrs exp in Audit A/C, Finance

on visit seeks suitable placement.

Contact 95585069

Accountant 25 years experience

M.Com Accounts up to fi nalization

14 years in Oman. NOC release avail-

able. Contact 99640490


Indian male 26 years, MBA - fi nance

and BSC (HONS) cooperation &

banking with computer knowledge,

currently on visit visa.

Contact 92636173


Indian male with 7 years experience

in customer service and banking

operations looking for a suitable job

right now on visit visa.

Contact 96169123

Sr. Accountant, M.Com, Indian

male,13 yrs exp in MNC, FMCG &

Automobile spare parts with valid

Oman D/L looking for suitable posi-

tion. NOC available-Mob: 92435323

Accounts part time works up to

fi nalization, monthly report, balance

sheet and fi nalization works.

Contact 96247295

Indian female 28 MBA (HR) B. Sc, 3+

years exp India & Oman HR/Admin

looking for suitable placement.

Contact 95619537

Senior Accountant, 10 years

experience in Oman on visit.

Contact 98897581.

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

URGENTLY REQUIRED A full time Indian housemaid for an Omani

family (local recruits preferred)

please contact : 95164139,

between 8 am – 5 pm

Part time maid required in Al-Khu-

wair 25 on Sunday and Wednesday,

call 97093525

Required SALESMAN for LAMIS

in Avenues Mall, Bousher. Must be

young, active and have own trans-

port. Send CV to rahibco@hotmail.

com or call 96218662

Kitchen Sales Executive Required:-

Qualifi ed candidates must have a

minimum 2year work experience in

GCC with valid Oman driving license.

Interested candidates please send your

CV to [email protected]

A leading group is looking for Sales Executives, min 2 years experience

in Building materials & Electricals

with driving license & release/ NOC.

Email CV to [email protected]

or Fax: 24701683

Required Sales & Marketing person for IT company with minimum 2

years experience in Oman and with

valid Oman driving license. Contact

98825806. Email: [email protected]

Required M/F Marketing person part time exp in event management

with strong communication read /

write and knowledge of music &

dance industry for an Institute.

Mail: [email protected]

Wanted Salesman having driving

license for advertising company.

Contact 96440587 / 95338210

Required Commercial Assistant having minimum 3-5 years of FMCG

experience for a leading FMCG com-

pany in Muscat. Having Omani driv-

ing license is preferred. Interested

candidates may send their resume at

[email protected]

Looking for Experienced Omani/Expat Sales Executive for

Web Application Sales.

Email [email protected]

Urgently required an excellent grade

construction fi rm based in Muscat

has immediate vacancy for Market-ing Executive minimum 5 years

experience with D/L. Email your CV

to [email protected]

Indian Accounts / Audit assistant

with 2 years of experience currently

on a visit visa looking for suitable

job openings. Contact 94677338,

97041086


Indian Male, 27 yrs MBA (Fin), SAP,

4 Yrs Exp in Finance Seeking Suit-

able Job with a Reputed Firm Cur-

rently on Visit Visa # 92481230

A Fresh ACCA Affi liate, Pakistani

male, 24 yrs, open for positions of

Accounts, Audit and fi nance.

Contact : 94541539


ACCA fi nalist and BSc from Oxford

Brookes University UK, having 18

months working experience, cur-

rently in Muscat on visit, seeking

immediate and suitable position.

Contact : 95375282

22 years of experience in Multina-

tional Companies & reputed fi rms

in Financial Management, Project

Management, Budgeting and Cost

control, seeking a strategic Finan-

cial/Management Accounting role in

a dynamic organization .

Contact : +971-506178139,

[email protected]

Indian male 26 years (MBA) (Op-

erations & Marketing) 2 years expe-

rience in administration, operations

and sales and marketing looking

for suitable placement on visit visa.

Contact 97920125

Indian male 36 yrs having 12 yrs of

experience in Oman in the follow-

ing fi elds- HR & Admin, Purchase,

Logistics, Operation. NOC available.

Ph: 93885680

Indian female with excellent

communication skills, confi dent,

dedicated to work and enthusiastic.

Knowledge about ms offi ce. Has

6 years of experience in cus-

tomer service, telecommunication,

HR.Looking for immediate place-

ment. Contact # 97348819

Indian male, B.Com, almost 2 yrs

exp in Accounts & Admin on visit

visa. Contact 98546162

HR Manager Marketing Manager,

12 yrs experience in India seeks im-

mediate placement in Oman.

Contact 95881471,

Email : [email protected]

Indian male, MBA, 8 yrs experience

in HR with Oman D/L. NOC available.

Contact 98692434

Indian male MBA 12 years exp with

international exposure seeking suit-

able job administrative, HR manage-

ment, sales & marketing, currently

in Salalah. Contact 91233648 /

94667857

mail: [email protected]

Indian male, 13 yrs Gulf experience

in Admin / front offi ce.

Contact 97941050

Indian male MBA (HR & Marketing)

2 years experience seeking suitable

job now on visit visa.

Contact 96483964 / 98757816

Indian male 32 yrs MBA.HR mar-

keting, 6 yrs experience in FMGC

products looking for a suitable job.

Contact 92954827

Over 14 years of Gulf experience

in Admin /HR /Logistics, fl uent in

Arabic & English with D/L, looking

for suitable position.

Contact 95824598

Indian male, well experienced in Ad-

ministration supervisory, business

development, front offi ce Admin-

istrations & good computer skills

seeking Supervisory / Secretarial

/ Front Offi ce Administrative jobs.

Contact 92145973


Indian male having 2+ years Oman

experience seeking suitable job op-

portunity...currently working as HR

coordinator in a reputed company in

Oman. Contact : 93671437

[email protected]

Noc available

Indian female B.Com with excellent

communication available for immedi-

ate joining full time or part time in

HR & Admin coordination.

Contact 98460262

Young Indian male with 5 years

Muscat experience in admin,

purchase & Masters from UK seeks

placement. Possess driving license.

Contact 94400671

Wanted cook / Tandoor /Shawarma / maker. Contact 97939688

Experience cook for Omani family

1Nos. Contact 99228046


Wanted Salesman with driving

licence and car.

Gsm : 98805474 or email id:

[email protected]

Required promoter for promoting

Perfumes in shopping centre please.

Contact 95663682 or send CV

[email protected]

Sales Executives needed for marble

& granite company with minimum

one year experience with driving

license. Good looking Indians only.

Email: [email protected] /

[email protected]

Looking for Qualifi ed and experi-enced Sales Executives in indus-

trial and mechanical fi eld items &

building materials. Please send your

CV to [email protected]

Wanted for immediate appointment linemen, Electrician, Duct fabrica-tor, AC technicians, AC foreman HVAC, Procurement Asst. Engineer, minimum 2 years experience in Gulf

for all posts. Apply with bio-data to

[email protected] immediately.

Construction Company require Civil Engineer, minimum 2 years

experience. Contact 93806556

Urgently required Irrigation Engi-neers, B.Tech (Agri/Irri) for supervi-

sion 5 yrs experience.

Contact- secons.engineers@gmail.

com Contact 99244481

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]

FCCA- Qualifi ed from UK with 9

years of experience in Big 4 & Top

30 UK fi rms. Currently working as

Manager Finance & Accounts for

more than 2 years. NOC available,

please contact 9259 3748

Male, total 17 years experience in In-

dia & Oman - India - 9 years & Oman

- 8 years In the fi eld of procurement,

material controller and accountancy -

Local release available (Noc) Cont no.

91680124 , 98606546

American B International relations

seeking position in fi nance HR,

Administration or any suitable

position. Contact 95560225


Looking for part time accounts

job please contact:95573856 &

99183135.

Part time Accountant up to fi naliza-

tion looking for job after 5 pm location

Qurum Al Khoudh. Contact 92917574

Accountant / Accounts Assistant

with 7 years experience in Indian

accounts like taxation, fi nalization

of balance sheet, good knowledge in

Tally ERP9 & MS Offi ce, Currently

on visit visa looking for immediate

joining. Contact 94362799

Accountant Indian male B.COM /

MBA 9 years experience in Oman up

to fi nalization. NOC available, can join

immediately. Contact 94134085/

[email protected]

CA Finalist having big four experi-

ence of more than three years seek-

ing suitable position currently on

visit visa. Contact 94663269


12 years Oman experienced Chief

Accountant looking for suitable

placement. Contact 97385562

Accountant: a well experienced

Indian male, M.Com, more than 20

years experience in accounting

fi eld (GCC & India), looking for job

as accountant or accounts manager

in oman. presently working in India

and ready to join immediately.

Contact :99087175

Indian male 26 years, with 4 years

experience in accounts and adminis-

tration looking for suitable place-

ment. Contact 93008891

Indian male, B.Com, Accountant

– 6yrs exp in Oman, NOC available-

Ready to join.contact: 98162671 ;


B.com doing CA Accounts/ offi ce

job male now working in Oman Noc,

release available. Contact 92715465


India Accountant: Male, M com,

7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to

fi nalization, having knowledge of

ERP, Tally, seeks suitable place-

ment. Contact:93950138


Law fi rm offi ce at Shatti al Qurum

looking for Indian legal advisor minimum 5 years experience in

Oman . please Contact :99772277

[email protected]

Accountant 35 years B.COM with

experience in Oman urgently seek-

ing suitable job Accountant/ Ass.

Admin / HR valid driving license &

NOC. Contact + 968- 99176112 Email

: [email protected]

New International Schools in

Oman going to begin in September

2015 seeks Principal, Early years

& foundation stage and Cambridge primary teachers (Homeroom and co-teachers), Operations Man-ager, Admissions Manager & Par-ents Relationship Manager. Send

CV and open letters of references to

: [email protected] /

[email protected]

Contact 0069555789779/

00968 94665998

Maths, Physics, Chemistry Teacher urgently required to

teach 2 students of 12th standard

. Teacher’s experience preferred.

Contact 99360489

Urgently required beautician, visa available. Contact 97172334

Want Chief Accountant have

experience more than 10 years or

have experience in logistics

[email protected]

Wanted Sales or Marketing Execu-tive degree or master degree.

Interested can send C.V on

[email protected] or contact

98983951 / 98668697

Wanted Graphic Designer skilled

in Photoshop, coreldraw illustrator

for advertising company. Contact

96440587 / 95338210

DESIGNER

DRAFTSMAN

Architectural Draftsman desired

candidate profi le : minimum

3 years experience in detail de-

sign. Please send your CV to


Contact 99196733

Wanted driver. Contact 95112461

Light Driver required. Must be currently present in Oman.

Salary 150 + 25 + accommodation.

Contact 99454425

Urgently Required: 1) Planning Engineer minimum 5 years experi-

ence with primavera certifi cate and

immediately join. 2) Electrical Engineer minimum

5 years experience in building

construction and immediately join.

Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails

[email protected],

[email protected].

Required Foreman for interior deco-

ration and construction business

with minimum 2 years experience in

Oman and with valid Oman driving

license. Contact 98825806.


Urgently required for leading

company, Land Surveyor, Electrical technician, MEP foreman, Camp Boss. Fax: 24478522

E-mail: [email protected]

Looking for Assistant Workshop Manager, Automobile Engineering

with minimum 4 years experience

in vehicle modifi cation works.

Contact: 97441935

Wanted Auto Electrician with ITI or

diploma qualifi cation.

Interested can send C.V on

[email protected] or contact

98983951 / 98668697

Mechanical Workers Required -

A well established pipeline con-

struction company required some

skilled workers of below mentioned

categories; Fabricators, Fitters,

Mechanical Helper . Please Contact

at this numberurgently 96928351

Wanted LAB Technician and female Nurse for a 25 years old

poly clinic at Ibri candidates who

have passed their prometric ex-

amination can also apply.

Contact 93828382 Email:

[email protected]

Urgently required an Orthodon-tist with MOH to work at a reputed

Dental Center in Muscat.

Contact 968 99694723,


Wanted female Nurse for Skin

clinic in Muscat. Must have MOH

license and NOC. Mail to

[email protected]

Urgently required Pharmacist. Contact 94200385/ 95206905/

97433142


A medical center requires a part time Pharmacist. Interested

candidates contact 99705799

B.Com India. Languages : English,

Hindi & Malayalam.

Contact 92954613

Accounting up to fi nalization, audit-

ing & contact for tally ERP software

Contact– 91720465

Pakistani male, 25 yrs, MBA

Finance, 1.6 yrs exp in Accounts seek-

ing placement in Accounts,

Administration or Business Manage-

ment. Contact 92651927 / 94250149

Female with MBA fi nance, fi nancial

and tax professional four and half

years of experience seeks suitable

opportunities in reputed organiza-

tions. Contact- 99792457


Indian Male, 25 yrs currently in

Oman on visit looking for suitable

vacancies in accounts, B.Com

completed 1 yr experience.

Contact 92024380

Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience

in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit

visa. Contact 92045306

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,


SITUATION WANT-SIT. WANTED

SITUATION WANT-SIT. WANTED

Required qualifi ed and IT teachers note: candidates for

teaching should have minimum

bachelor degree and having expe-

rience not less than 2 years. Please

submit your CV through email

till 29th of March 2015. For more

information please contact with

24498423


Indian male- B.Com/B.Ed/15 years

Exp – 5 in Oman, seeks job in

Accts/Sales/Logistics have NOC

and Oman D/L with car.

Contact – 92919625/93511425/

93424828;

Email- [email protected]


DAILY GUIDESITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

IT

IT

DRIVER

DESIGNER

ADMIN/HR

DOMESTIC HELPER

Indian male MBA 32 yrs having

10 yrs of exp seeking suitable place-

ment in Admin/ HR/ Operations/

Coordination/ Logistics etc. Holding

valid Oman D/L .Contact - 99054786

ARCHI./ DRAUGHTSMAN

CATERING

Indian cook, Tandoori cook, male, 32 yrs, having 4 yrs of experi-

ence in Muscat in India, looking

for a cook job in Hotel. Contact

93753523 / 98744307 / 92175119.

Modular kitchen designer with

4 years Bahrain /Dubai experience

plus 10 years AutoCAD, 3D,

Photoshop& 20-20 Fusion.

Contact -96467673,

[email protected]

Keralite Bachelor professional

building designer with AutoCAD,

3D Max & Accounts. #96535497,

email : [email protected]

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. Contact -94688594,

[email protected];

Indian Male 27years, 5yrs exp. as

QA/QC Civil Engineer on visit visa

seeking suitable placement.

Contact-94372711

M.Tech Civil (structure) with 3 yrs

experience looking for a suitable

job with reputed consultants or

contracting companies.

Contact 93137035,


BE Civil Engineer, 4 years expe-

rience, 2 years in Oman consul-

tancy ROP site, good computer and

communication skills, valid Oman

driving license. Looking for planning

engineer job. Call - 94034153

M.Tech Computer Science & En-

gineering, Indian female, Fresher,

looking for suitable vacancy.

Contact 96103071


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 Mechanical Engineer, 25

years with 5 years experience in fab-

rication (steel & pipe), machinery in-

stallation HVAC and Quality control

in welding & mechanical working in

Muscat and NOC available.

Contact 97270431


D.A.E Civil 4 years experience D/L

Oman. Contact 96719649

Indian male 24 years B.Tech

Mechanical Engineer with 2 years

experience seeks suitable placement

in reputed company.

Contact 99359887 / 94132536

Civil Engineer with MBA have

10 years exp in construction and

roads projects management.

Contact 97046565

Omani Citizen BE Mechanical Engi-

neer with 1 year Experience looking

for job urgently. Contact: 95993315


Mechanical Engineer Indian male

with one year experience also quali-

fi ed in PDMS, Piping and NDT level

two seeking suitable position cur-

rently in visit visa. Contact 98698682


Electrical Engg, B.E Indian male 1 yr

exp on visit visa. Contact 93700848


Indian male 35 years B.Tech Mech.

Engineer with 13 yrs experience

in power plant Indian looking for a

suitable opening in Oman. Candidate

available in Muscat until 02-4-15.

Contact 95911614 / 99844868

Indian Male 10 years experienced

CIVIL ENGINEER having Omani

driving license looking for suitable

placement. GSM 94194399

([email protected])

Electrical Eng diploma 12 yrs exp

HV /LV - UG & OHL having NOC with

valid Oman D/L & Mazoon CEP.

Contact 96274568

Mechanical Engineer (BE) done

process piping, PDMS, Q.C welding

N.D.T course fresher on visit visa

looking for job. Contact 97359171


Project Engineer, civil engineer BSC,

Building Construction 5 Years Exp in

Oman fl uent Arabic, English and good

Hindi .Contact - 97858589

D.A.E Civil Engineer Pakistani male,

Diploma 3 years full experience 10

years, 6 yrs exp in Oman & Pakistan

exp 4 years looking for good job in

fi rm. Contact 92286164

Electrical Engineer looking for job

NOC available. Contact 96347995

B/Tech B.E Civil nearly

3 years Indian male. Contact

93850875/95283064

Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engi-

neer Experienced, Drafting on Visit

Visa Ph : 91642050

Looking Part time Job in HVAC-

Contact - 93198128

Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building)

looking for Part time job Contact

no:-94391712 E-mail address-

[email protected]

Generator maintenance in charge

with 4 yrs experience with

Cummins, caterpillar, kirloskar

and voltas. Contact - email:

[email protected]

Indian B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, 26 yrs, 4 yrs experience in

HVAC/MEP. Contact 94669629,

[email protected]

Indian Female, 24, UK Graduate

- MSc Digital Communication Net-

work Engineering with B.Tech Elec-

tronics and Communication holding

a Valid Omani Driving License, look-

ing for suitable placement (Presently

on Visit Visa). Contact No. : 95408113

Experienced female Electrical

Engineer. Contact 93800906

Sudanese Electrical plants equip-

ment Engineer with 3 years Diploma

degree of Electrical Engineer have


constructing industry operation

installation maintenance asphalt

crushers stone plants and automa-

tion systems. Contact 94549609

B. Sc Civil Engineer with 5 years

experience and valid Omani driving

license and PDO driving and safety

license and OSHA safety license

looking for suitable job.

Contact 92548097

Sudanese chemist resident, 3 years

experience in chemical industry.

Contact 97399073

Sudanese Graduate with 3 years

Diploma in Civil Engineering have


construction industry materials,

specifi cation & testing.

Contact 96995670

Diploma in Architect 2.5 years

experience in Oman having driving.

Contact 92967404

Electrical Engineer B.E Engineer, 6 years experience in Dubai, Bah-

rain with G.C.C. professional licenses

holding GCC driving license.

Contact 98063081


Civil Engineer with 12 years Experi-

ence Looking For Job.

Contact 98162295

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer,

2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experi-

ence. Contact 97311847

Aircraft Maintenance Technician with one year experience seeks

suitable placement. Contact

[email protected]

B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (Automobile)&Diploma in QC

with 2yrs experience in oil & gas

company seek suitable placement

job currently on Visit Visa. Contact

no.96071081, 99214308 ,


Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 11 years exp in oil & gas industry.

Contact - 95928035

Electrical Engineer Indian male 29

years, having 5 years of experience

in Industrial Automation & utility

maintenance in India (MRF Tyres)


Contact 92789995


Telecom Engineer with 4.5 years

Oman experience looking for a suit-

able opportunity, interested even in

Marketing also. Possess valid Oman

driving license. Contact 94145460

DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experi-

ence 2 years from Oman with driving

licences, seeking for suitable position

in Construction fi eld NOC and release

available . Contact 96968554 Email:

[email protected]

24 years Indian female diploma

in computer science and engineering

now on visit visa seek suitable place-

ment. Contact 96314974/99107369

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

HOSPITALITY

EDUCATION

Light Driver having own visa

looking for job as driver. # 92303692

Driver heavy license looking for job

with 7 years experience.

Contact 92073175 / 95606146

Looking for driving job with car

4x4. Contact 91331299 / 96157595

Bangladesh and Oman driver

looking for job. Contact 98503237

Six years experience in Oman driver

seeks suitable placement.

Contact 99437236

Bangladeshi Driver looking for job.

Contact 93567263

Looking for driving job.

Contact 98219182

Looking for driving job.

Contact 97311715

Light/ heavy duty, driver (GCC

valid D/L for company) looking for

job. Contact 99531802

Light driver looking for job.

Contact 96913836


Contact 96694393

Driver available in Ruwi.

Contact 97460056

Light driver with car available.

Contact 95520696

Light duty driver with 3 years

experience in Oman +5 years in

Saudi Arabia speaking Hindi Arabic

English. Contact 96088707


Contact 92791678


Contact 91376612

LV Driver- 2 yrs Exp-know

English- Contact 95292064

Indian male 24 years, Mechani-

cal Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience

in pipeline,16years in oman seek-

ing immediate placement

Contact 95775742

Indian Female (M.Com, B.ED) 2Yrs

Experience in teaching seeks

suitable placement . Specialization

in ( Accounting, Business stud-

ies, Human resource management,

Economics). Presently in Visit Visa

Status. Contact:97342709,


Indian female M.SC, M.PHIL, BIO,

Informatics 1 yr experience in

college level seeks suitable place-

ment in schools and colleges.

Contact 92237504

1 year experience in teaching all

subject to KG classes, currently

working as a teacher in Oman,

seeking suitable placement,

Family visa. Contact 92178304 /

99036256

M. Tech Civil (structure) with 3 years

experience looking for a suitable job

with reputed consultants or contract-

ing companies. Contact – 93137035

Email – [email protected]

Seeking job Electronics and Instru-

mentation Engineer (Indian)

Indian male, Instrumentation Engi-

neer having total 5 years of experi-

ence in electrical site execution,

1 year in Uae,presently in oman

(visit visa) seeking suitable job

Contact. 95690915

Email. [email protected]

Indian female, B.Tech biotechnol-ogy with strong computer skills

and 2 years experience as associate

research analyst (Media Monitoring)

in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth

oriented jobs. Contact 92044603

/918056169148 or

[email protected].

Indian female (Aviation and

hospitality management) with

excellent communication skill,

confi dent, dedicated to works and

enthusiastic and 1 year experience

in admin department looking for

immediate placement .

Contact 93351256 email :

[email protected]

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

MISCELLANEOUS

MBA male having experience of

production operation administration

looking for job immediately joining.

Contact 94670691

Electrician, Plumber, Gulf exp look-

ing for job. Contact 99531802

Logistics Offi cer, Experience in

Store keeping. Contact : 99505934

MEDICAL

Female Dentist Indian, 28 years

Dental Surgeon, 3 years of experi-

ence, Oman prometric passed with

64%, looking for a suitable place-

ment in Muscat region.

Contact 91377681


Medical- Indian female, 27 yrs,

masters in hospital administra-

tion, fellowship in HTA studied in a

super specialty medical sciences

and research center in India and

done project in an established

hospital in sultanate of Oman.

Contact 93200827, 91026506

Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf ex-

perience) looking for a suitable job

(NOC available) Contact-93344378

Female pharmacist with 3 years ex-

perience and MOH license currently

in Oman, CONTACT 92455124

Indian male 25 B.Tech (IT) Engineer

2.5 yrs exp in hardware networking.

Currently on visit visa looking for

suitable job. Contact – 94359564

IT Project Manager (PMP) available

for immediate joining. Total 15+

years exp & 12 years of IT experi-

ence in SAP & Project management.

Having working experience of UK,

France, Germany, China, UAE, India,

etc. Currently on Visit Visa.

Call 94300317

Website software developer Oman

experience looking for job.

Contact 91781286


Indian male Graduate IT profes-

sional having 3+ years of experience

in IT Support Engineer / Hardware

& networking CCNA, MCITP, PHCE,

looking for job on visit visa.

Contact 94647824

email id: [email protected]

Indian male, 25 years BSC, (Com-

puter Science) 2 years experience in

computer, hardware & networking

looking for suitable placement pres-

ently on visit visa. Contact 93243372

Network Engineer, BSc Commu-

nications, 5 years exp, CCNA, VAS,

Data Center, working now at Alcatel

Lucent, visit visa. Contact 91268787

Indian male Graduate (BSc. IT) 25

years new on visit visa in Muscat.

1 year experience in Accounts looking

for suitable position. # 95752827


Male Omani National, 27 years,

holding Master in IT - Computer Sci-

ences Engineering (India) and Mas-

ter in Robotic Intelligency (Spain),

looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 99211549.

Indian male M.Tech MBA, 24 years

experience working as Country

Manager seeks employment.

Contact 92279972, NOC available.

Qualifi ed Manager: (12+ yrs. Oman

Exp.) Vast knowledge in A/c &

Admin, Costing, Banking, Credit

Control, Insurance, International

Purchase/Logistics & Finance, With

D/L looking for suitable position.

Contact 93826090


BE. Mechanical Engineer with 2

years’ experience in Mechanical pip-

ing execution, Seek suitable place-

ment job currently on Visit Visa,

Contact no: 9843 9656, 9526 5739,

Email: pavithomas@rediff mail.com

Restaurant /Catering Manager –

Operations with 21 years experience

with 2 years in Saudi is available on

visit. Contact 98894682

Indian female with nine years of

experience in 5 Star hotels as

Assistant Food & Beverage Manager

looking for a suitable placement in a

reputed Star hotel.

Contact: 91219787

Indian male, Autocad draughtman

with 2 years of experience currently

working in oman.seeking suitable

placement.NOC available.#94123480


Auotcad knows 3D,REVIT, MAX

Ph : 97103168

Female cleaner for school/kg, job

(overseas). Contact 95175192

House boy/ cleaner looking job

overseas. Contact 95175192

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE

PROJECTS

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 female, well experienced

in secretarial, administration,

customer care & supervisory jobs.

5 years experience in Muscat.

Immediately available for joining.

Contact: 92139298

Indian male, 4 years experience as

Safety Offi cer with NEBOSH

currently on visit visa.

Contact :99565910, E mail:

[email protected]

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

SALES / MARKETING

Indian male MBA 7 years experi-

ence in Hospitality industry, opera-

tion, sales & marketing looking for

suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860

Email [email protected]

Marketing Executive + warehouse

Manager male 24 yrs, 2 yrs exp with

NOC available GCC driving license.

Looking for suitable placement

opening. Contact - 97307863

Marketing Sales job Oman

experience. Contact 91781286

Indian male, 25 yrs MBA, HR , hav-

ing 1.5 yrs exp in sales & marketing

on visit visa seeking for a suitable

job. Contact 98796877

Pakistani male MBA marketing

2 years experience need job in sales

marketing export admin manage-

ment sector. Contact 94009052

15 years experience Indian male

looking for job in storekeeper, coun-

ter sales having valid GCC driving

license seeks suitable placement.

Contact 99052817

Indian Male having 7 yrs in experi-

ence in Oman Sales & Marketing Of-

fi ce Automation Printer, Copier, MFP,

IT products & Stationery. Looking for

Suitable Placement NOC Available

Contact :9738474

Indian male 25 yrs M.B.A having

More than 2 years experience in

sales & marketing good communica-

tion skills Looking for a suitable job.

Contact 92152913


Young female, having experience

of working in Oman with expertise

in the fi eld of Event Management,

Advertising, Marketing and Hotel

Management. Currently on a visit

visa. Seeking for a suitable Job.

Contact 96153578

Indian M.27 B.Com, 5 yrs exp sales

& customer relation, MS Word, MS

Offi ce, Excel on visit visa.

Contact 95612321


MBA fresher, with fl uency in

English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil and

Malayalam, looking for suitable job.

Currently in Oman on visit visa.

Mob : +968-93730345

Indian male 23 with 2 years Oman

experience looking for suitable

placement in sales and marketing.

NOC available with valid D/L.

Contact 96392009

Indian male, B.Com, 20 yrs experi-

ence in Sales & Marketing having

UAE light D/L looking for suitable

post. Contact +91 9946699062,


18 yrs Oman experience in building

materials seeking suitable

placement, NOC available

Contact 93105775

Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in

building materials trading having

Oman D/L, immediate release avail-

able. Contact 98676713

Welder, 3G, 6G, TIG, Exp in Fabri-

cation , Gulf Exp Ph : 97103168

Care taker, Gulf Exp knows Hindi,

Arabic Ph: 94238840

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need

suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.


Mechanical Engineer, Gulf Exp in

Design and Manufacturing

Ph: 97097688

Diploma of Associate Civil Engineer-

ing, Diploma of AutoCad, having

3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience of

Oman in Building Construction, valid

transferrable ID Card. # 94378581

Indian male, 26 yrs B-Tech (ECE)

with MBA in Marketing / HR looking

for a suitable placement. Currently

on visit visa valid up to 30 January

2015. Contact 93754428,


3G , 4G Welding lead man Indian

male, 33 years, having 15 years

experience in American company,

UAE and India, seeking for suitable



IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp,

seeks suitable position.

Contact 94543668

Hardware specialist B.Tech

M.Tech electronics with 10 years

experience seeks suitable oppor-

tunities in reputed organizations.

Contact 91289459


B.Tech IT Professional, Indian

Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System

Admin, IT Support, Networking,

Installing Active Directory, DHCP,

DNS,RAS, confi guring maintaining

and managing servers, confi gur-

ing cisco routers, Exp in handling

SQL database, With Valid Driving

Licence. Contact - 968 98863507

Indian female with 10 yrs of experi-

ence in HR/Banking/Operations

seeks a suitable placement. Can be

contacted on 98919015 or

[email protected]

Indian male, 45+ yrs, 20 yrs

exp. in Sales Supervisor looking

for sales / stores / cash or any

suitable placement, can join im-

mediately on visit visa. Contact

93086105 / 99016546

MISCELLANEOUS

Omani Citizen Mechanical Engi-

neer with 1 yr exp looking for job.

Contact:95993315

email:[email protected]

Accountant , Indian Male,24 years

, 3+ years experience in Finance

and Accounts, M.com Finance , Ex-

posure in SAP & Tally ERP 9 , Good

communication skill, on visit Visa.

Contact ( 95366407 ,96921443)

IT support 6 yrs experience, male,

Filipino Desktop Support, Backup

administrator, Wireless Network-

ing, server admin,

laptop support, DB admin.

Contact +96896126502

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461Fax: 24812624





Lab Chemist 10 yrs experience in

gas and crude oil analysis Master

degree in chemistry on visit visa

94403242

Indian male 23 years B.Com

completed fresher with fl uency in

English, Hindi and Telugu looking

for suitable job . Currently in Oman

on visit visa. Contact 96098174 /

98912870

AutoCAD draughtsman temporary

available at the month of April

(AR+ST+PL+HVAC)

Contact – 91620107

24 year Indian Chartered Account-

ant male with 3yrs of experience

is seeking suitable placement in

Muscat, currently on visit visa &

ready to join immediately. Kindly

contact him on 98201476 or email

at [email protected]

Senior Accounts Professional, Indi-

an Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin)

8 years in Oman, with valid Oman

DL and NOC available. Capable to

handle accounts up to fi nalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Indian female 25 years MBA

fi nance currently on visit visa

seeks immediate placement.

Contact: +(968) 9843 0089, +(968)

97851940

Marketing Manager Indian male 11

years local market experience with

Oman driving license and NOC look-

ing for suitable placement.

Contact 93564959


Indian, Male 43, CA/ISA, Experience

in Retail, NBFC, Logistics, Banking,

Automobile, Investment and facility

Management, seeking for a change.

Valid D/L. Release available.

Contact: [email protected]

AutoCAD draughtsman temporary

available at the month of April

(AR+ST+PL+HVAC).

Contact – 91620107

Computer Teacher, MCA in

Al Ghubra. Contact : 94231633

Indian Male, 58 years, Rich Oman

experience in Multifunctional

Management, Administration,

Business Development, Purchase &

Operations, seeking suitable Manag-

er/Supervisory Position.Visa transfer/

NOC Available. GSM: 95036410

MCA, MBA, CCNA, MCSE, Indian

male with 10 years of experience,

holding Oman driving license on

visit visa seeks any suitable place-

ment. Contact 92716116 / 91266535


South African Teacher – male –

Teaching Diploma , B.A. (Hons), B.

Admin (Hons ). 18 years experience

– seeking a primary teaching post

– grades 4 to 7 (8 to 12 years). Can

teach all subjects at this level. On

30 day visitors visa. # 93341047.

E- mail [email protected]

Indian male, 14 yrs Experience

in Maintenance & Supervisor in

hotel (Electrical, Ac Mechanical &

Plumber). Contact : 95253640

Accountant, Indian male 24 yrs,

2 years successful experience in

Oman with Oman Driving License .

NOC Available. Seek a suitable

opportunity. GSM : 9340 9315

Indian male Executive secretary

having vast experience in admin,

logistics & procurement well versed

with computer seek suitable place-

ment. Contact : 99514286

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian male, 15 years experience

in managing department stores, in

Karnataka, India, looking for place-

ment.# 93086105 or 99016546

7 Years successful experience.

ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,

29 years. Presently working in

Oman as a Senior Accountant with

oman Driving license seek suitable

opportunity. GSM: 97705854

Indian Male, 22 years, B.com

graduate, Knowledge of Tally ERP9,

MS Excel & MS word.Currently in

Oman on visit visa, looking for suit-

able placement. # : 99894250


Indian, Male, 43 years, Chartered

Accountant, 18+ years of experi-

ence, looking for a change. Valid

Driving License. Release available.

Contact: [email protected]

Australian Network Engineer, with 4 years exp, BE in Telecom

MS in Network Sys worked as a

Network/WiMax Eng well versed

with Cisco devices, available on

contact 92606921


Sri Lankan, female, 25 years,

Graduate in Management,

possessing 6 years experience in

banking, fi nancial, administration

and risk management.

Currently on a visit visa seeks

suitable immediate placement.

Contact 93462521.

[email protected]

Corporate Communication Profes-

sional, smart, quality English

writing, double Masters, Oman exp

in Corporate, Internal &Marketing

Communication, CSR Programs,

PRs, Ads, Events, Campaigns,

Customer Relations. Immediately

Available, Release.

Contact 91229392

Manager-Corporate Communica-

tions, pleasing personality, excel-

lent English, Masters-Journalism,

Mass Communication, Finance, ex-

pert in writing & publishing press

releases, advertisements, website

content, speeches, CSR, promo-

tions, events. Immediate joining,

NOC. Contact 91229392

Indian male, 25 years, now on

visit visa in Muscat. One year

experience in accounts ,

looking for suitable position.

Contact:95752827, Email id:

[email protected]

Indian Male 28yr age having

6year gulf+ Indian experience

in HR fi eld. Looking for suitable

placement. Contact:97914340,


30 years Indian male with hotel

management degree, 02 years

experience in F&B service at fi ve

star hotel in Dubai and 05 years

in American 6 star cruiseliner as

Butler . Currently in Muscat on

visit visa. Contact 91075704

Senior Accountant Indian Male

with 13 Year of Experience

(7 years in Oman) in Accounts &

Finance having valid Omani Driving

License with NOC Available.

Looking for suitable job.

Contact 96001918

Tunisian women looking for

job, knows english, frensh, Italian

and arabic. Contact: 91171838

Indian male, graduate with 7 years

experience in hospitality industry,

sales & marketing .M.B.A in human

resource management. #92115860

SITUATION WANTEDSIT. WANTED

MISCELLANEOUS

SITUATION SIT. WANTED

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

Indian Male, 27, Mechanical

Engineer. HND, with exp. as Project

coordinator in U.A.E, Valid GCC D/L,

currently on visit, looking for a suit-

able position. Contact 97070427

Indian female (B.A. B.ed) seeks

suitable placement as fresher

primary teacher.(Specialization in

social studies, currently pursuing

M.A in English).Presently in family

visa status. Contact:99713864.

Email:[email protected]

28 year Indian male Art spe-

cialist with 7.5 yrs of experience

in Healthcare industries in AR

analyst (US Based Project - M.BA.,

Finance) seeking suitable place-

ment. Contact +91 9841906431,

E-mail: [email protected]

Indian male, 25 years, now on visit

visa in Muscat. One year experience

in accounts, looking for suitable

position. Contact:95752827,

Email id: [email protected]

Looking for job Tunisian Bachelor

with experience 5 years in

Network/IT. Cont.:91368102

CIVIL Autocad Draughtsman Look-

ing for part time job. #95218737

Indian Teacher Female with two

years experience seeks suitable

placement in Indian or Omani

Schools currently on visit visa

please contact 99436826. Email

id :- [email protected]

Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering. Have 3.5 years of

experience as an Safety Advisor.

Having a valid Omani driving li-

cense is looking for job. For further

information please contact me at

96896176872, 9689808527.

Indian male 28yr age having 6

years Gulf+ Indian experience in

HR fi eld, looking for suitable place-

ment. Contact: 97914340,


Indian Female, 24 yrs MS. Soft-

ware Engg. Currently on family

visa, 1 year experience in SAP WM

& IT seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95490105

MBA fresher, with fl uency in

English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil & Ma-

layalam, looking for suitable job.

Currently in Oman on visit visa.

Mob : +968-93730345

B.tech Mechanical Engineer : Keralite bachelor with B. Tech

looking for job in Oman with

three year of experience ,on

Visiting Visa. Contact no.-

0096891296354,

[email protected]

Indian Male more than 10 years

gulf experience in Offi ce / Sales

Coordinator, Admin (employees visa

processes), Secretarial and purchase

with good computer skills. Having

Driving license and NOC available.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 99709336

Indian male, 14 years Experience

in maintenance & Supervisor in

hotel ( Electrical, Ac Mechanical &

Plumber ) mob : 95 25 36 40

27 years, Indian optometrist ,

female , 3years experience look-

ing for suitable placement in

Muscat. Contact : 92066532

mail: [email protected]

ACCA+2.5 years of experience in

Accounts, Bookeeping and Audit.

Looking for job in Accounts/Fi-

nance/Internal Audit. Also worked

on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books

and PeachTree. Gsm: 91717234

Email: [email protected],

Civil draughtsman expecting part

time job.(civil infrastructure) and

BBS. Contact :95914642

Indian Male 22 years, B.Com

looking for suitable placement.

Contact no. - 99894520

email- [email protected]

Planning Engineer 7 years of

Experience in project planning

and control in oil and gas, PDO &

QP Approved Planner,PRIMAVERA-

6,B.Tech in Mechanical engineer-

ing from CUSAT Contact-

[email protected],

ph-00974 70230223

Sales manager (be-mech/mba)

in oman since-2005; (omn-d/l);

seeking immediate replacement

in marketing and sales or, bdm

profi le, contact-96040977,

[email protected]

B.tech Mechanical Engineer, Keralite bachelor with B.tech look-

ing for job in oman with a year

of experience on Visiting Visa.

Contact no.-0096891296354,

[email protected]

Part- Time Accountant, well

versed with all accounting, Finali-

zation, Budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439

Sr. Sales Manager (BE/MBA) 9 yrs

in Oman; (GCC/omn-d/l); seeking

immediate replacement in mktg,

sales or, bdm profi le, # 96040977,

[email protected]

Indian male total 17 yrs exp in fi eld

of procurement, inventory, control-

ling & accountancy. Local release

available, seeking suitable place-

ment. # 91680124 / 98606546

Indian female, B.Com. knowledge

of Ms .Offi ce & Tally, 4yrs experi-

ence in A/Cing & admin dept

.looking for good placement in any

fi eld. Contact.98928220

ACCA-UK, B.Sc (OBU-UK) hav-

ing 2.8 years of experience in

Accounts, Bookeeping and Audit.

Looking for job in Accounts/Fi-

nance department. Also worked on

Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and

Peach Tree. Email:

[email protected],

Gsm: +968-95459936

Indian Male 28yr age having

6year gulf+ Indian experience

in HR fi eld, looking for suitable

placement. Contact:97914340,


Indian male, 11 years exp.

In accounting, knowledge in tally

also. Looking for a part time job.

Contact . 98983122

Female Executive Assistant/Ex-

ecutive Secretary with 27+ experi-

ence, worked with top manage-

ment/Board in fi nancial services

with shorthand skills & Omani

driving license, seeks suitable

placement. Call 95941515

Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com,

MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with

valid Oman DL and NOC available.

Capable to handle accounts up to

fi nalization. Contact 9602 3965.

Indian female, Graduate, Certifi ed

in IATA, with 8 months experience

in Travel and 2 and half years

experience in Operations and HR

looking for job in Field of Travel/

Offi ce Management. Contact

-92816803/ 92459686. Email-

[email protected]

MANPOWER

Canadian Manpower Co. Recruit-

ing Construction, Hotel, Medical,

Gas & Oil Staff s - 2 years contract,

work visa, tickets, accommodation.

Free recruitment. Please send CV

to [email protected],

www.margholdingimmigration.com,

93392630

Available construction workers, hospital staff with Oman paramet-

ric, housemaids Indian, Uganda.

Contact 9629417/98408488


MBA (international business) with

2.5 years experience in sales and

also experience in vehicle spare

parts (in-charge) looking for a suit-

able job presently on visit visa. Con-

tact 93539456, 95765868, E mail:

[email protected]

British Beauty Therapist Looking for suitable position

Mob: 97175240

INDIAN FEMALE ,Graduate, Certi-

fi ed in IATA, with 2 and half years

experience in Admin/ Accounts

and Offi ce coordinator looking

for job in Field of Travel/Offi ce

Management. Contact -92459686/

92816803, Email-

[email protected]

Part Time Accounting Job Com-

plete Data Entry, Reporting and

Finalization. Any Time Available.

Location Ruwi to Bharka. Please

Contact- +968-92049215

Email:- [email protected]

Indian female, 24yrs, M.Com

(Accounts) having 3 yrs experi-

ence in Accounts, HR, Adminis-

tration, Customer Service. Good

Computer Profi ciency seeks suit-

able Position. Visa Transfer/NOC

Available. Contact: 99654913

Indian female B.Com Graduate,

4yrs experience in accounts, ad-

min dept looking for placement in

any fi eld Contact: 98928220

Sudanese/Bsc IT/ 2 years experi-

ence/ excellent English-Arabic

speaking/ Omani driving license/

Contact: 96387227,

[email protected]

Indian Female, B.tech bio-tech-

nology graduate. Knowledgeable

in food processing techniques,

having 2 yrs experieince as as-

sociate research analyst(media

monitoring)in Nasdaq Omx,

seeking for growth oriented job.

Contact 92044603,

[email protected].

CAT (UK) , ACCA (UK) , 3 year

experience. (including one year

experience in EY world 3rd largest

audit fi rm) looking for reputed

company for a job of Internal

Audit, Finance and Accounting.

Contact no: 00923008833525

Female, MSc Chemistry, BEd, with

1.5yrs of experience as research

offi cer in a chemical

manufacturing company in India.

Ph: 95243584

Diploma in Fire and Safety Engi-

neering, 3.5 year experience as a

Safety Advisor in Carillion Alawi

27 year Indian male also having

valid Omani driving license,

looking for job

Email:[email protected],

Contact 968 9808527, 96176872

Experienced, male 25, hardwork-

ing, looking for permanent job in

Accounting, Finance and Auditing

fi eld, ACCA UK and B.Sc in applied

accounting (OBU-UK). 2-years

of practical experience with an

audit fi rm in Pakistan. Email:

[email protected],

Gsm:+968-95459936

Accountant , Indian Male,24 years

, 3+ years experience in Finance

and Accounts, M.com Finance ,

Exposure in SAP & Tally ERP 9 ,

Good communication skill, on visit

Visa. Contact 95366407

B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (Automobile) & Diploma in QC

with 2yrs experience in oil & gas

company seek suitable placement

job currently on Visit Visa. Contact

no.96071081, 99214308


37 years Indian Male with 10

years PDO experience Store Keeper


Contact: 95849804

Diploma in Fire and Safety

Engineering, Completed IOSH,

have PDO Passport.3.5 year

experience as a Safety Advi-

sor in Carillion Alawi 27 year

Indian male also having valid

Omani driving license, looking

for job. Email:govindansreejit@

gmail.com Contact:

9689808527,96896176872

Indian female, 24yrs, M.COM (Ac-

counts) having 3yrs experience

in Accounts, HR, Administration,

Customer Service. Good Computer

Profi ciency seeking Suitable Posi-

tion. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913

Job seeker with ten years of expe-

rience in management, banking,

and marketing. Muscat, mobile

number: 91262609


DAILY GUIDESITUATION WANTEDCARGO

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

Contact- 98029602, 92808636

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

TOURS

TOURS

*Classifi ed Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication.

* Subject to space availability






*Classifi ed Advertisement space booking with text,

should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication.

* Subject to space availability

GOOD NEWSCHANGE OF NAME

SITUATION WANTEDSERVICES

SITUATION WANT-SERVICES

Tile/marble/granite cutting,

skirting & polishing please contact

94052713,99885638.

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing,

Contact 99314807/24792998

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of

your marble. Contact 24793614/

99314807

Ocean trading is Professional in

auto A/C repairing since 35 years

serving with high quality & best

price.24817426 & 95206751

Pest Control Treatments, Termites,

Cockroaches, Bedbugs. Contact

Ocean Centre LLC.

Contact 99344723

House shifting. Contact

99708138

Door to Door Computers repair

specialist laptop software Website

cartridges. Contact 99199376

Cheapest prices all types window,

curtains and Blinds.

Contact 99539521

Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean

Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 /

92682970

Cleaning services, carpet & sofa

shampooing, marble restoration

(grinding) and polishing, pest

control, fogging service. Contact

99448057, 95401996

Cheapest Prices, all types win-

dow, curtains and blind.

Contact 99539521

Computer service/ AMC/ Net-

working. Contact 91339882

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles

polishing, carpet shampooing,

maintenance. Contact ABU QA-

BAS- 99320217 /24788722

We off er you the business ser-

vices maintenance of buildings

and villas for paint and carpentry

and decoration works and instal-

lation of material awater Broof

and cleaning services building

management and leasing of real

estate . Contact 99070093

Water proofi ng ABUQABAS-

Contact 99320217/24788722

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

CLASSES

WEBSITE

WEB, ERP and Business Intelli-

gence (BI) creation and man-

agement at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

COMPUTER

A/C maintenance split A/C servic-

ing. RO. 10 only. Contact 94217681/

99210141

BUSINESS

Taimour Ayurvedic Clinic, Ruwi

off ers genuine & eff ective treat-

ment for back pain, paralysis,

cervical and lumbar spondylitis,

osteoarthritis, joint pains, sinusi-

tis, migraine, allergic problems,

varicose vein and all other health

related problems. Kerala massage

and rejuvenation package avail-

able. For details please contact:

92197920/ 24799689

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain,

backache, paralysis massage, steam

bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL ,

CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November

street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 /

99117987

Ayurvedic treatment for backache,

paralysis, arthritis etc & massage,

All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact

24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 ,

www.siddhayur.com

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT IS-LAM. 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

TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATIONSchool Transportation : Contact

96581664

Transportation. Contact 98505294

Transportation. Contact

99664703

Picking and drop. Contact

96743215

Transportation. Contact 98518979

Transport to ISWK. Contact

93172589

DRIVING

FOR HIRE

FOR HIRE

Hire Generators, Air conditioners.

Contact 98927220

GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC.

all kind of pest control.

Contact 92326955

House shifting packing.

Contact 99657644, 98518013

AC service repair and maintenance.

Contact 95356877

Pest control & cleaning services

professionals in pest control service

bedbugs treatment, rodent, treat-

ment, snake treatment and termite

treatment, pre and post construc-

tion. Contact 93098450, 96408964,

fax : 24472116

I Vijay Sinh Ravji Barad (holder of Indian passport No. F 159470) Son of

Ravji Ramsangji Darad having permanent residence in Mandvi - Kutch -

Gujarat - 370465 (complete postal address in India) and presently resid-

ing in Al Sabbagh Trd. Co. LLC, Ruwi - Muscat (complete postal address

in Oman) intend to change my name from Vijaysinh Ravji Barad (old

name) to Vijay Sinh Ravji Darad (new name) for all practical purpose.

Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated

to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No.

1727, Postal code 112, Ruwi , Sultanate of Oman.

We, Thaikkaden Lonappan Paulson (name of father as per the passport,

holder of Indian passport No . L 3319949 and Lilly Edakalathur Jose

(name of the mother, holder of Indian passport No. K0872830) having

permanent address in Thaikkaden House, Kuranchery, Minaloor, P.O Trichur,

Kerala (complete portal address in India) and presently residing at the

following address in Ghubra, PB No. 2033 PC No. 112, Sultanate of Oman,

hereby solemnly affi rm and declare to change the name of our child master

Leo Paul (name as per present passport), holder of Indian passport No.

J 2024919 date of issue 02/04/2010 issued at Muscat. The name of our

child will be henceforth known as Leo Paul Thaikkaden (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, Sukumara Pillay Suresh Kumar (name of father as per the passport

holder of Indian passport No . J 3489932 and Sreelatha Sureshkumar

(name of mother as per passport, holder of Indian passport No.

J 4217600) having permanent address in Madhavi Nilayam, Peringala

P.O Kayamkulam, Alappuzha Dist, Kerala, and Kadoor House, Haripad ,

Kanichanalloor, Muttom PO, Alappuzha, Kerala 690511 (complete portal

address in India) and presently residing at the following address in Muscat,

PB No. 1633 PC No. 114, Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affi rm and

declare to change the name of our child Miss Amritha Sureshkumar Pillai

(name as per present passport), holder of Indian passport No. J 7417029

date of issue 05/11/2011 issued at Muscat. The name of our child will be

henceforth known as Amritha Suresh Kumar (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, P. B No. 1727, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

I, Prashanth Muraleedharan (holder of indian passport no. F 7492498)

son of P. V. Muraleedharan having permanent residence in Poovathumka-

davil House, Opp. Vydyuthi Bhavan, Kottappuram, Poothole P.O., Thrissur

- 680004 and presently residing in P.O. Box 485, P.C. 112, Ruwi - Sultanate

of Oman intend to change my name from Prasanth Muraleedharan to

Prashanth Muraleedharan for all practical purpose.

Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to

Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P.Box No. 1727,

Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

Running truck wash for rent in

Ouhi Sunia Sohar. Serious people

can. Contact on 97864747

50 seater bus with PDO

specifi cation for rent or lease.

Contact 99839898

Pick & Drop any time.

Contact 97014786

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Times Of Oman - March 25, 2015

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