Observer 25 Apr 2012 - Oman Daily Observer

Participants thank His Majesty 

PARTICIPANTS who attended the 32nd session meeting of 

the Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development and Executive 

Board’s 40th session, sent a cable of thanks and appreciation 

to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. In their cable, they 

expressed their utmost thanks and appreciation to His Majesty 

for the warm welcome and the generosity they received. The 

participants commended the arrangements. Details, P2 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012/Jumada al Thania 3, 1433 AH 

www.omanobserver.om editor@omanobserver.om 

Chinese electric marathon 

TECHNOLOGICAL and pricing issues have slowed 

China’s drive to mass-produce affordable electric cars, 

but analysts and insiders believe partnerships with 

foreign firms could help it to reach its long-term goal. 

CH Auto, a small producer in Beijing, is promoting 

its Cylent two-seater “city commuter car,” which uses 

lithium-ion (li-on) battery technology. 

13 17 18 

Major push to development march 

MUSCAT — As part of the 

keenness attached by His Majesty 

Sultan Qaboos to push forward 

the development wheel 

in the country and promote the 

Rain likely in 

next 24 hours 

MUSCAT — The latest 

weather prediction indicates 

instability during the next 24 

hours over the Sultanate. Cumulative 

clouds are expected 

over Al Hajar Mountains and 

adjoining governorates with 

thundershowers accompanied 

by strong winds and hails and 

overflowing of wadis. 

The Directorate of Meteorology 

and Air Navigation 

(DGMAN) called on citizens 

and residents to follow 

weather bulletins and keep 

away from wadis. 

Meanwhile, light to moderate 

rains fell in a number 

of governorates. Light rains 

were experienced in Saara 

and Al Khadrah in the Wilayat 

of Buraimi. — ONA 

Omani individual to polish his 

talents and enhance his skills 

to play a prospective role in the 

comprehensive development 

process witnessed by all parts 

of the Sultanate, a joint meeting 

between the Council of 

Ministers, the Majlis Addawla 

and Majlis Ash’shura was held 

yesterday. 

The meeting stems from 

the belief in the importance of 

constructive and fruitful dialogue 

which aims at exchange 

of views to reach practical 

visions which contribute in 

activating the ongoing efforts 

and help in implementing the 

developmental plans and programmes. 

See pages 6 & 7 

A COLOURFUL book titled Oman, Cultural and Natural Heritage was launched on Monday. Details, P2 

Oman Post introduces digital mail 

 

MUSCAT — Moving with 

changing times, the state postal 

authority, Oman Post has introduced 

e-Post initiative, the 

first-of-its-kind in the world 

yesterday. 

Under this, both digital as 

well as printed mail will converge 

into one unique digital 

address and each individual, 

both national and expatriate, 

will be given a distinctive 

identity free for life. 

These identity will offer 

the person convenience and 

hassle-free transactions and 

will also move along with the 

person in whichever part of the 

country he/she is living. 

Developed by Oman Post 

in collaboration with Vantage 

Post Technologies BV of the 

Netherlands — a global leader 

in digital document portals — 

ePost also offers every individ- 

ual a virtual post box as well. 

“With this new initiative we 

are going to completely revolutionise 

the postal service,” says 

Saif bin Amir al Shaqsi, Chairman 

of Oman Post, adding, 

“Very much a part of the eOman 

initiative of our nation’s 

government, the ePost serv- 

Amazing edifice 

 

MUSCAT — After having 

marvelled at the amazing 

citadel of Bahla, Bahla Fort, 

a short 11-km drive away 

is one of the country’s most 

outstanding fortifications, the 

phenomenal Jabreen Castle. 

Considering it was built 

over three centuries ago, the 

castle gives visitors a real-life 

taste of what before could only 

have been imagined thanks 

to the sheer size, detail and 

manifold splendours of one of 

the Sultanate’s most amazing 

historical edifices. 

Jabreen Castle has been 

fully renovated and visitors to 

this place have the opportuni- 

ice is the logical next step for 

postal services the world over. 

I take pride in the fact that this 

first step has been taken right 

here in Oman.” 

One can simply receive a 

unique ID of his own by registering 

at the Oman Post. Using 

the ID which is To page 8 

ty of marvelling at the castle’s 

remarkable blend of defensive 

architecture and sophisticated 

artistry. 

It was constructed primarily 

by Iman Bilarab bin 

Sultan al Ya’arubi in 1670, at 

the height of the Ya’aruba dynasty. 

Mohammed bin Nasser 

al Ghafri resumed building 

activities and alterations to 

the Castle in the 18th Century. 

The castle was then restored 

to its pristine condition from 

1979–83 by the Ministry of 

Heritage and Culture. 

Hamed bin Ali al Rabani, a 

tour guide, noted that it is one 

of the best and most famous 

historical places in Oman. 

Details in Weekend 

Health centre timings extended 

A MEETING of the joint committee between the Health Ministry 

and the Sultan Qaboos University discussed health services 

in the Wilayat of Seeb, the growing pressure on health 

institutions and co-operation between the ministry and SQU in 

the educational field. It was agreed to extend working hours at 

Seeb Health Centre till 2 am. SQU Hospital will provide consultant 

doctors for the centre during daytime. Details, P8 

Wade hits maiden Test ton 

WICKETKEEPER Matthew Wade struck a sparkling 

maiden Test century as Australia rallied to 328 all out 

before lunch on the second day of the third and final 

Test against West Indies yesterday. Wade made 106 

from 146 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes, and 

his positive approach paid off in a 102-run partnership 

with Ben Hilfenhaus which transformed first innings. 

New body to 

combat drugs 

The new unit will 

also have branches in 

some governorates of 

the Sultanate in the 

future and will fight 

the drug menace 

 

MUSCAT — Lt Gen Hassan 

bin Mohsin al Shraiqi, 

Inspector General of Police 

and Customs yesterday 

issued a decision to establish 

a Directorate-General for 

Combating Drugs and 

Psychotropic Substances. 

Establishing the 

directorate-general comes 

in light of the efforts being 

exerted by the Royal Oman 

Police (ROP) in combating 

drugs and psychotropic 

substances in addition to the 

efforts of other departments, 

which were mentioned by the 

Law of Combating Drugs and 

Psychotropic Substances. 

It is expected that the 

Directorate-General for 

MoU for gas 

supply inked 

Combating Drugs and 

Psychotropic Substances will 

follow up the implementation 

of ROP’s assignments 

referred in provisions of the 

relevant law and agreements, 

as well as taking legal 

procedures related to drugs 

and psychotropic substances 

crimes in collaboration with 

the departments concerned. 

The directorate-general 

will also have branches which 

will be established in some 

governorates of the Sultanate 

in the future. 

Meanwhile, Dr Kahlan 

al Kharusi, Assistant Grand 

Mufti, says that the use of 

drugs is really alarming and 

that we need to co-operate and 

get into action for a movement 

against drugs and other 

psychotropic substances. 

“We need to tackle the 

drug menace in the Sultanate. 

In order to address this issue 

and to mobilise our resources 

against the same, we all, from 

various sections of society, 

need to act now. Educate the 

youngsters; families, have an 

open discussion with your 

children; teachers, try to 

educate your students of the 

fatalities of this poisonous 

substance; and mosques, 

please include a word against 

drugs in your speeches”. 

Conducting awareness 

campaigns and educating 

youngsters will only be 

beneficial if we are ready to 

face the ground reality. 

Hope is always there in 

the horizon and the only thing 

is that we should find it out. 

Facts may be stranger than 

fiction but we should face 

the reality and find solutions 

together. 

Media can play a greater 

role when it comes to 

educating the people out there. 

If you see something wrong, 

contact the ROP or the Al 

Hayat Association. Give tips 

against drug use in dailies and 

send a word across the youth 

to return from the fatal path. 

The Royal Oman Police is 

more than happy to help those 

who are serious about their 

lives. See also Weekend 

Ban on construction near Bausher site 

Sand dunes to stay 

MUSCAT — Shaikh Saif bin 

Mohammed al Shabibi, Minister 

of Housing, has said that 

it has been officially decided to 

preserve Bausher sand dunes 

for the public good and as a 

measure to increase open space 

for recreation in the Muscat 

Governorate. 

The minister said four tracts 

of land shall be retained for that 

purpose. A 200,000 square metre 

space will be set aside for 

recreation on Bausher Heights, 

another 2,114,786 square metres 

plot in the same area for a 

similar purpose and with immediate 

stoppage of sand dredging 

Focus on naval security 

MUSCAT — The GCC Naval 

Forces Commanders yesterday 

discussed the existing 

joint existing maritime cooperation 

among the countries 

and the means to enhance 

them to serve the GCC navies 

and countries. 

The 12th meeting of the 

commanders, hosted by the 

MUSCAT — The Special 

Economic Zone (SEZ) in 

Duqm signed a memorandum 

of understanding 

(MoU) with Takamul Company 

(investment arm of 

Oman Oil Company) for the 

construction, management 

and operation of the specialised 

public services to meet 

the growing industrial needs 

related to supply of industrial 

gases, water vapour, 

central cooling and management 

of industrial solid and 

liquid wastes. 

The MoU was signed by 

Yahya bin Saeed al Jabri, 

Chairman of SEZ Authority 

at Duqm, and Nabil al Ghassani, 

CEO of Takamul. 

and land reclamation there. 

A ban has been imposed on 

erecting any fixed buildings on 

the sites to preserve the natural 

landscape features of the area. 

Apart from this 1,452,687 

square metre site will be reserved 

for a recreational park 

in Ghala and will not be given 

for residential development. 

He said when planning for 

the development of the Wilayat 

of Bausher as in other wilayats, 

the ministry considered providing 

spaces of different sizes as 

natural landscapes. 

The minister said the ministry 

seeks to provide new resi- 

Sultanate, was represented 

by the Royal Navy of Oman 

(RNO). It concludes today. 

The meeting, which was 

held at Al Shafaq Club affiliated 

to the Sultan's Armed 

Forces (SAF), was chaired by 

Rear Admiral Abdullah bin 

Khamis al Raisi, RNO Commander, 

in the presence of the 

dential plans and land reclamation 

to meet the rising demand 

and in this connection received 

more than 100,000 requests 

for land just over the last four 

years. 

In recent months, realtors 

and construction companies 

have started eating up the more 

than 3.5-km stretch of sand 

with the blueprints of various 

building projects. 

The residents of Bausher 

as well as visitors have voiced 

their concern over the land 

grabbers act of stealthily lifting 

sand dunes to make way for 

complexes. — Oman Arabic 

GCC naval forces commanders 

and the assistant secretarygeneral 

for military affairs at 

the GCC Secretariat-General. 

The RNO commander 

expressed the hope that the 

meeting would contribute in 

enhancing the joint military 

co-operation among the GCC 

naval forces. See also P6 

THE Observer’s lifestyle magazine 

Mazoon will be distributed soon. 

Prayer timing Fajr Dhuhr Asr Magrib Isha Weather W Muscat Musc usc Nizwa Sohar Al Buraimi Sur Khasab Salalah 

EXCHANGE RATES 

GOLD 

Dollar per Omani Rial 

PRICE 

Muscat 04:18 am 12:10 pm 03:36 pm 06:37 pm 07:52 pm Max ax 35 37 33 35 37 38 31 

Min 24 24 25 23 26 29 25 

Buying 0.382 Selling 0.388 $1,645.00

2 OMAN 

OMAN DAILY Observer 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 

Oman, Cultural and Natural Heritage launched 

MUSCAT — A colourful book titled 

Oman, Cultural and Natural 

Heritage was launched at Al Bustan 

Palace Hotel here on Monday by Information 

Minister Dr Abdulmunim 

bin Mansour al Hasani. 

The book, published by Natural 

Gas Fenosa, appears in Arabic and six 

foreign languages. 

Commenting on the new book, 

Dr Abdulmunim said that, “While 

languages take the Sultanate’s cultural 

and natural heritage across the 

borders to many countries around the 

world through this book, its images 

touch the heart directly and impart a 

deep feeling of a formidable nation 

and an astonishing country that is 

Oman. 

With specialist Omani write-ups 

and photography, the book receives 

Spanish sponsorship that takes good 

care in presenting this model of civilisation 

to the international community. 

The ceremony, which also marks 

the International Day of the Book 

(April 23), was attended by Mohammed 

bin al Zubair, Adviser to His 

Majesty the Sultan for Economic 

Planning Affairs, Mohammed bin 

SALVADOR GABBARO SERRA 

Salim al Toobi, Minister of Environment 

and Climate Affairs, Salvador 

Gabbaro Serra, Chairman of Natural 

Gas Fenosa, and Ana Maria de Lara, 

Honorary Consul of Oman in Spain 

who headed the inaugural presentation, 

among high ranking Omani 

government officials and Spanish 

personnel. 

Fenosa published three editions 

of the book in Spanish, English and 

Arabic in 13,700 copies and supplements 

in Italian, French and Portuguese. 

AOAD participants send 

cable of thanks to HM 

MUSCAT — Participants 

in the conclusion of the 

32nd session’s meeting 

of the Arab Organisation 

for Agricultural Development 

(AOAD) and AOAD 

Executive Board’s 40th 

session, which were held 

in the Sultanate from 

April 21 to 23, sent a cable 

of thanks and appreciation 

to His Majesty Sultan 

Qaboos. 

In their cable, they 

expressed their utmost 

thanks and appreciation 

to His Majesty for the 

warm welcome and the 

pure Arab generosity they 

received. 

The participants commended 

the good organisation 

and arrangement, 

as well as the facilities 

provided by His Majesty’s 

Government to 

hold AOAD General Assembly’s 

and Executive 

Board’s meetings, which 

have a great impact on the 

success of the meetings 

and reaching resolutions 

that contribute in enhancing 

the joint Arab agricultural 

action, thanks to the 

support and assistance of 

His Majesty and leaders 

of the Arab countries. 

They prayed to Allah 

the Almighty to protect 

His Majesty the Sultan 

for the good of his people 

and the Arab nations, 

grant the Sultanate security, 

stability and welfare 

and perpetuate prosperity 

and descent life to its people. 

— ONA 

Sultanate at 

Arab-German 

Health Forum 

MUSCAT — The Sultanate, 

represented by the Health 

Ministry will take part in 

the 5th round of the Arab- 

German Health Forum in 

Munich, Germany today. 

The Sultanate’s delegation 

to the forum will be led 

by Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed 

al Saeedi, Minister of 

Health. 300 personalities 

from Germany, Arab and 

European countries, as well 

as decision makers representing 

business and politics, 

experts and representatives 

of the health sector 

will take part in the two-day 

forum. — ONA

Old experts at the 

ministries 

Ali al Matani 

ali.matani@hotmail.com 

THE ministries and governmental 

entities have 

experts and advisors 

who have been appointed in 

their positions since such a 

long time that some of these 

persons are occupying their 

positions since the eighties 

of the last century, despite the 

updates and developments that 

are currently being witnessed 

by the world in all the scientific, 

technological, economic 

and administrative aspects. 

ECONOMICS, regardless 

of whether it is 

micro economics or 

a macro, is a subject which 

needs to be understood from 

the roots to its branches. Economic 

is the subject which 

does not differ from one religion 

to another. It is a subject 

which fits all societies. It is the 

need of all human beings. No 

matter if you are a president 

or an ordinary person from the 

same state. No matter if you 

are a true Muslim or belong to 

any other respected religions. 

It does not even matter if you 

are an atheist. Economics as a 

subject is essential for all of 

you, because no one can survive 

without a piece of bread. 

Understandingly, Islam is 

the religion which covers all 

aspects and elements of life. 

Practically, how does Islam 

look and apply economics 

for a better life? According 

to Islamic literature Islamic 

economics began with the advent 

of Islam, which means 

fourteen centuries ago. Some 

Islamic books does highlight 

that. Quran, however, doesn’t 

explain in detail the fiscal policies 

but there are some economic 

teachings and guiding 

principles which determine 

such policies. However, the 

Many modern administrative 

systems have been introduced, 

apart from numerous aspects 

that these people could not as 

yet be acquainted with. 

Though many citizens 

have retired through the various 

voluntarily or arbitrary retirement 

systems, despite their 

effectiveness and capabilities, 

yet these experts are still occupying 

the positions of administrative 

apparatus as if the 

need for them is personal and 

not practical. 

We think that those experts 

provided what they have and 

it is the time to give way to 

the renewed national or foreign 

expertise or the experts 

who have learnt the modern 

sciences, the developed investment 

and economic systems 

that require talented and 

skillful people to deal with 

the updates and changes witnessed 

currently by the world 

and keep up with the developments 

that are currently being 

witnessed by the Omani community. 

Nowadays, countries enter 

into agreements with internationally 

recognised entities 

and consulting companies to 

work as experts and advisors 

necessary details and teachings 

were classified by Prophet 

Mohammed, (PBUH). In 

early Islam, the main sources 

of income were zakah, jiziya, 

and khumus. In those days 

whatever was collected in the 

shapes of (zakah, jiziya, and 

khumus) were equally distributed 

to the public (needy people). 

The second caliph Umar 

had justified the taxes by saying; 

“Taxes are justified only 

when they are collected in a 

just and legal way and they 

are spent justly and legally”. 

In the current world, how 

the sunnah and sharia assist 

in formulating principles for 

fiscal operation? How does 

modern Islam and Muslims 

see economic in its true Islamic 

way and principle? Today, 

is the collection of zakah taking 

place appropriately? And 

is the distribution equally and 

justly done to the have-nots 

in various aspects on the basis 

that individuals, regardless of 

their abilities and efficiencies, 

could not provide integrated 

visions and prospective outlooks 

that take consideration 

the new updates in the world 

and the work requirements in 

all fields. 

It is time to renew our expertise 

and outsource experts 

from advanced countries, 

whether economically, administratively 

and so on to develop 

and upgrade the governmental 

sector, besides promoting the 

investment and managerial 

levels. The governmental entities 

should set time limits 

for any expert or advisor who 

works in its units because such 

experts or advisors shall not 

occupy their position throughout 

their lives. 

This must be done soon, 

especially now that there are 

also other national experts 

who could perform the same 

works and who are familiar in 

an excellent way with the new 

systems of work. 

Furthermore, the national 

experts have also a profound 

understanding for the local 

aspects and national requirements. 

It is time to renew our expertise and outsource experts 

from advanced countries, whether economically, 

administratively and so on, to develop and upgrade the 

government sector, besides promoting the investment 

and managerial levels. The government entities should 

set time limits for any expert or advisor who works in its 

units because such experts or advisors shall not occupy 

their position throughout their lives 

Islamic economics and 

its comprehension 

Mohammed Anwar al Balushi 

morwared@hotmail.com 

in the society in the world 

of Islam? Unfortunately, all 

such practices are not mostly 

seen in todays Islamic world. 

Economically, there are many 

good lessons from Islam, if 

applied many economic issues 

may get reduced. In many Islamic 

countries the proper distribution 

of wealth is lacking. 

One of the economists have 

said; “There is no underdeveloped 

country in the world, 

but there are some areas in the 

same country which are not 

developed by the ruler”. In the 

same way, you find one person 

is a billionaire while the other 

is penniless in the same country 

and within the same area. 

Before the conclusion, in 

my personal opinion I would 

say that it is not the religion 

which makes a good economic 

policy or a worse one. It all depends 

on you as an economist 

and explaining everything in 

Understandingly, Islam is the 

religion which covers all aspects 

and elements of life. Practically, 

how does Islam look and apply 

economics for a better life? 

According to Islamic literature 

Islamic economics began with 

the advent of Islam, which 

means fourteen centuries ago. 

Some Islamic books does 

highlight that. Quran, however, 

doesn’t explain in detail the 

fiscal policies but there are 

some economic teachings 

and guiding principles which 

determine such policies 

an economic way. For economists 

things are meaningless 

if they are not translated into 

economic language. Suppose 

you are a film-maker and 

spend more than six months 

to complete the film. The film 

gets completed successfully. 

As an economist I am not interested 

how many days you 

have spent, where you went 

for shooting, what lighting 

methods you have used, what 

obstacles you have faced, instead, 

I am more interested in 

how much amount you have 

spent, what was your budget, 

and how much you have made 

as a net profit. Suppose you 

are a novelist and published 

some hundred books. As an 

economist I might not be interest 

in reading all of your 

books, because, these are not 

yet translated to me in an economical 

language. 

But, I am very much interested 

to find out how many 

books were sold and read by 

people. 

Individually, what is your 

contribution toward economics? 

How much do you produce 

per hour, per day, per 

week and per month? Once, 

you understood your productivity 

level and the value of it, 

then; it means you are on the 

right path, economically. 

Whenever, there is a conversation 

on economy, Adam 

Smith, the father of economy 

always comes to peoples’ 

mind. He stated in the Wealth 

of the Nation his famous book, 

that labour of every nation is 

the fund which originally supplies 

it with all the necessaries 

and conveniences of life 

which it annually consumes, 

and which consist always either 

in the immediate produce 

of that labour, or in what is 

purchased with that produce 

from nations. This indicates 

that nations are producers and 

at the same time the consumers. 

It is the nations who produce 

materials and consume 

at the same time. 

4 OUTLOOK 



Man-made storms 

Fatima al Zidjaliya 

AS life goes on serenely 

and peacefully 

and everyone is in 

the course of their daily duties, 

all of a sudden thunder 

blows and the wind roars and 

the weather turns aggressive. 

Human beings seek safe 

havens and animals run for 

cover for no-one can ensure 

his own safety when nature 

shows its ugly face and the 

weather becomes turbulent. 

God has created the world 

as such. Every precautionary 

measure is taken in such 

eventualities until the worse 

is over. 

Today we are much better 

off than we have ever been. In 

times past our forefathers suffered 

too much at times of extreme 

weather as they didn’t 

have the facilities available 

for us at present. No weather 

forecast and no meteorology 

offices to monitor the weather 

around the clock and warn the 

people of imminent menace. 

However, as far as the 

human nature is concerned, 

man-made upheavals are 

kept hidden deep in their 

innermost selves and when 

it strikes it wipes away everything 

in its path. The most 

horrendous of these is what 

happens behind the closed 

doors between the spouses. 

Differences and long 

disputes between husbands 

and wives could sometimes 

lead to powerful storms that 

destroy everything within the 

household and always affect 

other parties. 

Some people keep the 

feelings of resent inside of 

them. Such feelings always 

swell and become more serious 

day after day until they 

erupt like a violent volcano. 

An instance of this is what 

normally happens in the relation 

between fathers and sons 

when the latter are passing 

though sensitive stages of 

their lives without finding 

someone to understand their 

feelings. 

Some employees feel 

that they are treated unjustly, 

downgraded or discriminated 

against. Others are assigned 

tasks that are below their 

skills and not matching their 

The committee has not met yet! 

Majid Said al Suleimany 

www.majidall.com 

IN hindsight and again 

speaking from my own 

personal experiences and 

in retrospect I wish to reiterate 

this point that though we 

have seen some initiations 

and improvements in the citizens’ 

rights and freedom still 

nothing has changed much on 

the grounds and in reality. 

The problems are the same 

in pushing them forward into 

action, reality and into practice 

rather than them being 

minutes of meetings — and 

if even filed for records in the 

first instance. 

There is need for real action, 

propelling dynamism 

and pragmatism in moving 

them forward into practice 

and into reality. Time is not 

in our side, in essence and or 

in favour, before we all get 

bogged down into being reactive 

‘fire fighting’ and further 

‘red tape, bureaucracy and 

inaction’! 

It is alright to put news of 

improvements and changes 

for the better in the media but 

what is the use of all of them 

if they are still not practiced 

— or excuses given for delays 

and procrastinations — 

as is the usual case? 

I hope that readers remember 

what I wrote before 

of those working within the 

system — the ‘old guards 

syndrome’ — to prevent and 

delay changes. These peoples 

need to be exposed as lessons 

to others. 

This is the truth! The citi- 

qualifications or see their 

efforts unappreciated and 

unrewarded. Such treatment 

can possibly happen anywhere 

and to anyone but the 

consequences can be dire and 

damaging when the grievances 

of such downtrodden 

go unaddressed. God alone 

knows the scale of destruction 

stemming from the lurking 

anger of the aggrieved. 

These are but few 

examples of the sorts of torment 

suffered by many. The 

human self is so weak that 

it can barely withstand suppression, 

discrimination or 

other forms of maltreatment 

and therefore are vulnerable 

to unleash the innermost 

resentment in the form of uncontrolled 

outburst. Hence, 

any problem we experience 

should be dealt with wisely 

and nipped at the bud, otherwise 

it will aggravate and get 

out of control, resulting in 

drastic damage. 

zen cannot still win — or very 

few isolated cases — against 

the public departments. This 

is even if you have a case 

where if things were really 

practiced and put in action 

the citizen should win in case 

of disputes. 

But he will simply not 

win. Adversely, the same 

public body can take you 

for action and or sue you in 

courts for the ‘same case and 

situation’ for as many times 

as they want and the case will 

still be heard and nothing can 

stop them! 

You go to the public officials 

that you know hoping 

for solace and intervention — 

and they are obligated to do so 

by their authorities and power 

— if not that you know them 

well and hope wasta will kick 

in! Simply no one will ever 

lift a finger to help you, or 

they turn away from you as if 

you do not exist and even if 

you try to contact them face 

to face — let alone by e-mails 

and by phone? 

Even if you want to fight 

against the Big Cats for your 

rights or that company of 

yours that is closing down 

— you end yet again as the 

loser! 

How long will these things 

will go on before something 

breaks up or blows up in front 

of our faces? 

The truth and in fact the 

things that are at stake are in 

reality not really big unsolvable 

issues but involve the 

usual uncaring and carefree 

approaches and attitudes. 

What if really big things were 

at stake? One shudders and 

does not want even want to 

start thinking on this! Heads 

need to roll before things can 

really improve otherwise it is 

a lost cause and everyone will 

end up as the loser! 

Even if you have given 

up and do not want to fight 

your case because you know 

you will lose again and complied 

by what ‘as has been 

thought as fair and equitable’ 

who cares? If you follow up 

your case — so you can be in 

the clear — and restore your 

personal freedom and rights, 

you get the same excuse. The 

committee has still not met 

yet to discuss and or finalise 

Human beings seek safe havens 

and animals run for cover for 

no-one can ensure his own 

safety when nature shows 

its ugly face and the weather 

becomes turbulent. God has 

created the world as such. 

Every precautionary measure is 

taken in such eventualities until 

the worse is over. Today we are 

much better off than we have 

ever been. In times past our 

forefathers suffered too much at 

times of extreme weather as they 

didn’t have the facilities available 

for us at present 

How long will these things will go 

on before something breaks up 

or blows up in front of our faces? 

The truth and in fact the things 

that are at stake are in reality 

not really big unsolvable issues 

but involve the usual uncaring 

and carefree approaches and 

attitudes. What if really big things 

were at stake? One shudders 

and does not even want to start 

thinking of this! Heads need 

to roll before things can really 

improve otherwise it will be a lost 

cause and everyone will end up 

as a loser! 

your situation. 

You are not the only one 

so just wait! This is said to 

you more in annoyance and 

in anger rather than in trying 

to cool you down or making 

you understand about the 

situation and in letting you 

know about the results. 

There are things I said in 

1980s that have now have really 

happened. Yet I was given 

all the labels, including — A 

big mouth — a trouble maker 

— needs to be stopped! and 

so on! 

My problems are that I 

care and feel a lot and want 

things to work out and not 

go bad! Instead, I always end 

up as the victim of circumstances 

of my own making 

for speaking up and making a 

stand and as usual at the end a 

loser! While those who do not 

care or bother get rewarded 

and acknowledged and given 

more and more because of 

their lack of caring and in indifference. 

Twice I have given up 

writing — only to persuaded 

to come back in again. Of 

course, I cannot deny that I 

need the money, if even after 

35 years of dedicated services, 

loyalty and feelings of caring 

are simply wasted — because 

I cannot touch much my own 

pension for the very same 

aforementioned reasons. 

I can now understand and 

appreciate why people turn 

to religion in despair and in 

giving up hope, instead of the 

few like Mohammed Buazizi 

of Tunisia in self-immolation. 

I simply cannot understand 

and comprehend why people 

are so mean and dastardly to 

each other and not wanting to 

change despite all the changes 

around us now! 

I am really tired now in 

continuing writing about 

these same issues and I am 

still in the tunnel and no hope 

of seeing the light at the end 

of the tunnel — if ever that 

will be so! 

The only consolation is 

that there are so many of us 

this tunnel, victims of circumstances 

when our businesses 

went bust, and we had taken 

the loans from public finance 

especially! 

Take care!

MUSCAT — The upcoming 

“Movies in the Park” initiative 

which will see a series of family 

favourite lms from around 

the globe being screened over 

a six week period at Qurum 

Natural Park will be supported 

by BankDhofar as a main 

sponsor. 

The park will be transformed 

into an outdoor cinema 

from today till May 10 with an 

eclectic mix of musicals, ac- 

tion adventures, popular comedies 

and all-time favourites 

being screened. The initiative 

is organised by Polyphaemus 

in association with the Muscat 

Municipality. 

Faisal Hamid al Wahaibi, 

AGM Retail Banking, Bank- 

Dhofar said “The Park will be 

transformed into a giant movie 

screen and we at BankDhofar 

are delighted to be part of this 

event. 

“Each movie night is sure 

to be a real family occasion 

and we advise lm buffs, 

young and old, to bring picnics 

and blankets for a great family 

evening. BankDhofar will 

be adding to the excitement 

by holding our rst Al Heson 

Monthly draw for 2012, which 

will see customers competing 

for a share in our RO 180,000 

monthly prize. Our staff will 

also be on hand to dole out 

goodie bags and advice on the 

many innovative products and 

services we have available.” 

By A Staff Reporter 

MUSCAT — Omantel will 

organise a celebrity cricket on 

April 26 and 27 at the Muscat 

Club in Al Wadi al Kabir. 

These cricket challenges, 

which will take place between 

ve communities in Oman 

with teams from North India, 

South India, Pakistan, Sri 

Lanka and Bangladesh, will 

also feature high prole celebrities 

who will be in Oman 

to support teams from their 

native countries. Celebrities 

will include Riya Sen, Sandhya, 

Anarkali, Maria Wasti 

and Shimla. 

Commenting on the event, 

Maytha Dawood al Araimi, 

Consumer Marketing Communication 

Manager said 

“The league attracts Asian 

communities by bringing 

prominent celebrities from 

Asian countries such as northern 

India and southern India, 

Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri 

Lanka. It gives our customers 

the opportunity to participate 

in the challenge and enjoy this 

exciting event with their local 

celebrity. We also encourage 

them to take advantage of 

packages such as the “Friends 

& Family” and the reduced 

International call rate. “ 

5 OMAN 



Oman Air continues Omanisation drive 

MUSCAT — For the fth 

year running, Oman Air, the 

national airline of the Sultanate 

of Oman, is underlining its 

commitment to its Omanisation 

programme with a major 

presence at Jobex 2012. 

Jobex, the largest and most 

comprehensive three-day career 

exhibition in Oman is to 

get over today at the Oman 

International Exhibition Centre 

in Muscat. It has been attracting 

wide range of job 

seekers in search of interesting 

employment opportunities and 

enabling exhibitors to showcase 

their companies and job 

opportunities. 

Oman Air’s management 

has a deep-rooted commitment 

to providing as many career 

Movies under the stars’ to be 

supported by BankDhofar 

opportunities as possible for 

qualied Omani candidates. 

This year, Oman Air has 

been targeting jobseekers with 

general diplomas, with a view 

to training them for servicelevel 

positions both on the 

ground at the airport and in the 

air, on board its award-winning 

aircraft. The airline has 

been meeting potential job- 

Embassy of S Korea gesture 

to Grand Mosque library 

MUSCAT — The Embassy 

of Korea in the Sultanate of 

Oman has donated a collection 

of books and DVDs, 

introducing Korea’s culture, 

heritage and history, for the 

use of the Sultan Qaboos 

Grand Mosque library. 

Ambassador Choe Jong- 

Hyun called on Habib bin 

Mohammed al Riyami, 

Secretary-General of Sultan 

Qaboos Centre for Islamic 

Culture, Diwan of the Royal 

Court, to hand over the collection. 

This gesture is a follow-up 

to the visit of Kim Hwang- 

Sik, Prime Minister of the 

Republic of Korea, to the Sultan 

Qaboos Grand Mosque on 

January 13. 

The embassy received the 

books and DVDs from the 

Korea Foundation, which is 

an independent organisation 

afliated to the Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs and Trade of 

the Republic of Korea, and 

aims to promote academic 

and cultural exchanges with 

other countries. 

The Foundation distributes 

various publications in 

Korean and foreign languages 

and multimedia materials to 

schools, public libraries, research 

institutes and cultural 

and art facilities overseas. 

“The embassy hopes that 

the donated material will help 

the people of the Sultanate to 

understand the Republic of 

Korea and its people, which 

will further strengthen the 

ties between the two countries,” 

the embassy added in a 

statement. 

seekers, screening applicants 

and shortlisting them at Jobex. 

Wayne Pearce, Oman Air’s 

Chief Executive Ofcer, says: 

“Oman Air’s continuing success 

has seen the growth of 

our eet and network of destinations, 

the introduction of 

outstanding comfort, space 

and luxury both in the air and 

on the ground, and increases 

in passenger numbers and load 

factors. 

Passenger feedback is overwhelmingly 

positive and we 

have attracted acclaim in the 

form of more than 20 awards. 

None of this would have been 

possible without the remarkable 

efforts of Oman Air’s 

dedicated staff, the majority of 

whom are Omanis. 

Omantel organises 

Celebrity Cricket 

Keep in touch with your 

friends and family back home 

and update them on the results 

of the challenge by subscribing 

to the “Friends & Family” 

package which allows Mada 

and Hayyak subscribers to get 

a 50 per cent discount on outgoing 

local and international 

calls to four numbers selected 

by the subscribers. 

Customers can also benet 

from the new international tariff 

that allows Fixed line and 

mobile customers to call more 

than 70 countries including 

GCC, Indian sub-continent, 

majority of Arab and European 

destinations from as low 

as 65 baisas per minute from 

xed lines and 85 baisas per 

minute from mobile. 

Maytha al Araimi added: 

“I would like to invite all our 

customers interested in cricket 

to participate in the event 

which takes place at the Muscat 

Club in Al Wadi al Kabeer 

tomorrow and Friday starting 

at 4:30 pm. 

“It will be a fun family atmosphere 

with activities and 

a chance to meet the celebrities 

from their countries. Customers 

can nd more details 

in our Facebook page: www. 

facebook.com/omantelcelebritycricket” 

Malaysian promotion in 

Oman on April 29, 30 


MUSCAT — The Minister 

of International Trade and Industry 

of Malaysia, Dato Sri 

Mustapa bin Mohamed will 

lead a group of ofcials representing 

seven ministries and 

government agencies, as well 

as businessmen from over 

32 companies, to Muscat on 

April 29-30, at Crowne Plaza 

Muscat for a very special 

event, ‘1Malaysia Promotion 

in Oman’. 

This high-prole event is 

co-organised by the Embassy 

of Malaysia and the Malaysia 

External Trade Development 

Co-operation (MATRADE) 

and will be graced by Ali bin 

Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister 

of Commerce and Industry. 

The event will feature 

exhibitions and seminars as 

well as business matchings on 

trade and investment opportunities 

between Malaysia and 

Oman, particularly in the area 

of Tourism, Healthcare, Halal 

Development, Property/Real 

Estate, Construction, ICT, 

Trade and Investments. 

According to the Ambassador 

of Malaysia to the Sultanate 

of Oman, Dato Rustam 

Yahaya, “This will be a good 

opportunity for local businesses 

and entrepreneurs to 

network with their Malaysian 

counterparts and get insights 

and updates from the Honour- 

able Minister himself about 

Malaysia and how it can cooperate 

with the Sultanate.” 

From a country dependent 

on agriculture and primary 

commodities, Malaysia has 

today become an export-driven 

economy spurred by high 

technology, knowledge-based 

and capital-intensive industries. 

This is an ideal event to 

share knowledge and expertise 

as well as enhancing business 

and investment opportunities 

between the two countries. 

Dato Rustam adds, “This 

is an event not to be missed. 

I would like to call upon everyone 

who is interested to 

explore various business op- 

portunities with Malaysia in 

this single event. There are 

plenty to choose from Malaysia, 

especially when our 

products and services are 

well-known all around the 

globe for their superior quality 

and reliability. Malaysia is 

ranked as one of the leading 

exporters worldwide for semiconductors, 

medical devices, 

processed food, building materials, 

healthcare, education, 

information and communication 

technology (ICT) and engineering 

services. 

“Malaysian services sector 

has grown from strength 

to strength and has achieved 

global recognition for several 

landmark projects. All these 

testify to the high level of con- 

dence and trust that international 

businesses have in us.” 

According to Nor Azmi 

Sulong, General Manager of 

the organising company of the 

event, Al Gaith International 

Exhibition Co LLC (GIE), “As 

a Malaysian, working here for 

the last seven years and managing 

an event management 

company in Oman, I can see 

many opportunities available 

for both countries.” 

Key Malaysian government 

ministries and agencies 

will be represented at this 

event to give Omanis further 

insights on what Malaysia has 

to offer and answer any queries. 

IDC-G expands to Mideast with 

Omantel as 16th member 


MUSCAT — The International Data Centre 

Group (IDC-G), the rst global data centre alliance, 

has signed its rst Middle Eastern Alliance 

Member — Omantel, the number one service 

provider of advanced communication solutions 

in Oman. The Sultanate is located on the Arabian 

peninsula with unique access to the GCC, 

East-Asian countries and the rest of the world via 

multiple submarine cables as well with a terrestrial 

cable directly routed to EU. Omantel offers 

carrier-neutral co-location services in the Sultanate 

of Oman through its high-spec data centres. 

As a result of the large interest in co-location 

space, Omantel has just added a third Tier III facility 

at the Wattayah Coastal Station, which is 

securely located in the City of Muscat. In addition 

Omantel will double its available co-location 

space at its prime facility located in Barka/ 

Blue City. 

The stability of Oman from a country perspective 

and Omantel’s access to currently seven submarine 

cable systems, with two additional submarine 

cables under deployment, and multiple 

terrestrial links with seamless cross-connectivity 

between them, makes Omantel the most suitable 

partner for customers that need connectivity between 

the Middle East and the rest of the world. 

“This is another milestone for IDC-G, as Omantel 

is the rst member we have signed in the 

Middle Eastern region to join our alliance. The 

Sultanate of Oman as a country and Omantel’s 

position as the hub of the Middle East made it 

the perfect t with the global strategy of IDC-G,” 

said Guy Willner, Executive Chairman of International 

Data Centre Group. 

“Omantel is honoured to be the Middle Eastern 

company to have been selected by IDC-G to 

cater for their customers’ needs in the region,” 

said Sohail Qadir, Vice-President Wholesale at 

Omantel. “It is always rewarding to receive recognition 

for our unique position in the Middle 

East together with the superior quality and reach 

we offer our customers,” Sohail Qadir continued. 

The co-operation between Omantel and 

IDC-G has also received attention by the cus- 

GUY WILLNER SOHAIL QADIR 

tomers of Omantel. “We welcome this strategic 

partnership as it will further strengthen the value 

proposition of Omantel; Omantel truly caters 

for our multi-geographical needs for data centre 

services” said Joakim Klingefjord, Chief Executive 

Ofcer of Renna Mobile, one of Omantel’s 

data centre customers. 

Headquartered in London, IDC-G is a data 

centre service provider representing an alliance 

of high quality, carrier neutral data centres across 

the globe, with a focus on emerging and highgrowth 

markets. From initial investigation to 

deployment with a single interface for premium 

data centre services, IDC-G has the service for 

their clients no matter where they are at their DC 

cycle. IDC-G’s clients can leverage world-class 

industry experience combined with the local expertise 

of its Alliance Members, as well as the 

reassurance that comes with the IDC-G stamp of 

data centre excellence. IDC-G was launched in 

2010 by Guy Willner, the co-founder of Europe’s 

leading carrier neutral data centre provider IX- 

Europe, which was acquired by Equinix Inc in 

2007 for $555 million. 

Omantel is considered one of the most 

prominent and competitive wholesale telecommunication 

providers in the Middle East region. 

In addition, it is one of the leading companies 

in the eld of submarine cable networks and a 

key participant in several submarine cables as 

well with direct terrestrial links, which link Asia, 

Europe and America passing through the Middle 

East region, meeting the international capacity 

requirements of clients locally and internationally, 

thereby sustaining the Company’s leading 

position among its competitors.

Omani Products Expo in Sohar 

draws positive response 

MUSCAT — A three-day exhibition on 

promoting Oman National Products, being 

organised by the Public Establishment for 

Industrial Estates (PEIE), draws down its 

curtain tonight (Wednesday) at Oman International 

Exhibition Centre in the Wilayat 

of Sohar in Al Batinah North. 

The event, which kicked off on Monday 

under the auspices of Shaikh Ahmed 

bin Saleh al Maawali, Wali of Saham in 

the presence of a number of walis and government 

units ofcials, representatives of 

industrial sector and Omani businessmen, 

has drawn positive response from its exhibitors 

and visitors. 

As many as 50 companies representing 

various economic, production and service 

sectors from within and outside the industrial 

estates pertaining to PEIE are taking 

part in the exhibition. 

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saleh al Maawali, 

said, “We are undoubtedly proud to witness 

a signicant demand on the Omani 

products not only in our local markets 

but also globally. PEIE has been working 

steadily in organising a series of exhibitions 

to highlight the advantages of purchasing 

local-made products.” 

The exhibition, which is being organised 

as part of a series of exhibitions of 

Omani Products Campaign 2012 entitled 

“Omani”, aims at promoting national industries 

and products and emphasising the 

importance of purchasing local products to 

boost the national economy. The exhibition 

comes within the framework of supporting 

the Omani products and creating awareness 

on national-made products that are 

branded by best quality. The main objective 

of the exhibition is to build continuing 

demand for the local products both locally 

and globally, which will ultimately lift the 

importance of these products and further 

support local manufacturers and distributors. 

Participants at the event highlighted 

the importance of partaking in such exhibitions. 

Mayassa bint Mohamed al Farsi, 

Management Director in Al Firdous Printing 

and Packaging Company LLC, noted, 

“These exhibitions embrace various companies 

and play a vital role in introducing 

local products to the consumers.” 

Khamis bin Ali al Sheedi, Public Relations 

Ofcer in Oman Agriculture Development 

Company, stressed that Omani 

Products Expos offer a vibrant platform to 

highlight the competitive features of the 

locally manufactured products. 

Ahmed bin Humaid al Farsi, sales executive 

in Al Hassan Switchgear Manufacturing 

Company, said: “PEIE is doing major 

efforts to promote national products, which 

constantly shed light on the high quality of 

these products to the consumers,” adding: 

“Our products enjoy high quality characteristics 

and we have received a number of 

internationally approved certicates verifying 

our excellent services.” 

Qassim bin Abdullah al Shizawi, sales 

executive in Oman Foodstuff Factory LLC 

(Al Mudhish), emphasised the importance 

of participating in Omani Products Expo, 

which contributes directly to increasing the 

volume of sales for local companies. “The 

quality of Omani products has become 

compelling, generating larger demand for 

the products, either during the exhibitions 

or in local markets,” Al Shizawi pointed 

out. 

The exhibition in Sohar is the second 

in this year’s road show planned to be held 

in the various governorates in the Sultanate. 

The series of Omani Products Exhibitions 

attempt to spread awareness on the 

quality of Omani products and their local 

and international competitive capabilities. 

These exhibitions also aim at encouraging 

consumers, both individuals and organisations, 

to purchase local products and 

services. PEIE’s road show will continue 

throughout the year with the sole aim of 

informing consumers about the quality of 

local products. 

Comex 2012 to focus on ICT innovation 


MUSCAT — Around 130 

local and international ICT 

companies are expected to 

take part in next week’s IT, 

Telecom & Technology Show 

— Comex 2012, which will 

be held at Oman International 

Exhibition Centre. 

Details about the upcoming 

event, billed as a Total 

Technology Show, were outlined 

at a press conference 

held at Grand Hyatt Muscat 

yesterday. Present at the briefing 

were a number of ofcials 

and representatives from 

the Information Technology 

Authority (ITA) and OITE. 

Prominent gures included 

Dr Salim Sultan al Ruzaiqi, 

CEO of ITA, Talal Sulaiman 

al Rahbi, Deputy CEO of Operations 

of ITA, Ahmed Baabood, 

Executive Chairman 

of OITE, and Sadiq Ahmed 

Khan, Director — B2B Events 

& Marketing, OITE. 

Currently in its 22nd year, 

Comex 2012 will be held from 

April 30 to May 4 under the 

patronage of e.oman and organised 

by OITE Trade Fairs. 

It will be inaugurated by Dr 

Ahmed bin Mohammed al 

Futaisi, Minister of Transport 

and Communications. 

The theme for the exhibition 

is Towards ICT Innovation 

where, in conjunction 

with His Majesty’s efforts 

in promoting ICT within the 

region, Comex 2012 endeavours 

to motivate business 

professionals, consumers and 

government bodies to embrace 

and use the latest technology 

to their benet. 

Dr Salim al Ruzaiqi, CEO 

of the Information Technology 

Authority (ITA) stated: 

“Comex derives its signicance 

from being the Sultanate’s 

most important annual 

forum that showcases new 

technologies in the information 

and communication sector. 

It plays a pivotal role in 

promoting co-operation and 

integration among various institutions, 

in order to develop 

eGovernment services and to 

achieve the objectives of the 

National Strategy of Oman’s 

Digital Society and eGovernment.” 

Al Ruzaiqi added: “30 

governmental institutions 

will be present in the Exhibition 

pavilions, in addition 

to government institutions 

participating from the GCC 

countries of UAE and Kuwait, 

and other countries like Estonia, 

Lithuania and Singapore. 

130 local and international 

ICT companies will be on 

hand as well to display about 

225 brands. This will provide 

the Exhibition visitors 

with a diversity of options, 

an opportunity to exchange 

experiences and knowledge 

and to build and strengthen 

co-operation and partnership 

between such companies and 

Omani customers.” 

Comex 2012 will bring together 

local and international 

IT companies, governmental 

bodies, NGO’s, academics, 

researchers, investors and 

visitors together to discuss 

and showcase products, solutions, 

innovations, development 

and trends pertaining to 

the ICT sector. 

Comex Business will 

showcase innovative products 

and solutions, provide 

opportunities to boost businesses 

and investments, and 

facilitate interaction with 

counterparts, business partners 

and visitors. 

The eGovernment services 

pavilion of participating 

government organisations 

will provide opportunity for 

participating entities to interact 

and introduce e-services 

aimed at facilitating and simplifying 

the daily procedures 

of the citizens. Comex Shopper 

offers visitors the chance 

to purchase the latest technology, 

gadgets and consumer 

electronics and test drive the 

same. 

“In a world where technology 

changes on a 24 hour basis, 

companies, government 

and citizens must keep pace 

with changing trends as this 

will increase their productivity, 

products, services, skills, 

performance and output. 

Comex 2012 will showcase 

the latest tech-savvy 

products, services and so- 

lutions, that will increase 

the company’s chances of 

remaining undisputed leaders 

of the market, furthering 

B2B alliances, tapping and 

improving their strengths and 

increasing market penetration,” 

says Ahmed Saleh Baabood, 

Executive Chairman, 

OITE. 

The Sultanate of Oman 

is solidifying its position as 

one of the world’s leading 

countries in terms of ICTrelated 

services by focusing 

on and improving the same 

in the region. The important 

role of information and communication 

technologies in 

any sphere especially business 

and government cannot 

be dismissed and is receiving 

due recognition as can 

be seen via active participation 

of several companies at 

Comex 2012. The event is 

supported by Omantel with 

MG-IT as a Strategic Sponsor, 

the Telecommunications 

Regulatory Authority and 

Microsoft as Lead Sponsors, 

Oman Data Park as Cloud 

Lead Sponsor, HUAWEI as 

ICT Solution Partner, EMC2 

as IT Transformation Partner, 

Nawras as Ofcial Mobile 

Service Provider, Knowledge 

Oasis Muscat as Oman’s 

Technology Park, Toshiba as 

a Platinum Sponsor, Arabian 

Computers as Gold Sponsor 

and Gulf Infotech as Silver 

Sponsor. 

In addition to the main 

events that are part of Comex 

2012, Titan the talking-dancing-singing 

Robot will be a 

part of the event for the 2nd 

time, following its rst successful 

appearance at Comex 

2010. 

Designed by Nik Fielding, 

who runs Cyberstein 

from Newquay, Cornwall, 

Titan the Robot is a unique 

entertainment concept. It 

has performed alongside superstars 

including Rihanna, 

Will Smith and Jackie Chan 

and has made many international 

appearances. An instant 

crowd puller, this robot 

knows no bounds when it 

comes to entertaining. 

The 3rd Comex Conference 

will be held alongside 

Comex 2012 on May 1 and 

2 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, 

Seeb from 8 am onwards 

on both days. Organised by 

OITE Conferences and under 

the patronage of the Oman 

IT Society, the Comex Conference 

will focus on the 

mechanisms of support and 

development of SME’s, specialising 

in the digital domain. 

International and local 

experts will be enriching the 

Conference with their valuable 

working papers. 

The timings for Comex 2012 

are from 10 am-10 pm from 

April 30 to May 3, and from 

4:30 pm-10 pm on May 4. 

— ONA picture 

6 OMAN 



Cabinet-Majlis meeting focuses 

on enhancing co-operation 

MUSCAT — As part of the 

keenness attached by His 

Majesty Sultan Qaboos to 

push forward the development 

wheel in the country 

and promote the Omani individual 

to polish his talents 

and enhance his skills to 

play a prospective role in the 

comprehensive development 

process witnessed by all 

parts of the Sultanate, a joint 

meeting between the Council 

of Ministers, the Majlis Addawla 

and Majlis Ash’shura 

was held yesterday. 

The meeting stems from 

the belief in the importance 

of constructive and fruitful 

dialogue which aims at 

exchange of views to reach 

practical visions which contribute 

in activating the ongoing 

efforts and help in implementing 

the developmental 

plans and programmes. 

His Highness Sayyid 

Fahd bin Mahmood al 

Said, Deputy Prime Minister 

for the Council of Ministers, 

welcomed the members of 

the Council of Oman and 

stressed the interest of the 

government in their visions 

which aim at achieving more 

development in various sectors, 

taking into consideration 

the priorities of each stage, as 

well as the balance in development 

for all regions. 

To achieve these goals the 

ofcials will intensify their 

DUBAI — Middle Eastern retail 

major Lulu announced the 

launch of 100th store in Ras al 

Khaimah later this month to 

further strengthen their market 

share in the region. 

Addressing a press conference 

in Dubai today, Yusuff 

Ali MA, Emke Lulu Group’s 

Managing Director said “it 

was part of our well thoughtout 

“Achieve 100” growth 

plan launched in 2009 to 

reach 100 stores mark within 

3 years. We are obviously 

pleased to announce that our 

100th Lulu inside RAK Mall, 

also constructed by the Group, 

will be inaugurated by Shaikh 

Saud bin Saqr al Qassimi, Supreme 

Council Member and 

Ruler of Ras al Khaimah on 

April 26”. 

Even during the global nancial 

meltdown and industry 

wide recession, Lulu Group 

has gone ahead with their announced 

plan and opened 23 

hypermarkets and shopping 

malls in the last 3 years in 

almost all major cities of the 

GCC. 

“Not a single project was 

shelved or postponed” added 

Yusuff Ali. One of the most 

popular and recognised local 

brands of the region, Lulu 

today is a market leader in almost 

all the countries that they 

operate. “We are going ahead 

with our major expansion 

plans in all GCC countries. 

visits to all regions to identify 

new services required by 

people and the available job 

opportunities for the youth. 

They will also follow-up 

the projects, and the government 

will evaluate all these 

aspects. 

He expressed satisfaction 

over the meetings and 

the open dialogue which was 

characterised by openness 

and understanding of the nature 

of the future challenges 

which require the collaboration 

of all efforts to reach the 

aspirations. 

HH Sayyid Fahd pointed 

out that His Majesty the Sultan’s 

directives for the government 

to give rst priority 

to providing the citizens with 

the services and ensuring that 

everyone enjoys prosperity, 

so that every Omani will 

remain always proud of the 

achievements, development 

and progress of his land. 

This approach will make 

everyone an active player in 

the development and construction 

march which moves 

forward with steady steps 

and relentless determination. 

All resources are availed and 

sacrices are made to have a 

better tomorrow. 

Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal 

al Busaidy, Minister of the 

Diwan of the Royal Court, 

stressed His Majesty Sultan 

Qaboos’s interest in activat- 

In Abu Dhabi alone, we will 

have another 6 Hypermarkets 

which will include Al Ain and 

Western Regions” he added. 

Lulu, which started out as 

ing the role of the Council 

of Ministers and the Majlis 

Oman by organising such 

joint co-ordination meetings. 

Sayyid Khalid told Oman 

News Agency that yesterday’s 

meeting stressed the 

importance of highlighting 

many issues of interest for 

the state and citizens. 

Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh 

al Mantheri, Chairman of 

the Majlis Addawla, said that 

the meeting contributes to 

implementing the directives 

of His Majesty the Sultan to 

carry out the roles towards 

the citizens. 

Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal 

al Maawali, Chairman 

of Majlis Ash’shura, said 

that the meeting aims at enhancing 

co-operation among 

members of the two Majlises 

and the Council of Ministers 

to achieve the public interest 

for the state and citizens. 

Shaikh Khalid bin Omar 

al Marhoon, Civil Service 

Minister, stressed the keenness 

of the government to 

meet members of the Majlis 

and co-ordinate with them issues 

of public interest. 

He added that the meeting 

covered a number of themes. 

As far as the Civil Service 

Ministry was concerned, the 

issues of employment and 

the 5th grade have been referred 

to the respective institutions 

and will be properly 

supermarket and department 

stores chain, has gradually 

moved onto to the big format 

hypermarkets and now is also 

a force to reckon with in the 

addressed soon. 

Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed 

al Shaibaniyah, Education 

Minister, afrmed that the 

meetings covered all the issues 

related to the educational 

march. 

Nada bint Hassan al 

Jamali, member of the Majlis 

Addawla, pointed out that 

the meeting helps in raising 

issues and getting opinions. 

Naama bint Jumaiel al 

Busaidiya, member of the 

Majlis Ash’shura, said that 

the meeting covered the new 

layouts that are distributed 

without having the proper 

services, among other matters. 

Meanwhile, members 

of the Council of Oman 

stressed the importance of 

these meetings as they have 

a positive effect on cooperation 

among the state 

institutions and enhance the 

communication and common 

understanding among 

them. They appealed to Allah 

to safeguard His Majesty 

the Sultan, grant him 

good health and happiness to 

achieve the hopes of his subjects 

for brighter future with 

welfare and stability for all. 

A luncheon was hosted 

on this good occasion which 

was attended by members 

of the Council of Ministers 

and the Council of Oman. 

— ONA 

Health services in governorates stressed 

MUSCAT — The Continuous 

Professional Development 

Conference, organised by 

the Oman Medical Specialty 

Board (OMSB), concluded 

yesterday at City Seasons 

Hotel. 

The forum, attended by 

280 representatives from 

medical establishments, included 

working papers on 

training course for physician 

trainees and how to identify 

their training needs, formation 

of behavioural objectives 

and methods of assessing 

training activities and programmes. 

The conference also discussed 

ways of professional 

development, methods of 

analysing needs of work environment 

for training and 

development, how to form 

training and development 

goals in the light of needs and 

how to evaluate the training 

course and achievement of its 

goals. 

The conference decided 

to provide continuous development 

in all governorates, 

activate the role of training 

departments to follow the 

right methods in identifying 

the real needs for training 

courses, develop methods of 

assessment and accredit training 

courses and workshops 

and work towards designing 

an operational plan that suits 

the targeted category. 

OMSB is currently cooperating 

with the Royal 

College of Physicians and 

Surgeons of Canada to accredit 

the activities of the 

Continuing Professional Development 

and plans to build 

co-operation with American 

and European establishments 

in the future. — ONA 

REAR Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis al Raisi, RNO Commander, chaired the GCC Naval Forces Commanders 

12th meeting yesterday. GCC Naval Forces Commanders and Assistant Secretary-General for 

Military Affairs at the GCC Secretariat-General also participated. — ONA 

Lulu announces launch of 100th store 

shopping mall sector. The 

Group manages 10 very successful 

shopping malls in the 

GCC countries which also includes 

hypermarkets.

7 OMAN 



Major push to development march 

A JOINT meeting between the Council of Ministers, the Majlis Addawla and Majlis Ash'shura in progress yesterday. — Pictures by ONA, Mohamed al Rashdi and Thani al Siyabi.

Oman hosts 13th GCC History and 

Archaeology Association Forum 

MUSCAT — A two-day GCC 

History and Archaeology Association 

Forum, being organised 

by the Heritage and 

Culture Ministry, began yesterday 

at the InterContinental 

Hotel under the auspices of Dr 

Isam bin Ali al Rowas, Deputy 

Chairman of Public Authority 

for Craft Industries. 

Dr Al Rowas said in a 

statement that the forum is attended 

by scholars, specialists 

and researchers on Arabian 

Peninsula. 

This is the second time that 

the Sultanate is hosting the 

forum, the first one in 2001 

by Sultan Qaboos University 

(SQU). He noted that the Sul- 

MUSCAT — The Embassy of 

the United States of America 

and the University of Nizwa 

hosted a panel discussion on 

“Growing up Green” on Tuesday 

to mark the 42nd anniversary 

of Earth Day. The session, 

held in Nizwa, highlighted the 

successful co-operation between 

United States and Omani 

government organisations, 

universities, and civil society 

groups that focus on environmental 

issues. 

The event featured three 

expert speakers, representing 

the Environmental Society of 

tanate is playing an important 

role in the cultural, historical 

and archaeological aspect, as 

heritage is part of the government’s 

interest because it embodies 

the country’s cultural 

and civilisational identity. 

For this reason the government 

supports such events 

and forums, adding that the 

best example in this regard is 

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’s 

honouring of the association 

in 2001 when the Sultanate 

hosted the forum for the first 

time. 

He added that the Sultanate 

tries through this forum to 

give the scholars an opportunity 

to get together and visit 

Oman, the Clean-Up Oman 

Group, and the US Embassy. 

In his presentation, Salim al 

Amri of the Environmental 

Society of Oman described the 

importance of consolidating 

efforts to encourage communities 

to become better stewards 

of the planet. 

Nasser al Kindi of Clean- 

Up Oman emphasised the 

role of local communities, and 

opened the audience’s eyes to 

the dangers of environmental 

pollution. US Embassy Environmental 

Officer Damon 

Goforth praised the success- 

the Sultanate since the Sultanate 

played an important role 

during the past 400 years and 

it is there in all European, Ottoman 

and Arab documents. 

Dr Mohammed bin Hamad 

Sarrai, Chairman of the 

GCC History and Archaeology 

Association, said in his 

speech that the participants 

see for themselves the rich 

past and present as the Sultanate 

encourages its history and 

events to be studied by historians 

and archaeologists. 

The forum aims at preserving 

the national identity of 

the GCC countries, enhance 

social coherence, exchange 

expertise in various fields of 

ful measures taken by the 

Ministry of Environment and 

Climate Affairs (MECA) in 

Oman to protect the natural 

heritage and wildlife in unique 

areas such as the turtle population 

in Ras al Hadd and Ras al 

Jinz. 

“The United States is very 

fortunate to have excellent 

partners in Oman like the Ministry 

of Environment and Climate 

Affairs, the Royal Oman 

Police Coast Guard, and civil 

society organisations to collaborate 

on regional environmental 

issues,” said Goforth. 

interest, underlying the scientific, 

cultural and civilisational 

image of the GCC countries 

which are as old as history. 

The forum also represents 

a Gulf scientific assembly 

for scholars, intellectuals and 

researchers in history and archaeology. 

During the opening ceremony, 

Mohammed bin al 

Zubair, His Majesty the Sultan’s 

Adviser for Economic 

Planning Affairs, was honoured 

for his contribution in 

preserving Oman’s heritage. 

— ONA 

— Picture by ONA, 

Huda al Bahriya 

US Embassy, Nizwa varsity mark Earth Day 2012 

By Hasan Kamoonpuri 

MUSCAT — The Global Higher Education 

Exhibition (Ghedex—April 23-25) 

has drawn a huge visitor turnout from 

colleges, universities and others exploring 

quality higher education opportunities. 

Around 161 exhibitors from 20 countries 

around the world are participating in 

the three-day exhibition. A large number 

of Omani higher education institutions 

are also participating in the event and 

have attracted a big visitor turnout. 

A number of exhibitors told the Observer 

that Ghedex has established itself 

as the leading higher education expo in 

Oman providing an excellent platform 

for public and private universities and 

colleges to promote accredited courses 

and enrol students, Omani as well as 

expatriate in the Sultanate of Oman who 

seek quality international higher education 

and an opportunity for students to 

evolve through internships and related 

career planning programmes. 

Ghedex is an ideal opportunity to 

emphasise that “we provide students 

with value added higher education of 

international standards,” said Mahmoud 

Faquose, Marketing & Public Relations 

Manager at Majan College. 

Majan College (University College) 

is one of the largest and oldest private 

higher educational institutions in the 

Sultanate with more than 1,800 registered 

students, offering undergraduate 

and post graduate degrees in Business 

Management, Finance, Accounting, 

Marketing, Computing and Information 

Technology and English Language. 

The range of Masters programmes 

on offer at Majan University College include 

the executive MBA and the MSc in 

Computer Science from the University 

of Bedfordshire and the MSc in Organisational 

Leadership from the University 

of Glasgow. 

Majan College also provides guidance 

and teaching for examinations conducted 

by the Association of Certified 

Chartered Accountants (ACCA), UK. 

The Majan Centre for Continuing education 

provides training and customised 

courses in a range of areas including finance, 

Information technology, marketing, 

branding, leadership, accounting 

among others. 

“The college has been growing in 

leaps and bounds and we are proud of the 

numerous graduates gainfully employed 

and working across various sectors in 

Oman,” Faquose added. 

Founded in 1995, Majan College 

consists of a multi-cultural academic 

community with more than a hundred 

multiethnic staff from various countries 

and 1,800 students. 

The college’s commitment to the 

provision of quality education, enhancing 

standards and continuous improvement 

is reflected in its ranking as the 

number one brand in the field of private 

higher education by Business Today and 

Oman Observer in 2008, 2009, and it has 

been voted as the best private college in 

Earth Day is celebrated 

worldwide every year on April 

22 to mark the anniversary of 

the birth of the modern US 

environmental movement in 

1970. 

The late Governor and US 

Senator Gaylord Nelson of 

Wisconsin founded Earth Day 

to insert environmental issues 

into the US national agenda, 

which eventually led to establishment 

of the United States 

Environmental Protection 

Agency as well as passage of 

the Clean Air, Clean Water, 

and Endangered Species acts. 

Ghedex draws huge visitor turnout 

Oman last November 2011 for 2 years 

2012/2013 following a survey conducted 

by Oman Observer. 

Faquose said, Ghedex endeavours to 

bring students, parents and education 

providers under one roof, to garner advice 

and information on scholarships, 

admission procedures and higher education 

opportunities. 

Majan college was also awarded the 

World Quality Commitment Award in 

Paris by Business Initiative Directions 

based on the principles of the QC100 

TQM. 

Commitment to the provision of quality 

education, enhancing standards and 

continuous improvement are fundamental 

to Majan’s core values. This commitment 

is reflected in the very positive Quality 

Audit Report published by the Oman Accreditation 

council in January 2010. 

The college has an excellent record 

in graduate employability and its students 

excel in the workplace as well as 

in regional and local competitions. The 

college’s graduates are employed in all 

major organisations in the public and 

private sectors including government 

ministries, the banking and financial sector, 

airlines, oil and gas, telecommunications 

and large multinational companies. 

Faquose and other experts said colleges 

and universities in Oman have 

come off the age in recent years and 

some of them are operating without any 

affiliations and almost all of them offer 

quality education and attract students 

from different countries. 

8 OMAN 



Seeb Health Centre to open till 2 am 

MUSCAT — A meeting of the 

Joint Committee between the 

Health Ministry and the Sultan 

Qaboos University was held 

at the Health Ministry yesterday 

under the auspices of Dr 

Ali bin Talib al Hinai, Health 

Ministry’s Under-Secretary 

for Planning Affairs, Dr Ali 

bin Saud al Baimani, SQU 

Vice-Chancellor. 

The meeting discussed 

health services in the Wilayat 

of Seeb, the growing pressure 

on health institutions for delivery 

cases and bilateral co-operation 

between the ministry 

and SQU in the educational 

field. 

It was agreed to extend 

work hours at Seeb Health 

Centre till 2 am. SQU Hospital 

KnowledgeOman to hold 

ICT talks at Comex 2012 

MUSCAT — KnowledgeOman.com, 

the leading community 

and knowledge sharing 

platform in the country, is the 

exclusive Knowledge Partner 

at Comex 2012, supporting 

Oman’s largest ICT exhibition. 

Knowledge Oman is further 

collaborating with the Information 

Technology Authority 

(ITA) to deliver a series of 

ICT lectures at the ITA stall 

in Comex, delivered for free 

by Knowledge Oman members. 

This active participation 

aligns with the mission of 

connecting communities with 

knowledge and the vision of 

building a knowledge-based 

society in the country. 

Amal al Masshari, Community 

Projects Manager at 

Knowledge Oman, says, “We 

are very pleased to support 

Comex 2012 for the fourth 

year consecutively and to hold 

a series of sessions for the 

community. This exhibition 

serves as the perfect opportunity 

to exchange experiences 

and learn the latest developments 

locally and internationally 

in the technology world.” 

The participation of Knowl- 

will provide consultant doctors 

for the centre during daytime. 

The extension will alleviate 

the pressure being witnessed 

by health centre. 

It was also agreed to implement 

a higher diploma 

programme in medical li- 

Amal al Masshari 

edge Oman at Comex2012 

opens its platform to local and 

international companies, governmental 

bodies, NGO’s and 

academicians all under one 

roof through a series of daily 

talks on a variety of ICT topics 

during the exhibition over 

a five day period. 

Knowledge Oman professionals 

Ali al Lawati, Jalal al 

Hadrami, Christuda Dai and 

Tomy Bonifa will speak on 

various topics including Risk 

Management in IT, Social 

Media, IT Developments in 

Oman and smart phone technologies. 

A large number of visitors 

braries between the Ministry 

and SQU. The two-year programme 

will start from the 

beginning of next year. 

The meeting also agreed 

to form work teams to e-link 

the SQU medical library with 

other hospitals and education- 

are expected to join, learn and 

network. 

Tariq Hilal al Barwani, 

founder and president of 

Knowledge Oman, adds, “It’s 

an honour for us to form strategic 

partnerships at Comex 

2012 so that together we deliver 

more value to the community 

and engage the people 

with technology benefits and 

opportunities that improve life 

and business.” 

Knowledge Oman serves 

the community in various 

knowledge fields through 

online-based and community 

driven initiatives since its 

launch in April 2008. 

It has received a number 

of prestigious awards, with 

the “International standard 

web technology award” during 

the Oman Web Awards 

2009, the “Brand Leadership 

Award” at the world Brand 

Congress 2010, and recently 

the “Outstanding Contribution 

to the Cause of Education” 

award from the World HRD 

Congress in 2012. Knowledge 

Oman, at www.knowledgeoman.com, 

is currently home to 

more than 15,000 members in 

the community. 

al institutes affiliated to the 

ministry. 

The committee also agreed 

to re-structure the academic 

programme in security and 

safety, as well as medical labs 

at the College of Medicine and 

Health Sciences. — ONA 

Oman Post introduces digital mail 

From page 1 

far more than an e-mail address 

people can send and 

receive digital mail. All users 

will be verified by Oman Post 

and the system is operated in 

collaboration with the Information 

Technology Authority 

of Oman (ITA). 

Another advantage of 

e-Post is that mails can be 

recalled before it has been 

opened by the recipient. 

Documents can also be verified 

through the ‘Document 

Authentication feature’ so the 

possibility of fraudulent certificates, 

etc is removed. 

“These are just a few of the 

features that will be offered initially 

and more will be added 

to the system in a phased manner 

over the coming months”, 

Al Shaqsi adds. 

e-Post also aims to become 

a means of communicating between 

individuals and government 

departments so that applications 

and other processes 

are simplified. 

MSM at 

5,952 

MUSCAT — Muscat Securities 

Market (MSM) general 

index 30 yesterday lost 

more than six points in the 

third session this week, constituting 

a decline of 0.11 

per cent to close at 5,952 

points compared to 5,958 

points previously. 

The MSM daily report 

pointed out that the industrial 

sector declined by 0.59 

per cent to close at 6,882 

points compared to 6,923 

points previously, followed 

by the financial sector which 

declined by 0.23 per cent to 

close at 7,123 points compared 

to 7,139 points previously. 

The services sector 

rose by 0.17 per cent to close 

at 2,716 points compared to 

2,712 points previously. 

The trading value yesterday 

stood at RO 3.7 million, 

comprising a decline of 

30.79 per cent. — ONA 

Another great feature that 

will be offered is the Virtual 

Box. This solves the problem 

of the lack of individual 

post boxes. A paid subscription 

service which will come 

at a nominal annual fee, the 

Virtual Box feature will allow 

individuals to receive real 

printed mail with notifications 

through their e-Post ID. When 

mail arrives at the post office, 

a message will be sent to the 

intended recipient who can 

then request that the mail is 

held at the post office of their 

choice for collection, redi- 

Focus on enhancing ties with 

Turkish TV, radio authority 

MUSCAT — Dr Abdullah 

bin Nasser al Harasi, Chairman 

of the Public Authority 

for Radio and Television 

(PART) received in his office 

here yesterday Dr Mohammed 

al Adil, Chairman of 

the Turkish Arab Association 

for Science, Culture and Arts 

rected to a physical post box 

of their choice or collected by 

a person whom they authorise. 

With the Holiday mail service, 

mail recipients can even request 

that their mail is held for 

them until they return to collect 

it at the post office so the 

risk of mail that is left lying on 

an office desk getting lost in 

their absence is removed. 

e-Post will also offer 

e-Stamps so that subscribers 

can print our their mail whether 

an ordinary letter, a postcard 

or a greeting card and affix an 

e-Stamp before dropping it 

(TASCA) who is currently 

visiting the Sultanate as per 

an invitation from the Omani 

Journalists Association 

(OJA). 

The meeting discussed 

aspects of the existing co-operation 

between the Sultanate 

and Turkey in media areas in 

into the nearest post box for 

delivery to any destination in 

the world. 

Oman Post invites people to 

register for the e-Post service. 

It is also possible for subscribers 

to choose their own e-Post 

ID number — this could be a 

birthday, anniversary or any 

other number the user prefers. 

This is subject to the 

number not having been assigned 

to anyone else so subscribers 

should log on to e- 

Post.om at the earliest. 

e-Post will have a registration 

and information desk set 

up at Comex 2012. With effect 

from the date of this release 

the registration process has 

begun and the e-Post service 

from the portal www.epost. 

om will start by June and the 

services such as FollowMe, 

Virtual, Doc Authentication, 

Track and Trace and e-Stamp 

will be rolled out over the next 

twelve months. 

— Picture by ONA, 

Saleh al Sharji 

general and Radio and TV in 

particular. 

The meeting reviewed 

and discussed ideas related to 

enhancing co-operation and 

exchanging expertise and 

programmes between PART 

and the Turkish satellite and 

radio channels. — ONA 

Al Wusta 

reviews traffic 

safety plans 

HAIMA — The Traffic 

Safety Committee in the 

Governorate of Al Wusta, 

which met yesterday under 

the chairmanship of Shaikh 

Meathad bin Mohammed 

al Yaqoobi, Governor of 

Al Wusta and head of the 

committee, reviewed the 

Royal speech of His Majesty 

Sultan Qaboos on 

October 18, 2009 in Seeh 

al Makarem and the wise 

directives in the speech 

on the importance of collaboration 

of efforts of all 

members of the society to 

limit road accidents. 

The meeting, held at the 

office of the governor, reviewed 

the decision of the 

Interior Minister in forming 

the committee and its 

prerogatives. 

Al Yaqoobi stressed the 

importance of collaboration 

of efforts to achieve 

the desired goals. 

The session also reviewed 

the committee’s 

action plan for 2012 and 

decided to form a subcommittee 

for the Traffic 

Safety Competition. 

— ONA

Samsung launches 

new 2012 

Smart TV line-up 

Page 11 

MHD-BKT hold product event 

BKT, an Indian brand name with diverse business interests as 

represented by MHD in Oman conducted a product familiarisation 

event at the Crowne Plaza on Monday. Clients and other invitees 

from various walks of life attended the event. BKT has emerged as 

a symbol of trust, excellence and genuineness. Page 10 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 

Bank Sohar prot up 74.3pc 


MUSCAT — Bank Sohar completed its 

fth anniversary with an all-round stellar 

performance. The bank reported a 

net prot of RO 5.330 million for the 

rst quarter ending March 31, 2012, an 

increase of 74.3 per cent from the previous 

year. Increased business volumes and 

customer ows propelled total income to 

a new high of RO 12.564 million, an increase 

of 26.4 per cent. 

Net Interest Income witnessed a signicant 

improvement of 19.7 per cent to 

RO 9.560 million. Bank Sohar focused on 


MUSCAT — In a reection of the robustness 

of its core operations, ahlibank 

SAOG’s net prot surged 47 per cent to 

RO 5.92 million for the period ending 

March 31, 2012, from RO 4.03 million 

during the same quarter in 2011. 

“Ahlibank has performed strongly in 

Q1 2012 and achieved enormous growth in 

its chosen market segments following the 

strategic realignment of its Corporate and 

Retail businesses. The results demonstrate 

positive momentum in both revenue and 

lending growth and we will look to maintain 

this throughout the year,” commented 

Abdulaziz al Balushi, CEO of ahlibank. 

The nancial results of the three 

months ended March 31, 2012 portrays 

a strong foundation for the sustainable 

core earnings momentum as it executes its 

strategy for the year, the bank said. 

Net operating income has increased by 

50 per cent to RO 11.28 million as compared 

to the same period last year and operating 

expenses (excluding loan impairment 

net of recoveries) were controlled at 

RO 3.08 million resulting in a lower cost 

to income ratio of 27 per cent, in comparison 

with a much higher 31 per cent as on 

March 31, 2011. Overall, the net prot 

after tax rose by 47 per cent to RO 5.92 

million as compare to RO 4.03 million in 

the same period last year. 

The total assets at the end of Q1 2012 

reached RO 995 million representing a 

growth of 24 per cent as compared to RO 

800 million in Q1 2011. The loans and advances 

have signicantly risen to RO 828 

million in Q1 2012, from RO 655 million 

during the same period last year. 

In line with ahlibank’s strategy of 

2.7pc decline in Nawras Q1 revenues 


MUSCAT — Omani Qatari Telecommunications 

Company (Nawras) yesterday 

reported a 2.7 per cent drop in revenues 

for the rst quarter of this year, which declined 

to RO 46.8 million from RO 48.1 

million a year earlier. 

Announcing its unaudited nancial 

results for the three months ended March 

31, 2012, Nawras attributed the decline to 

a reduction in SMS revenues which was 

not fully compensated by growth in data 

revenue. In addition, revenue in Q1 2012 

included a favourable one-off accounting 

adjustment of RO 658,000, it said 

EBITDA in Q1 2012 decreased 5.6 per 

cent to RO 24.1 million, compared to RO 

25.6 million in Q1 2011. Net prot for the 

quarter was RO 9.8 million compared to 

RO 12.1 million in Q1 2011. 

The total number of customers grew 

by 46,105 customers (2.4 per cent) to 

1,988,476 in Q1 2012 compared to 

execution of strategic initiatives, prudent 

risk management and strong balance sheet 

enabled it to capture opportunities across 

the country and in the region in a challenging 

environment. Return on equity 

rose from 11.5 per cent in 2011 to 16.66 

per cent as of March 2012 (annualised). 

Gross Loans increased 13.2 per cent to 

RO 1,078 million. Net Loans & Advances 

grew by 13 per cent to RO 1,056 million. 

Both the Corporate and Retail Sectors 

contributed to the growth. 

Operating Expenses grew by only 

2.6 per cent to RO 6.015 million as the 

bank leveraged on the existing head- 

Ahlibank’s net jumps 47pc 

ABDUL AZIZ al Balushi 

maintaining adequate liquidity, reducing 

concentration risk and building a low cost 

deposit base, the customers’ deposits have 

grown by 16 per cent from RO 615 million 

in Q1 2011 to RO 715 million in Q1 2012. 

Loan growth of over 26 per cent has 

been achieved with a prudent risk management 

approach and a diversied sectoral 

basis. The loan book continues to be of 

very high quality as reected in the NPL 

ratio of 1 per cent as of March 31, 2012. 

“Ahlibank is committed to pursuing 

vigorous growth in 2012, not only in 

terms of its market size but also in its offering 

of nancial products and services 

to its growing customer base,” is said. 

A key objective for this year is the introduction 

of Islamic Banking services. 

Towards this goal the bank has already put 

in place a governance framework, systems 

and procedures to facilitate the roll-out of 

Sharia compliant products and services. 

“Competition in this emerging nancial 

sector is expected to increase, given 

1,942,371 in Q1 

2011. The growth 

came mainly from 

increases in both 

xed services customers 

and prepaid 

mobile customers. 

The xed service 

customer base 

grew by nearly 273 

per cent to 32,857 in 

Q1 2012 compared 

to 8,816 for the same period of 2011. The 

mobile post-paid customer base developed 

by 2.0 per cent to 171,980 customers 

compared with 168,659 customers in 

Q1 2011. The mobile pre-paid customer 

base for Q1 2012 increased to 1,783,639 

customers compared to 1,764,896 customers 

in Q1 2011 (+1.1 per cent). 

Commenting on the results, CEO, Ross 

Cormack said: “We continue to work in 

a highly competitive environment here 

in Oman. However, I am pleased to say 

count and infrastructure investments to 

support higher business volumes and future 

growth. The cost-income ratio was 

healthy at 47.88 per cent compared to 

58.98 per cent in the corresponding period 

last year, a reduction of an unprecedented 

11.1 per cent within a short span 

of one year. Bank Sohar’s balance sheet 

strength remains a key differentiating factor, 

enabling it to gain customers’ wallet 

share during the year. 

Bank Sohar is well capitalised as a result 

of consistently strong earnings generation 

and prudent capital management. 

Both its Tier 1 ratio and total capital adequacy 

ratio are comfortably above regulatory 

requirements. 

Liquidity remains healthy with the 

loan-deposit ratio at 88.7 per cent. Deposits 

grew 26.7 per cent during the period 

to RO 1,191 million, with deposit inows 

bolstered by Bank Sohar’s highly effective 

domestic deposit franchise and sound 

fundamentals. The bank’s market share of 

Private Sector Credit was 8.09 per cent 

while the Private Sector Deposit share 

was 7.47 per cent as at end of February 

2012. 

Bank Sohar continues to be rated 

BBB+ (by Fitch). Bank Sohar’s strengths 

have also enabled it to expand its wholesale 

funding programmes and diversify its 

sources of liquidity. The stellar achievements 

are further noteworthy as they have 

come in the wake of Global Economic 

crisis of 2008 and the Euro region crisis 

of 2011.0 

Bank Sohar had a soft launch of its 

banking operations on April 9, 2007 and 

quickly rose to take an important part in 

the banking industry. Bank Sohar’s cutting 

edge technology with differentiated 

customer offerings and services enabled 

it to make a mark for itself in the Banking 

Industry in Oman. Starting from a one 

branch operation in 2007, Bank Sohar 

could quickly ramp up its network to 25 

branches as of March 2012. 

the widespread interest in Islamic Banking 

evinced by other local commercial banks 

and with the coming of new banks in the 

market, but ahlibank is determined to be a 

key and leading player in this business,” it 

said. Ahlibank is also in the process of acquiring 

the assets and liabilities of Middle 

East Brokerage Company LLC, subject to 

regulatory approvals, in line with its strategic 

objective to roll out its Investment 

Banking activities. 

On the important milestones to look 

forward to, Al Balushi said, “In coming 

months, we will try to increase our share 

capital to support our ambitious and prudent 

business growth. As responsible corporate 

citizen, we are deeply committed to 

the cause of creation of employment opportunities 

for Omanis, as we move ahead 

with our expansion plans. The construction 

of our new building is progressing 

well and we believe it to be a unique and 

iconic building in Oman. We would not 

be able to reach these goals without the 

dedication and commitment of our management 

and staff.” 

Ahlibank completed 4 years of successful 

operation on January 5, 2012 and 

remains well poised for robust growth in 

the future. The bank has grown by 204 per 

cent, its total assets in the last four years, 

which tangibly demonstrates the ambitions 

and commitment of its shareholders 

and management. Ahlibank’s success has 

been visibly recognised as it has been selected 

as the No1 Bank of the Sultanate 

in the OER-Gulf Baader Capital Markets 

survey of the Best Banks in Oman, 2011. 

The top ranking for ahlibank is based on 

the overall performance of the bank in 

terms of growth, sustainability, asset quality, 

productivity and efciency. 

that the number of our xed broadband 

customers continues to grow signicantly 

year on year at a rate of 273 per cent. Furthermore 

we are now starting to see our 

mobile customer base and number of active 

customer also growing. 

Early in Q1 2012, we revamped our 

VOIP service for xed as well as mobile 

customers, resulting in real growth in our 

international calls. That was followed 

closely with a demonstration of our 4G 

LTE service capabilities at the Muscat 

Grand Mall, a culmination of our testing 

in the eld. 

Muscat Grand Mall is now the home 

of our new Nawras Campus, bringing the 

company together again. We are already 

seeing the efciency benets of closer 

teams and work ow synergies due to this 

move. In March 2012 we successfully 

renanced our existing loan facilities 

which enhanced our nancial exibility 

and lowered our funding costs,” Cormack 

added 

LONDON — Royal Dutch 

Shell has agreed to buy Cove 

Energy for £1.12 billion ($1.8 

billion), lifting its offer to access 

East Africa’s huge gas reserves, 

but failing to quell hopes of a 

bid battle for the Mozambiquefocused 

explorer. 

Cove’s directors recommended 

the offer from oil major 

Shell, which matched rather 

than beat a rival offer made by 

Thai state-controlled oil rm 

PTT Exploration and Production 

Pcl (PTTEP) in February, 

as Shell betted that its expertise 

would help secure the deal. 

“PTTEP is currently considering 

its options and will 

make a further announcement 

as and when appropriate,” the 

Thai rm said in a statement 

yesterday. 

Industry interest in East Africa 

has been gathering pace 

after huge gas discoveries 

were made there, with the region 

tipped to become a major 

natural gas producing region 

supplying liquid natural gas 

(LNG) to energy hungry Asian 

markets. 

Shares in Cove traded 

above Shell’s 220 pence per 

share offer, up 4.6 per cent to 

227 pence at 1145 GMT, signalling 

investors are hopeful 

of a higher bid. 

“Competing offers can still 

be made and the shares will 

now likely trade to a slight premium 

on the hope that PTTEP 

will trump Shell,” said Investec 

analysts. 

However, Westhouse Securities 

analyst Andrew Matharu 

said Mozambique would likely 

favour Shell’s offer. 

“A key component of this 

All-new 2012 CR-V comes to Oman 

THE all-new fourth generation CR-V was debuted by Oman 

Marketing and Services Company (OMASCO) in Muscat the 

other day. Set to go on sale from April 18, the new CR-V will be 

available for customers in the Sultanate of Oman in 3 different 

grades — LX, EX and EX-Leather. Page 11 

Shell to buy Cove Energy for $1.8bn 

is how the Mozambique authorities 

want to develop their 

resources and a project of this 

scale needs an oil major with 

the nancial resources and the 

expertise of bringing world 

class scale projects to fruition 

so you need someone like a 

Shell,” he said. 

Shell said the deal was conditional 

upon approval from the 

government of Mozambique 

amongst other things, adding 

that it includes a break fee of 

£11.1 million if Cove later accepts 

a rival bid. 

On a usual timetable, a 

competing offer would have a 

window of around one to two 

months to emerge. 

Cove’s directors, in possession 

of a collective 4.38 

per cent stake in the company, 

said they would be accepting 

the offer. 

Both Cove and Shell declined 

to comment on how 

capital gains tax which will be 

owed to Mozambique upon the 

sale of assets in the country will 

be paid. 

Cove said earlier in April 

that it will be subject to a tax 

rate of 12.8 per cent on the 

capital gains arising from the 

sale of its Mozambique assets, 

clarifying that a levy would 

be applicable after a period 

of uncertainty which analysts 

had warned could impact the 

sale. 

“It is still not clear who, or 

how the capital gains tax associated 

with the Cove sale will 

be paid to Mozambique,” said 

Canaccord Genuity analyst 

Braden Purkis. 

“However, it is clear that 

Cove shareholders will receive 

220 pence in cash for each 

share held,” he added. 

Cove’s main asset is an 8.5 

per cent stake in the Rovuma 

Offshore Area 1 in Mozambique, 

where operator Anadarko 

has said recoverable 

reserves could top 30 trillion 

cubic feet of natural gas. 

Mirabaud Securities analysts 

said Cove’s stake seems 

a small holding for a company 

the size of Shell, which is one 

of the world’s biggest LNG 

players. 

“We would look for it to take 

further equity over the coming 

months,” they said. In addition 

to Anadarko, Japan’s Mitsui 

and Indian groups Bharat 

Petroleum and Videocon each 

own 10 per cent stakes in the 

Rovuma licence. — Reuters

Nawras opens its 27th store in Sohar 

MUSCAT — Oman’s customer friendly 

communications provider, recently 

opened the doors of its 27th store in 

Safeer Mall Sohar, under the patronage 

of Shaikh Saeed bin Humaid al Harthy, 

Deputy Wali of Sohar, and in the presence 

of Shaikh Saeed bin Ghanim al 

Muqbali, Member of Al Shura Council 

and representative of Al Batinah 

Governorate. Nawras Chief Executive 

Ofcer, Ross Cormack, and Shaikh 

Abdul Rahman al Qasmi, a representative 

from the Oman Association for 

Consumer Protection also attended the 

event along with the Mall Manager, 

Vijay Manwani and senior members of 

the Nawras family. 

After a ribbon cutting ceremony 

followed by an overview of the company’s 

exciting product and service 

Ford F-150 wins yet another award 

MUSCAT — Once again, the Ford F-150 full-size pick-up truck is Cars.com's 'Work 

Truck of the Year'. As the best-selling model in the US for decades, the F-Series truly 

puts America to work. Due to the one-two punch of gas prices that are up and an 

economy that's down, pick-ups aren't as popular for personal use as they once were. 

However, they're still the truck of choice for tradesmen, farmers and anyone with a 

job to do or a trailer to tow. The F-150 comes in a staggering array of cab and bed sizes, 

with many engine and driveline choices, and in trim levels starting with a bare-bones 

work truck and climbing to a level of richness that rivals luxury sedans. If you need 

your work truck to do double duty, the F-150 has you covered. 

Choosing the lifestyle awards was a long and arduous process. First, the reviewers 

drove new cars each week, getting a true, lived-in feel for each car. They get to know 

its quirks and where it excels and falls short. They get to play with the features and 

options, and they nd out which small joys turn into genius discoveries, which small 

annoyances turn into disastrous choices. 

From these week-long drives and manufacturer driving events held, the expert reviewers 

choose Cars.com's Best Bets. The criteria for becoming a Best Bet include 

meeting minimum safety standards. Cars must have ratings of Acceptable or Higher in 

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. (The 

rear test is not included.) National Highway Trafc Safety Administration tests are 

consulted only for vehicle classes not tested by IIHS, mainly full-size SUVs. 

They should be known as a reliable car. For cars that are carryovers, they must 

have demonstrated over time that they are a reliable car (usually dened by groups and 

publications that track dependability such as Consumer Reports and J D Power and Associates), 

with no major design aws or debilitating mechanical problems. Reliability 

rating of average or higher is a prerequisite. 

For newly introduced models, the car's manufacturer must have a good track record, 

especially with introductions. Beyond those more quantiable issues, the reviewers 

also look at a car's comfort, amenities and features. Is the car up to date with the latest 

technology? Does it have the latest features that consumers are demanding? How does 

the car fare in terms of strong ride and handling. The reviewers check to see how well 

each car handles the road and what kind of driving experience it offers. They note how 

well the car hugs the road, how well it does in gas mileage (a big issue these days) and 

how much acceleration it provides. 

In Oman, Ford vehicles are marketed by Arabian Car Marketing Co LLC, a part 

of the renowned Saud Bahwan Group. They come with 6 years unlimited mileage 

protection, service and parts network that stretches across the Sultanate, over 98 per 

cent parts availability — and Ford Privilege Card — which provides 24 hours on-road 

assistance from AAA. 

Silky ride with Toyota Alphard 

THE Toyota Alphard is an ultra-luxury, multi-purpose vehicle that has a powerful presence 

— a bold front grill, shimmering head lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, sporty rear 

spoiler and classy retractable outer mirrors with turn signals. 

The Alphard has a plush cockpit, to make anyone easily feel pampered and powerful 

— like an airline pilot. A classically laid-out dashboard is studded with sophisticated 

features... all within easy reach. The power to cruise comes from either the 3.5-litre, 

6-cylinder, 24-valve, DOHC, EFi, dual VVT- I engine with (6-speed A/T) or the 2.4litre, 

4-cylinder, 16V, DOHC, EFi, VVT-i engine (4-speed A/T). 

Coupled with the wide-tread and long wheelbase, the Alphard creates an exceptionally 

silky ride. 

The opulent interior of the Alphard pays a huge compliment to elite lifestyle. A 

variety of lighting modes can be obtained by the high brightness LEDs with 4-step adjustable 

brightness on both sides of the ceiling, twin moon-roofs with shades, amongst 

others. The climate control system enables automatic controls with separate temperature 

setting for three zones — the driver seat, front passenger seats and the rear seats. 

Power sliding doors on both sides open easily to reveal numerous features designed 

to optimise comfort, promising all passengers a pleasant experience as they step into 

the spacious interior. While an 8-speaker audio system delivers sound of a very rich 

timbre and tone. 

Classy Alphard offers luxurious front passenger seat with power Ottoman and front 

power seats (8-way driver and 4-way passenger). The rear 1st row seats are manual 

captain seats with Ottoman mechanism (extendable leg rest) and footrests. 

offerings, the team showcased a collection 

of the latest mobile phones and 

tablets. 

On the occasion, Shaikh Saeed 

bin Humaid a Harthy congratulated 

Nawras and said, “Sohar is swiftly 

growing into an industrial hub in the 

Sultanate attracting further economic 

investment and development. The 

opening of the Nawras store is a testa- 

10 OMAN WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 

ment to the company’s commitment to 

providing quality customer service for 

residents across the country.” 

Cormack commented, “As soon as I 

walked into the mall, I could see it was 

a gorgeous store. Safeer Mall attracts a 

great number of visitors and is considered 

to be one of the key commercial 

and tourist sites in the wilayat. Sohar 

represents an important geographical 

area for Nawras, and we will continue 

to build on our existing presence by ensuring 

that our customers in the region 

have easy access to our stores, services 

and most importantly to our Sales 

Champions who provide friendly, professional 

assistance.” 

He explained, “In the last year 

alone, we have built 73 base stations 

and a further 6,000 square kilometres 

of network coverage in addition to 

introducing new stores, products and 

services as part of our continued infrastructure 

improvements.” 

The Nawras Store in Safeer Mall 

Sohar is situated close to Mutrah entrance 

and is open according to the 

same timing as the mall. A self service 

machine is available in the store to provide 

fast and convenient payment of 

bills and recharge. 

BUSINESS ALERT 

The spirit of hospitality that permeates the Alphard is amply visible by the second 

row genuine leather executive power seats with slides of up to 448 mm! The seats also 

incorporate power-recline that is continuously adjustable up to 78 degrees. The Ottoman 

seats with footrest, large headrests, armrests and with cup holders, provide unique 

comfort. A woodgrain side table and various storage spaces add to its crest-of-luxury 

feel. 

Alphard is equipped with class-leading safety features that provide the best protection 

for both the driver and passengers. Several vehicle control functions are incorporated 

in the form of highly reliable advance systems including the EPS-VSC integrated 

control system, ABS with EBD, BA and TRC in order to offer occupants an excellent 

level of safety and peace of mind. 

This outstanding performer comes from Toyota — a household name in Oman and 

a part of people's lives. 

Bank Sohar with Sultan’s School Alumni 

FOR the third successive year, Bank Sohar sponsored The Sultan’s School Alumni 

Meet 2012, which was held at the Grand Hyatt Muscat. 

The Sultan’s School, which is one of the most premier educational institutions in the 

Sultanate, boasts of a distinguished network of alumni network. Riding on the successful 

2011 auction, which involved the participation of some of the distinguished alumni, 

the Alumni Auction 2012 exhibited the ‘Value in the Network.’ 

Commenting on the support to the Alumni get-together, Mazin al Raisi, AGM — 

Head Marketing and Publicity — Bank Sohar said, “The Sultan’s School has immensely 

contributed to grooming students of excellence. Many graduate students from the 

school have gone on to occupy leadership roles in private and public sectors, including 

the banking eld. The alumni serve as a link between the students of various generations. 

Alumni members act as catalysts in the school’s growth and role models for the 

new set of students’’ Al Raisi said. 

‘‘Bank Sohar is glad to support such community activities as it also gives us an opportunity 

to showcase our products and services for the benet of the society,’’ added 

Al Raisi. 

The gathering was treated to some excellent entertainment by a popular Jazz Band 

in addition to other attractions included a rafe draw for the audience with some excellent 

prizes sponsored by Bank Sohar. The prizes were represented by our Board 

Member Tahir bin Salim al Amri. 

Earth Day observed at Shell Oman 

ON the occasion of Earth Day 

2012, Shell Oman employees 

took a pledge to be environmentally 

conscious as a part of their 

Corporate Social Responsibility 

(CSR), which would also help 

in building a green and clean 

environment. 

“Earth Day” was observed 

at Shell Oman head ofce with 

the launch of a paper recycling 

campaign and installation of 

water saving taps. 

Mohammed Ali al Farsi, 

General Manager, External Affairs 

and Business Development, 

Shell Oman said, “All 

over the world, April 22 is 

marked as Earth Day and each 

year environmentally conscious 

individuals and organisations 

around the world pledge to do 

their bit to save the planet. Shell 

Oman, on the occasion of 42nd anniversary of Earth day has contributed by installing 

water saving taps and launching a paper recycling campaign within the organisation.” 

All the individuals present at Shell Oman head ofce have also signed a pledge 

to safeguard the environment as a part of Earth Day 2012 campaign. “On Earth Day, 

Shell Oman has taken a pledge to save the earth and will stand united for a sustainable 

future,” added Al Farsi. 

More than one billion people around the globe have participated in Earth Day 2012 

and have help mobilise the movement towards saving our Earth. Worldwide, people 

are unhappy with the slow approach towards protecting and preserving the environment. 

On Earth Day people from all nationalities and backgrounds have voice their 

appreciation for the planet and demanded its protection. 

TAC wins Mazda Global CRM Award 

TOWELL Auto Centre (TAC), the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in Oman, 

has bagged the “Mazda Global CRM Award” once again making TAC is the only distributor 

in the world to have won this award thrice in 2008, 2009 and 2011. The award 

has been conferred to them by the Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan and has been won 

for their outstanding customer relationship management in the year 2011. 

The results of the award are based on all Mazda distributors’ achievements year on 

year on overall customer data accuracy, service reminder implementation, post sales 

and service follow-up process, Mazda Satisfaction Index survey and timing, overall 

sales and service satisfaction scores, vehicle repurchase ratio, service frequency and 

retention, recommendation and repurchase intention, timely submission of reports, and 

overall call centre activities such as vehicle anniversary greetings, prospect tracking, 

and lost customer activities. 

S Kasthurirengan, CEO, TAC, elucidates, “This award was possible yet again due 

to the continuous efforts of our committed and customer centric CRM team at TAC. 

BankMuscat to hold community 

gathering in Sohar on Friday 

MUSCAT — BankMuscat, 

the agship nancial institution 

in the Sultanate, is hosting 

a community gathering in 

North Batinah Governorate on 

Friday (April 27, 2012) as part 

of al Mazyona celebrations to 

promote Omani traditions. The 

rst-of-its-kind community 

gathering to be held in Sohar 

Corniche near Sohar Fort from 

5 pm to 8 pm is open to all citizens 

and residents. 

The event marks a major 

step by the bank in building 

and strengthening relations 

with the communities in Oman. 

Thousands of citizens and residents 

are expected to join the 

celebrations along with the 

Bank’s senior executives from 

the headquarters and region A 

traditional Omani music band 

will perform at the event to 

enliven the al Mazyona experience, 

including the weekly 

prize draw. 

Saleh al Maaini (pictured), 

Regional Manager — North 

Batinah Governorate, said: 

“The unique event reecting 

the ‘We Can Do More’ vision 

of BankMuscat is a true expression 

of Omani traditions 

and hospitality. As the nation’s 

leading bank, BankMuscat is 

an integral part of the lives of 

citizens and residents spread 

across Oman. BankMuscat is 

proud to host this unique celebration 

and remains committed 

to serving the people and 

making a substantial difference 

to the nation in all realms of 

activities.” 

Al Maaini added: “Aimed at 

extending a hand of friendship 

and support, the get-together is 

a high point in BankMuscat’s 

calendar of events this year. 

Over the years, BankMuscat 

has succeeded in attracting 

the largest banking family in 

Oman, presently comprising 

over 1.3 million whose banking 

requirements are fully addressed 

at all levels.” 

Conveying a strong gesture 

of appreciation aimed at 

renewing the relationship and 

strengthening communication 

with the growing family 

of customers, the community 

gathering reects the Bank- 

Muscat culture wherein existing 

and prospective customers 

are recognised for their valuable 

relationship with the bank. 

The fastest growing family of 

customers reinforces the bank’s 

dominant position in offering 

innovative nancial products 

and services. 

We are extremely happy and proud to have received this award. We will continue to 

provide our customers with best in class vehicles, coupled with great customer service 

always.” He elaborates, “Over the years TAC has made an extensive effort to reach out 

to more and more customers across Oman by opening new branches, service centres, 

catering to customers’ needs through various CRM activities. This award is testimony 

to the recognition of TAC’s efforts to get ‘closer to our customers’, and we hope that 

more success will follow throughout the year.” 

Upon winning this award, Mazda CRM Manager, Ryle Lobo expressed, “The strong 

focus on customer service and regular communication with our valued Mazda customers 

has been an important contributor for winning this award. We strongly believe that 

keeping in constant touch with our esteemed customers will assist in sustaining a close 

relationship with them and eventually build a long-standing relationship” 

As a leading automobile conglomerate in the Sultanate, TAC understands the importance 

of providing commendable customer service to their customers. 

MINI Treasure Hunt returns to Muscat 

LAST week, MINI owners in Oman descended upon the streets of Muscat to participate 

in the second annual MINI treasure hunt hosted by MINI Club Oman. 

Starting at the Oman Dive Centre, participants set off in convoy to test their mettle 

in a series of city-wide MINI-inspired challenges. As residents and tourists looked on 

in interest, contestants put both their wits and the automotive prowess of their cars to 

the test to discover MINI treasures hidden around the city. 

Supported by Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, the exclusive MINI importer in 

Oman, the MINI treasure hunt was organised by MINI Club Oman, an exclusive members 

club dedicated to celebrating the integrative and dynamic MINI brand. Designed 

to bring MINI owners from across the Sultanate together for a day of fun, the event 

was also a chance for MINI acionados to see one of the latest members of the MINI 

family — the MINI Coupe. 

Speaking at the event, Pankaj Joshi, Marketing Manager of Al Jenaibi International 

Automobiles said, “This event was designed to inspire passion and creativity and bring 

MINI owners and fans together for some unusual fun. It was also an opportunity to 

meet up, share in the excitement of driving a MINI, and to enjoy an action-packed day 

in Muscat. 

The nal stop on the Treasure Hunt was the Sifawy Boutique Hotel — Jabal Sifah, 

where participants enjoyed a sumptuous barbeque and the chance to share stories from 

the day before driving their MINI cars back to Muscat via a scenic and moonlit trail. 

Second Cup’s new drinks for summer 

SECOND Cup Oman has introduced four ‘Irresistible’ drinks that have been delicately 

blended to offer a revitalising experience, as temperatures begin to soar. This is part 

of the coffee house’s ongoing commitment to delivering on the promise of providing 

customers with variety. 

From hot to cold beverages which feature rich avours of, the newly introduced 

options are part of Second Cup’s product development strategy. Describing the four 

new additions to the Second Cup extensive menu Jannat Moosa, Marketing Director at 

Bin Mirza International explained that the “The Mint Lemonade Chiller is expected to 

be hugely popular given its zesty taste and cooling affect. The Chocolate Chai Latte is 

available in both hot and cold variations and is made with the nest imported cocoas, 

lightly spiced with cardamom and cinnamon. Bringing the best of both worlds, the Coffee 

Toffee Latte combines velvety caramel with creamy mocha.” 

The newly introduced drinks will be available until mid-May of this year at Second 

Cup branches located in Qurum, Shatti Al Qurum, Bareeq Al Shatti and at the Omantel’s 

Headquarters in Mawaleh.

MHD holds event on BKT products 

MUSCAT — BKT, an Indian 

brand name with diverse business 

interests as represented 

by MHD in Oman conducted a 

product familiarisation event at 

the Crowne Plaza on Monday. 

Clients and other invitees 

from various walks of life attended 

the event. 

The brand BKT, known as a 

symbol of trust has been making 

consistent efforts in branding 

over the years which have 

resulted in creating a strong 

awareness of BKT. Today 

brand BKT has emerged as 

a symbol of trust, excellence 

and genuineness as shown in 

its prior tag line: Condence 

reinforced! 

“Growing together” is the 

new line, strengthening the 

new corporate identity at every 

stage. BKT is rmly committed 

to this aim being perceived 

where people and machines 

share a strong professional fellowship, 

resulting in the valuable 

choice of BKT tyres on 

the part of both new and loyal 

clientele. 

Regular participation in 

trade fairs brings BKT closer 

to its consumers and promotes 

awareness of the product innovations 

developed regularly by 

BKT. With the mother brand 

rmly entrenched in a position 

of strength, BKT is building 

11 

OMAN/INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 

strong sub-brands to offer customised 

products to specic 

niche categories. 

BKT is a part of well diversied 

Indian industrial conglomerate, 

the “Siyaram-Poddar” 

Group with presence in 

textiles, garments, chemicals, 

paper and tyres with sales in 

excess of $800 million. 

Currently, BKT has three 

state of the art tyre manufacturing 

units located in North 

Samsung launches 2012 Smart TV line-up 


MUSCAT — Samsung Gulf 

Electronics, a market leader 

in consumer electronics, 

launched yesterday the 2012 

Samsung Smart TV line-up 

in Qatar. The new Smart TV 

lineup is set to redene the 

way in which consumers manage 

their home entertainment 

experience and interact with 

their TVs. 

This was announced yesterday 

at a press conference 

held at Barr Al Jissah Hotel. 

Vinod Nair, General Manager 

TV Business, Samsung Gulf 

Electronics, said: “Samsung’s 

latest Smart TV line-up stems 

from our vision to provide 

consumers with the most innovative 

products in home entertainment. 

Samsung is a pioneer in 

the Smart TV segment and 

this line-up continues to raise 

the bar in design, performance 

and picture quality in addition 

to a host of interactive features 

that offer viewers more 

content, a smarter interface, 

intuitive controls and more. 

This unbeatable portfolio of 

Samsung Smart TVs will provide 

an interactive, personalised 

experience beyond just 

web browsing and broadcast 

television.” 

He added that the new family 

of Smart TVs encompasses 

Samsung’s three guiding philosophies 

that equip consumers 

with the future of Smart 

TV technology including 

Smart Interaction is an intuitive 

platform based on Motion 

Control, Voice Control, and 

Face Recognition commands 

for the TV. 

Recognising 26 languages 

including Arabic, users can 

turn the TV on or off, activate 

selected apps or search for 

content in the web browser 

simply by speaking and with 

a wave of hand consumers 

can turn the volume and channel 

up or down browse and 

choose a link or content via the 

web browser. It also including 

Smart Content includes the 

expansion of more robust and 

personalised content through 

Smart TV apps, Family Story, 

Fitness and Kids. 

It also including Smart Evolution 

is dened by Samsung’s 

new Evolution Kit. Each year, 

the Smart TV range will be 

upgradable every year through 

the Smart Evolution Kit. 

The new Samsung Smart 

TVs are also equipped with 

exclusive services that truly 

push the boundaries of technology 

innovation in home 

entertainment. 

These include: Family 

Story is a cloud based offering 

that enables users to share 

content such as, photos, messages, 

reminders on a virtual 

bulletin board. 

Family story is accessible 

through various Samsung devices 

including TV’s, mobile 

phones, tablets and even PC’s. 

It also including Fitness: 

This feature gives consumers 

a convenient way to stay 

healthy. The TV’s built-in 

camera splits the TV into two 

screens to create a virtual mirror 

to let users monitor their 

exercise routine.Users can also 

connect their Samsung TV to 

a Samsung smartphone via a 

VINOD Nair, General 

Manager 

mobile Fitness app, or connect 

to a WiFi-enabled scale to 

manage their weight goals. 

and Western Provinces of 

India. A fourth tyre manufacturing 

plant is coming up in 

western India, very near to the 

seaport. 

All plants put together, 

produce a vast range of 1900+ 

SKUS (Stock Keeping Units), 

thus making BKT as one of the 

most coveted brand, offering 

one-stop-shop to the distributing 

channel as well as the discerning 

end-users. 

A testimony to BKT’s 

consistency in offering highquality 

specialty tyres is amply 

demonstrated by the fact 

that 95 per cent of its products 

are consumed by the demanding 

overseas markets, of which 

over 50 per cent is sold in 

technologically advanced Europe. 

Other major markets for 

BKT are North America and 

the Middle East, followed by 

South America, Africa, Australia 

and Asia. 

With its total dedication to 

the speciality tyre segment, 

BKT has also emerged globally 

as the preferred supplier to 

major OEM’s in construction, 

agricultural and industrial tyre 

segments. 

Today, BKT has presence 

in more than 120 countries 

across the globe and has the 

privilege of being the largest 

tyre exporter out of India. 

MUSCAT — The all new 

fourth generation CR-V was 

debuted by Oman Marketing 

and Services Company 

(OMASCO) in Muscat the 

other day. Set to go on sale 

from April 18, the new CR-V 

will be available for customers 

in the Sultanate of Oman in 3 

different grades – LX, EX and 

EX-Leather. 

Globally, the CR-V has 

been recognised as a pioneer 

of compact SUV. Since its rst 

launch in 1996, over 5 million 

CR-V’s have been sold today 

which amply proves its global 

appeal in terms of design, 

quality, renement and popularity. 

Building on this solid 

reputation, the all new CR-V 

now enters into its 4th generation 

with enhanced exterior 

aesthetics, car like interior 

comfort, innovative features 

and a smoother and quieter 

ride; and is designed to offer 

urban sophistication and exceed 

customer expectation of 

a 5-seater compact SUV. 

The previous generation 

CR-V’s rened styling, size 

and proportions contributed 

a lot to its success since its 

launch in 2006. 

Compared to the previous- 

TEL: 24601003, 24600586 • FAX: 24600736 

• WEBSITE: www.salalahport.com 

BankMuscat hosts IOSH 

ME conference today 

MUSCAT — BankMuscat, 

the agship nancial institution 

in the Sultanate, is hosting 

the Middle East conference of 

the Institution of Occupational 

Safety and Health (IOSH) today 

at the bank’s head ofce. 

Heads of companies and 

organisations dedicated to 

improving health and safety 

across the workplaces will 

gather for the Middle East’s 

biggest event in the eld, 

aimed at improving protection 

for workers. The IOSH Middle 

East, in its three-year history, 

is hosting the annual event for 

the rst time in Oman. 

Subash Ludhra, President 

of IOSH, said: “It is tting 

that we are hosting our conference 

in Oman this year, as 

the growth of business and 

commerce here means that it 

has never been more important 

to protect the lives and 

livelihoods of people across 

this region. We are thankful to 

BankMuscat for hosting this 

event and we hope this will 

build on the good relationship 

we already have with the premier 

bank in Oman.” 

Salim al Kaabi, DGM — 

HR, BankMuscat, said: “As 

ambassadors for health and 

generation CR-V, the 2012 

model takes on a more aggressive 

and aerodynamic 

stance with deeper sculpting 

of the bodylines and a bolder 

front fascia. The front bumper's 

smooth-owing lines are 

highlighted by a horizontal 

three-bar grille and deeply 

set multi-reector headlights. 

The lower front bumper wraps 

smartly upward to convey 

SUV capability with a generous 

approach angle, while the 

lower front bumper design 

with fog lights (only for EX 

and EX-Leather grades) now 

integrates more smoothly with 

safety in the banking community 

in Oman, we are proud 

to host the IOSH Middle East 

conference. BankMuscat is 

committed to providing the 

ultimate reward of an accident-free 

workforce by developing 

safety management 

systems that ensure the health 

and safety of staff, customers 

and members of the general 

public. 

Our aim is to protect people 

by introducing management 

systems and best practices 

exceeding legal compliance 

to ensure workplace risks 

are dealt with sensibly and 

responsibly. BankMuscat 

is reckoned among the best 

places to work in the Middle 

East region and the bank remains 

committed to ensuring 

the health and safety of staff, 

customers and members of the 

general public.” 

IOSH Oman provides a local 

hub for health and safety 

professionals to share experiences 

and best practices. Last 

year, it supported BankMuscat’s 

new health and safety 

initiative for the banking community, 

spearheading better 

protection for workers and 

nancial benets that good 

the fascia for improved aerodynamics. 

The CR-V's signature 

vertical rear brake lights 

have a more three-dimensional 

style that further compliments 

the design and aerodynamics 

of the vehicle. The CR-V's 

large alloy wheels (17” for LX 

grade and 18” for EX and EX- 

Leather grade) and bold fender 

ares emphasise the vehicle's 

dynamic presence and capability. 

Adding to the sleekness 

of exterior styling is the Shark 

n antenna. 

The Honda CR-V offers 

a modest increase in passenger 

and cargo volume. It also 

health and safety can bring. 

Peter McNair, Chairman of 

IOSH Oman, said: “This is an 

exciting time for Oman as its 

stature in the world of business 

and commerce continues 

to strengthen. It is now more 

important than ever to focus 

efforts on protecting people 

from injury and ill-health 

at work and IOSH Oman’s 

strong presence here means it 

is appropriate that we host our 

agship conference in Muscat. 

The event will address the 

wide range of skills health and 

safety professionals need as 

part of their daily tool kit. We 

want to see fewer incidents 

of injury and ill-health across 

workplaces, and in pulling 

together key Omani organisations 

for this event, we are 

creating a hub where good 

practice, skills and techniques 

can be shared.” 

The conference features 

speakers from organisations 

who have set high standards 

in health and safety. The Annual 

General Meeting of IOSH 

Middle East also coincides 

with the conference to elect 

the chairman and set priorities 

for the year. 

All-new 2012 CR-V comes to Oman 

MUSCAT — Ahli United Bank 

(AUB) reported a net prot attributable 

to its equity shareholders 

of $82.4 million for the 

quarter ended March 31, 2012, 

a 6.6 per cent increase over the 

same period in 2011. 

The earnings per share 

were 1.6 cents, compared to 

1.5 cents achieved in Q1/2011. 

The result also represents a 

17.2 per cent improvement 

over the Q/4-2011 trailing 

quarter reported prot of 

$70.3 million. 

The key driver to these 

results was the increase in 

the operating income of the 

bank from $ 191.2 million 

to $210.5 million (+ 10.1 per 

cent), underpinned by the rise 

in net interest income by 10.3 

per cent to $150.8 million and 

a 8.8 per cent increase in fee 

income driven by growth in 

core banking transactions. 

With incremental revenues 

and continuing prudent cost 

management, the cost income 

ratio further improved to 30.1 

per cent. 

Given the uncertain prevailing 

economic environment, 

AUB continued its 

prudent provisioning policy 

resulting in the overall provision 

charge for Q1/2012 

increasing to $46.1 million 

compared to $35.9 million in 

Q1/2011. 

The group’s asset quality 

improved with the non-performing 

loan ratio dropping 

to 2.3 per cent as at March 31, 

2012 (December 31, 2011: 2.5 

per cent). The overall provision 

coverage ratio (including 

collective impairment 

provisions) increased to 144 

per cent as compared to 135 

per cent as of December 31, 

2011. 

Total customers’ deposits 

increased by $0.8 billion 

(+4.5 per cent) over December 

31, 2011 to $18.1 billion 

as at March 31, 2012 while 

inter bank borrowings, including 

those under re-purchase 

agreements, increased by 

$0.9 billion (+15.8 per cent) 

over December 31, 2011 lev- 

offers a more car-like driving 

position compared to the 

previous generation CR-V. 

Inside the CR-V, every tactile 

surface viz., interior door handles, 

steering wheel, etc are 

designed to be pleasing to the 

touch — and easy to operate. 

Fabric upholstery is standard 

in the LX grade, while the 

EX has upgraded fabric with 

a suede-like feel. The EX- 

Leather grade has standard 

leather upholstery. 

All put together, the CR-V 

offers a smart package which 

blends form and function like 

no other vehicle in the class. 

AUB posts 6.6pc rise in prot 

HONG KONG — Hong Kong shares gained 

in choppy trade yesterday, bouncing off the 

day's lows helped by major Chinese banks after 

the Shanghai-listed Bank of Beijing's quarterly 

earnings came in better than expected. 

Banks also helped the mainland Chinese 

markets end at after a topsy turvy session. 

The Shanghai Composite Index traded between 

1.1 per cent up and 1.6 per cent down 

during the session. 

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.3 per cent, 

while the China Enterprises Index of the top 

Chinese listings in Hong Kong gained 0.1 per 

cent. Bourse turnover climbed for the rst time 

in four sessions, but remained 6 per cent below 

average. 

Bank of Beijing gained 3.7 per cent after it 

reported late on Monday a 34 per cent increase 

els. Loans portfolio growth 

was contained at 2.9 per cent 

to $15.9 billion at March 31, 

2012. Deployment of funds 

in high quality debt securities 

resulted in non-trading 

investments portfolio growing 

by 7.5 per cent to $4.7 billion 

compared to $4.4 billion as at 

December 31, 2011. 

The group’s total assets 

rose to $30.2 billion . 

The group’s return on average 

equity for Q1/2012 stood 

at 12.8 per cent, compared 

to 12.9 per cent achieved in 

the rst quarter of 2011. Return 

on average assets was 

maintained at 1.3 per cent for 

Q1/2012. 

“AUB’s performance in 

Q1/2012 was satisfactory. We 

are focusing our attention on 

improving operating and net 

income through strategic business 

developments and by the 

re-deployment of our capital 

resources to a number of group 

banks enjoying good growth 

opportunities.” said Fahad al 

Rajaan, Chairman, AUB. 

HK shares gain, China at 

in net prot for the last quarter, a number that 

dealers said was higher than expected. 

UBS analysts initiated coverage on the 

stock yesterday with a "buy" rating, citing the 

high quality of its loans as they were mostly 

extended to province and city governments. 

Land banking and property project loans were 

also granted before 2009, the brokerage said. 

Bank of Beijing's strength spurred strength 

in much of the Chinese banking sector in both 

Hong Kong and mainland markets. China 

Minsheng Bank rose 1.5 per cent in both Hong 

Kong and Shanghai. 

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd, due to 

post quarterly earnings tomorrow and the rst 

among the "Big Four" Chinese banks to do so, 

gained 0.3 per cent in Hong Kong and 1.1 per 

cent in Shanghai. — Reuters

12 OMAN/REGION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 

Oil markets looking 

for right balance 

ENERGY markets will 

face a bumpy road 

ahead as geopolitics 

once again, just like a year 

ago with Libya, has intensied 

the unpredictable nature of oil 

markets. As tensions between 

the West and Iran over its nuclear 

intentions escalated during 

Q1 so too did the price of 

crude oil, to such an extent that 

it could eventually change the 

fundamental global economic 

outlook. 

With supply becoming increasingly 

scarce and demand, 

especially among emerging 

market (EM) countries, holding 

up focus has very much 

been on Saudi Arabia’s ability 

to continue to increase production 

as it almost single-handedly 

holds what’s currently 

left of any meaningful spare 

production capacity (estimated 

to be close to 2 million barrels 

per day). 

The price of Brent crude 

oil, the global benchmark for 

oil transactions, rallied by 18 

per cent during the rst quarter 

and reached the highest level 

since 2008. The demand side 

has so far held up despite the 

rising cost to consumers, especially 

in countries such as the 

euro zone, the UK and Turkey 

where weaker currencies have 

resulted in record oil prices. 

Speculative traders have supported 

the rally by building 

up one of the largest speculative 

long positions on record. 

Despite increased production 

from Libya and Iraq the supply 

side has been dogged by 

several smaller disruptions in 

the North Sea, Sudan, Syria 

and Yemen and not least slowing 

Iranian production due to 

sanctions. This tightening in 

supply has been eating into 

the available levels of spare 

capacity, most noticeably from 

Saudi Arabia and during the 

rst quarter the market has 

been dangerously close to a 

balance between supply and 

demand. 

Oil markets will only be 

able to absorb supply shocks 

with ample availability of 

spare capacity and the big 

question in the months ahead 

is how to achieve this. A sharp 

and continued rise in the cost 

of energy will eventually trigger 

a fundamental shift as demand 

begins to suffer. With 

consumers in several countries 

already now paying more at the 

pump than they did at the peak 

in 2008 the impact is slowly 

beginning to be felt. The price 

of retail gasoline in the US is 

fast approaching the important 

$4 per gallon mark and it is expected 

to rise to a new record 

once the peak driving season 

begins this summer. This is 

not good news for President 

Obama who will be ghting 

for re-election later this year 

as he would fear that this focus 

overshadows the signs of an 

improving economy. 

In the absence of additional 

KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait 

has posted twice the revenues 

it predicted for its 2011-2012 

budget in only 11 months of 

the scal year, thanks to the 

high price and output of oil, 

ofcial data shows. 

The Gulf state's income 

stood at a record $96.8 billion 

by the end of February, 

up from the budget projection 

of $48.4 billion for the year to 

March 31, according to gures 

posted on the nance ministry 

website late on Monday. 

The revenues rose 44.1 per 

cent from a year ago mainly 

due to higher oil prices and 

a sharp increase in output to 

about 3.0 million barrels per 

day from around 2.3 million 

bpd the previous year. 

Oil income, which accounts 

for 95 per cent of public rev- 

geopolitical events we believe 

the price of Brent crude is approaching 

its peak as the rising 

cost of energy relative to GDP 

will begin to cap further advances. 

With Libya expected 

to reach pre-war production 

levels in April, Iraq producing 

the most ever in 30 years and 

China having raised domestic 

prices by seven per cent in 

March, spare capacity should 

slowly begin to increase leaving 

oil markets much better 

balanced. In the near-term 

however prices probably need 

to remain relatively high given 

the reduced levels of spare capacity 

and low levels of inventories 

in some regions in order 

to achieve a better balance. 

On that basis we do not see 

the price of Brent much lower 

than $115 per barrel in the 

coming months with the main 

downside price risk stemming 

from a potential exodus of 

speculative investors given the 

record high participation on 

the long side. 

Gold investors 

Several dramatic setbacks 

during the last six months have 

removed some of the previous 

hype surrounding precious 

metals, especially gold. At the 

beginning of Q2 investors are 

still coming to terms with the 

improved US economic situation 

which is now challenging 

the perception that the Federal 

Reserve will keep rates low 

through 2014. This has shifted 

the focus from `risk-on/off´ to 

‘growth-on’ and has resulted 

in rising bond yields which has 

left non-interest paying assets 

like precious metals exposed 

and it could challenge the 

near-term outlook. 

We remain bullish however 

on the outlook for further price 

appreciation in the months 

ahead as the chance of further 

action from the Federal Reserve 

has not been removed. 

The US housing market is still 

only showing little sign of improvement 

and if bond yields 

continue to rise mortgage 

payments will follow thereby 

putting additional pressure on 

home owners. Several central 

banks continue to accumulate 

gold as a matter of diversication 

and previous setbacks 

have been met by strong physical 

demand, a trend we expect 

will continue. Investment 

demand through exchange 

traded products (ETP), which 

are categorised as long-term 

holdings, continues to increase 

and during recent setbacks the 

buying intensied. Tactical investors 

like hedge funds have 

reduced exposure thereby 

leaving them room to accumulate 

once the uptrend resumes. 

enue, reached $91.7 billion in 

the rst 11 months of the scal 

year, up 45.8 per cent from a 

year ago. 

Budget revenues from oil 

had been calculated at a conservative 

price of $60 a barrel, 

while the actual average price 

for the 11 months was $109 a 

barrel. 

Spending, meanwhile, was 

almost half of that foreseen in 

the budget. The ministry data 

showed expenditure at $38.9 

billion after 11 months, from 

the budget estimate of $70 billion. 

This leaves a provisional 

budget surplus of $57.9 billion, 

double that of the previous 

year. 

It will be the 13th straight 

year of a surplus for Kuwait, 

which has amassed more than 

Having almost reached our 

1,800 target in Q1 we expect 

gold to consolidate during the 

early part of Q2 with focus 

remaining rmly on US economic 

data and the Federal 

Reserve. A continued rally of 

the dollar will create some 

headwind early on leaving it 

exposed to further downside 

pressure before consolidating. 

Investors will nd the quarter 

challenging but we believe 

they will be ready for it and 

eventually take gold back to 

1,800 and beyond later in the 

year. The ‘growth-on’ scenario 

could see platinum outperform 

as the price nally has moved 

back above that of gold for the 

rst time in six months. Silver 

remains the high beta gold and 

could potentially also challenge 

gold on a relative basis, 

given its semi-industrial qualities. 

Chinese slowdown 

Following a strong rally 

COMMODITIES 

UPDATE 

By Ole S Hansen 

in January industrial metals 

caught a bit of cold on 

emerging signs of slowing 

economic activity in China. 

Having traded sideways since 

late January the sector will 

be facing some headwinds 

as we move towards the second 

quarter. Strong domestic 

inventory builds of construction 

related commodities like 

copper and steel has created 

concerns about the size of the 

slowdown. Considering China 

represents more than 40 per 

cent of global consumption 

and more than 50 per cent of 

global consumption growth of 

the major industrial metals the 

outlook for this country holds 

the near-term key to price developments. 

Key crops 

Lower supplies of soyabeans 

from drought stricken 

Brazil and Argentina have 

triggered increased export demand 

for US produced beans 

and led to higher prices. As a 

consequence, soyabeans have 

outperformed corn (the other 

high protein crop) by more 

than 10 per cent during the 

rst quarter. As the annual 

‘battle for acreage” in the US 

approaches, these price developments 

could trigger some 

rethinking by US farmers with 

some switching planting from 

corn to soyabeans in order to 

achieve a higher return. This 

carries the risk of lower than 

expected corn inventories this 

coming winter and it will help 

keep corn prices supported 

until we know what kind of 

balance will be struck between 

the crops during the new planting 

season. — (The author is 

Head of Commodity Strategy 

at Saxo Bank) 

Kuwait doubles budget income 

$200 billion in surpluses in the 

past 12 years. 

Both the actual revenue and 

budget surplus are the highest 

ever achieved by Kuwait. 

Kuwait's previous record 

revenues was $79 billion in 

the 2010-2011 scal year, 

while its largest budget surplus 

was $33.5 billion in the 

2007-2008 scal year. 

National Bank of Kuwait 

forecast yesterday that the 

actual budget at the end of 

the scal year will be lower 

at around $43 billion due to 

end-of-year accounting adjustments. 

Under Kuwaiti law, 10 per 

cent of revenues are deducted 

every year to go into the emirate's 

sovereign wealth fund. 

Returns on the fund are not included 

in the budget. — AFP

DIONCOUNDA Traore was sworn in as Mali’s new interim leader in Bamako on April 12. — AFP 

A fractured territory 

By David Lewis 

WITHIN weeks, Mali has plunged 

from being a sovereign democracy 

to a fractured territory 

without a state, occupied by competing 

groups in the north while politicians and 

coup leaders in the south jostle for control 

of the capital Bamako. 

There is no sign the broken nation 

can be put back together soon — raising 

concerns among neighbours and Western 

powers of the emergence of a lawless elements 

exploited by criminals. 

“We have never been in such a dire 

situation at any other time in our history,” 

said Mahmoud Dicko, inuential head of 

the Islamic High Council in the former 

French colony once seen as a poster child 

for electoral democracy in West Africa. 

“There is no state and two-thirds of the 

country is out of control,” he said of the 

seizure by a mix of activists and Tuaregled 

ghters of the northern desert territory 

one-and-a-half-times the size of France. 

Ask Malians in the street what they 

think of the crisis and most will say they 

are “depassé” — a French term for being 

overwhelmed by events that go beyond 

comprehension. 

Even before March 22 coup and ensuing 

the ghters’ advance, Mali was 

struggling to deal with this year’s drought 

on the southern rim of the Sahara. Over 

270,000 Malians have ed their homes as 

the violence makes bringing aid to hun- 

NEW CHALLENGES 

Ex-fighter turns 

a nation builder 

By Pascal Fletcher 

SOUTH Sudan’s President 

Salva Kiir (pictured), 

who spent 

much of his life as a commander 

ghting in one of 

Africa’s longest and deadliest 

civil wars, says it will take 

another lifetime to make his 

newborn country prosperous, 

secure and self-sufcient. 

For now it is locked in 

ghting with Sudan, the worst 

violence since South Sudan 

became independent under a 

2005 peace agreement with 

Khartoum. 

“Building a nation will 

take our lifetimes,” the 

ghter turned president told 

leaders of his ruling Sudan 

Peoples’ Liberation Movement 

(SPLM) last month, 

listing huge challenges in 

infrastructure, education and 

healthcare. 

While other members of 

the southern elite boast academic 

credentials obtained 

in the West, Kiir is seen as a 

no-nonsense army man, most 

comfortable in the eld. He 

joined the south’s rst battle 

(1955-1972) at 17 and later 

became a major in the Sudanese 

intelligence services. 

ger victims even harder. But while Mali 

is now rmly on world radar screens as 

a serious security threat in the making, 

neither Western powers nor its neighbours 

can agree on how to come to its rescue. 

A deal struck between the junta and 

negotiators from the 15-state West African 

ECOWAS group was meant to see 

the army hand back the reins of power to 

civilians in return for neighbours giving 

military help to regain the north. 

The naming of an interim president 

has nominally shifted the seat of power 

from a dusty out-of-town barracks back to 

the repaired presidential palace. But midranking 

coup-leading ofcers still hold 

sway, last week arresting top politicians 

and military brass. 

A personality cult has sprung up around 

Captain Amadou Sanogo, the hitherto obscure 

US-trained ofcer turned junta chief 

whose face is now emblazoned on badges 

pinned to the chests of soldiers and civilians. 

“You cannot push aside a military 

committee that has led a coup,” he told 

reporters in Bambara, one of Mali’s national 

languages. “You can say you don’t 

want soldiers in power but nowhere in the 

world are they pushed aside.” 

Unless new elections are held by May 

23 — an all but impossible task given the 

situation in the north, Sanogo will, under 

the ECOWAS accord, have a say in shaping 

the transition body due to run Mali 

until polls can be held. 

But a glimpse at what led to the coup 

In a tough speech to parliament 

interrupted by clapping, 

Kiir asked his people in 

April to prepare for war after 

his troops made a surprise 

grab of the disputed Heglig 

oileld. 

He admonished UN Secretary-General 

Ban Ki-Moon 

for asking him to leave Heglig, 

which is key to Sudan’s 

economy. “I told him you 

don’t need to order me because 

I am not under your 

command,” Kiir said. 

Bowing to demands from 

the UN Security Council, 

South Sudan said on Sunday 

it had withdrawn its troops 

from the contested Heglig 

oil region, raising hopes the 

neighbours had pulled back 

from the brink of all-out war. 

While promising to work 

for national unity and reconciliation, 

Kiir warned South 

Sudanese in his March 26 

speech that “the biggest challenge 

to achieving this vision 

is our relationship with the 

government of Sudan”. 

Following South Sudan’s 

birth as Africa’s newest state 

in July 2011 after a landslide 

southern referendum endorsing 

this move, Kiir’s SPLM 

government has quickly become 

embroiled this year in 

disputes with Khartoum over 

ill-dened border lines, and 

especially over the economic 

lifeblood of both states — oil. 

Independence gave South 

Sudan three-quarters of the 

oil output held by Sudan. 

But Juba has rejected Khartoum’s 

insistence, reinforced 

by conscation of southern 

cargoes, that it pay a certain 

level of transit fees to send its 

oil through Sudan’s northern 

pipelines and Red Sea port. 

13 

ANALYSIS/OPINION 


shows that even when elections are held, 

they offer no easy x to Mali’s woes. 

By mid-March, the national mood had 

been strained for weeks as Mali’s army 

struggled to contain a push by Tuareg-led 

ghters in the north. Morale-sapping defeats, 

including one that led to the slaughter 

of dozens of soldiers, sparked protests 

in the south, both among civilians and 

soldiers. It was one such army protest on 

March 21 that snowballed faster than anyone 

expected. Within hours, it morphed 

into a coup d’etat against incumbent 

President Amadou Toumani Toure which, 

while not too surprising, was largely accidental. 

“It was a mutiny that developed into 

a coup d’etat because they realised there 

was a vacuum,” Said Djinnit, head of the 

United Nations Ofce for West Africa, 

said. “We all applauded the democratic 

dispensation but we now realise that democratic 

dispensation was very fragile.” 

With his palace under attack from 

parts of his own army, Toure ed into hiding. 

Foreign condemnation was swift and 

harsh as neighbours imposed trade and 

diplomatic sanctions and even aired the 

possibility of returning Toure to power 

by force. But the reaction of the street to 

the largely bloodless coup was less clear 

cut. Hundreds of civilians unhappy with 

Toure’s rule cheered soldiers on as they 

seized state television, while pro-coup rallies 

easily outnumbered anti-coup demonstrations 

in the days that followed. 


Prosecutors split 

between parties 

By Joan Biskupic 

IN the ornate Chinese 

Ballroom of Washington’s 

Mayower Hotel, nine 

Republican state attorneys 

general gathered last month 

at a long, white-cloth covered 

table for an unusual news 

conference. One by one, as 

TV news cameras rolled, they 

catalogued their many lawsuits 

against President Barack 

Obama’s administration. 

When it came to Arizona 

Attorney General Tom 

Horne’s turn, he said, “We 

have eight lawsuits.” One of 

those, defending Arizona’s 

new law requiring police of- 

cers to check the papers of 

anyone they suspect is in the 

US illegally, will be heard by 

the US Supreme Court today. 

Like the Supreme Court 

challenge to the Obama-sponsored 

healthcare law heard 

last month, the Arizona case 

is part of a larger story about 

an escalating battle between 

Republican-led states and the 

federal government. All but 

one of the 16 states that have 

led “friend of the court” 

briefs on the Arizona side 

have Republican governors. 

Meanwhile, all of the 

11 states lining up with the 

Obama administration are led 

by Democrats. 

The ranks of Republican 

attorneys general have swelled 

dramatically in the last decade, 

resulting in a nearly even 

nationwide partisan split that 

is unprecedented in modern 

history. Republican attorneys 

general now number 24 of 

the 50 state attorneys general, 

compared with just 12 as recently 

as 2000. 

While it is not uncommon 

for attorneys general to try to 

use the courts to advance the 

priorities of their own political 

party, lawyers on both sides 

say the newer crop of Republicans 

— particularly the core 

nine who organised the May- 

ower news conference — are 

more tightly co-ordinated and 

often more vocal about their 

political goals than Republican 

attorneys general have 

been in the past. 

In the late 1990s, prominent 

Democrats such as New 

York’s Eliot Spitzer and Con- 

necticut’s Richard Blumenthal 

set much of the agenda for top 

state prosecutors. 

The steady rise in Republican 

attorneys general partly 

follows the increased Republican 

dominance in statehouses 

since the 1990s and, separately, 

the higher prole that 

attorneys general have drawn 

in recent decades through 

multi-state litigation such as 

against tobacco companies. 

The Republicans gained a majority 

of the governors’ ofces 

in the 1994 elections, fell behind 

Democrats in the 2000s, 

then again took the majority in 

2010 elections. 

“There seems to be, in addition 

to the size, an intensi- 

ed cohesion and collegiality 

among the (Republican) 

AGs,” said Texas Attorney 

General Greg Abbott, one of 

the nine, in an interview. “Part 

of it is based on personality. 

Part of it is based on sense of 

purpose.” 

That sense of purpose — 

to ght what Abbott and the 

others say is overreaching by 

the Obama administration — 

has mitigated differences that 

might have been prompted 

by regionalism, ambition, age 

and length of service. 

“We trust each other,” said 

Florida Attorney General Pam 

Bondi, another of the nine and 

a leader of the challenge to the 

Obama healthcare law. “We 

look out for each other. We 

are a team.” 

Many of them participate 

in monthly phone calls coordinated 

by the Republican 

State Government Leadership 

Foundation, a group that 

raises money for conservative 

causes and helped arrange the 

March news conference. Chris 

Jankowski, the foundation’s 

executive director, said the 

calls are focused on strategy 

and policy yet can involve litigation 

decisions. 

The ofcials also co-ordinate 

their efforts through the 

Republican Attorneys General 

Association, another fundraising 

group. That organisation, 

started in 1999 out of frustration 

with environmental and 

other priorities of the then 

Democratic state attorneys 

general, raises money to help 

elect more Republicans. 

THE Denza electric car is unveiled at Auto China 2012 car show in Beijing. — AFP 

An electric marathon 

By Bill Smith 

TECHNOLOGICAL and pricing 

issues have slowed China’s drive 

to mass-produce affordable electric 

cars, but analysts and insiders believe 

partnerships with foreign rms could 

help it to reach its long-term goal. 

CH Auto, a small producer in Beijing, 

is promoting its Cylent two-seater “city 

commuter car,” which uses lithium-ion 

(li-on) battery technology. 

The company is among dozens of 

Chinese, foreign and joint-venture rms 

showing futuristic electric models alongside 

hybrids and fuel-efcient conventional 

vehicles at Auto China 2012, which 

opens to the public in Beijing today. 

Last week, the government issued its 

revised plan to develop annual capacity 

for 500,000 electric vehicles by 2015 and 

about 5 million by 2020 as the “strategic 

orientation” for China’s market. 

The plan prioritises industrialisation 

of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, 

as well as fuel-efcient conventional 

vehicles. It commits the government to 

subsidising energy-saving vehicles and 

accelerating construction of charging stations 

for electric vehicles. 

Local governments in at least 10 major 

cities are supporting plans to develop 

electric vehicles by regional car makers, 

many of which are state-controlled or 

have state enterprises as major shareholders. 

But some analysts worry that practical 

problems will delay the programme and 

make the government miss its targets. 

Even heavy subsidies will not attract 

enough Chinese consumers, who can buy 

a petrol-driven compact car for less than 

half the cost of an electric vehicle, the 

pessimists say. “I think the development 

of electric cars is slower than expected,” 

Cui Dongshui of the China Passenger 

Car Association said. 

“There are many problems,” Cui said, 

pointing to poor marketing and a mismatch 

between research and production 

of electric vehicles. 

“All those years of scientic research 

projects are displayed on the exhibition 

stands but they haven’t been accepted by 

ordinary people,” he said. 

Companies also worry that government 

subsidies for electric vehicles are 

too low and will only be offered for a 

few years, said Jia Xinguang, chief analyst 

for the China Automobile Consulting 

Corporation. 

CH Auto’s Cylent name reects another 

problem: the safety of speeding 

electric cars looming behind pedestrians 

and cyclists with no aural warning. 

Quality issues also raise doubts about 

the heavy packs of multiple li-on batteries, 

which are likely to fail if just one of 

the cells is substandard. 

“Immature battery technology, underdeveloped 

supply chains and lack of 

infrastructure standards are just a few of 

the barriers that have prevented China’s 

EV (electric vehicle) industry from taking 

off,” US consulting rm McKinsey 

said in a report last week. 

“Our research shows that plug-in hybrid-electric 

vehicles could provide the 

right bridge in the short- to medium-term 

on the road to a future dominated by battery-electric 

vehicles,” the report said. 

Cui agreed that the government should 

allow a more “natural” transition to electric 

vehicles, but he said that even hybrids 

were difcult to market in China. 

Gloves off 

By Herve Rouach 

NICOLAS Sarkozy is taking the gloves off in his bid to 

beat Francois Hollande in the French presidential runoff, 

saying he will “blow out of the water” the Socialist 

he accuses of eeing debates. 

“We’re going to be horrible,” the conservative daily Le Figaro 

yesterday quoted a Sarkozy adviser as saying, with the 

paper saying there were “no holds barred” ahead of the May 

6 run-off. “We have to harass Hollande, like they’ve harassed 

me,” Sarkozy reportedly told his advisers after being beaten 

28.63 per cent to 27.18 in the rst round which qualied the 

two men for the second round. 

Sarkozy is expected to play up the inexperience of his rival, 

who has been a lawmaker, the head of the Socialist Party for 

11 years and of a rural local administration in central France 

but has never held a ministerial post. 

The right-winger believes he will triumph in a one-on-one 

televised debate set for May 2, and called already on Sunday 

for three debates to be held, an invitation swiftly rejected by 

Hollande’s team. 

The hyperactive Sarkozy is expected to deploy all his energy 

in particularly virulent attacks on the Socialist candidate. 

“This is about debating before the French people, project 

against project, personality against personality, experience 

against experience. The French people have a right to know, 

Mr Hollande must not run away,” Sarkozy said on Monday. 

Some of his advisers have predicted that Hollande will be 

“afraid” during the debate. “That’s right, Nicolas Sarkozy always 

the show-off,” Hollande told the left-leaning Liberation 

newspaper yesterday, deliberately contrasting his less-aggressive 

tone with that of Sarkozy. He said he would go into the 

televised debate “very serene”. 

“I think it should be a time of elevation. The incumbent 

wants to turn it into a ght, because he has no choice. He’s 

like a runner who’s been distanced and tries to catch up by 

grabbing the leader’s shirt,” Hollande said. 

Hollande has sought to project an image of calm throughout 

the campaign, despite accusations, even from within his 

own camp, that he is wishy-washy, even boring, and maintains 

vague positions. 

Race in hand 

By Peroshni Govender 

SOUTH Africa’s President Jacob Zuma is the favourite to 

win a second term to lead the ruling ANC in a race dominated 

by factional politics instead of policy reforms for 

Africa’s most powerful economy. 

More than a dozen insiders in the ruling African National 

Congress said that Zuma had the race in hand even though 

there are strong factions in the party who want him out and 

could make things difcult. “It’s Zuma’s race to lose,” said 

one senior ANC member. 

The winner of December’s party vote is almost certain to 

be its nominee in the 2014 presidential election. Since the 

ANC enjoys virtual one-party rule, its nominee is almost assured 

of winning the ve year term as president. 

The race will be fought at the local level with little attention 

paid to warnings from all three of the major global credit 

ratings agencies who have said the economy is on the wrong 

track under Zuma, posing long-term risks to stability. 

The battle to lead the 100-year-old ANC according to party 

insiders is a two-horse race between Zuma and Deputy President 

Kgalema Motlanthe. Zuma has a commanding lead in 

delegates and unless Motlanthe make huge strides by the electoral 

conference in December, Zuma should secure victory. 

Motlanthe, or any other candidate, is not going to openly 

declare their challenge to Zuma due to a party culture where 

raising one’s hand too early is tantamount to political suicide. 

The race will be fought behind closed doors, leaving out a 

public that has grown increasingly angry at the ANC for not 

doing enough to x a broken education system, failing hospitals, 

rampant poverty and chronic unemployment. 

“Motlanthe has strong support but it’s all about timing and 

we want to make sure that his chances are good before nominations 

open,” said a source close to the deputy president. 

The ANC, a former liberation movement that became the 

ruling party when the white-minority apartheid regime ended 

18 years ago, is a broad-tent political grouping with members 

ranging from hard core communists to business moguls. 

Its consensus-building approach has stied radical ideas 

from the left that include nationalising mines and seizing 

white-owned farmland. 

Stoking risks 

By Olivia Kumwenda 

SOUTH Africa’s plans to undo the wrongs of apartheid 

by returning land seized from native blacks is embodied 

in the life of Koos Mthimkhulu. 

He was born on a white-owned farm in 1955 and attended 

a school set up by white farmers to give him just enough 

education for a life as eld hand. A short childhood gave way 

to decades of milking cows, driving tractors and ploughing 

elds for poverty-level wages. 

When white-minority rule ended in 1994, the new democratic 

government made it a priority to return land to those 

dispossessed. It wrote the idea into the constitution and made 

a plan that would make people like Mthimkhulu independent 

farmers. Yet the practice under the African National Congress 

(ANC) has fallen far short of targets and disappointment is 

stocking up new risks of social, racial and economic crisis to 

threaten the very democracy intended to save South Africa 

from disaster. 

The post-apartheid government selected Koos Mthimkhulu 

for a programme under which it would buy agricultural 

land from white farmers and turn parcels over to blacks who 

had claims on the territory. It offered him money, advice and 

moral support. 

Greying at the temples and at ease tending a herd of cattle 

and tilling elds, he now grows maize and sunowers in the 

central atlands of the Free State, no longer tethered to white 

bosses and proud of his substantial 500-hectare holding, of 

which about a quarter is suitable for crops. 

But Mthimkhulu does not own the land, the government 

does. And in all likelihood, without ownership, he seems destined 

for the failure that has hit many like him who thought 

themselves among a fortunate few to get land: “I struggled for 

a long time and I can’t get a loan from banks because I can’t 

use the farm for security,” he said. 

That is not the only drawback small farmers like Mthimkhulu 

face; South Africa’s land reform ideals are being 

crushed by government mismanagement and the economics 

of pitching the new, small-scale operations into competition 

with the industrial-size farms that have made the country a 

global agricultural powerhouse, exporting billions of dollars 

in farm products. 

Most food is grown at places like the Royal Dawn orange 

farm, 300 km northeast of Mthimkhulu’s homestead, in Mpumalanga 

province.

PORTA CABINS / TURNKEY CAMPS 

Our Services Manufacturing, Erection, Mobilization. 

Our Products Camps, Kitchens, Offices, Ablutions 

Phone 24503725 Fax 24503723 

Mobile 95228450 Mobile 99277505 

e-mail info@speedhouseoman.com 

Web www.speedhouseoman.com 

SPEED HOUSE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION LLC 

R 

CLASSIFIED SECTION 

RUWI: 24785668 

S 

ENT-A-CAR 

ENT-A-CA 

BUSINESS or PLEASURE 

OMAN or ABROAD 

ALKH: 24489248/648 

RUWI: 24707074, QURUM: 24691110 

SOHAR: 26845565 

MUSCAT AIRPORT: 24521189 

SALALAH: 23296246 

Also available — Luxury Cars with 

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ERVICES 

SERVICES 

EXECUTIVE office 

services avail available: 

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line with receptionist 

services, unlimited 

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executive conference 

room (10 people), prime 

location (Al Khuwair), 

complimentary tea & 

coffee, service duration, 

quarterly. Contact 

99463334, 99201763, 

24479400. 

HOOPOE SMART 

CARD SERVICES 

Sanad Service Centre 

We provide the 

following services: 

Typing, clearing all 

transactions related to 

government departments 

and private sector, eg 

labour agreement for 

Omanis and expatriates, 

typing of labour 

card for expatriates, 

typing of visas and 

document clearing 

from immigration 

department, Ministry of 

Commerce & Industry, 

Ministry of Manpower, 

Commercial names 

reservation, renewal of 

commercial registration, 

renewal of OCCI 

membership, attestation 

of all documents from 

OCCI & Ministry 

of Foreign Affairs. 

Renewal of labour 

cards through electronic 

payment or cash 

payment. 

Please note you may 

deliver your transaction 

through our e-mail 

and our representative 

will deliver it to your 

office personally after 

completion. Our address 

is: Ruwi, near Gulf 

Transport Co. (GTC), 

Fax: 24793331, GSM: 

98793665 (Direct) 

99231500. 

E-mail: hoopoeoman@ 

gmail.com 

AL FAHAD 

TRANSLATION 

SERVICES 

Translation of all kinds 

of legal, medical, 

and other types of 

documents, Commercial 

Agencies, etc. Ruwi, 

near Gulf Transport Co. 

(GTC), 

Fax: 24794286. GSM : 

98793665 (Direct) 

95959838. E-mail: 

bptland@gmail.com 

LANDRAIL 

TRADING & 

SERVICES 

(Smart Card) 

Ruwi, near Gulf 

Transport Co. (GTC), 

Fax: 24780244, Tel: 

24789117, GSM 

98793666 (Dir), 

96777170. E-mail: 

landrailoman@ 

gmail.com 

T 

OURS 

MARINE Tourism 

92808636, e-mail: 

info@alainain.com 

CARPET, sofa 

shampooing, 

GUARANTEED 

CLEANING. 

24792998/ 99314807 

MARBLE 

CRYSTALLISATION, 

restore the original shine 

of your marble. 

24792998/ 

99314807. 

1. A/C, Fridge & 

Washing Machine 

Servicing & Repairing 

2. Painting, Plumbing, 

Electrical & Carpentry 

Works. Contact: 

97014234/ 97123569, 

24504281. 

P.C.O. (PEST 

CONTROL OMAN 

CO. LLC) 

Professionals who 

specialise in all types 

of Pest Control 

Services & Snake 

control and 

Guaranteed Termite 

Control. Also 

available Gel 

treatment for 

Cockroaches. 

Suppliers of UK 

Pesticides 

Chemicals, Snake 

Repellent, 

Cockroach Gels and 

Peripel treated 

Mosquito Nets. 

24787606, 

24787503, 

Fax: 24787607. 

V 

MAZDA 6, 2009 20 model, 

No 1. Agency warranty 

and maintenan maintenance. 

Contact: 96693937. 

C 

EHICLE SALE 

ARGO 

CARGO transfer with 

attractive price to all 

areas in the Sultanate 

and outside of Oman 

(by truck). Contact: 

00968-99171758 

SPECIAL Rates on 

New Cars & 4 WDs 

RENTING & LEASING 

Tours and Airport Transfer 

Tel: 24582663 

GSM: 95859497, 

Fax: 24582664, 

abcrent@omantel.net.om 

D 

G 

OOD NEWS NEW 

FREE FRE 

INFORMA INFORMATION 

ABOUT ISLAM 

If you would like to 

know more about 

Islam, please call: 

Tel : 99425598, 

96050000, 99353988, 

99253818, 99341395, 

99379133, 

For ladies: 99415818, 

99321360, 99730723 

Or visit: 

www.islamfact.com 

AYURVEDIC 

Treatment, Yoga massage 

& slimming. Contact: 

92504980/ 24475280 , 

www.drsajjay.com 

RIVING SSCHOOL 

MORNING STAR 

DRIVING DRIVING SCHOOL S 

— Learn driving 

manual/ automatic 

with professionally 

qualified male/ female 

trainees in brand new 

cars and flexible 

payments. Call: 

99043283, 

24478589, 24478505, 

www.chamberman. 

com/member/ 

morningstar 

www.morningstar.com 

UEST HOUSE HO 

MURAHIB HOTEL H 

APARTMENTS 

APARTMEN 

welcome l our valuable 

GUESTS to our 

excellent location, AL 

KHUWAIR, near AL 

ZAWAWI MOSQUE, 

a single bedroom, a 

bedroom & majlis, two 

bedrooms & majlis 

24478087, Fax: 

24482454. 

QURUM BEACH 

HOTEL. 24564070. 

SITUATION VACANT 

MANAMA PACKAGING 

INDUSTRY W.L.L. 

A leading Flexible Packaging Company in 

Bahrain is urgently looking for a 

SALES IN-CHARGE 

IN OMAN 

Ideal candidate will be based in Oman 

and must possess a min of 3-4 years of 

working experience in the similar industry 

handling Oman Market. 

Interested candidates can e-mail CV at: 

export@mpiwll.com 

G 

OMAN DAILY Observer WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 

ITUATION VACANT 

URGENTLY need a Lab 

Technician (licence 

holder). A minimum 2 

years of experience is 

preferable. An attractive 

salary package. For detail 

contact as follows: 

99499341, Fax 

No: 23288160. Contact 

timing: 10am to 1pm. 

URGENTLY required 

Restaurant Manager and 

Waiters for a fast food 

outlet in Muscat. 

info@thespud.com. 

CLASSIFIED SECTION: 

S 

WE are a leader in the 

field of advertising; 

we need staff in the 

following areas: 

— Designer/Graphic/ 

websites/Interior/3d 

— Marketing, Silk 

— Screen printer 

99427801. 

URGENTLY 

required light duty 

driver, please call 

99357415. 

F 

OR SALE SAL 

A BUILDIN BUILDING of 

3 flats at Wadi W 

Kabir K bi (No (N objection 

to sell each flat 

separately). 

For enquiries call: 

92919135. 

FOR SALE, Fuel 

Station and Commercial 

buildings near Izki on 

main Sinaw road. Plot 

size 5,300sq m. Fuel 

station sales 20114.6m 

litres. Interested parties 

send contact details to 

Fax 25410812. 

FOR NRI. 

BOOKING open for 

villas in Aluwa, 

Kochi, Kerala. Rs 50 

lacs onwards near 

UC College. Contact: 

98934705, or 

skprealty@yahoo. 

com. 

I 

NVESTMENT 

NVESTM 

DO not miss i the 

investment op opportunity. 

Construct or 

contribute 

in the project and you 

will get profits as much 

as you contributed. The 

project is building 90 

shops and flats on 

Muscat-Sohar main 

street. (For your 

information: The Rent of 

shop is RO 150/- each. 

For inquiries contact: 

96184424 (the owner). 

A REPUTED printing 

press has vacancies such 

as 1. Indoor salesman, 

able to make quotations. 

2. Workshop supervisor, 

able to manage printing 

process in workshop. 3. 

Printing press manager. 

Interested applicants, 

please send your CV to: 

mase_445@hotmail.com 

or call: 95532522, 

92673716. 

WANTED Store Manager 

urgently. 

Send CV: 

honestyprojects@yahoo. 

com 92948331. 

PRIVATE Medical Centre 

looking for male general 

practitioner, female GP, 

Laboratory Technician, 

Physiotherapist 

99611618, 

99362088. 

REQUIRED Housemaid 

93387962. 

SITUATION VACANT 

REQUIRE EXPERIENCED 

cook knowing oriental, 

continental, Arabic and 

little experience in Chinese 

and Indian food, to work 

in the villa of a prestigious 

family. Attractive package 

will be given to successful 

candidate. Send CV to: 

Box 840, Ruwi, 112, or Fax 

No. 24793380 or E-mail to: 

saadest@omantel.net.om 

ON OR BEFORE 

26TH APRIL, 2012. 

U 

MRAH/HAJ 

MRAH/HA 

AL Hikman Hikmani for 

HAJ and UM UMRAH 

— With a host of 

services including 

the following: Hiring 

luxurious coaches, 

arranging weekly 

trips, preparing 

visas for expats at 

cost-effective price, 

including transport, 

housing, meals 

and visits to shrine 

locations. Land and 

air trips weekly. 

(99311310, 

24566016, 99361982, 

99707248, 99322124. 

CLASSIFIED 

SECTION 

Ruwi: (24785668 

Behind Royal Oman 

Police Adjacent to 

Dhofar Building 

Sulaiman Awlad 

Thani: 

95181747 

Ali al Maashari: 

99639264 

Sulaiman Awlad Thani: 95181747 

Ali al Maashari: 99639264 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

M 

F 

14 

OR RENT 

FOR RENT FOR RENT 

2 BEDROOM flat at Wadi 

Al Kabir near Srilankan 

School. Contact: 

99319482. 

REQUIRED for rent 

labour accommodation in 

Darsait, Wadi Kabir, 

Al Rusayil/Al Ajefnain. 

Contact: 99106997. 

VILLA in Madinat Nahdha 

2, 6 rooms with toilet, 1 

sitting room and 1 family 

hall, kitchen is out, 

requested for RO 500. 

Please contact: 

99412127. 

NEW flat for rent in 

Maabela and Seeb, Wadi al 

Bahais. 99388668, 

99762610, 92385051. 

A VILLA for rent in 

North Al Hail. 

95588775. 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

Available on very GOOD prices 

HP 1000 Printer 

RO 9.900 only 

HP M1132 4 in 1 Laser Printer 

RO 49.900 only 

HP PAVILION P6 15 LAPTOP RO 214.900 only 

HP PAVILION P6 Desktop 

RO 156/900 only 

AII HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung 

Cartridges also available. 

ANPOWER 

ANPOWE 

FRIENDS 

MANPOWER: Filipino 

housemaids and all kinds 

of workers. 24489268 

Tel/Fax: 24478153. 

SAVILLS OMAN 

QUALITY homes for 

rent throughout 

Capital Area Muscat. 

Contact: 24692151. 

www.sav-oman.com 

2 NEWLY renovated 

flats in a quiet area in 

Qurum 29 each with 2 

bedrooms, 2 baths, 

kitchen and a living 

room. Serious renters 

please call 97779877 

for more details. Noor 

Al Mashreq Int. 

COMPUTER SUPPLIES 

Ruwi: 24792792 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

NVESTMENT 

NVESTM 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

AREA — 770 sq mtr, 

Rusayl Industrial area, 

near Amiantit Oman. 

24701552, 99012434. 

HOUSE for rent in Sidab 

Muscat on main road. 4 

bedrooms, 3 bathrooms 

and kitchen. 99452671. 

SPACIOUS 3 BHK flat 

with AC at Al Khuwair 

near Technical College 

and Wattayah opposite 

Toyota showroom. Rent: 

RO 450 p.m. 

99332668. 

FAMILIES only, a house 

at Wadi Adai, 4 bedroom, 

2 halls, sitting room, 4 

WC and kitchen. Contact: 

93452446. 

AVAILABLE flats/shops/ 

store and warehouse. At a 

prime location in New 

Industrial Area (Sanaiya 

— Salalah) approx 200 

mtr on the rear side off 

OTE Hyundai Car 

Showrooom. All flats 

installed with split airconditioners. 

Ample car 

parking space. Please 

contact: 99093163/ 

99098303. 

OUTSIDE block, 2 bed + 

sitting room + kitchen + 3 

toilets at Al Ansab. 

97068889. 

A FLAT at Al Hail North. 

Contact: 99378837. 

DIRECT: 24649594 - FAX : 24649590 

e-mail: classified@omandaily.om 

AFAQ WADI AL-MA’AWIL LLC 

CRANE (35 - 80 Ton) 

DOZER 

LOAD/ALL 

GRADER 

EXCAVATOR 

BACK HOE/LOADER 

FUEL TANKER 

SEWAGE TANKER 

WATER TANKER 

CONTACT: 99310448 /99333506 /24505994 

FAX: 24504023. E-mail: afaqwadi@yahoo.com 

I 

INDUSTRIAL 5000m 

road with very suitable 

way. 99323957/ 

95490842/ 96554668/ 

Fax: 24452534. 

SEMI-FURNISHED single 

room with attached 

bathroom in Mumtaz area, 

for executive or working 

lady. 99377249. 

NEW 2 bedroom flat in 

Wadi Adei. 99377249. 

OFFICES, shops, villa 

at Al Khuwair, flats 

at Al Khuwair, Wadi 

Kabir, MBD, Mumtaz, 

furnished/unfurnished. 

96596348. 

COMMERCIAL shops 

next to Carrefour. 

Contact: 92961111. 

HOUSE for rent in Wadi 

Adai: 4 big rooms, 1 

big hall, 1 kitchen, 4 

bathrooms with excellent 

furniture and other 

requirements. Call Ali — 

95069613 

TWO attached industrial 

lands in Barka Saqsooq 

2, 1,400 sq m each. 

92113060. 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Continued on P-15 

F 

O 

R 

H 

I 

R 

E 

Presents 

1. Tourism journeys to all around 

the Sultanate’s areas. 

2. Delivery service from/to Dubai. 

3. Delivery service from/to the airport. 

In association with Thrifty Rent-A-Car 

For enquiries: 24478902/99337159 

A HOUSE at Madinat 

Al Nahdha. 2 

bedrooms, a sitting 

room, a hall and 3 

bathrooms. Contact: 

92925173.

S 

15 

INDIA/CLASSIFIEDS 



The woman behind missile test launch 

TESSY Thomas, the key scientist for Agni-V in Defence Research and Development Organisation and the rst woman 

scientist to head a missile project, attending a missile press conference in New Delhi recently. — AFP 

NEW DELHI — Hailed as a 

trail blazer in male-dominated 

India, Tessy Thomas juggles 

domestic duties with her day 

job — as the country’s top ballistic 

missile expert. 

Thomas was project director 

for the Agni V long-range 

ITUATION WANTED SITUATION WANTED SITUATION WANTED 

OMANI seeks position 

in HSE. jeebal3000@ 

gmail.com 

DIPLOMA Mechanical 

Engineer, 25 years’ of service 

as Production Manager 

in a reputed manufacturer 

of domestic appliances in 

Oman with valid Oman 

driving licence, seeks suitable 

employment in Oman. 

Contact 92887806 email: 

prakashnps4@yahoo. 

com. 

HVAC/Mechanical 

draughtsman, Indian male, 

12 years experience in 

MEP, 5 years in Oman, 

seeks suitable placement. 

Contact 92958030. 

nuclear-capable missile which 

was test-red last week in a 

major military advance that 

will give India the ability to hit 

all of China’s cities for the rst 

time. Celebrated as “Missile 

Woman” in the local media, 

she has lent a new and unusual 

INDIAN male 32 years, B 

Arch with 4 years experience 

in India, seeks suitable 

placement. Contact 

93699992. 

DIPLOMA Civil Engineer, 

30 years, Indian male, total 

6 years experience, 4 years 

in Oman. Well experienced 

in Autocad, having 

Oman driving licence, 

seeks suitable placement. 

Contact 95732238, 

96259429. 

INDIAN, 35 years Gulf 

experience 15 years in 

plumbing and irrigation. 

Contact 92297862. 

face to the secretive world of 

India’s Defence Research and 

Development Organisation 

(DRDO). 

But while the Roman Catholic 

from southern Kerala state 

has changed perceptions of her 

profession and challenged tra- 

INDIAN male, 27 years, 

holding diploma in re & 

safety, diploma in Marine 

Mechanic, STCW 95, 

having 4 years experience, 

seeking suitable job, 

presently in family visa. 

Contact 96977054. 

SRI Lankan, 30 years old 

house boy, having 4 years 

experience - ironing, cleaning, 

gardening and AC 

cleaning, looking for job. 

Contact 96128795. 

7 YEARS experience in 

Oman, seeks immediate 

placement as ofce incharge/co-ordinator 

or any 

suitable back ofce job. 

Contact 99355307. 

Mailing Address: OBSERVER CLASSIFIEDS SECTION, P.O. Box 974, Muscat, P.C. 100 

Location: OEPPA HEAD OFFICE, Medinat Al Alam, 

Near Ministry of Information 24649 593, 594, 594, 595, 596, 597 

& OEPPA Ruwi Office, Next to Dhofar Bldg, Behind Ruwi Police Station 24785668 

dition along the way, she says 

she remains the doting wife 

and mother at home. 

“In Indian culture, we feel 

that women are also supposed 

to be taking care of the home, 

so a little bit of challenges are 

there,” the 48-year-old said. 

MASTERS in 

Journalism, 

Communication + 

Masters Finance, 

excellent English, 

communication, good 

writing skills, Indian 

male, finance & audit 

background, seeks 

corporate 

communications role in 

Banks/MNCs/Financial 

Institutions/ 

International 

organisations. Can 

speak Arabic. 

99283938. 

MALE, 24 years, Indian, 

BE in Electronics and 

Communications, seeks 

suitable placement. 

Contact: 99332185. 

A MECHANICAL and 

Production Engineer 

trained in HVAC, 

Primeavera and Autocad, 

looking for a suitable 

placement. Contact: 

93807969. 

INDIAN male with vast 

experience in HR 

administration/rent a car, 

operations, sales 

co-ordination, seeks 

immediate 

placement 96416742. 

CIVIL Engineer, Egyptian, 

long experience, all 

structural works, resident 

driving licence. 

95378918. 

STORE Warehouse & 

Logistics Manager, 

professionally qualified & 

broadly experienced in 

India, Saudi Arabia and 

Oman. Currently working 

with a corporate group in 

Muscat, seeks challenging 

opportunity. Contact: 

94211162. 

“But all my lady colleagues 

are also doing the same, just 

like me.”It was slightly tough, 

but I could do it by balancing 

my time” between home and 

work. 

Not all of her female colleagues 

have risen to such 

a position of prominence 

however. The Agni V was a 

prestige project for India. Its 

5,000-kilometre range is seen 

as vital for national defence 

and another demonstration of 

the nation’s rising power. 

President Pratibha Patil, 

another woman in a prominent 

position, commented after the 

launch that “the work of Thomas 

in the Agni programme 

would hopefully inspire more 

women in choosing careers in 

science”. In January, Indian 

Prime Minister Manmohan 

Singh said that Thomas was 

an example of a “woman making 

her mark in a traditionally 

male bastion and decisively 

breaking the glass ceiling”. 

Thomas joined the DRDO 

in 1988 and went on to work 

under A P J Abdul Kalam, the 

architect of the national missile 

development programme who 

later became India’s president. 

Her initial focus was on 

the guidance systems for the 

various Agni missiles. The 

rst variant was ight-tested 

in 1989. Her stewardship of 

the Agni V came after the rst 

launch of the 3,500-kilometre- 

INDIAN male, 26 years, 4 

years experience in 

storekeeping and 

countersales having valid 

Omani driving licence, 

local release available, 

looking for suitable 


95813406 

E-mail: pbrateek@yahoo. 

co.in 

SENIOR accountant, 

Indian, M Com (Finance), 


accounts, nance functions 

including nalisation 

and audit. Tally, V-Cams, 

MS-Ofce, Excel/Word. 

with Omani driving licence 

seeks placement. 

Contact 93832389 



hardware and networking 

(CCNA & MCP), 3 

years experience in remote 

sensing and GIS, having 

valid Omani driving 

licence, seeks placement. 


INDIAN Electrical Eng, 

27 years, diploma, BTech, 

EEE, (course completed) 

one year experience in 

Oman and three years in 

Kerala, India. Contact 

98070061, e-mail: 

justinkkuriakose@gmail. 

com 

INDIAN female, M Com 

on visit, specialised in 

accounts, having 3½ years 

experience seeks suitable 

placement with visa. 


OMANI PRO, 4 years 

experience in reputed 

company, visa, 

immigration, labour 

clearance, collection and 

receivables etc, speaks 

good English, friendly and 

cheerful, with D/L, seeks 

position in reputed 

companies. Contact 

92884747. 

range Agni III in 2006. 

The mother of a son and 

wife of a naval ofcer insists 

there is no gender discrimination 

in predominantly male 

DRDO, where about 200 female 

colleagues work in its 

dozens of ordnance factories 

and research facilities. 

Thomas says she decided 

to go into missiles — which 

she regards as instruments of 

peace because of their deterrence 

value — after watching 

rocket tests from a launch centre 

near her home. 

“As schoolchildren we 

used to go on picnics to watch 

the rocket tests and I would be 

fascinated. Besides, I was always 

interested in science and 

mathematics,” she said. 

Such is her passion for Indian 

defence hardware that she 

named her college-age son Tejas 

— after India’s indigenously-built 

light combat aircraft. 

Between her kitchen at 

home in the southern city of 

Hyderabad and poring over 

complex telemetry data at 

work, Thomas, who holds an 

engineering doctorate, has now 

set herself another challenge. 

“I am currently working 

on mission and guidance 

(systems) of the multiple independent 

re-entry vehicle,” 

the scientist said, referring to 

proposed new technology to 

deliver multiple warheads with 

a single missile. — AFP 

INDIAN male, BSc 

(Hons), having 11 years 

experience in sales & 

marketing in FMCG 

products. Having valid 

Omani driving licence. 

Contact: 93473827 


MBA Marketing UK, 9 

years experience UK & 

UAE in sales, marketing 

business development. 

Holding UAE driving 

licence, looking for 

suitable position. Contact: 

00968 99787181. 

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com 


BCom graduate with 3 

years experience, 

specialised in Tally Focus 

and good knowledge in 

MS Office, seeks suitable 


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INDIAN male, 27 

years BE (Electronics & 

Communication Engg), 

presently in Oman, seeks 

suitable placement. 

Contact: 95735915. 

INDIAN male, graduate, 


Oman in import/export 

documentation, HR/admin, 

holding Omani driving 

licence seeks suitable 

placement 95062755. 

BE electronics & electrical 

engineer with 2 years 

experience in MEP. 

Contact genius6551@ 

yahoo.com 99790427. 

CIVIL Draughtsman with 


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& site supervision, seeks 

suitable opportunity. 

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ZAJEL weekly magazine evry saturday along with OMAN DAILY 

for advertising contact 

Mobile 96224397 95181747 

Tel 24649593 Fax 24649590 Email zajeloman@yahoocom 

A village for dwarves! 

GUWAHATI — Almost 70 

dwarves, ranging from oneand-a-half 

feet to three feet in 

height, across Asom will soon 

have a place to live in with 

dignity and comfort, with a 

theatre actor setting up a village 

with houses adapted to 

their stature. 

Pabitra Rabha, a National 

School of Drama (NSD) 

graduate and a theatre personality 

of the state, is setting 

up the special home for these 

short people in Jalah village 

near Tangla in lower Asom’s 

Udalguri district, about 90 km 

away from the state’s main 

city of Guwahati. 

“I have got four bighas of 

land for the project ‘Amar 

Gaon’, meaning our village in 

Asomese. We are now working 

on the designs of houses 

for the people. The houses in 

the village will be designed in 

a way so that the ‘little people’ 

can live in comfortably in 

the houses,” said Rabha said. 

“It is difcult for them to 

live in normal houses due to 

their physical stature. But 

at the same time the houses 

should not be too small as that 

can again affect the psyche of 

these people.” 

Amar Gaon will include 

houses, a centre for their professional 

training and skill 

development and a place for 

rehearsals as well as other aspects 

of their lives. 

“There are about 70 such 

people in various districts of 

SYSTEMS engineer, male 

24 years, having 2 years 

experience in TATA 

Consultancy, seeks suitable 

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INDIAN male, 57 

years, having 5½ years 

experience in Oman, 

seeks suitable placement as 

ofce boy and 

gatekeeper, on visit visa. 

Contact: 98163986. 

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BE (Electronics & 

Communication), MBA 

(Finance & Marketing), 

good knowledge of SAP 

(ERP) in module BI/BW, 

on visit visa, seeks suitable 

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Indian male, 25 years, 

having 2 years Oman 

experience in MEP & 

civil draughtsman, 

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male, 24 years, on-going 

MBA, CCNA completed 

on visit, seeks suitable 


93807203 thejus2310@ 

gmail.com. 

INDIAN female, MSC 

Biochemistry, good 

knowledge in computer 

& ofce co-ordination, 

accounts assisting, seeks 

good placement. Contact 

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CUSTOMER Care Executive/Support-Staff/Ofce 

Assistant/ Sales etc.; PIO, 

B.Sc.+PGDCA; 15 years 

experience. Seeks immediate 

placement; currently 

available in Muscat. 

Contact 98923975; 

99702383. 

Asom. It took me four years to 

nd out the total population of 

these people. At present eight 

of them are working with us. 

We are planning to accommodate 

at least 30 of them 

in Amar Gaon initially,” said 

Rabha who also runs a theatre 

group called Dapon. 

Dapon is the only alldwarves 

theatre group in India, 

he claimed, while adding 

that Amar Gaon will be the 

rst such project for dwarves 

in the entire country. 

Rabha, who had carried out 

a survey across Asom to nd 

out the population of dwarves 

across Asom in 2008, has also 

been trying to add dignity to 

their lives by engaging these 

people in theatre. 

In 2010, he staged a play 

titled Kinu Kou (What can I 

say?) engaging them at Guwahati’s 

Rabindra Bhavan. 

The play, which was all about 

the angst of these people and 

the stigma they face, drew 

huge applause. 

“I was very curious about 

the lifestyle of these people. 

When I started the survey, 

my interest increased and 

I realised that they are the 

same people like us. I wanted 

to prove that physical height 

does not matter in conquering 

the world,” said Rabha, 

adding that each of the participants 

in his play has the 

talent and the determination 

to achieve any given target. 

— IANS 

INDIAN, 30 years, 

PGDBA — operations, 

having 8 years of logistics, 

operations and documentation 

experience in 

Oman, seeks suitable 

placement. . 

92337137 

INDIAN male, 39 yrs hotel 

management, PG diploma 

holder, 12 yrs experience 

in manager operations, 

housekeeping, F and B 

service, currently on family 

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L 

OST 

MD Arif Hussain Abu 

Taher has lost 

Bangladeshi Passport 

No: B-1286235. Finder 

please handover to 

ROP. 

ISTQAR Ali Moh’d 

Anwar has lost 

Pakistani Passport 

No JC-1803681. Finder 


ROP. 

KASTIWEN BT 

Sarmad Karya has lost 

Indonesian Passport 

No AN-008138. Finder 


ROP. 

SYED Imran Haider 

has lost Pakistani 

Passport No 

EU-5146341. 

Finder please 

handover to ROP. 

CLASSIFIED 

SECTION 

Ruwi: 

24785668

16 ASIA 



SOUTH Korea’s President Lee Myung-Bak (2nd R) with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapakse (2nd L), as Lee’s wife Kim Yoon-Ok (L) and 

Rajapakse’s wife Shiranthi Rajapakse look on, before their summit at the official presidential house, the Blue House, in Seoul, yesterday. — Reuters 

Compensation for unrest victims Property 

auctioned 

MANILA — The Philippine 

BANGKOK — Thailand yesterday 

approved a $67 million 

compensation package for 

victims of an insurgency in the 

south that has left thousands 

dead over the last eight years, 

officials said. 

The families of people 

killed in the conflict will 

each receive 500,000 baht 

($16,130), or 1.5 million baht 

if government officials were 

responsible, Justice Minister 

Pracha Promnog said after the 

cabinet agreed on the measure. 

"We hope it will make the 

situation in the south more 

peaceful and we hope it will 

be sufficient because some of 

them have received compensation 

before," Pracha told 

reporters. 

The offer is less than the 

7.5 million baht that the government 

has said it will pay 

each family of victims killed 

in political violence during 

a series of rival protests in 

Bangkok since 2005. 

The families of more than 

4,000 members of the public 

who were killed and roughly 

6,000 who were wounded 

would be eligible, along with 

those of 1,056 government 

officials who lost their lives, 

Pracha said. 

Militant suspects who were 

arrested and jailed but later 

freed because their cases were 

dismissed by the courts would 

also receive money, Pracha 

said. "We expect to deliver 

first payment in the next two 

weeks," he added. 

The shadowy insurgency, 

without clearly stated aims, 

has plagued Thailand's far 

south near the border with 

Malaysia since 2004, claiming 

more than 5,000 lives, 

both Buddhist and Muslim, 

with near-daily bomb or gun 

attacks. 

A leader in Yala province 

expressed doubt that the 

compensation offer would 

bring an end to the violence. 

"Remedies are part of the solution 

but the government has 

to clearly identify the root of 

the problem," 54-year-old Ma 

Samae said. 

A state of emergency is 

in force in the worst-affected 

parts of the region, which 

rights campaigners say in effect 

gives the tens of thousands 

of military troops based in the 

area legal immunity and fuels 

rights abuses. A series of bomb 

blasts in two southern cities 

at the end of March killed 15 

people and wounded hundreds 

in the deadliest attacks in the 

region in years. 

Eight people were wounded 

yesterday by a roadside bomb 

targeting patrolling soldiers in 

Narathiwat province, including 

a soldier and a three-yearold 

boy whose conditions were 

serious, police said. 

Meanwhile, Toshiba said 

yesterday it would build a new 

chip factory in Thailand to replace 

one hit by record flooding 

last year that hammered 

Japanese manufacturers operating 

in the Southeast Asian 

nation. — AFP 

US firm on Afghan security: official 

KABUL — The United States 

has committed to ensuring 

Afghanistan's security for at 

least 10 years after most of its 

troops pull out in 2014, the Afghan 

deputy foreign minister 

said yesterday. 

"That is a very important 

aspect of this relationship," 

Jawed Ludin said in response 

to a question about US military 

commitment in a draft strategic 

partnership pact agreed on 

Sunday. 

But the agreement should 

not be seen by neighbouring 

countries as a threat to their 

own security and would be "a 

force for good for the whole 

region", Ludin told a group of 

foreign journalists. 

"We have made it very 

clear in this document that this 

can't be used against a third 

country and this will not affect 

the security of Afghanistan's 

neighbours," he said. 

The full text of the document, 

which still has to be 

signed by US President 

Barack Obama and his Afghan 

counterpart Hamid Karzai, 

has not been released and a 

US Embassy spokesman said 

yesterday details would not be 

discussed before it was final. 

Afghanistan holds a strategic 

position in the region, 

neighbouring Iran, Pakistan 

and China as well as three 

former Soviet states, and Ludin 

said it wanted to build relations 

throughout the region. 

"We would like to show to 

this neighbourhood that Afghanistan 

is a positive — and 

can be an even more positive 

— force for peace and stability 

in this region and they 

should see (the pact) as such," 

he said. 

"That's our vision, but the 

nation has had bad experiences 

— we need guarantees, we 

need to be able to be strong at 

the same time." 

The problems and challenges 

in the region, including 

terrorism, would continue to 

be present and the pact with 

the US was the surest way of 

ensuring Afghanistan's security, 

he said. 

Nato has some 130,000 

US-led troops in Afghanistan 

helping Karzai's government 

fight a decade-long insurgency 

by Taliban. But they are due to 

pull out by the end of 2014, 

and the pact does not cover 

the crucial issue of the number 

or status of any US troops remaining 

in Afghanistan. 

That is due to be dealt with 

in a separate status of forces 

agreement expected to be 

signed within a year, Ludin 

said, adding that it was likely 

to be the subject of "complex" 

negotiations. 

In Iraq, Washington pulled 

out all its troops, leaving no residual 

force, after failing to get 

Baghdad to grant its soldiers 

immunity from prosecution in 

local courts. 

In another development, 

US lawmaker critical of President 

Hamid Karzai was barred 

from entering Afghanistan as 

part of a congressional delegation 

meeting with Afghan opposition 

leaders, his office said 

on Monday. 

Republican Dana Rohrabacher’s 

office said he was 

a “last-minute” addition to 

the delegation when one of 

the members cancelled days 

before travelling. He was 

prevented from travelling on 

Friday. 

Rohrabacher, chairman 

of the House Foreign Affairs 

Subcommittee on Oversight 

and Investigations, has been a 

vocal critic of the Karzai government. 

— AFP 

AN Afghan health worker administers a polio vaccination to a child on the last day of a vaccination campaign in the 

outskirts of Herat yesterday. A three-day nationwide immunisation campaign against polio began on April 22. — AFP 

government yesterday auctioned 

off a prime property 

once owned by the late dictator 

Ferdinand Marcos for 

more than $2 million. 

The 3,900-square-metre 

lot in the mountain resort 

city of Baguio was acquired 

by a real estate firm for 93 

million pesos ($2.16 million), 

said Nick Suarez, of 

the Presidential Commission 

on Good Government. 

"It was a very successful, 

transparent bidding," and the 

final price was more than 

three times the minimum 

bid, added Suarez, whose 

agency is tasked with recovering 

the ill-gotten wealth of 

Marcos. — AFP 

Power units 

see shortage 

TOKYO — Japanese power 

companies are warning a hot 

summer could bring blackouts 

for some areas unless 

nuclear plants are re-started. 

Kansai Electric Power, 

which supplies mid-western 

Japan, including the commercial 

hubs of Osaka, Kyoto 

and Kobe, said it could 

face an electricity shortfall 

of almost 20 per cent if temperatures 

soar in July. 

And the utility said it 

could remain up to 16 per 

cent short in August as increased 

air-conditioner usage 

zaps the electricity produced 

by its thermal fuel plants. 

Kyushu Electric Power, 

covering an area further west, 

as well as Hokkaido Electric 

Power in the north also said 

they will not be able to meet 

summer demand without nuclear 

energy. — AFP 

Contempt 

verdict soon 

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's 

Supreme Court will announce 

its verdict in a contempt 

of court case against 

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza 

Gilani tomorrow, his lawyer 


Gilani was charged with 

contempt by the country's 

highest court in February 

for refusing to write to the 

Swiss authorities to ask 

them to re-open corruption 

cases against President Asif 

Ali Zardari. 

"The court will announce 

judgement in the case on 

Thursday (April 26)", Gilani's 

counsel Aitzaz Ahsan 

told reporters in Islamabad. 

He said the maximum 

punishment Gilani could 

face if convicted was six 

months in prison, but he was 

hopeful the judges would acquit 

his client. 

Gilani is Pakistan's first 

sitting premier ever to face 

criminal charges. — AFP 

More China boats at 

shoal off Philippines 

MANILA — More Chinese 

fishing boats entered disputed 

waters off the Philippines' 

north-eastern coast, officials 


The Philippine navy spotted 

five Chinese boats at 

Scarborough Shoal on Monday 

evening, said Lieutenant 

General Anthony Alcantara, a 

regional military commander. 

"These fishing vessels 

were doing destructive fishing 

and poaching," Department 

of Foreign Affairs spokesman 

Raul Hernandez said. "They 

were using very thick nets to 

fish and there were some giant 

clams seen to have been harvested." 

Two Chinese vessels were 

also seen with the fishing 

boats in the area, which is located 

within the Philippines' 

200-nautical-mile (370-kilometre) 

exclusive economic 

zone but is claimed by Beijing 

along with most of the South 

China Sea. 

A Philippine coastguard 

ship and a vessel of the Bureau 

of Fisheries were at the 

shoal to "monitor the Chinese 

boats, protect our marine re- 

KUALA LUMPUR — The 

Philippines said it had brokered 

a "significant" agreement 

yesterday with the Moro 

Islamic Liberation Front 

(MILF) on how to end a 

decades-long insurgency, but 

warned that major issues still 

needed to be resolved. 

Chief government negotiator 

Marvic Leonen said the 

breakthrough with the MILF 

was achieved during the latest 

round of talks in Malaysia that 

began a decade ago. 

"This marks a significant 

and concrete step forward by 

both parties in their discussions 

of the substantive issues 

in these negotiations," Leonen 

said. 

He said both sides had 

committed in the initial broad 

sources and assert our sovereign 

rights," Hernandez said. 

Tensions in the area have 

been running high since April 

10 when the two Chinese surveillance 

vessels blocked a 

Philippine warship from arresting 

the crew of eight Chinese 

fishing boats for alleged 

poaching in the shoal. 

Those fishing boats left the 

area, which is 230 kilometres 

west of the Philippines' province 

of Zambales and 870 kilometres 

away from the nearest 

coast of China in Hainan province, 

but the military vessels 

have been in a standoff ever 

since. 

Hernandez said the Philippine 

government will urge 

Beijing to take the dispute to 

the International Tribunal on 

the Law of the Seas (ITLOS). 

"What we will do now is 

to file a formal invitation to 

China to join us to go to IT- 

LOS to have the Scarborough 

Shoal and the West Philippine 

Sea (South China Sea) issues 

resolved through this proper 

forum," he said. 

China claims the entire 

South China Sea, which strad- 

agreement to make a new autonomous 

political region that 

would replace an existing one 

that has widely been regarded 

as a failure. 

The two sides also agreed 

to work towards "power and 

resources sharing" in the proposed 

autonomous region, 

which would cover parts of 

the southern Philippines that 

the country's minority call 

their ancestral homeland. 

However no details were 

provided on the exact areas 

that could be covered by the 

proposed new autonomous 

area. Leonen acknowledged 

that yesterday's agreement 

was not detailed or precise, 

and that they only laid the 

foundations for further "substantive 

negotiations". 

dles key shipping lanes in the 

region and is believed to be 

rich in resources. 

The Philippines, Malaysia, 

Vietnam and Brunei also have 

overlapping claims to the sea. 

The Philippines has urged 

the international community 

to take a stand on the dispute, 

warning that China's claim 

could be a potential threat to 

freedom of navigation and unimpeded 

commerce. 

Meanwhile; a Philippine 

exploration firm has found 

more-than-expected natural 

gas in a disputed area of the 

South China Sea, a discovery 

likely to inflame territorial 

tensions with China. 

Philex Petroleum Corp said 

in a disclosure to the stock exchange 

yesterday that its unit, 

Forum Energy Plc , “is expected 

to show an improvement 

in the resources previously 

known” in the Sampaguita gas 

discovery in the Reed Bank. 

The area is claimed by both 

nations and last year Chinese 

navy vessels tried to ram one 

of Forum Energy’s survey 

ships there, almost halting its 

research work. — dpa/Reuters 

Breakthrough in peace talks 

"We look forward to the 

coming weeks of more thorough 

— perhaps more difficult 

— conversations with 

the MILF and various affected 

sectors," Leonen said. 

The government has said it 

wants to broker a peace deal 

by next year so that it could 

be implemented by the time 

President Benigno Aquino 

leaves office in mid-2016. 

Demands by the 12,000strong 

MILF, waging a rebellion 

since 1978, for the 

expansion of the existing 

autonomous region had met 

with Christian opposition and 

torpedoed previous attempts 

at a peace accord. More than 

150,000 people have died in 

the conflict, according to the 

Philippine military. — AFP 

BANGLADESHI police stand guard in front of the office of the Bangladesh Nationalist 

Party (BNP) during a nationwide strike in Dhaka yesterday. The BNP will continue 

enforcing its nationwide dawn-to-dusk lockdown for the third day over the alleged 

‘abduction’ of party leader Mohammad Ilias Ali. — AFP 

Govt planning to introduce 

new gas distribution system 

ISLAMABAD — The government 

of Pakistan is working 

on a plan to break the monopoly 

of Sui Northern and Sui 

Southern by allowing private 

sector companies to operate in 

profitable areas through sale 

of gas to dedicated high-end 

consumers. 

A senior government official 

told that the exclusive 

distribution rights of the two 

SNGPL and SSGCL had already 

expired in 2010 and 

hence the government wanted 

to open up the gas distribution 

system to the private sector. 

Under the plan that is still 

at an initial stage, the private 

sector companies would be allowed 

to utilise the transmission 

system of the two gas utilities 

by paying tolling charges 

and then sell gas quantities to 

their consumers. 

The official said the Petroleum 

Minister Dr Asim Hus- 

sain already had two meetings 

on the issue with Oil and Gas 

Regulatory Authority and the 

two gas utilities and would 

be listening to their feedback 

today. 

The basic idea behind the 

private sector’s entry into the 

gas distribution system was to 

generate competition among 

the distribution companies so 

that overall gas tariff could 

come down for the general 

consumers. 

The problem, however, was 

that private sector did not have 

enough financial resources to 

develop infrastructure of their 

own and compete with the 

state-owned utilities. 

“The question of fair competition 

and tariff reduction is 

practically not possible in the 

given circumstances,” said an 

official requesting anonymity. 

He said a couple of incumbent 

ministers were interested 

in allowing some selective 

private sector companies to 

secure a foothold in the gas 

distribution system. 

“Ogra would have to be 

extra-careful in designing the 

policy and rules that did not 

expose the consumers to exploitative 

private sector,” he 

added. 

In their initial response, the 

two gas utilities have opposed 

to give up their existing consumers 

and service areas, fearing 

that smaller private sector 

would take away the ‘cream 

of consumers’ having greater 

consumption and revenue return 

and restrict them to serve 

the loss-making socio-political 

consumers. 

This is because the private 

sector would prefer bulk consumers 

where system losses 

remain negligible without 

sharing the socio-political responsibilities. 

— Internews

ONE-YEAR-OLD Aishwarya Bhattacharya is held by her grandmother in a car at IGI 

airport in New Delhi yesterday, shortly after Aishwarya Bhattacharya’s arrival. Two 

children at the centre of a custody row returned to New Delhi yesterday. — AFP 

Italy deal with kin 

of slain fishermen 

By Ashraf Padanna 

THIRUVANAN- 

THAPURAM — The legal 

heirs of the two Indian fishermen 

killed by the marines 

guarding Italian oil tanker 

Enrica Lexie and the Italian 

authorities have reached an 

agreement to withdraw their 

pleas against the Italians in 

the court. 

As per the agreement 

reached before the Lok 

Adalat, India's alternative 

dispute resolution system, 

comprising two retired judges 

and functioning on the HC 

premises, the Italian authorities 

will pay compensation of 

Rs10 million each to the wife 

and two children of Valentine 

alias Jelastine and two sisters 

of Ajesh Pink. 

The families will withdraw 

the affidavits and submissions 

that they filed against 

Italy's plea for quashing the 

FIR against the marines in 

the Kerala High Court and 

the judicial magistrate court 

in Kollam where the case 

was registered. 

They informed the court 

that they were not pursuing 

their case as they had reached 

a settlement with the Italian 

government and that they 

were withdrawing all of them 

in absolute terms. 

They said they were forgiving 

the Italians and they 

were praying for their early 

release and safe returning 

home. However, the state's 

Advocate General, KP Dandapani, 

said the withdrawal 

of their pleadings would not 

affect the course of the case. 

Last week, the families 

obtained the permission of 

the High Court to approach 

the Lok Adalat for getting 

a legal approval for the settlement. 

They had agreed to 

withdraw unconditionally 

all the legal proceedings and 

all allegations in various petitions 

pending in all legal 

fora. 

The fishermen were 

killed in the firing from 

Italian flagged vessel off 

Kerala coast on February 

15. The murder case registered 

against the two marines 

by the state government 

would continue in the trial 

court. 

Marines Latorre Massimilano 

and Salvatore Girone are 

in judicial custody in Kerala 

since their arrest on February 

19 which has routinely been 

extended every fortnight 

pending investigation. 

Court order against 

former DGP set aside 

NEW DELHI — The Supreme 

Court yesterday set 

aside a Karnataka High Court 

order indicting the state's then 

police chief Shankar Mahadev 

Bidari and directing his 

removal from the post. 

A bench of Justice Aftab 

Alam and Justice C K Prasad 

said the state, however, was 

free to appoint anyone of its 

choice as the director-general 

of police (DGP). Bidari is due 

to retire on May 31. 

The high court, while affirming 

order of the Central 

Administrative Tribunal 

(CAT) and directing Bidar's 

removal, had ordered the appointment 

of A R Infant as the 

director-general of police, in 

his place. 

The apex court also suspended 

the operation of the 

order of the CAT, which too 

had ruled against the appointment 

of Bidari as the DGP. 

It said that the matter is 

being remanded to the high 

court for fresh consideration 

and that the high court should 

decide the matter before May 

31 when both Bidari and In- 

fant are retiring from service 

on that date. 

The CAT and the high 

court had set aside the appointment 

of Bidari as DGP 

on the grounds that the state 

government had not provided 

the full material to the Union 

Public Service Commission 

(UPSC) concerning him. 

It was contended that the 

report of Justice Sadasivam 

Inquiry Commission and that 

of National Human Rights 

Commission that looked into 

the allegation of excesses 

against tribals by personnel of 

Joint Special Task Force led 

by Bidari against sandalwood 

smuggler Veerappan was not 

placed before the UPSC for 

preparing panel of officers for 

appointment as DGP. 

The court described as 

“too wide a proposition” the 

stand of senior counsel Altaf 

Ahmed, appearing for Infant, 

that since Bidari was leading 

the security personnel in the 

operation, therefore he could 

not escape the consequences 

of their conduct. 

— IANS 

Custody row 

kids return 

NEW DELHI — Two Indian 

children at the centre 

of an international custody 

row returned to New Delhi 

yesterday to be cared for by 

an uncle one year after authorities 

in Norway removed 

them from their parents. 

The case drew widespread 

attention in India, 

much of it critical of the 

Norwegian social welfare 

officials amid a debate about 

different cultural attitudes to 

childcare. 

The Indian parents, who 

live in Norway, claimed 

their children, now aged 

four and two, had been taken 

away due to disapproval 

over feeding them by hand 

and sharing the same bed — 

common practices in India. 

The foreign ministry in 

New Delhi took up the issue 

with the Norwegian 

government, but the father 

of the children later said the 

children had been removed 

partly due to his wife suffering 

serious psychological 

problems. — AFP 

17 INDIA 



Govt gets more time: 

auction of 2G licences 

NEW DELHI — The Supreme 

Court yesterday gave the central 

government three more 

months till August 31 to fulfil 

all requirements and auction 

122 2G licences which were 

cancelled by it in February. 

An apex court bench of 

Justice G S Singhvi and Justice 

KS Radhakrishnan, while 

extending the time, observed 

that the government was aware 

that something was wrong and 

this could have been avoided 

if a little effort was made. 

While partially accepting 

the government’s plea seeking 

400 days time till March 2013, 

the court extended the time by 

three months till August 31. 

The court also gave time 

till September 7 to all the 

service operators whose licences 

have been cancelled to 

continue providing services. 

As Attorney General G Vahanvati 

tried to persuade the 

court that government needed 

400 days time because of the 

difficulties involved in the 

auctioning of the cancelled 

2G licences, the court asked: 

“You are seeking 400 days 

time. How much time did you 

(DoT) take in completing the 

process (of allocation of 2G 

licences) in 2008?” 

The apex court by its February 

2, 2012, order had cancelled 

all the 122 licences that 

were granted by former telecom 

minister A Raja on and 

after January 10, 2008. 

The court had said that all 

these licences should be allocated 

after carrying out their 

auction. The court had given 

the government four months' 

time till June 2 to complete 

the process of auctioning the 

cancelled licences. This was 

also the date when the services 

being provided under the 

licences that were cancelled 

were to be terminated. However, 

the government cited 

procedural difficulties and 

sought 400 days' time to complete 

the process of auctioning 

the cancelled 2G licences. 

The court did not accept the 

government's plea and gave it 

three months' additional time. 

Seeking more time for the 

auction of cancelled 2G licences 

and the allocation of 

spectrum, the application had 

pointed out that the government 

had already “undertaken 

a detailed examination of the 

steps involved in the conduct 

of the auction… and the process 

of auction, commencing 

with the receipt TRAI recommendations… 

will take at 

least 400 days.” 

The application had said 

that “it is expected that the 

auction process will take at 

least 400 days and accordingly, 

the new licences and 

spectrum can be issued only 

in or around March 2013.” 

— IANS 

Baghdad 

flights restart 

BAGHDAD — Iraq will reopen 

this week the Baghdad 

to Mumbai air route after a 

hiatus of more than 21 years, 

as a growing number of Iraqis 

are travelling to India, officials 


"Iraqi Airways will open 

on Friday the route between 

Baghdad and Mumbai after 

more than 21 years of interruption," 

Akram Louaybi, 

the flag carrier's spokesman, 

said. "There will be two 

flights a week between the 

two cities," he said. 

An Indian diplomat in 

Baghdad said the flights 

would be operated every Friday 

and Monday, taking off 

from Baghdad to the Iraqi 

holy city of Najaf and onward 

to Mumbai. 

The diplomat further said 

that the Indian Embassy issued 

an average of 200 visas 

a day to Iraqis wanting to go 

to India for medical, professional 

or educational reasons. 

Air links between the 

two cities were cut in 1991. 

— AFP

Wade hits maiden ton 

as Australia rally 

AUSTRALIA’S Matthew Wade hits a shot during the second day of the third Test against 

the West Indies in Roseau, Dominica, yesterday. — AFP 

ROSEAU, Dominica — 

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade 

struck a sparkling maiden Test 

century as Australia rallied to 

328 all out before lunch on the 

second day of the third and 

final Test against West Indies 

yesterday. 

Wade made 106 from 146 

balls, including 10 fours and 

three sixes, and his positive 

approach paid off in a 102run 

partnership with Ben 

Hilfenhaus which transformed 

Australia's first innings after 

they had struggled to 212 for 

seven. 

West Indies off-spinner 

Shane Shillingford ended with 

six wickets for 119 runs, his 

best return in Test cricket although 

his celebrations were 

muted after he and the rest of 

the Caribbean attack struggled 

in the morning session. 

The early run out of Mitchell 

Starc (35) offered the possibility 

of a swift elimination 

of the tail but, as in the first 

PUNE — Delhi Daredevils 

avenged their Ferozeshah Kotla 

defeat by Pune Warriors 

by thrashing them by eight 

wickets in the Indian Premier 

League (IPL) at the Subrata 

Roy Sahara Stadium here 

yesterday. 

Tight bowling by the 

Daredevils restricted Pune to 

146 for two, openers Saurav 

Ganguly and Jesse Ryder falling 

for nothing before Manish 

Pandey (80 not out) and Robin 

Uthappa (60 not out) gave 

their side something to bowl 

at with their 145-run stand. 

The target was too meagre for 

Delhi and they raced to victory 

with 25 balls to spare. 

Skipper Virender Sehwag 

went about chasing the target 

in a business-like fashion. The 

Delhi dasher's untimely fall in 

the previous match between 

the two teams had cost his 

side the match. He and Kevin 

Pietersen (27) more or less 

settled the issue after a wellset 

Mahela Jayawardene (18) 

got run out. 

The Pune Warriors were 

left spellbound by Sehwag's 

onslaught, cracking 87 off 48 

balls with ten fours and three 

towering sixes. 

It was a one-man show as 

Sehwag smashed the Pune 

bowlers all around the park. 

He was particularly severe 

on Luke Wright, playing his 

first game this season, and his 

close friend Ashish Nehra. 

Earlier, electing to bat, 

Pune lost big-hitting Ryder, 

who scored a match-winning 

86 off 58 balls at Kotla, for 

nought in the first over. He 

was castled by Irfan Pathan 

with the second ball of the 

match. 

Test in Barbados, the Australian 

lower order showed their 

quality. 

Eschewing the cautious approach 

taken by the top order 

batsmen on Monday, Wade 

went on the attack in just his 

third Test and his partnership 

with Hilfenhaus came at twice 

Monday's run-rate with the 

102 runs coming from 20.1 

overs. 

Shortly after joyfully celebrating 

his ton, the left-hander, 

who replaced Brad Haddin for 

this series, finally went when 

he carted Shillingford towards 

the mid-wicket boundary but 

Darren Bravo produced a 

magnificent catch. 

The Trinidadian was in 

danger of crossing the boundary 

rope as he took the catch 

and he smartly threw the ball 

back into the playing area, 

jumped over the line and safely 

completely the catch. 

Two balls later Shillingford, 

the first Dominican to 

Daredevils thrash 

PuneWarriors 

DELHI Daredevils captain 

Virender Sehwag plays a 

shot during the IPL match 

against Pune Warriors 

in Pune yesterday. 

Skipper Ganguly (1), too, 

left in the next over from 

Morne Morkel, holing out at 

third man. 

Brief scores: Pune Warriors 

146 for 2 in 20 overs (Manish Pandey 

80 n.o., Robin Uthappa 60 n.o.; 

I Pathan 1/23, M Morkel 1/34) lost 

to Delhi Daredevils 148 for 2 in 16 

overs (M Jayawardene 18, V Sehwag 

87 n.o.; Rahul Sharma 1/33). 

RAIN WRECKS GAME 

AT EDEN GARDENS 

The Indian Premier League 

match between Kolkata 

Knight Riders and Deccan 

Chargers at the Eden Gardens 

in Kolkata was abandoned 

yesterday without a ball being 

bowled after heavy rains, accompanied 

by thunderstorm, 

rendered the ground unplayable. 

play a Test on home soil, clean 

bowled Hilfenhaus for 19 to 

end the innings just before 

lunch. 

SCOREBOARD 

Australia 1st innings 

(29 for 1 overnight at lunch) 

E Cowan lbw Rampaul .................1 

D Warner c Powell 

b Shillingford .............50 

S Watson c Deonarine b Sammy .41 

R Ponting c Sammy 

b Shillingford .............23 

M Clarke c Barath 

b Shillingford ..............24 

M Hussey c Sammy 

b Shillingford ............10 

M Wade c Bravo b Shillingford 106 

R Harris c Baugh b Roach ............4 

M Starc run out (Brathwaite/ 

Baugh) .............35 

B Hilfenhaus b Shillingford ........19 

N Lyon (not out) ............................0 

Extras: (b-4, lb-6, w-3, nb-2) .....15 

Total: (all out; 114.5 overs) ......328 

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-84, 3-105, 

4-142, 5-157, 6-164, 7-169, 8-226, 

9-328. 

Bowling: Roach 23-5-72-1 (nb-2); 

Rampaul 24-6-65-1 (w-2); Sammy 

21-7-48-1 (w-1); Shillingford 

42.5-9-119-6; Deonarine 4-0-14-0. 

Percy, Bishen, 

Haroos and 

Babu advance 

MUSCAT — Percy Pereira, 

Bishen Singh Bhalla, 

Mohamed Haroos and Babu 

Said recorded impressive 

victories to enter the men's 

singles second round of the 

Bank Muscat-sponsored annual 

badminton tournament 

organised by ISC. 

While Percy tamed Dr 

Rajiv Khandekar 21-12, 

21-14, Bishen Singh Bhalla 

downed Sameer Korde 

21-14, 22-20, new-comer 

Mohamed Haroos stunned 

Sathisan Nair 21-18, 21-18 

and Babu Said Mohamed 

rallied to beat Mohamed 

Nayaz 14-21, 21-12, 21-16. 

In girls' section, Gauri 

Krishna beat Melita Rodrigues 

11-6, 11-1, Michelle 

Quadros outplayed Shama 

Fathima 11-2, 11-2, Nayan 

Anil beat Shriesha Sasank 

11-8, 11-6, Safa Fathima 

downed Rochelle Quadros 

11-2, 11-2, Gayathri Krishna 

thrashed Aparna 11-2, 11-4 

and Evelyn Francis bested 

Sherebanoo Riyaz 11-8, 

11-4. In the boys' u-17 roundrobin, 

Abel Isaac bettered 

Shreyas Srinagesh 21-16, 

21-8 and Percy Coelho routed 

V Sachin 21-4, 21-7 while 

Shreyas Srinagesh beat Rakshit 

Naidu 21-3, 21-1 victory 

over in the boys’ u-15. 

Markaz Al Bahja 

Chess on April 27 

MUSCAT — The April edition 

of the Markaz Al Bahja 

Open Chess Tournament is 

slated to be held on April 27. 

Registration starts at 2:00 

pm. For further information 

contact Shan 92277539. 

LONDON — Host nation 

Great Britain will kick off 

the Olympic football tournament 

against Senegal at Manchester 

United's Old Trafford 

ground on July 26 following 

the draw made at Wembley 

here yesterday. 

Senegal became the final 

men's team to clinch their 

place in the tournament when 

they beat Oman 2-0 in a playoff 

in Coventry, central England, 

on Monday. 

Britain, who qualified as 

hosts, have also been drawn 

alongside Uruguay and the 

United Arab Emirates in 

Group 'A'. 

Both Uruguay and Senegal 

could call on Premier League 

players — Newcastle strike 

duo Demba Ba and Papiss 

Cisse are both Senegalese 

while Liverpool forward Luis 

Suarez is from Uruguay. 

The men's teams are made 

up of under-23 players with 

three over-age players permitted 

per squad. 

Brazil, tipped for gold 

in the absence of title holders 

Argentina, were drawn 

against Egypt, Belarus and 

New Zealand. 

In all 16 teams in the men's 

event will be split into four 

groups, with the top two from 

each qualifying for the quarterfinals. 

Unlike most other Olympic 

events, which will take 

place in London, organisers 

have tried to make the football 

tournament a truly British 

competition by spreading 

games around the country. 

So as well as playing the 

UAE at Wembley on July 29, 

Pearce's men will also face 

Uruguay in the Welsh capital 

Cardiff on August 1. 

18 SPORT 



Britain kick off 

Olympic soccer 

against Senegal 

Former England captain 

David Beckham, who played 

a leading role in the campaign 

to bring the Olympics to his 

home city of London, could 

feature in the British team as 

an over-age player in what is 

primarily an under-23 tournament. 

Scottish, Welsh and Northern 

Irish football chiefs remain 

adamantly opposed to 

their players taking part in a 

British Olympic team, fearing 

it could be the first step on 

the road to extinction as independent 

football nations. 

The squad may not reflect 

every home nation and celebrity 

but they will be the best 

18 players who have the best 

opportunity to deliver a gold," 

said Pearce. "That's my only 

criteria." 

In the women's tournament, 

Britain will be up 

against female football superpower 

Brazil in their group 

phase. 

Men's tournament: 

Group 'A': Great Britain, 

Senegal, United Arab Emirates, 

Uruguay; Group 'B': 

Mexico, South Korea, Gabon, 

Switzerland; Group 'C': 

Brazil, Egypt, Belarus, New 

Zealand; Group 'D': Spain, 

Japan, Honduras, Morocco. 

(Note: The top two teams 

from each group go through 

to the quarterfinals). 

Women's tournament: 

Group 'E': Great Britain, 

New Zealand, Cameroon, 

Brazil; Group 'F': Japan, 

Canada, Sweden, South Africa; 

Group 'G': USA, France, 

Colombia, North Korea. 

(Note: The top two teams 

from each group and the two 

best third-placed teams qualify 

for the quarterfinals). 

Amru Bin Aljamooh 

School win Sadolin title 

AMRU Bin Aljamooh School edged Anas Bin Alnadhir 

School 4-3 in the final of the fourth edition of the Sadolin 

Schools Football Tournament played on Monday. The 

tournament with eight participating schools — three from 

Batinah and five from Muscat Governorate — was kicked 

off on April 10. The semifinals were held on Saturday. 

Al Faisal lift National Gas Cup 

AL FAISAL won the National Gas Cup cricket 

tournament recently, beating Al Hail Challengers by 32 

runs in the final. Replying to Al Faisal's 70 for five, Al 

Hail Challengers managed only 38 for six in six overs. The 

tournament was sponsored and organised by National Gas 

Company SAOG, and the prize distribution was held at 

Grill House, Airport Branch with Goutam Sen, CEO of 

NGC being the chief guest. Other award winners were: Al 

Faisal's Irfat (best batsman and man of the series), skipper 

Manoj (best bowler) and Adnan (man of the final). 

Bangladesh beat Oman 6-3 

to clinch AHF Cup 

OMAN hockey team that finished runners-up in the AHF Cup in Bangkok yesterday. 

MUSCAT — Bangladesh clinched the AHF 

Cup beating Oman 6-3 in the final in Bangkok, 

Thailand yesterday. 

According to information received here, it 

was the second consecutive time Bangladesh 

have won this hockey tournament. 

Krishna Kumar struck thrice, Mamunur 

Rahman Chayan netted two and Iqbal Nadir 

Prince scored once for Bangladesh who dominated 

the first half and lead 3-1. 

Bangladesh had reached the final eliminating 

Sri Lanka 5-3 in the second semifinal on 

Monday. Penalty corner specialist Mamunur 

Rahman Chayan struck twice from penalty 

Oman face Malaysia in Davis Cup 

MUSCAT — Oman will face 

Malaysia in the Asia/Oceania 

Zone Group III Davis Cup 

tournament to be played in 

Tehran today, the draws for 

which were held yesterday. 

Besides Oman, the other 

seven teams vying for top 

honours are Bangladesh, Iran, 

Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malay- 

Muscat Hills 

launches its 

new website 

MUSACT — The Muscat 

Hills Golf and Country Club 

team is launching its brand 

new website dedicated especially 

to the Golf Club 

with address: www.muscathillsgolf.com. 

The new web page has a 

new modern look, it is comprehensive, 

user-friendly, 

informative and handy for 

all visitors and members of 

the club. The new look and 

content of the website now 

respond to the standards and 

vision Muscat Hills Golf and 

Country Club sets and suits 

all positive changes that has 

been done on the course, 

the practice area and the 

clubhouse in the past eight 

months. 

Muscat Hills is continually 

improving its facilities, 

fixtures and marketing to 

meet the expectations and 

requirements of its current 

members and corporate partners. 

Stosur breezes 

into 2nd round 

STUTTGART — US Open 

winner Samantha Stosur 

breezed into the second 

round of the Stuttgart's WTA 

clay-court tournament yesterday. 

seeing off China's 

Shuai Peng in straight sets. 

The 28-year-old Australian, 

No 5 seed, needed less 

than an hour to see off China's 

Shuai Peng 6-2, 6-2. 

French qualifier Alize 

Cornet will face secondseed 

Maria Sharapova in the 

second round after her 6-3, 

6-4 win over Russia's Anna 

Chakvetadze. — AFP 

sia, Syria and Vietnam. 

The teams have been divided 

into two groups and after 

a round-robin contest, the 

top two from each group will 

progress to a new ‘promotion’ 

pool. Oman has been placed 

along with Malaysia, Syria 

and Bangladesh. Iran, Kuwait, 

Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam com- 

MADRID — Real Madrid are 

confident a hostile home support 

can help them overturn a 

2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich 

today in the second-leg 

of their Champions League 

semifinal. 

Portuguese star Cristiano 

Ronaldo spoke of the importance 

of the crowd at the 

Santiago Bernabeu after edging 

his side closer to their first 

Spanish league title in four 

years on Saturday with the decisive 

goal in a 2-1 win over 

Barcelona. 

"I hope the Bernabeu gets 

the first goal. The crowd has 

to be ready from the minute 

we go on the pitch because 

we feel their influence. It's a 

big match and if we have the 

crowd's support we'll be full 

of confidence," he said. 

"We know from the first 

game that Bayern are going to 

play on the counter-attack and 

they'll have a lot of respect for 

us in our own stadium." 

After a tight first leg decided 

in Bayern's favour by 

a Mario Gomez goal in the 

90th minute, every little detail 

is going to count as these two 

giants — with 13 European 

Cups between them — go 

head to head again. 

Saturday's victory in the 

Clasico will lift Madrid as 

they attempt to reach their 

first Champions League final 

since 2002, when they 

beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at 

Hampden to lift a record ninth 

continental crown. 

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho 

kept quiet after the Barcelona 

match, as is his custom 

of late in league games, perhaps 

to consider the important 

question of whether or not 

corners in the 26th and 39th minutes while 

Kamruzzaman Rana, Krishna Kumar and captain 

Rassell Mahmud Jimi scored a field goal 

each in the 11th, 57th and 69th minutes. 

Oman had edged past Chinese Taipei 2-1 

goals in the first semifinal at the same venue. 

Bangladesh earlier booked a seat for the 

semifinal as the Group 'B' toppers, winning all 

three matches while Oman also reached the 

semifinals as the Group 'A' leaders with an allwin 

record. 

As finalists both the teams have earned the 

right to play in the final round of next year’s 

Asia Cup. 

prises the other group. 

In a friendly match against 

Vietnam yesterday, Oman’s 

Khalid al Nabhani and Mohammed 

al Nabhani won 6-1 

and 6-4 respectively against 

their Vietnamese opponents. 

The last two teams in the 

competition here will get relegated 

to Group IV. 

Madrid confident of 

overturning deficit 

to continue with a winning 

team. 

The same eleven that 

started at the Camp Nou lost 

in Germany last week, and 

he has options if he believes 

three big games in little over 

a week are too much for some 

of his players. 

Brazilians Kaka and 

Marcelo and Argentinian 

striker Gonzalo Higuain could 

all be used from the start to 

freshen things up. 

Bayern accepted defeat in 

their own domestic battle to 

catch Borussia Dortmund at 

the top of the Bundesliga before 

the first-leg with Madrid. 

For that reason coach Jupp 

Heynckes, who led Madrid to 

their seventh European title 

in 1997-98, was able to make 

eight changes to his team for 

the 2-1 win at Werder Bremen 

on Saturday. 

"Playing every third or 

fourth day isn't easy, which is 

why I rotated my squad," said 

Heynckes, who also coached 

in Spain at Athletic Bilbao 

and Tenerife. 

"I'm satisfied with our attitude 

and determination. We 

deserved the win, it will be 

morale-boosting, and we go 

to Madrid full of confidence 

and belief. We're always capable 

of scoring away from 

home so I'm optimistic." 

Heynckes will look for 

inspiration in his club's superior 

record over Madrid 

in European Cup semifinals, 

with Bayern having won 

three of the sides' four meetings, 

including their last clash 

in 2001. 

Madrid's only success was 

in 2000. — AFP

19 SPORT 



Murray progresses in Barcelona 

BARCELONA — Andy Murray 

continued to apply polish 

to his clay-court tennis as the 

second seed reached the third 

round of the Barcelona Open 

with a comfortable defeat of 

Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-3, 6-2 

yesterday. 

Murray, playing the tournament 

for only the third time, 

secured his second career win 

at the Real Club de Tenis in 78 

minutes. 

The world No 4 now stands 

4-0 over Stakhovsky, a Ukrainian 

journeyman ranked 68th. 

Murray next plays either 

Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 

of Dutchman Robin Haase, a 

Monte Carlo quarterfinalist. 

The 2010 champion Fernando 

Verdasco also won a 

second-round encounter after 

a bye, with the Spanish ninth 

seed defeating Belgian Steve 

Darcis 6-3, 6-1. 

Verdasco didn't bother to 

defend his title in 2011 after 

a dispute with the organiser 

but is now back in the Spanish 

fold. 

In the first round, Portugal's 

Frederico Gil scored an 

upset as he took out 12th seed 

Marcel Granollers of Spain 

6-2, 6-2 while No 13 South 

African Kevin Anderson was 

untroubled by Malek Jaziri of 

Tunisia 6-2, 6-3. 

Australian Bernard Tomic, 

seeded 15th, dominated fading 

Latvian Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 

6-4 on to make a winning debut 

at the event. 

Tomic, at 19 the youngest 

man in the field in the Cata- 

lan capital, spent 67 minutes 

in handing one-time prodigy 

Gulbis another ATP disappointment. 

Six-time champion Rafael 

Nadal will attempt to 

pick up where he left off at 

the weekend after winning an 

eighth straight Monte Carlo 

title when he opens after a bye 

against compatriot Guillermo 

Garcia-Lopez, a winner over 

Olivier Rochus of Belgium 

6-3, 6-3. 

Results: 1st round: Andy 

Murray (GBR x2) bt Sergiy Stakhovsky 

(UKR) 6-3, 6-2; Mikhail 

Kukushkin (KAZ) bt Daniel Gimeno 

(ESP) 6-2, 6-3; Bernard 

Tomic (AUS x15) bt Ernests Gulbis 

(LAT) 6-3, 6-4; Kevin Anderson 

(RSA x13) bt Malek Jaziri (TUN) 

6-2, 6-3; Frederico Gil (POR) bt 

Marcel Granollers (ESP x12) 6-2, 

6-2; Igor Andreev (RUS) bt Diego 

Junqueira (ARG) 6-2, 6-3; Guillermo 

Garcia-Lopez (ESP) bt Olivier 

Rochus (BEL) 6-3, 6-3; Victor 

Hanescu (ROM) bt Rui Machado 

(POR) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5); Albert Ramos 

(ESP) bt Andreas Beck (GER) 

4-1, retired. — AFP 

Le Guen proud of Oman’s performance 

From A Seshagiri Rao 

in Coventry 

THE Omanis should not 

be ashamed of their defeat 

to Senegal in the 

final play-off for the London 

Olympics. Instead they should 

be proud of their achievement, 

said coach Paul le Guen. 

Speaking to the media after 

Oman’s Olympic qualification 

dream was ended in a 2-0 

loss to the African side at the 

City of Coventry Stadium on 

Monday night, the Frenchman 

said: “There is nothing to be 

ashamed of the loss to Senegal. 

Of course we are disappointed 

with the result. But I 

am proud of the way the boys 

performed.” 

“What made it difficult for 

us was the early goal,” he said 

referring to Ibrahima Balde’s 

second minute header which 

put the Senegalese ahead before 

Abdoulaye Sane sealed 

the victory in the 88th minute. 

“We created many chances 

but failed to utilise them as 

we lacked efficiency in front 

of the goal. At the same time 

I should say we were unlucky 

not to score against Senegal,” 

he added. 

Asked whether star striker 

Abdulaziz al Maqbali was not 

fully fit to play against Senegal, 

he said: “He was not fit 

for the Uzbekistan match (final 

Asian play-off played in 

Vietnam). But he was ready 

for today’s match.” 

Le Guen had to replace the 

off-colour Sohar striker with 

Hamood al Saadi in the 61st 

minute. 

He also said it was difficult 

for his boys to defend against 

a tall and strong Senegal forwards. 

The Frenchman, who will 

now shift his attention to the 

senior national team who will 

participate in the final Asian 

qualifications for the 2014 

World Cup, said: “Oman need 

to be more professional. They 

have to train, play and live 

like professionals. We have 

improved but we have to carry 

on with the good work.” 

Meanwhile, Senegal’s assistant 

coach Alou Cisse said: 

“This is the first time we have 

made it to the Olympics. And 

it's a great honour to be representing 

the African continent 

at the Olympics. 

Speaking about Oman, he 

said: “They are a very good 

side. We have taken them very 

seriously after studying their 

game in the past matches. 

We know they had excellent 

strikers but there were certain 

weaknesses in the defence 

which we wanted to exploit. 

“Today we had the advantage 

in the counterattack.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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