Public warned of rising fraud - Oman Daily Observer

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2013
OMAN
5
Big turnout for walkathon
in support of Alzheimer’s
MUSCAT — Around 1,000 people participated
in the 'Your Mind Matters; Remember
2013' walkathon held yesterday, aimed at
generating awareness on Alzheimer's disease,
healthy life style and road safety.
Approximately 3.2 kilometre
walkathon, which took place on the
outskirts of the Sultan Qaboos Sports
Stadium, Bausher, saw people from all
walks of life, including those affected
by Alzheimer's disease and their families,
students from SQU, Indian School
Muscat and Indian School Al Ghubrah
walking for the cause.
The walk was initiated by the Chief
Guest Khalfan al Naabi, Under-Secretary
Ministry of Sports Affairs.
All participants were walked the
whole distance for raising awareness
of Alzheimer's disease, which is an
irremediable, progressive brain disease
that slowly destroys memory and
thinking skills.
Prizes and gifts were distributed to
some of the lucky participants.
The walkathon was organised by the
Ageing and Dementia Research Group
at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), in
association with SQU Hospital.
The event started with welcome
address given by Dr Mohamed Essa,
Principal Investigator of Ageing and
Dementia Research group.
Dr Essa welcomed the Chief Guest
Al Naabi and Dr Abdullah Al Asmi,
DG of SQUH, sponsors, care givers,
student volunteers, press people and
all others. Dr Essa appreciated the efforts
of Dr Hamed al Senawi, Dr Ragini
Vaishnav, Roopa Koshy and members
from SQUH PR for making this event
in a success.
Dr Abdullah al Asmi, DG of SQUH
and Co-Principal Investigator of this
group, gave a speech about their
group’s research project and launched
the Oman Alzheimer's Society, which
will work towards raising awareness
on Alzheimer's disease and support to
care givers.
The "Oman Alzheimer's Society, approved
by the Ministry of Social Development,
is an initiative by the Ageing
and Dementia Research Group at
SQU is part of the Oman Association of
Friends of the Elderly.
150 Omani firms to showcase
products at Doha Trade Fair
By Kabeer Yousuf
MUSCAT — Around 100 to 150
Omani companies from diverse industries
are expected to showcase
‘made in Oman’ products at the second
edition of the Omani Products
Trade Exhibition set to be held in
Doha in November 2013.
Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister
of Commerce and Industry,
oficially kicked off preparations
for the highly-anticipated Trade
Expo at the Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (OCCI)
in the presence of high-level business
communities and other important
personalities yesterday.
Organised by the Public Authority
for Investment Promotion
and Export Development
(PAIPED) in partnership with the
OCCI and the Public Establishment
for Industrial Estates (PEIE),
the expo aims to foster enhanced
trade relations and open-up new
commercial opportunities for the
domestic manufacturers.
In the event, also attended
by Ahmed bin Hassan al Dheeb,
Under-Secretary, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Khalil al
Khonji, Chairman, OCCI and Hilal
bin Hamad al Hasani, CEO, PEIE,
along with PAIPED Board Members
and representatives from
both private and public sector
companies, Al Sunaidy honoured
participants of the Omani Products
Trade Exhibition held in Riyadh
in December 2012.
Strategies for improving market
presence and gaining both
short and long-term returns were
also highlighted during the ceremony.
The overwhelming response
and participation of more than
60 Omani companies in Riyadh in
December, prompted the organising
committee to maintain its
successful track record in making
high-proile business initiatives,
according to the organisers.
MUSCAT — Shabana Azmi, ace Indian
actress and a steadfast social activist
who drew skepticism and appreciation
alike for her stance in supporting child
survival and fighting AIDS and injustice
in real life, will be the chief guest
at this year’s three-day long Keralotsavam
(festival of Kerala) to be held
from May 1- 3, at Marah land, Qurm
Natural Park. The theme of this year
Muscat Keralotsavam is “Empower
Women to empower the society”.
Muscat Keralotsavam has
proved to be a very prestigious
event in Oman for the past 10
years, displaying a tremendous
increase in the level of participation
and bringing out talents year
after year. This has been achieved
through the endless effort from
the organisers of the show coupled
with the encouragement and
support of the spectacular audience.
Muscat Keralotsavam is
considered to be the second most
happening event in Oman after
Muscat Festival, both in terms of
level of participation and extent of
cultural activities.
The major attractions of Keralotsavam
includes an array of
MSM index adds 49 points
“The Doha Expo is going to be
even bigger and better and there
has been tremendous reposnse
from the Omani trade and industry
arenas”, Fahmy al Hinai, Deputy
Head of the Committee, said,
adding that “Around 30 MoU’s
were signed at the Saudi Trade
fair and many companies have
started establishing trade relations
by now”.
The four-day Qatar trade
show is designed to help domestic
irms make stronger inroads
into the GCC markets. Doha was
selected as the venue given the
city’s growing global reputation.
What all the interested companies
have to do is to just pay RO
1,000 and register themselves
with the Chamber to participate
in the Doha Fair. These aspiring
participants are encouraged to
contact the organising committee
to learn more about the registration
process and details pertaining
to the event.
Shabana Azmi to grace Keralotsavam
Traditional art forms of Kerala like
Panchavadyam, Chenda melam,
Maargam kali, Maappilapattu,
Thiruvathirakali, Oppana, Nadan
pattu, folk dances from different
languages and culture and such
other cultural programmes performed
by veteran artistes. There
will also be local Omani Folk dances
to enthrall the audience.
PAEW set to
launch
new facility
MUSCAT — The Public Authority of
Electricity and Water (PAEW) will inaugurate
the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
(SCADA) building in the Wilayat
of Bausher on Sunday under the auspices
Darwish bin Ismaeel al Balushi, Minister
Responsible for Financial Affairs.
SCADA aims to achieve centralised
management for water transmission
and distribution network as part of a
plan implemented by PAEW to maintain
quality and distribution of the
distributed water.
SCADA includes the supervision
and control devices for water movement
in major reservoirs, pumping
stations, pipelines, leakage monitoring
devices, software simulation and
calibration of water networks, electric
motors and sensors to measure
the water in the tank.
SCADA building consists of four
loors with area of 4,250 square meter
and contains supervision and control
system of reservoirs, pumping
stations and water networks.
Specialised GCC
health centre
MUSCAT — The Committee of Studying
the Establishment of GCC Joint Specialised
Centre in Public and Preventive
Health at the GCC Advisory Body met at
Muscat Intercontinental Hotel yesterday.
The committee is studying a
number of alternatives which will
help further develop health care in
the GCC countries. The committee
will also consider a decision to establish
GCC Joint Specialised Centre
in Public and Preventive Health, explaining
that this centre will contribute
in upgrading health in the GCC
countries.
The committee will also prepare
a draft vision to be presented in the
2nd meeting of the Advisory Body
due to be held in Muscat in May.
MUSCAT — Muscat Securities
Market (MSM) general index
30 yesterday added 49.01
point, comprising a rise of 0.80
per cent to close at 6197.93
point.
The trading value stood
at RO 13.88 million comprising
a rise of 39.45 per
cent compared to the last
session which stood at RO
9.95 million.
The market value declined
by 1.96 per cetn
since last trading to reach
about RO 12.2 billion.
The value of shares
bought by non-Omani investors
reached RO 2,557,000
comprising 18.42 per cent.
The value of shares sold
by non-Omani investors
reached RO 1,472,000 comprising
10.61 per cent.
Pakistan Navy ship
to be open to visitors
MUSCAT — Pakistan Navy
ship Shahjahan will be visiting
the Sultanate from April
13 to 17.
The ship is being commanded
by Capt Muhammad
Irfan Taj PN.
During the visit, caption
Job opportunities
seminar planned
MUSCAT — The Small and
Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Development Team in the field
of electricity and water met at
the Ministry of Manpower yesterday.
The team discussed organising
a workshop titled
"Introductory Meeting on
of the ship will hold meetings
with Oman Military
and civil authorities.
While berthed at the
Port of Salalah, the ship
will be open for visitors
and will also host a reception
dinner onboard.
Availing Job Opportunities
in Electricity and Water
Sector: Self-Employment,"
which will be held at the
College of Technology in
Shinas in May. The team
was formed as per a ministerial
decision by the Minister
of Manpower. — ONA
Assamese cultural
festival tomorrow
MUSCAT — The Assamese
community in Oman will celebrate
the Rongali Bihu on
Thursday evening at Majan
Continental Hotel Muscat.
Rongali Bihu, the most
popular festival in India’s
north-eastern state of
Assam, marks the occasion
of the Assamese New
Year and the beginning of
spring.
Priyanka Bharali, the
prominent singer of India,
will perform as a guest artist
in addition to local talents
at the traditional cultural
evening. — ONA