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Oil
and Gas Exhibition Centre opened
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has re-opened the expanded
Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre at Mina al Fahal. A special
ceremony to mark the event was held under the auspices of
HE Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas.
“PDO’s new Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre promises to be a
major visitor attraction in Muscat,” commented HE Rumhy.
“It is a first stop for those wanting to learn about the Sultanate’s
oil and gas industry providing an educational experience for
young and old visitors.” The whole exhibition centre has been
extensively upgraded with the introduction of a range of new
exhibits, new flat touch computer screens, a computer playground
for children and interactive videos to explain the hydrocarbon
production chain.
Formal Inauguration
Bank Sohar has formally inaugurated their branch at Jaalan
Bani Bu Ali in the Sharqiyah Region. This is the 14th branch
in the Bank’s network and the third in the A’ Sharqiyah Region.
HE Sheikh Hilal Ali Al Habsi presided over the inauguration
formalities and declared the branch open.
After the opening ceremonies, Khalfan Rashid Al Tal’ey, DGM
Retail Banking and Salim Khamis Al Maskry AGM Branches accompanied
the chief guest on a tour of the facilities that will now
be available to citizens of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali and the neighbouring
areas.
Cutting Edge Technology
 Mobile
devices are becoming a popular platform – the ‘fourth screen’
– for people to enjoy digital content and share their experiences.
High end mobile phones have evolved to multimedia computers
that offer the functionalities of many portable single-purpose
devices (camera, music player, pocket computer, GPS and
more) in a multi-purpose converged device that is always
with you and always connected.
At the forefront of this convergence is the Nokia Nseries,
which combines benefits of cutting-edge technology in one
converged device that goes wherever you go. According to
our consumer research, making phone calls represents only
12 percent of the time a Nokia Nseries device owner uses
his/her device during the day – the remaining 88 percent
is spent on other activities.
Spreading cheer among children
BankMuscat Hearts,
an informal society of BankMuscat employees who conduct
voluntary social work, recently hosted an event to interact
with children at the Association for the Welfare of Handicapped
Children. The activities mainly included decorating the
playground walls of the association by painting amusing
and educative alphabetical letters and pictures. “We were
able to get to know the needs and the way these children
live; they are talented and many of them even painted
better than we did,” commented a member of BankMuscat
Hearts. The initiative was part of efforts aimed at strengthening
the bond with physically and mentally challenged children
and creating an enjoyable atmosphere for them as BankMuscat
Hearts volunteers and their families freely mingled with
them in the fun activities.
ADINC wins award
The results
of the Oman Media Awards 2009 conceptualised and
presented by Creative Press & Publishing were revealed
at a glittering ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel
recently. The event was held under the patronage of H.H.
Seyyid Kamil Bin Fahd Al Said, Assistant Secretary
General, Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister for
Council of Ministers. Advertising International Company
(ADINC) has been adjudged the best ‘Public Relations
Agency’ in Oman for the year 2009. Bikram Sehgal,
General Manager, ADINC says, “This award is perfect
testament to our team and the work they do. To have been
selected for this prestigious award is a great honour
for any PR Agency, but for our team at ADINC it is a
milestone. This award illustrates our passion for our
clients and their public relations needs, as well as
reinstates our constant focus to do things differently.
This award inspires us to continue to represent the best
standards in public relations and communications for our
clients.”
A New Collection
Clarks has
introduced a new catalogue for its exclusive range of
Men’s collection called “Autumn Winter 2009”. The new
catalogue has different sections showcasing the winter
footwear that will complement the wearer’s choice and
taste. Exclusive to Clarks, apple tanned leather makes
its debut.For the Autumn Winter collection, the focus is
on clever design realised with uncompromising
craftsmanship. “In creating our men’s collection of
shoes and boots for the season, Clarks have developed
this theme, contrasting technical innovation with time-honoured
skills and reinterpreting classic lines with a
contemporary twist,” says Gemma Treglia, director of
design and innovation.
Muscat Pharmacy wins award
The P&G prestige
Team of Muscat Pharmacy, Perfumes & Cosmetics Division has
won the coveted ‘The Best Initiative Planning’ award by P&G
prestige products, at the recently concluded MIES
Distributors Conference at Sharm Al Sheik, Egypt. Muscat
Pharmacy was awarded the ‘Best Initiative Planning’ from
among all the distributors of Middle East and Indian Sub
Continent. This award is given for the excellent planning of
new initiatives and recognises the achievements of company
meeting the highest standards of luxury distribution and the
business and sales commitments of P&G prestige products.
Celebrating Renaissance
The Zubair
Corporation (Z-Corp) is once again unveiled a calendar it is
proud of, more so, because 2010 marks the 40th anniversary
of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ wise leadership. The calendar
is titled ‘The Rising Sun’ to signify the renaissance that
unfolded under the wise leadership of His Majesty and which
The Zubair Corporation is proud to be a part of. The front
page of the wall calendar bears the image of His Majesty the
Sultan, and also carries a quotation from his speech made at
the beginning of his rule in 1970.|
TRA organises painting, best project ideas contest
The
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Sultanate of
Oman launchedtwo competitions on a common theme of
‘Telecommunications for better Life’. The first competition
is under the title of ‘Telecommunications with Colours’, a
painting competition for students from both Basic and Public
Education schools, who follow the Ministry of Education
system. The competition is open in two categories, for 7th
to 9th Grade and 10th to 12th Grade students.
The second competition ‘Telecommunications for the Future’
is for College and University Students on ‘Best Project
Ideas’.
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January - 2010 |
| Cover
Story |
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Striking
the right note
Moulding the manpower
matters with simple solutions has never been easy. But with the ministry
getting into the act to set Omanisation in order, businesses have
to buck up. A report by Visvas Paul D Karra |
Editorial
Emerging markets emerge winners
As one looked forward to a relaxed Eid holidays, came
the shocking news of Dubai World asking its creditors for a standstill
agreement till May 2010, for restructuring debt worth $26bn. The developments
affected sentiment across the globe – stock markets across the world
fell by five per cent on fears that this could delay the economic
recovery for much longer. Moody’s and S&P immediately cut their
rating for Dubai-based government related entities and placed them
on credit watch. In a world where perceptions matter more than reality,
the crisis has given a body blow to the emirate’s reputation as a
destination of choice for tourists, investors and capital. The ramifications
of the problem goes much further than what meets the eye. |
| Other
Headlines |
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Sand Castles
The Dubai debt crisis has put a question mark on the sustainability
of the emirate’s build-and-they-will-come development model. Mayank
Singh reports |
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The coming rise in interest rates
If the US Federal reserve decides that inflation is its
greatest threat and decides to stop the pumping of cash into the banking
system then the 1994 history could repeat itself with a vengeance
in 2010 |
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Competitive regional hub
MOROCCO provides an excellent platform for reaching a
wide range of international markets due to its geographic location
and cultural ties |
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Understanding different cultures is very important
Abdul Rahman Busaidy is probably the only Omani, who looked
east by landing a top position at Jet Airways, an Indian company.
But then boundaries have never been a barrier for him, writes Visvas
Paul D Karra |
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Simplicity begets success
Taking charge of a mobile reselling company which is on
a roll is by no means an easy task, but Joakim Klingefjord, CEO of
renna, has his task cut out, finds out Visvas Paul D Karra |
|
The Yemen Question
It has become clear to GCC officials and international
observers that the collateral damage from conflicts cannot be easily
contained within Yemen’s borders |
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Emerging markets – way to go
David Bloom, Global Head of FX Research, HSBC, was in
Oman to deliver his annual address on currency movements and the outlook
on the world economy in 2010, recently. Mayank Singh catches up with
him on the sidelines of the event |
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GCC’s extraordinary hydrocarbons resources
The hydrocarbons sector largely stands behind GCC’s financial
capability. Latest estimates put the value of sovereign wealth funds
of GCC states at $1.5trn |
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A school with a difference
Professor S Sundararajan, Dean, Gulf School of Business,
shares with Mayank Singh the roadmap of the institute and how it will
contribute in fostering better management practices in Oman |
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A lifestyle statement
David Crickmore, CEO, Amouage speaks to Mayank Singh about
the brand’s foray into leather goods, its retail strategy and his
aspirations about being on the same table with internationally reputed
luxury brands like Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton |
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Pre-eminent position
OER became the first of the media to catch up with Omar
Adli Al Sharif and congratulate him on becoming a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers
Oman |
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A Success Story
Haitham M J Al Lawati just turned 30 last month but despite
his young age he has achieved success that take most people many more
years to achieve. OER chats him up to just to see how he has accomplished
such a feat |
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