Raajneeti filmstars at Mistal

Mistal, the designer watch boutique known for its exclusive clientele added Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Sarah Thompson, three of Indian cinema’s most loved superstars, to its list of admirers. Mistal sponsored a special event where an Omega Men’s Double Eagle Constellation fetched RO10,000, in an auction, the proceeds of which went to charity. The Omega box signed by all the stars who visited Mistal was auctioned by Arjun Rampal and Ranbir Kapoor and was picked up by a lady admirer in the audience. In town for a special screening of Prakash Jha’s political drama “Raajneeti”, the stars, known for their immaculate taste, put in their efforts towards raising funds towards charity. The funds raised from the gala dinner and special screening will go to Dar al-Atta, an Indian school in Jalan, as well as director Prakash Jha’s NGO Anubhuti, which is working towards building a 1200-bed hospital in the northern Indian state of Bihar.

 
Rare honour as BankMuscat enters ‘Forbes Global 2000’

BankMuscat has achieved a rare distinction, becoming the first and only corporate entity from Oman to be listed in ‘The Forbes Global 2000’ featuring the biggest and most powerful listed companies of the world. The prestigious ranking of the corporate titans of the world places the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate in a league of its own. AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive, says: “BankMuscat is immensely proud to be ranked among the world’s top corporates. The recognition is all the more creditable as this is the first time an Omani corporate is making it to the ‘Forbes Global 2000’. The bank is the recipient of almost all the prestigious foreign, regional and local awards. ‘The Forbes Global 2000’ ranking, however, takes the bank notches above to an unrivalled position in Oman as well as the region. The recognition clearly focuses on the global best practices pursued by the bank.”

 
Oxygen wins award for Haya Water’s campaign

After winning a Silver Award last year, Oxygen, the advertising agency, has now won another Summit International Silver Award, this time in the Green Marketing Category for its client Haya Water. This year’s Summit International Creative Awards, recognised worldwide as the industry’s most coveted awards, drew over 5000 entries from 24 countries in the Creative Competition in different categories. With Haya Water, the challenge was to create awareness and correct the perceptions in the minds of people about Haya Water’s activities and to let them know about the great efforts being made by the company for the benefit of the Muscat governorate.

 
Oman Air celebrates flights to Pakistan

Samad Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman celebrated its recently launched flights to Lahore and Islamabad with gala events hosted by the management of Oman Air. In Islamabad, the occasion was held at Serena Hotel, whereas in Lahore, the Pearl Continental hotel hosted the function. A large number of Arab diplomats and the elite of both the destinations attended the dinner cocktail functions. Leaders of the travel and aviation industries were present too. Commenting on the launch of operations, Peter Hill, Oman Air’s CEO said, “I am very pleased to finally be able to open this route officially. Lahore and Islamabad represents our 36th and 37th destinations respectively, and Oman Air’s second and third destination in Pakistan, after Karachi.”

 
BankDhofar bags ‘Euromoney’ award

BankDhofar has been named “Best Bank in Oman” by pre-eminent international finance magazine Euromoney. The awards were presented at the 2010 Euromoney Middle East Awards for Excellence in Beirut, attended by top banking executives from the Middle East. In recognising BankDhofar for the award of “Best Bank in Oman”, Euromoney editor Clive Horwood highlighted BankDhofar’s “impressively consistent profit growth and the increased size of its loan book. There are also signs that this success is allowing the bank to expand more rapidly”.

 
Panasonic’s new range of cameras, camcorders

Panasonic launched its new range of Lumix digital cameras and full-HD camcorders for the Oman market featuring the unique Panasonic technology. The features of the Lumix cameras included Intelligent Resolution Technology, power OIS (Optical Image Stabiliser), High Definition video recording, and GPS technology backed up with the high quality Leica lens, the new sophisticated and stylish Lumix range is suitable to every level of photographer. The semi-professional and Full-HD camcorders in the market feature a Full HD 1080 progressive recording and easy-to-use LCD touch screen interface.

 
LG unveils world’s first Full LED 3D TV

LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in the flat panel display and audio-video devices market, announced today the launch of the LX9500, the world’s first Full LED 3D TV. Delivering a picture of outstanding clarity and brightness on LF’s innovative Infinia design, the LX9500, a two time award winner at this year’s CES and a winner of the reddot design award 2010, introduces an entirely new world of 3D TV viewing. Thanks to its superb picture quality, the LX9500 offers a 3D experience unlike any other, where instead of just watching scenes, you can actually be part of them, says V R Dilip, CEO, OTE group of companies, the exclusive distributor of LG TVs in Oman.

 
NBO expands branch, ATM network

The National Bank of Oman (NBO) opened more branches and ATMs than any other bank in the country in 2009. In the recent past, more than 10 branches and 33 ATMs and Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs), have been opened. NBO’s ATM footprint has grown by 37 ATMs covering key locations across the Sultanate.

In addition, to its ongoing branch and ATM expansion, the bank also witnessed refurbishment of its branches offering ‘high standard’ ‘quality look’. The ‘Q-Matic’ System has also been introduced in major branches, to handle customers in a more organised and systematic way.

 
‘At Eye Level’ art exhibition held

The Indian Embassy and Art Select gave leading male and female artists from India and the Middle East an opportunity to express the strength of their gender through paintings in ‘At Eye Level’, a themed exhibition held at the Indian Embassy auditorium. Seventeen artists from the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Russia showcased their art, communicating their individual and combined qualities to viewers, addressing a variety of themes where gender is pertinent, such as society, culture, politics and religion.