Oman Observer

Dhofar deputy governor receives Russian official
SALALAH — Shaikh Abdullah bin Saif al Mahrooqi, Deputy Governor of Dhofar, received here yesterday Admiral Chabanenko, Commander of the Anti-Submarine Destroyers Fleet of the Northern Naval Forces Fleet in the Russian Federation, while anchored at Salalah Port. During the meeting, which was attended by Sergey Ivanov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Sultanate, cordial conversations were exchanged and issues of common concern were discussed. — ONA

National freefall parachute team returns
MUSCAT — The national freefall parachute team of the Sultan of Oman’s Parachute division returned yesterday after taking part in Dubai International Parachuting Championship and the Gulf Cup for 2010. It was organised in the UAE on January 6 with 45 countries participating. The team has achieved advanced rankings in the competitions. The team members were received on return by Brigadier Ali bin Abdullah al Musheikhi, Director-General of Operations and Training, RAO HQs. — ONA

Finnish foreign minister begins visit
Muscat — Alexander Stubb, Finnish Foreign Minister, arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit. He will confer with senior officials and discuss means and ways of enhancing bilateral relations. The minister was received on arrival by HH Sayyid Jaifar bin Salim al Said, Head of West Europe Department, and Counsellor Nujaim bin Suleiman al Abri, Deputy Head of Protocol Department at the Foreign Ministry.

School opens in Haima
HAIMA — Haima Basic Education School opened yesterday under the auspices of Shaikh Salim bin Abdulla al Abdul Aalam, Wali of Haima.
As many as 190 students are enrolled in the school; the 4th in Wilayat of Haima. The school construction cost RO 1.1 million and consists of 12 classrooms. A second phase will add 12 other classrooms. State officials, shaikhs and dignitaries were present at the ceremony. — ONA

Majlis Ash’shura committees meet

MUSCAT — Majlis Ash’shura Economic Committee yesterday held its 2nd regular meeting of the 3rd annual session for the 6th term under the chairmanship of Dr Fua'ad bin Jafar Sajwani, Head of the Committee. During the meeting, the committee approved minutes of the previous meeting & discussed economic issues which will be the theme of its study for this session.

Official underlines importance of enhancing public-private sector ties

MUSCAT — Sayyid Hamad al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Manpower Ministry for Labour Affairs, has highlighted the importance of enhancing co-operation and co-ordination between the public and private sectors in the Sultanate in all labour fields. He pointed out that the Manpower Ministry is keen on maintaining continuous co-ordination with the Oman Chamber...

Wave tops ceramics industry brands

MUSCAT — The Wave brand of Oman Ceramics Co SAOG has been recognised as the most well known brand in the Sultanate's ceramics sector following a recent nationwide survey of the country's greatest brands by the Oman Daily Observer. Vish Natrajan, Chief Executive Officer, Oman Ceramics Co SAOG, says, “We are honoured to be ranked as the No 1 brand...

SQU-WRC to explore possibility of enhancing vegetable-fruit production

MUSCAT — Aimed at advancing in terms of food security requirements, the Water Research Centre (WRC) at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is looking into the potential of drastically increasing domestic production of vegetables and fruits in the Sultanate by utilising appropriate natural and climatic conditions of Dhofar region.

Dutch minister begins visit

MUSCAT — Maria van der Hoeven, Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit. An official session of talks will be held at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry today. The session will be chaired by Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and the Dutch minister.

Netherlands envoy donates educational toys to AEICSN

MUSCAT — It was like a shot in arm for Association of Early Intervention for Child with Special Needs (AEICSN) when Stefan Van Werch, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Sultanate, and his wife Liliane Fawzi visited the Association’s Athaiba centre early yesterday and donated a large set of new toys and tools.

GUtech participates in Higher Education Fair

MUSCAT — The German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) participated in the annual Higher Education Fair
at the Indian School Muscat yesterday. Around 600 students from grade IX to XII attended the exhibition, where local and international universities showcased their programmes.

Life is an evolution; we need to travel along with it, says A R Rahman

MUSCAT — “Life is all about evolution and we all need to travel along with it,” said Oscar winner A R Rahman here. “We have to change according to time and only then we can reach where we want to”, he added on the sidelines of the press briefing for the Jai Ho concert to be held here tomorrow. Rahman found himself atop the world by grabbing the coveted Oscars last year...