Companies Vying to Construct Wastwater Treatment Plant in Oman

As the September deadline for submission for proposals to build Haya Water’s Amerat water treatment plant approaches, at least 33 bidders are vying for the contract.

Construction to Begin by End of 2012

The contract to construct the 18,000 cubic meter capacity waste-water treatment plant is expected to be awarded sometime in the second quarter of 2012. It is most likely that actual construction of the plant will begin about 6 months after the contract is awarded, and building it will take upwards of 30 months before it is finished.

In a statement from Haya Water it is expected that the treatment plant’s capacity should serve the community for the next 15-20 years at the current and projected rate of population growth and development.

Amerat Plant Key to Region’s Development

The chief executive officer of Haya Water, Omar al Wahaibi explained that the further development of the whole sewer system of the wilayat region will depend greatly on the construction of the Amerat wastewater treatment plant.

In the early stages of the running of the plant, private interests will be in charge, with Haya Water only taking over full management at some point in the future.

Oman to Streamline Job Searches Electronically

Using the latest methods in information of technology, the government of Oman, through the Ministry of Manpower, announced its plans to establish an electronically based system to help job hunters find employment suited to their particular skills and training.

This decision is only the latest in a series of moves designed to help shrink the gap which exists between what the labor market in Oman requires and what job-seekers have to offer.
The plan to create the e-employment data base was announced this past Sunday by the Minister of Manpower, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Bakri. The project is called the National e-Employment System and will be developed in partnership between the Information Technology Authority (ITA) and the main entity in Oman that conducts the census.

Minister Bakri explained that the system will be able to give job-seekers information about job openings which are well suited to that individual’s educational level and skill set. Omanis who are unemployed can register on-line for the service on the web site of the Ministry of Manpower and then be able to look at the database which will list both public and private sector job openings which are compatible with the person’s abilities and knowledge.

An added advantage of the e-Employment system will be its ability to offer advice to those looking for jobs on what kind of training they might need to improve their professional skills.
Training programs will be offered to job-seekers through the ministry utilizing its extensive network of vocational schools and colleges as well as through private training providers with the help of government financial support.

The program is part of Oman’s goal to find work for unemployed Omanis as a response to the demands of protestors in Oman earlier this year. So far, under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos, the government has created 50,000 job openings for unemployed nationals, and hopes to continue on to more successful lowering of Oman’s rate of unemployment.

Mitsubishi Oman Creates Family Atmosphere in Showroom During Ramadan

Ramadan is drawing to a close, and as it does, the staff at Mitsubishi Oman is reflecting on the “family” atmosphere which the company created during the holy month.

Away From Real Families

Due to the later evening hours that the staff was required to work during the month of Ramadan, employees spent more hours than usual away from their families. But this was not as large a problem has it could have been, considering that employees working at the Muscat Mitsubishi showroom felt that they were together with their “second” family during the special time of year.

The three employees at the the showroom explained that Ramadan is the busiest time of year for selling cars in Oman, and the work load and customer interfacing are stressful, but because of the positive and upbeat attitude of the co-workers, it was enjoyable to explain the special qualities which Mitsubishi cars and SUVs exhibit.

One of the staff, Waleed Al Hosni explained:

“The great team we have here at Mitsubishi makes me feel that I am with my family whether it is in or out of Ramadan and that compensates a great deal for being away from your family in the evenings during this time of year.

“And even though the showroom is much busier we really enjoy the work and do not feel we are working harder than at other times of year. As a team I also feel that we work even closer together as we are all sharing the spirit of Ramadan at this special time of year.”

Manager Pleased with Staff, Too

General Manager of Mitsubishi Oman, Mark Tomlinson commented on the strong commitment and great enthusiasm that his staff exhibited during Ramadan:

“Every year I am delighted by the response of our staff to working the evening shift in particular until Midnight and the enthusiasm and commitment of all our staff – especially the many Omanis who are working in the showroom and dealing with our customers during what is the busiest time of the year.

“As Eid approaches I would like to thank all of our staff across Mitsubishi Oman for their tremendous support and hard work in helping to make Ramadan a great success once again.”

BankDhofar Takes Second Place in Bowling Championship

Bowling Team 2011

BankDhofar was just one among ten different regional banks taking part in the Bowling Championship for Banks which happened on Wednesday, August 24, at the Al Masa Mall Bowling Hall in Al Shati in Muscat.

The executive president of the Central Bank of Oman, H.E. Hamood Sangoor Al Zadjali was on hand as an honored guest, while bank representative Mr. Hani Habbib Macki, AGM for Strategy and Planning also was in attendance.

The goal of the Championship tournament was to create a positive social setting for bankers of different companies to be able to communicate and share ideas while also becoming better acquainted with one another.

The tournament is an annual event which is one component of a series of activities specially organized during the month of Ramadan.

BankDhofar hosts a wide variety of events which are directed towards encouraging employee motivation, spirit and morale. The range of activities varies from sports to workshops and courses plus entertainment. All the events contribute to building a well-functioning team with a strong and positive work culture.

Pirates Hijack Ship While Anchored Near Oman Coast

MT Fairchem Bogey

In an incident which observers fear may be an indication of a dangerous trend towards escalation of piracy on the high seas, the oil tanker MT Fairchem Bogey was hijacked while at anchor off the Salalah coast of Oman this past Saturday.

No Safe Place Left

Piracy of merchant ships has been a growing problem for businesses which rely on sea transport for the delivery of their goods. Until now, however, ships were considered to be safe while anchored adjacent to ports. With this latest incident in Oman the feeling among those involved in sea trade is that there may be no safe place left for ships.

On Saturday the pirates, who are believed to be Somali nationals, boarded the MT Fairchem, took the crew of 21 Indian nationals hostage, and forced the crew to sail the ship to an unnamed island off the coast of Somalia.

Fearless Pirates

The director general of shipping, Satish Agnihotri said,

“Earlier, pirates were found to carry out attacks on ships sailing in the high seas but now we find that even at places near the port or the coast, where ships are anchored and considered safe by seafarers, pirates are fearlessly carrying out attacks. It could be the first such case but is very alarming. Despite deployment of forces in the high seas, pirates are not stopping their operations and are going a step ahead by carrying out attacks like this one.”

Watching Ship’s Movements

The Anglo Ship Management Private Limited, the ship management company of the MT Fairchem, informed the Directorate General (DG) of Shipping of the hijacking on Saturday. The DG in turn brought the incident to the attention of several maritime security services, such as the Navy, Coast Guard and special forces, as well as the navies of other nations. There has been an international call for various agencies and countries to close observe the movements of the ship and constantly keep watch on the vessel’s trajectory.

“We have information about where the pirates are taking the vessel to but they cannot be intercepted until they reach their destination as they have 21 crew members hostage and their life could be under threat. We are waiting once they reach their destination and then start communication from their side so that negotiations and talks could be done for the release of the captured vessel and crew members,” said Agnihotri.

Oman Economy Grows as Inflation Lessens

Recent reports publicized in Oman have revealed a growth of 11.8% over the past three quarters. During the first quarter of this year, the country saw a 15.3% increase in economy as a result of strong oil prices, while inflation dwindled towards the lower end of the Central Bank’s prediction.

“This is a good performance given the unrest in the first quarter, although much of the nominal growth could be accounted for by higher oil prices,” said Liz Martins of HSBC. “The key will be whether this feeds through to job creation, particularly among Omani nationals.”

Following some major jumps in GDP, protests have encouraged Sultan Qaboos bin Said to pledge $2.6 billion in spending in April, as well as to create 50,000 new jobs.

An official from Central Bank recently predicted a 5% increase in Oman’s economy, and the Internatinal Monetary Fund calculated that Oman’s real GDP did in fact rise above 4.2%.

Booz and Company Encourages Trade, Investment and Common Currency in GCC Countries

According to Booz and Company, countries in the GCC region would benefit greatly from cross-border trade and investment, as well as from a single common currency.

The Ideation Centre, the company’s Middle East think tank, recently stated that any progress made so far is a result of individual efforts instead of a coordinated effort of the region.

Hatem Samman of Ideation Centre said “There has been progress but more could be done to bring more benefits. There is still a lot of focus on the individual but if you complement that with an integrated view, it will do the region good.”

According to the report, the 2010 withdrawal “of the UAE and Oman from the proposed common currency is a major setback to its creation. It is difficult to imagine a monetary union and currency regime that excludes two of the GCC’s members.”

Still, despite the common currency issue, cross-border trade and international investment have been growing in the GCC countries, including Oman.

Just recently, the Oman-India Investment Fund Muscat announced its plans to expand a number of its projects. According to HE Anil Wadhwa, trade between the two countries has surpassed $4.5 billion.

“We have registered impressive growth if you look at the figures for bilateral trade in 2006 which were less than $750 million. India ranked as the fifth largest source of imports into Oman. In 2010, India ranked second among the destinations of Omani non-oil exports and third among the top destinations of Omani crude oil exports,” Wadhwa said. He added that imports between the two countries are continuing to grow.

Mideast Markets Tumble After Downgrade

From Dubai to Tel Aviv, Mideast markets tumbled as news of the S&P downgrade of US credit struck its first victims.

Dubai fell 4.4 percent and Tel Aviv fell 5 percent. Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange which had opened on Saturday plunged more than 5 percent. Complicating matters was the report that Dubai’s largest builder, Arabtec posted a profit loss in Q2 of 74%. This along witht he sell off smashed Arabtec’s stock lowering 5.6 percent.

In Tel Aviv the TA-25 fell 6% and the TA 100 fell 6.5%. The Delek Group led the plunge with 7.4% loss as well as Discount Bank at 7.5% fall.

Ultra Electronics Awarded 207 Million Euro Contract in Oman

Ultra Electronics Airport Systems, the Manchester branch of global aerospace and defense technology, was recently granted a 207 million euro contract by Oman Investment Corporation. The company will provide IT systems for Oman’s two new airports; Muscat and Salalah.

Responsibilities and Ultra’s Accomplishments

Ultra Electronics will be responsible for all operational terminal systems including air control, baggage handling and passenger check-ins for the airports, which will be able to handle a capacity of 58 million passengers per year.

Aidan Douglas, managing director of the project, said “This award is an affirmation of Ultra’s expertise and experience in large scale systems integration and special airport systems projects.”

He continued, stating that the company’s “past successes and continuing engagements with the BAA, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Shanghai Pudong contributed significantly.”

The airports, once completed, will create 450 employment opportunities.

Graduation Ceremony of Newest RAO Soldiers

Last Wednesday the Royal Army of Oman held a graduation ceremony to honor the newest recruits now serving in the Sultan’s Armed Forces.

Held at Training Battalion Grounds

The ceremony was held at the Training Battalion Ground and held under the auspices of the commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman Air Vice Marshal Yahya bin Rasheed bin Rashid Al Juma.

The fresh graduates conducted several military exercises and training displays for the guests in attendance while the musical band of the RAO played along. In an amazing display of synchronization the new recruits placed their rifles into an array which displayed the name of the Royal Army of Oman.

Prizes Awarded

The soldiers were later presented with prizes and awards to those who had distinguished themselves during their training. Soldiers were granted awards in different areas of expertise and success.

The commander of the RAFO addressed the recruits with words of praise for their high level of training and the work accomplished by the SAF Training Battalion.

The ceremony ended with the soldiers chanting the RAO anthem. Then they took the oath to swear loyalty to the army, and then chanted three times,

“Long Live His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.”