XML/RSS feed to latest flights and holidays package News from Omanmood http://www.omanmood.co.uk MUSCAT — The AGCC leaders began their 29th summit here at Al Bustan Palace Hotel yesterday under the chairmanship of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-AGCC-determined.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-AGCC-determined.asp MUSCAT — The Sultanate yesterday rolled out a red carpet welcome to the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council leaders who arrived here yesterday for the 29th AGCC summit, to be held under the chairmanship of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, at Al Bustan Palace Hotel. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Hearty-welcome.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Hearty-welcome.asp MUSCAT — As Oman’s leadership, the government and people are united in seeking to ensure the success of the 29th AGCC Summit here, over 300 international journalists from all over the world have arrived in Muscat to cover the event. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Media-buzz.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Media-buzz.asp MUSCAT — Great optimism surrounds today’s AGCC Summit as the leaders of Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain get together to take their countries closer to what every citizen believes is the ultimate objective — a solid regional alliance with common political and economic goals. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Great-expectations.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Great-expectations.asp MUSCAT — On the occasion of the new Hijri year 1430 and the anniversary of the Prophet’s (pbuh) Hijra, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said exchanged greetings with the leaders of Arab and Islamic nations. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-leaders-of-Arab.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-leaders-of-Arab.asp MUSCAT — A prestigious gold medal and shield will be conferred on His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for the phenomenal achievements made by the Sultanate. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Award-for-best.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Award-for-best.asp MUSCAT — The Directorate of Public Relations, Royal Oman Police, has prohibited parking of vehicles on the service roads parallel to the following roads on account of the AGCC summit, which will be held here on December 29 and 30. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/ROP-puts-curbs.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/ROP-puts-curbs.asp MUSCAT — The non-oil Omani exports to other AGCC states rose considerably by 46.6 per cent to RO678 million during 2007 against RO462.4 million in 2006. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Omani-exports.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Omani-exports.asp MUSCAT — The ninth AGCC banking conference will be held in Manama, Bahrain, on March 24 under the theme ‘New age of global banking practices and their impact on the AGCC markets’. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-states-banking.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-states-banking.asp MUSCAT — A regional commerce body is urging Arab Gulf leaders to discuss the effect of the global financial crisis on the region and come up with an economic stimulation plan with the private sector, regional newspapers reported yesterday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-leaders.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-leaders.asp MUSCAT — Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, has ruled out any direct impact of the global financial crisis on the national economy, attributing the current decline in Muscat Securities Market (MSM) to investors’ worries and speculations on the crisis. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Macki-rules-out.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Macki-rules-out.asp MUSCAT — The Women in Business Conference, scheduled for March 30 and 31, will bring together leading entrepreneurs, professional women and students at a forum to share experiences and gain valuable insight. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Women-in-Business.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Women-in-Business.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said gave an audience at Bait Al Barakah yesterday to chairmen of the AGCC Shura and representatives of National and Ummah Councils. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Boosting-brotherly-ties.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Boosting-brotherly-ties.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a message from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh dealing with bilateral relations and regular consultations between the two brotherly countries in various fields and issues of concern. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-receives.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-receives.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, emir of Qatar, in reply to His Majesty’s greetings on the anniversary of his country’s National Day. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Sheikh-Hamad-thanks.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Sheikh-Hamad-thanks.asp MUSCAT— His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued two Royal Decrees. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Royal-decree.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Royal-decree.asp MUSCAT — The High Committee for Conferences, which met here yesterday under the chairmanship of His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, deputy prime minister for the Council of Ministers, reviewed the topics listed on the agenda of the 29th AGCC Summit to be hosted by the Sultanate on December 29 and 30. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Summit-agenda-reviewed.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Summit-agenda-reviewed.asp MUSCAT — The Arab Gulf Cooperation Council has suspended talks with the European Union over a free-trade agreement, the Arab bloc’s secretary-general said yesterday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-suspends.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-suspends.asp MUSCAT — The Internet service across Oman might be limping back to normality, but it has certainly affected a cross-section of people across the corporate ladder with the service being either non-existent or very slow. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Undersea-cable-damage.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Undersea-cable-damage.asp MUSCAT — Chairmen of the AGCC Shura, Representatives, National and Ummah Councils arrived here yesterday to take part in the second meeting of the AGCC Councils, due to commence its deliberations at Al Bustan Palace Hotel today. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-Majlis.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-Majlis.asp MUSCAT — Thousands of netizens heaved a sigh of relief as Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) said it has restored more than 50 per cent of the Internet traffic yesterday after it had provided four alternative lines to boost telecommunications services following the cut in three undersea cables last Friday as a result of an earthquake that hit Sicily in Italy and Tunisia. An official at Omantel said that the company has stepped up its efforts over the past two days to add four alternative lines for the Internet in the Sultanate to work alongside three other lines that were not affected. He indicated that the company has 16 Internet packages serving the information network, adding that 13 lines were affected during the last few days. He also said that Omantel, in cooperation with several telecom companies in the region, has managed to provide these alternative lines in order to fix the problems in the network. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Omantel-claims-restoring.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Omantel-claims-restoring.asp MUSCAT — The Central Bank of Oman said yesterday that it was reducing bank reserve requirements and raising the loan-to-deposit ratio as part of its efforts to defrost regional credit markets. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Apex-bank-eases-curbs.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Apex-bank-eases-curbs.asp BAHLA — Wadi Al Ain-Sanat Road was opened at a ceremony held at Sanat village in the wilayat of Bahla yesterday under the auspices of Sheikh Majid bin Khalifa Al Harthy, wali of Bahla, in the presence of Salim bin Mohammed Al Nuai’mi, undersecretary for transport in the Transport and Communications Ministry, members of Majlis Al Shura, officials and citizens. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Wadi-Al-Ain-Sanat.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Wadi-Al-Ain-Sanat.asp MUSCAT — An official session of talks was held between the Sultanate and the Republic of Uzbekistan at the Finance Ministry yesterday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Oman-Uzbekistan.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Oman-Uzbekistan.asp MUSCAT: Internet service in Oman and other Gulf countries was badly disrupted yesterday and Omantel officials attributed failure of undersea cables in the Mediterranean Sea for the fault. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Internet-service.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Internet-service.asp “We’re asking people to complete a simple online questionnaire and tell us what they think about locally-made goods and produce,” says Ibtisam Al Faruji, marketing director at Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) and the woman spearheading the ‘Origin Oman’ marketing campaign. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Origin-Oman.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Origin-Oman.asp MUSCAT: The Insurance Committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) organised an insurance workshop at the OCCI Sohar branch under the topic “The Challenges and Opportunities of Development in Insurance Sector”. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Introduction-of-medical.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Introduction-of-medical.asp MUSCAT — Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, said yesterday that the Sultanate would go ahead with its development plans despite the global financial crisis and its impact on the Omani economy. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Development-as-planned.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Development-as-planned.asp MUSCAT — Dr Ali bin Mohammed bin Moosa, minister of health, received in his office here yesterday Karel de Gucht, Belgian foreign minister, and the delegation accompanying him, currently visiting the Sultanate. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Moosa-Belgian-minister.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Moosa-Belgian-minister.asp MUSCAT — There can be no excuse for not dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism across the Indian border, the Indian news agencies reported yesterday quoting Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, during his New Delhi visit. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/No-excuse-for-terror.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/No-excuse-for-terror.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to Qatari Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on the occasion of his country’s National Day. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/His-Majesty-greets-Qatari.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/His-Majesty-greets-Qatari.asp MUSCAT — The global financial crisis will be at the top of the agenda of the 29th Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) Summit, to be held here on December 29 and 30. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Financial-crisis-to-top.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Financial-crisis-to-top.asp MUSCAT — Known as the market leader in detergent powder, National Detergent Company (NDC) is showcasing its household product range at the best prices. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/National-Detergent-products.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/National-Detergent-products.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said yesterday issued four royal decrees. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Royal-decree-ratifies.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Royal-decree-ratifies.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on the occasion of his country’s National Day. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-greets-Bhutan-king.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-greets-Bhutan-king.asp MUSCAT — New Year’s Eve may still be two weeks away but preparations are on in full swing in Muscat. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/On-New-Year.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/On-New-Year.asp TEHRAN — Iran President Dr Mahmoud Ahmedinejad received a message from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said yesterday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Ahmedinejad-gets.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Ahmedinejad-gets.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia in reply to His Majesty’s greetings on the 21st anniversary of November 7. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Thanks-cables.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Thanks-cables.asp MUSCAT — Majan College celebrated the accomplishment of two of its students, Ojas Bhatia and Nabeel Al Balushi, who participated and won in the Inter-College Public Speaking Competition organised by Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) on November 20, 2008. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Majan-College.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Majan-College.asp MUSCAT — A proposal by the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council labour ministers to impose a cap on expatriate workers is likely to be endorsed at the forthcoming 29th AGCC summit, according to official sources. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-summit.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-summit.asp MUSCAT — The Majlis Al Shura will review the impact of the global financial crisis on the national economy in a session on Wednesday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Majlis-session.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Majlis-session.asp MUSCAT — The Information Technology Authority of Oman (ITA) and Microsoft Corp have tied up to sponsor the Oman leg of the Gulf’s premier student technology competition — Gulf Imagine Cup 2009. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/IT-authority.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/IT-authority.asp MUSCAT — The price of Oman crude for immediate loading increased $2.33, or 5.5 per cent yesterday, to $44.45 a barrel on signs that Saudi Arabia is adhering to its Opec production cuts than thought. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Oman-crude-price.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Oman-crude-price.asp MUSCAT — The AGCC countries and Singapore will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) in Doha in the next few days. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-states.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/AGCC-states.asp OITA (Japan) — A ceremony was organised here yesterday in celebration of the launching of Liwa oil products tanker, bringing the total number of Oman Shipping Company’s tankers to 16. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Liwa-Barka-tankers.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Liwa-Barka-tankers.asp MUSCAT — The Ecumenical Church Committee, Ruwi, is organising a Christmas Carol service at St Thomas Church, Ruwi, on December 19, at 7.30pm, according to Rev. P.C. Joseph and Rev. Fr George Vadukkut, president and general convener, respectively of the committee. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Ecumenical-Carol.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Ecumenical-Carol.asp MUSCAT — Farhan Faraidooni, CEO of Sama Dubai Company, the arm for international development and real estate investment of Dubai Holding, has denied rumours about suspension of works of Salam-Yetti Project, executed by the company in the Sultanate, saying that “work on the project is on and will not be affected by the international financial crisis and will continue as scheduled”. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Global-financial-crisis.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Global-financial-crisis.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said yesterday exchanged Eid Al Adha greetings (via telephone) with His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-exchanges-Eid.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-exchanges-Eid.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from Taro Aso, Japanese prime minister, in reply to his congratulatory cable on the occasion of appointing him as prime minister. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Japanese-PM.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Japanese-PM.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of greetings from Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, chairman of the State Council, on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al Adha. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Mantheri-Isa’ee.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Mantheri-Isa’ee.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander, pardoned a number of Omani and non-Omani prisoners, who were convicted of different crimes. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-pardons.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-pardons.asp MUSCAT — The Council of Ministers affirmed that the decision taken by the Moon-Sighting Committee for the month of Dhul Hijja was accurate. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Moon-sighting-decision.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Moon-sighting-decision.asp MUSCAT — All preparations are in place at the central abattoir in Bausher to meet the Eid Al Adha rush. Speaking to Times Shouky Zedjali, an official in charge of the slaughterhouse affairs in the Muscat Municipality, said that slaughtering services had been organised into two shifts since Wednesday and would continue like that up to Eid. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Bausher-abattoir.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Bausher-abattoir.asp MUSCAT — Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) has bagged a $400 million (Rs20 billion) contract from Petroleum Development Oman http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Indian-company-wins.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Indian-company-wins.asp MUSCAT — Hamad bin Saif Al Jassas, deputy wali of Rustaq, has inaugurated the fourth outlet of Al Kawther in Rustaq. Many distinguished guests from various ministries and governmental departments attended the inaugural ceremony. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Al-Kawther-opens.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Al-Kawther-opens.asp MUSCAT — On the advent of blessed Eid Al Adha and as per the orders of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Eid holidays for ministries, public authorities and other state administrative apparatuses, will start from Monday, December 8, and end on December 13, Saturday, according to a ministerial decision issued by Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of Diwan of the Royal Court and chairman of the Civil Service Council. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Eid-Al-Adha.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Eid-Al-Adha.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued Royal Decree No. 134/2008 amending some provisions of the Telecommunications Regulatory Law. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Royal-decree-amends.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Royal-decree-amends.asp MUSCAT — Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, secretary-general of the Foreign Ministry, received here yesterday Marjata Rasi, undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland, and the delegation accompanying her, currently visiting the Sultanate. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Badr-receives.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Badr-receives.asp MUSCAT — As ordered by His Majesty the Sultan, Oman Air will send a special flight today to Bangkok to bring back the Omani passengers stranded there. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-orders.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-orders.asp MUSCAT — Japan acknowledged Oman’s contribution in promoting business ties between the two countries. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Top-Japanese.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Top-Japanese.asp MUSCAT — ‘Renna’ — the newest mobile service provider on the block from the stable of Majan Telecommunications — was unveiled at The Chedi, Muscat yesterday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Renna-unveils.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Renna-unveils.asp MUSCAT — An official session of talks was held between Oman and Russia at the State Council here yesterday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Oman-Russia.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Oman-Russia.asp MUSCAT — Omran, the government of Oman’s tourism and development arm, and IHG have announced the signing of an agreement to develop Crowne Plaza Duqum Resort, the second Crowne Plaza Resort in the Sultanate of Oman. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Agreement-to-develop.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/Agreement-to-develop.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said received Sergey Mironov, chairman of the Federal Council of Russia at Bait Al Barakah yesterday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-holds-talks.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-holds-talks.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said gave an audience to General David H. Petraeus, commander of the US Central Command at Bait Al Barkah yesterday. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-US-official.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/HM-US-official.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received more cables of greetings on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the National Day from a number of leaders of friendly countries. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/His-Majesty-receives.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/His-Majesty-receives.asp MUSCAT — His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to Traian Basecu, president of the Republic of Romania, on the occasion of his country’s National Day. http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/His-Majesty-greets.asp http://omanmood.co.uk/News/Dec/His-Majesty-greets.asp