B8
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016
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Bank Muscat launches business cash deposit machine for corporate clients In another first in the banking sector in Oman, Bank Muscat also launched a statement printer kiosk for both retail and corporate clients
MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in step with continuous endeavour to provide world class banking services through latest technology and innovation, has launched business cash deposit machine for corporate clients. The state-of-the-art facility aimed at corporate convenience for bulk cash deposit is being introduced for the first time in the
banking sector in Oman, says a press release. In another first in the banking sector in Oman, Bank Muscat also launched a statement printer kiosk for both retail and corporate clients. The launch ceremony of the new facilities, in line with the ‘Let’s Do More’ vision to automate and enhance key services, was held at the bank’s e-branch in Avenues Mall in the presence of management team members and senior representative of key corporates in Oman. Amjad Al Lawati, AGM – Cards & eBanking, said: “As the flagship bank in Oman and in keeping with the technological trends, Bank Muscat is proud to introduce the innovative business cash deposit machine for corporate customers. The new facility to be available in select bank branches and key offsite locations is aimed at helping corporate customers perform cash deposit transactions in a secure and convenient way 24 x 7. “The convenient service provides the benefit of not having to store cash during non-working
hours and week-ends.” The business cash deposit machines are equipped with the industry standard security specifications and can be used for depositing large value cash. The deposit bag capacity is 1000 currency notes and customers can deposit multiple bags in one transaction. Customers are required to authenticate transactions using
the deposit cards and pre-numbered tamper-proof security bags for the purpose of depositing cash. The sealed bags will be opened by bank employees and cash counted under camera surveillance at all times. The machines are available 24 x 7 and facilitates secure and convenient transactions during week-ends and holidays. The new business cash deposit
Hoehler + AlSalmy awarded best performing medium size company
combining the experienced staff with the new trainees to transfer the expertise of the older staff with the innovation of the fresh graduates. Today, over 30 employees are working in the company.” Al Salmy added, “This award is one of the most important among the many that we’ve received before. It is an incentive for greater success while increasing the awareness of excellence in construction and design standards in Oman.” On the establishment of Hoehler
the leading financial institution in Oman. The bank maintains strong relationships with almost all of the country’s corporate houses and government agencies, providing comprehensive and customised services. As part of efforts to enhance convenience and add value to services offered to corporate and government customers, Bank Muscat has established exclusive Corporate banking branches across the Sultanate. Exclusive internet banking facility is another key service offered by the bank for corporate customers. Bank Muscat is at the forefront of customer service excellence and strives to continually deliver high quality service. The bank deems service excellence vital to surpass customer expectation. Driven by the latest technological trends, all Bank Muscat products and services have evolved over the years in line with specific customer requirements. The bank remains committed to sustaining the leadership position, thereby fulfilling the banking aspirations of all valued customers.
A L L O WA N C E
O M A N T E L B U S I N E S S E X C E L L E N C E S M E AWA R D S
MUSCAT: Hoehler + AlSalmy (H+S) Architects and Engineers, an Omani-German joint venture based in Muscat has been awarded as best performing medium size company at the recent Omantel Business Excellence SME Awards. The company is rapidly gaining repute as one of the most innovative architectural firms in the Sultanate of Oman with a number of extremely prestigious awards and nominations under its belt, says a press release. Commenting on the growing role of the SME sector for economic growth, Muhammad Sultan Al Salmy, managing director and lead architect and partner of Hoehler + AlSalmy remarked, “The support from the government and private sector for entrepreneurs and small & medium enterprises in the Sultanate is critical in order to grow our economy. Facilitating finance to enable firms to grow, or by dedicating a percentage for them in the government projects allows the SME sector to flourish.” Al Salmy expressed his pride in the award recognition, noting, “This is an outstanding achievement for the team and a culmination of our efforts over these past years. Having founded the company in 2009, we have worked on developing it ever since. We focus on attracting national and international competencies in the business by
machine is presently available in the Avenues Mall ebranch and similar machines will be launched soon in select branches across all regions in Oman. The business cash deposit machine was sourced from a leading UK-based company that provides automated self-service cash solutions. The technology has been implemented by major banks and financial institutions across the world. The statement printer kiosk can be used by all Bank Muscat customers for printing account statements. The innovative service introduced as part of the bank’s strategy to automate key services is presently available four branches - Al Khoudh, Al Seeb, Avenues Mall and Al Khuwair 37 – and will be introduced in more select branches. Bank Muscat customers are required to use their Debit card + PIN to instantly print account statements, without waiting in queue in branches. Over the past 34 years, Bank Muscat has achieved steady and significant growth to emerge as
+ AlSalmy, Al Salmy furthered, “The company was established in 2009 as a branch of the global firm Hoehler+Partner. Designing the GUtech campus in Oman was our first initiative. The company has achieved various other accolades from Oman to New York and we recently won the Special Mention award at the German Design Awards 2016, the Al Roya economic award, as well as added to our numerous Construction Week Awards winnings last March for our University of Al Buraimi Project as Commercial project of the year on the same day as announcing the name change of the company from Hoehler + Partner to Hoehler + AlSalmy.” He added, “Our company specialises in architecture and project management and we work on innovative projects that compete on an international level. The company aims at providing high standard projects by combining the modern elements of architecture with traditional Omani architectural designs. H+S has earned the trust of local clients and are working in a number of premium projects in Oman including the GUtech campus, University of Al Buraimi, the new conference and exhibition hall at GUtech, the German Embassy in Muscat, the new Audi and Porsche centres in Muscat, the Jawad Sultan Headquarters in Qurum and a
new development in Madinat Qaboos, as well as other selected private and commercial projects. Regarding the recognition of the company at the Omantel Business Excellence SME Awards, Al Salmy mentioned “As a company, we work hard to gain as much recognition in various competitions and events as well as keeping pace with the new developments in the market. We participated in this competition as part of our commitment to highlight the growing role of SME’s in the Sultanate. This recognition proves our success and excellence and serves as a message of appreciation for our staff for all of their efforts, hard work and dedication.” On the future vision, Al Salmy said, “We are looking forward to continuing our progress as we prepare for the future with solid plans and approach to the current economical conditions. We pay special attention in developing our staff to continue their growth and innovations. We’re looking forward to the upcoming years as we plan and prepare for the new exciting projects to come.” He extended his thanks to Omantel for its continuous leadership in the telecommunication field, and wished all the best for the operators in the SME sector to play an even greater role in the national economy.
Kuwait Airways’ free baggage promotion extended till October 31 MUSCAT: Kuwait Airways has extended more free baggage allowance to passengers travelling from Muscat to Kuwait and all its connecting destinations beyond Kuwait to India, Sub-continent, Far East, Middle East and Europe. Accordingly, passengers travelling from Muscat will now get free baggage allowance of 2 pieces weighing 23kg each total of 46kg to all destinations. This promotional free baggage offer is valid with immediate effect until October 31, says a press release. New baggage policy Kuwait Airways has introduced lately a new baggage policy ‘Baggage made simple’ under which all its routes are now operating on a piece concept basis and the customers travelling in economy class are entitled to one bag with maximum of 23kg as free baggage allowance. Further, the promotional offer of two piece 23kg each total of 46kg was offered only to select destinations earlier. With immediate effect, the free baggage offer is extended to all destinations for attracting more passengers during summer including families who wish to avail more free baggage allowance on their return too.
Further, business class passengers will be permitted 2 Pieces each weighing 32kg total 64kg instead of the regular baggage allowance of 2 pieces each weighing 23kg total 46kg. As a part of baggage policy change, the cost of excess baggage rate is also cut by allowing more weight at less cost for passengers wishing to carry more than two pieces and any excess baggage will be charged on extra piece basis. Now the first excess bag with 23 kilo will be charged OMR80 and the second excess bag with 23 kilo will be charged OMR130. 60% cut The new excess baggage charges per bag up to 23kg will be greater beneficial to customers carrying excess bags as the cost of buying an additional 23 kilo piece of baggage to many sectors cut by 60% and above. For example, the current excess baggage rate per kilo from Muscat to Manila charged is OMR7.300 per kilo and the cost to carry 23 kilo of baggage will be OMR167.900. Whereas, under the new piece concept policy, the excess baggage charges will be OMR80 only for the first excess bag of 23kg.
30 LUCKY WINNERS
Bank Sohar hosts 3rd Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme monthly draw MUSCAT: Bank Sohar, at a recent VIP gathering held in wilayat of Al Suwaiq conducted its third Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme 2016 monthly draw, revealing the names of over 30 lucky winners for the month of April. The draws conducted included the monthly OMR10,000 general draw, OMR1,000 children’s draw, OMR10,000 ladies draw (for two winners) and the exclusive OMR10,000 monthly draw. The branch guaranteed draws, which saw one winner from each of the bank’s 27 branches win OMR1,000, were conducted earlier at the bank’s head office. In total, the monthly draws witnessed over OMR55,000 won by 32 winners across all categories, says a press release. The special VIP event was held at the Royal Hall in Al Suwaiq under the auspices of Sheikh Hamoud bin Nasser bin Hamoud Al Hashmi, Wali of Al Suwaiq. Representing Bank Sohar at the event were Khalfan bin Rashid Al Taley, DGM and head of Central Operations, Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, Senior AGM of Branches and Retail Sales, Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, Senior AGM of Marketing and Customer Experiencer, Rashid Saif Al Maskry, District Manager of the Batinah Region, Ali Juma Al Hindasi, Senior Branch manager, Al
Suwaiq Branch, together with other senior members of the bank and branch managers, who welcomed the chief guest and the bank’s VIP customers from the area. The event was inaugurated with a welcome address by Ali Juma Al Hindasi, followed by a speech by Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, conveyed acting CEO’s message to the gathering highlighting the achievements of the bank and the enhanced 2016 savings scheme and its wider range of prizes. Commenting on the occasion, Khalfan Al Taley said “Since our inception in 2007, we have achieved success and popularity in the Sultanate as one of the leading financial institutions. This was
possible only due to the loyalty of our customers and the trust they place in us. “Our Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme has always been centred around the best interests of our customers with the ultimate goal of instilling the habit of savings. It is their feedback that has gradually evolved the savings scheme over the years. This year’s savings scheme also follows suit, now offering even more prizes with an increased frequency of draws and guaranteed winners across our entire branch network every month.” The event proceeded with a dancing performance organised by the Omani Women’s Association and performed by talented school
students from the area. This was followed by a short documentary video showcasing the journey of the Al Mumayaz Saving Scheme together with its highlights and various Draw events. Shortly thereafter, a comprehensive overview of the features of the 2016 savings scheme as well as a presentation on various retail products was delivered by Redha Al Lawatia, head of Liabilities, highlighting the main enhancements for the new scheme compared to the previous year and other value added advantages. The guest of honour, the Wali of Al Suwaiq then presented the performers with a token of appreciation.
Following the presentation, the five major draws were conducted; beginning with the children’s draw which saw Nawaf Talal from the bank’s Al Qurum Branch, win OMR 1,000. The two ladies draws saw Fatma Al Mamari from the bank’s Al Khoudh branch, and Nazik Ibrahim from the bank’s Saham Branch, win OMR 5,000 each; while the exclusive draw saw Mohammed Abdullah from the bank’s Sur branch, win OMR10,000. The final draw of the evening was the general draw for the month of April which saw Awadh Said Ahmed from the bank’s Salalah branch win OMR10,000. The monthly branch guaranteed draws were conducted earlier in the bank head office and witnessed customers from each of the bank’s branches win OMR1,000. Moosa Al Saadi was the winner from Al Suwaiq branch, Waleed Al Mukhaini from Sur branch, Abdullah Salim from Al Buraimi branch, Ali Al Maqbali from Shinas branch, Marah Mohammed from Sinaw branch, Sharifa Mohammed from MBD branch, Maimoona Hilal from Barka branch, Yousuf Abdullah from Saham branch, S. C. & A. P. from Privilege Banking Branch, Abdullah Al Saidi from Al Khaboura branch, M. M. Al Rawahi from Nizwa branch, Khalid Al Harbi from Al Seeb branch, Azhar Hus-
sain from Salalah branch, S.A.Al Shukali from Bahla branch, Noor Mahmood from Ibri branch, Minor G. Issa from Al Azaiba branch, Saleh Khalfan from Quriyat branch, Sabrah Saleh from Al Qurum branch, Nooh Khamis Al Balushi from Al Khoudh branch, Hoor Al Mamari from Sohar branch, Yousuf Al Alawi from JalanBani Bu Ali branch, A. V. from Ruwi branch, Abdullah Al Jabri from Al Amerat branch, Naif Salim from Al Rustaq branch, Naser Faris from Ibra branch, Chandran Ramadasn from Al Khuwair branch, and Hussain Mohammed from Avenues Mall branch. Following the draws, the chief guest was presented with a token of appreciation by Al Taley on behalf of the bank. Congratulating the winners, Al Rahbi, said, “I take this opportunity, on behalf of the bank, to thank every customer patronising Bank Sohar and for being a part of our Al Mumayaz Scheme. With over 1,500 prizes to be won this year, I look forward to see more customers joining the Bank Sohar family and taking away our attractive prizes. I would also like to encourage our customers to continue saving for maximising their chances of winning and wish them the very best of luck for the upcoming draws.”