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The countdown begins
The Oman Today Restaurant Awards 2007 got off to a splendid start

The most hotly contested competition in the food and beverage industry waslaunched on June 30 at the Shangri-La’s Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa. Until September 14, diners can vote for their favourite restaurants, after which votes will be collated and the shortlisted establishments inspected by a secret jury. In this way the best restaurants will be whittled down to three finalists in each of the 11 categories, and the winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Shangri-La on December 5.

This year’s awards are sponsored by Bank Sohar, the main sponsor, and co-sponsor The Blue City, with additional support from African and Eastern. Restaurants can be judged according to ambience, service, for buffet, fast food, Far Eastern, Indian, International, Italian and Middle Eastern cooking, and for pub food and the best café.

PDO celebrates anniversary
A book launch marks 40 years of PDO oil exports

Petroleum Development Oman is celebrating 40 years of its oil exports. On July 27, 1967, the oil tanker Mosprince arrived at Mina al Fahal (or Saih al Maleh, as it was known then) to load the first export cargo of Omani crude oil. Since then, PDO has exported over 7.5bn barrels of crude oil.

To commemorate the occasion, PDO has published a book by Sir Terence Clark, a former British ambassador to Oman. The book, entitled Underground to Overseas: The Story of Petroleum Development Oman, was launched at a special ceremony held under the auspices of H E Nasser bin Khamis al Jashmi, under- secretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas at a ceremony at Shangri-La’s Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa.

The book traces PDO’s history from its very first day, with interviews with over 200 past and present members of staff. “This is a book not only about the past, but also about the present with a glimpse into the future,” says Sir Terence. “Through the accounts of individual Omanis it shows how, with the support and encouragement of PDO management, what was originally a rather exclusive expatriate company has been transformed into an integrated member of the wider Omani community.”