Oman

The market saw a rapid slowdown after 2008, as investors backed away from the Gulf and economic growth tapered. However, from 2012, development has picked up to meet resurgent demand, and major projects are being rolled out in all sectors. Economic expansion, a growing population and increasing interest from foreign investors are driving a strong recovery in Oman’s real estate market. Expansion...

Upgrades to the transportation infrastructure continue to drive sector expansion. Between 2011 and 2015, the government plans to invest some $10.7bn on infrastructure projects alone, with state spending on affordable housing also set to provide opportunities for contractors. Sector growth was expected to reach 5.5% in 2013, bringing total industry value to $4.3bn. This chapter contains an...

The country’s water and power sectors have undergone a steady liberalisation process since legislation outlining privatisation was passed in 2004, and this has generally been considered as a success. As one of the most open in the region to foreign investment and private ownership of assets, Oman’s utilities sector is expanding strongly to meet growing demand for power and water. There are some...

Oil and gas still take centre stage in Oman, accounting for more than half of GDP and 85% of government revenues. After a slump in 2000-07 as fields depleted, oil production is once again increasing, boosted by discoveries of new reserves and improved extraction techniques that glean more from old fields. Meanwhile, the government is looking to improve in-country value and the Omanisation of its...

With a steady stream of new entrants in the past decade and growth from a small base, Oman’s insurance market is a competitive one. Several factors are boosting the industry, with sharia-compliant lines of insurance looking set to enhance the sector’s potential and automobile coverage boosted by record vehicle sales. Further to this, the sultanate’s infrastructure spending is combining with job...

Despite being a stable and growing bourse for a number of years, authorities see a broader, deeper market as a strategic goal to help create economic opportunity. Sustained dedication to that cause has paid off in recent years, chiefly in the form of an increased flow of initial public offerings. The inclusion of sharia-compliant instruments looks set to take off, meaning diversification of the...