With the utilities sector continuing its long-term shift towards privatisation, these are changing times for power, water and waste in the sultanate. The year ahead will see further private sector participation in the country’s electricity transmission and distribution networks, while new desalination projects will also come on-line. Oman is keen to secure greater international involvement in...
The oil and gas sector is responsible for much of Oman’s economic growth and government revenue; thus, changes in the industry tend to reflect greatly on the sultanate’s overall development. Although recent years have seen a strategic shift towards economic diversification, activity in the hydrocarbons sector still attracts a large share of domestic and foreign investment, with this pattern...
Despite difficult economic conditions, insurers have succeeded in posting consistent net profits in recent years. With the economy recovering from the decline in global oil prices starting in mid-2014, the industry is well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities. This is especially true as the government moves to implement mandatory health care coverage for both foreign and domestic...
Muted investor sentiment since 2016 has slowed activity on Oman’s stock market. Downgrades by all three major ratings agencies and constricted spending have taken their toll on trading volumes, nudging the index into a negative trend over 2018. However, some parts of the market are benefitting from this scenario. Bonds and sukuk (Islamic bonds) have become a more inviting prospect for...
Oman’s banking sector has weathered the economic downturn resulting from the 2014-15 hydrocarbons price drop without a significant erosion in asset quality, and returned to its long-term trend of deposit and loan growth. As a result of firmer oil prices and a broadly positive outlook for the sultanate’s economy, the industry is preparing for a new phase of credit expansion. However, challenges...
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