In January 2018 Oman issued its largest-ever bond in the international market as investor confidence increased amid rising oil prices. The $6.5bn bond attracted orders worth $15bn as the price for Brent crude oil rose from lows of $45 per barrel in June 2017 to $69 on January 31, 2018. The bond was sold in three tranches: the five-year tranche...
After several years of rapid expansion and double-digit credit growth, Myanmar’s banking sector underwent several necessary reforms in 2017 and 2018, as the Central Bank of Myanmar moved to introduce new prudential regulations and reduce overdraft lending. Although foreign banks remain prohibited from participating in retail activities, a spate of recent directives have made promising strides...
Although Myanmar has been faced with internal conflict, a new long-term economic agenda, alongside rising oil and gas prices and considerable growth in some manufacturing segments, are set to encourage increased foreign direct investment inflows into the country.
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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