These are exciting times for Oman’s capital markets, as a number of recent initiatives aimed at broadening activity are coming into play. The introduction of Islamic finance will likely have an energising effect, as will new systems and standards governing the markets’ daily operations. At the same time, establishing Oman as a regional and...
Articles & Analysis | Playing the market: New incentives add to the advantages of listing from The Report: Oman 2013
Articles & Analysis | New plans and regulations: Islamic banking has been authorised in a period of restructuring from The Report: Oman 2013
The period of 2011-12 saw a raft of new legislative and regulatory measures in the sultanate, alongside efforts to develop the financial and capital markets. Oman has now begun its eighth five-year plan, which runs from 2011 to 2015. This strategic programme is aimed at bringing the country towards the goals outlined in its long-term development...
Articles & Analysis | Pensions and provisions: Demographic and wage shifts create new avenues of opportunity from The Report: Oman 2013
Omanis enjoy access to an extremely well organised and comprehensive pensions system, which covers both public and private sector employees. Plans are now under way to extend coverage to include expatriates as well, with the possibility for private pension schemes to fill some of the gaps in the state’s provision. This is likely to benefit the sultanate’s insurers while...
Articles & Analysis | Enter takaful: Islamic products can expand both the market and the consumer base from The Report: Oman 2013
As part of Oman’s entrance into the world of Islamic finance, Islamic insurance, or takaful, is also on course to make its debut in 2012-13. This may have important effects on the wider insurance market, while also increasing choice for Omani consumers.
Articles & Analysis | Expanding the market: The introduction of sukuk should boost debt activity from The Report: Oman 2013
When the news came in mid-October 2012 that the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) had finalised new draft regulations on the issuance of Islamic bonds, sukuk, this was greeted as an important step in the process towards the creation of a debt market.