Oman’s capital market has seen a significant increase in foreign investment, attracting investors from 135 nationalities, up from 67 in 2023. This growth is supported by favorable policies such as low tax rates and flexible capital transfer options. Statistics from the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) reveal a 19% increase in foreign investments as of May, with participation from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab countries, and beyond. The MSX data indicates that foreign investments are primarily focused on the industrial and service sectors, accounting for 15.8% and 15.7% respectively.
The MSX has implemented policies favoring foreign investments, including unrestricted profit repatriation and exchange operations. This trend aligns with the nation’s efforts to reduce public debt, invest in essential services, and launch infrastructure projects to bolster private sector participation. Trading volumes surged to 3.1 billion securities, with a total value of 517 million Omani rials ($1.3 billion) by the end of May, marking a 38.4% increase from the previous year. The market capitalization of MSX-listed public joint-stock companies reached 9.4 billion rials by May’s end, reflecting investor confidence in Oman’s dynamic capital market.