Promising
Companies Index Regulation to Bolster Oman’s Capital Market Development

Muscat,
11 Aug (ONA) — Ahmed Ali Al Maamari,Executive Vice President of
the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has affirmed that the issuance of the Promising
Companies Index Regulations marks an advanced step in the incentive program for
developing the capital market. This initiative, he said, is aligned with the
goals of Oman Vision 2040 to enhance economic diversification and create a more
attractive investment environment.

Al
Maamari explained that the new regulations establish a flexible framework that
provides private, family, startup, and SME companies with access to alternative
funding tools within a transparent and agile investment environment. This will
help create diverse funding opportunities in the local market to support
business growth and expansion.

He
pointed out that the incentive program has three main tracks, one of which is
the establishment of the Promising Companies Index as a sub-market on the
Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX). This new market, combined with the regulations,
will offer more flexible funding opportunities and help companies achieve
higher levels of institutional maturity and sustainable expansion.

The
regulations outline clear and simplified listing mechanisms and requirements
for early-stage companies, including specific annual growth rates, a minimum
number of shareholders, and fixed, publicly announced fees. This approach will
ease market entry barriers and improve the efficiency of institutional
transformation for these companies.

Al
Maamari called on private sector companies that meet the listing requirements
to explore the funding and listing options available through this new market.

In
a related statement, Haitham Salem Al Salmi, CEO of the Muscat Stock Exchange,
said that the creation of the Promising Startups Index represents a significant
structural development for Oman’s capital market ecosystem. It provides a
specialized funding channel for startups, SMEs, and family-owned private
companies through a phased regulatory process that will enable them to
transition efficiently and sustainably to the main market.

Al
Salmi added that the MSX, as the market operator, will provide a comprehensive
trading environment supported by advanced technological infrastructure and
flexible disclosure models tailored to the growth phase of these companies. The
exchange will also apply governance standards that are compatible with the
nature of this category of companies, boosting confidence among qualified
investors and stimulating market liquidity.

He
stressed that this initiative aligns with the exchange’s strategy to broaden
the investor base and diversify investment tools and products. This will
enhance companies’ ability to access capital effectively and raise the level of
institutional maturity for local firms, which in turn will positively impact
the national economy’s competitiveness and help achieve Oman Vision 2040’s
goals for private sector development and attracting quality investments.

—Ends/AG