Muscat, OmanJune 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Sultanate of Oman is further strengthening its position as a gateway for international capital and investment. This is underpinned by solid economic fundamentals, an investment-grade credit rating, and a financial and regulatory system aligned with the highest international standards. As global investors increasingly prioritize governance, legal transparency, and long-term stability, the Sultanate of Oman is emerging as a highly secure and premium destination for capital allocation.
HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said
The Oman International Financial Centre (IFC Oman) plays a crucial role in this ecosystem, established from the outset as a key pillar supporting this strategic positioning. IFC Oman provides international investors, financial institutions, and professional services firms with a legal and regulatory framework consistent with practices in leading global financial jurisdictions. This environment offers clear rules and reliable legal foundations for investment structuring and cross-border operations.
To further underscore the strategic priority of IFC Oman within Oman’s economic agenda, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik personally appointed the centre’s Board of Directors. The Board is chaired by His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and includes several senior Omani economic leaders. The centre’s rapid implementation pace and high-profile board composition reflect Oman’s commitment to this strategic project. Driven directly by the highest economic leadership, IFC Oman serves as a core engine for attracting global capital, accelerating economic diversification, and fostering growth.
The centre adopts an integrated ecosystem structure, housing three independent bodies responsible for operations and licensing, financial regulation, and dispute resolution. The separation of functions and independence of these three bodies ensure transparency and regulatory autonomy, meeting the standards of top-tier global financial centres. The centre’s operations are fully aligned with international best practices, including the core principles of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), thereby providing international investors with ample flexibility in investment structuring and cross-border business management.
His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Chairman of IFC Oman and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, stated: “Our goal is to become the preferred international financial centre. IFC Oman aims to build a trustworthy, innovative, and business-friendly hub that makes a sustainable contribution to the national economy. The centre is based on global best practices, advanced legislative and regulatory frameworks, and an efficient business environment, creating an integrated ecosystem that fully leverages the unique competitive advantages of the Sultanate of Oman. It creates greater value for investors and further establishes the Sultanate of Oman as a preferred destination for investment and business, both regionally and globally.”
The establishment of the Board comes at a time when Oman’s fundamental economic indicators are undergoing sustained and steady improvement. Following a series of sovereign credit rating upgrades, the Sultanate of Oman has regained its investment-grade credit rating. These upgrades reflect improvements in Oman’s fiscal performance, reductions in public debt, and strict implementation of economic reform measures. Public debt has decreased from 68% of GDP in 2020 to 36.5% by the end of 2025. Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund projects Oman’s economy to grow by 3.5% in 2026, making it one of the highest expected growth rates among Gulf Cooperation Council member states.
The effectiveness of Oman’s economic diversification strategy is evident, with the non-oil sector now accounting for approximately 70% of total output. As of the end of the third quarter of 2024, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Sultanate of Oman had reached approximately USD 69.4 billion, a growth of 17.6% over five years. This momentum reflects growing international investor confidence in Oman’s economy and the enduring appeal of long-term investment in Oman. The Sultanate of Oman’s investment value is further enhanced by its strategic location at the crossroads of the Gulf, East Africa, and South Asia, offering natural advantages in connecting international trade networks and global shipping lanes.
Sovereign wealth funds of Gulf Cooperation Council member states currently manage trillions of dollars in assets, exerting increasing influence on international investment flows. Through IFC Oman, the Sultanate of Oman has further enhanced its capacity to seamlessly connect global capital with investment opportunities across the Gulf, Africa, and Asia, thereby consolidating its global position as a top-tier investment destination characterized by economic diversification, competitiveness, and a commitment to sustainable development.