Oman: Government Approves New Financial Hub to Attract Investment and Create Jobs

Gulf News, 6 January 2026: Oman approved the establishment of the Oman Global Financial Centre to boost foreign investment, expand financial services and support long‑term economic diversification.

The Council of Ministers approved the creation of the Financial Centre as part of a wider programme to enhance the investment climate and strengthen the country’s position in regional and global capital markets. The initiative aims to provide a competitive platform for global banks, investment firms and specialist financial institutions, operating within a modern financial, legal and judicial framework aligned with international standards.

The new hub has been developed after extensive reviews of successful international financial‑centre models. It is expected to provide an enabling environment for commercial and Islamic banking, insurance, asset management and related services. The project is also designed to transfer knowledge into the domestic market and create high‑value jobs within the financial sector.

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Oman: State and Shura Councils Reach Consensus on Draft Anti‑Cyber‑Crime Law

Oman Observer, 17 December 2025: Oman’s State Council and Majlis Ash’shura have finalised an agreement on all disputed articles in the draft Anti‑Cyber‑Crime Law, moving it closer to enactment.

A joint committee comprising members of both legislative bodies met on 16 December 2025 to resolve 42 points of contention within the draft law referred by the Council of Ministers. The meeting included representatives from the secretaries-general of both councils and other specialists, ensuring a comprehensive review of the provisions.

The committee’s report will now be submitted to a joint session of the State Council and Majlis Ash’shura for further discussion and formal approval.

Once passed, the legislation will bolster Oman’s cybercrime framework, enhancing protections for individuals, businesses, and digital infrastructure. The agreement demonstrates the collaborative legislative process between the two councils and reflects the Sultanate’s commitment to fortifying its cyber‑regulatory regime.

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Oman: Sets New Safety Standards for Workplace Drainage Systems

The Arabian Stories, 8 December 2025: Oman’s Ministry of Labour has issued detailed workplace safety requirements focusing on drainage and floor ditch regulations, as part of its enforcement of occupational safety standards.

The ministry has outlined specific measures that employers must implement at work sites, citing Article 15 of the country’s Occupational Safety and Health regulations. The new guidelines require all drainage and floor ditches to be equipped with metre-high safety rails and clear warning signage.

Under the regulations, ditch covers must not exceed 2.5 centimetres above ground level, and ditch edges must maintain a maximum slope angle of 30 degrees. The ministry has also mandated that all covering lids must be constructed to withstand the weight of vehicles and machinery operating on site.

The announcement emphasises employers’ legal responsibility to maintain workplace safety, with company owners or their representatives required to implement these protective measures. The requirements apply to all business sectors operating within Oman.

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Oman: New Agency Established to Regulate Foreign Worker Recruitment

Gulf News, 23 November 2025: Oman has established the Association of Expatriate Worker Recruitment Offices to oversee and standardise the recruitment of foreign workers across the sultanate.

The association has been granted authority to mediate labour disputes and will work directly with foreign embassies through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve conflicts involving expatriate workers. It will also coordinate with government agencies to validate agreements with labour-exporting countries and expand recruitment channels.

The organisation will represent licensed recruitment offices in dealings with authorities and will participate in efforts to eliminate unlicensed recruitment operations.

Funding for the association’s operations will be derived from multiple sources, including membership fees, government subsidies, and approved donations. The body will also generate revenue through its activities, subject to Ministry approval.

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Oman: Processes Foreign Vessels’ Navigation Permit

The Arabian Stories, 17 November 2025: Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has released detailed guidance on obtaining navigation permits for foreign vessels entering Omani territorial waters.

The ministry has established a framework requiring all foreign ships to submit their permit applications prior to arrival in Omani waters. Applications must meet all specified requirements before they will be processed by authorities.

Under the new guidelines, the ministry has confirmed it will handle applications during official holidays in exceptional circumstances to maintain continuous maritime operations.

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Oman: Announces National Day Holiday Rules and Worker Compensation

The Arabian Stories, 9 November 2025: Oman’s Ministry of Labour has issued guidelines for the upcoming National Day holidays on November 26 and 27, 2025, confirming compensation arrangements for employees required to work during the official break.

The announcement establishes the two-day holiday period for all government, public sector, and private sector workers across the sultanate.

According to the ministry’s statement, organisations that need to maintain operations during the holiday must provide affected staff with either alternative leave days or additional compensation as specified under current labour regulations.

The directive applies to all employees in government units, legal entities, and private sector establishments throughout Oman. The ministry has emphasised that while work may continue in essential services, employers must ensure proper compensation for staff who work during the designated holiday period.

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Oman: Central Bank Warns Media Over Incorrect Logo Usage

Times Of Oman, 3 November 2025: Oman’s central bank has issued a formal notice to media outlets regarding the misuse of its official logo in publications and digital platforms.

The notice specifically addresses instances where incorrect versions of the bank’s logo have appeared across various media channels. The bank has instructed all media organisations to verify and update their visual assets to ensure they are using only the officially sanctioned version of the institution’s logo.

The regulatory body has emphasised that strict adherence to its official branding guidelines is now mandatory for all media representations. Media outlets have been directed to remove any unauthorised variations of the logo from their platforms.

The central bank’s notice serves as a formal reminder to publishers and broadcasters about their obligations regarding the use of official institutional symbols. The bank has not specified potential consequences for continued non-compliance with these requirements.

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Oman: Issues New Law on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Arabian Stories, 27 October 2025: Sultan of Oman has issued a new Oman Sultani Decree No. 92/2025 establishing comprehensive legislation for persons with disabilities.

It introduces updated regulations governing disability rights across the sultanate.

Under the new legislation, the Minister of Social Development has been tasked with issuing executive regulations and implementation decisions. Existing regulations will remain in force until the new framework is fully implemented.

The decree explicitly repeals Oman Sultani Decree No. 63/2008 on the Welfare and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Law, along with any contradicting provisions from other legislation.

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Oman: Opens Public Consultation on New Digital Systems Regulations

The Arabian Stories, 15 October 2025: Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has launched a public consultation process seeking feedback on proposed regulations for digital systems and platforms in the telecommunications sector.

The consultation document outlines new controls for the development, testing, and operation of digital systems across the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure. The proposal covers five key technical areas, including development environment controls, external support systems, database management, systems integration, and performance measurement.

Stakeholders and members of the public have been given a four-week window to submit their responses, with the consultation period closing on October 28 2025. The authority has created an online survey system to collect feedback through its official website.

The proposed regulations establish specific requirements for technical infrastructure and security protocols within the telecommunications sector. These include detailed guidelines for system development, testing procedures, and operational standards.

The consultation document addresses various aspects of digital systems management, with particular focus on infrastructure security and technical operations. The authority has published comprehensive details of the proposed controls on its website for public review.

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