Oman Launches Rising Companies Market: A New Era for Startups and Investors

On February 4, 2025, His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik issued Royal Decree 18/2025, creating the "Rising Companies Market" sub-market of the Muscat Stock Exchange. This project intends to create an environment where new firms, particularly startups, can enter capital markets and contribute to Oman's economic development.

Key Provisions of Royal Decree 18/2025:

1-????? The Rising Companies Market: The decree creates a sub-market on the MSX for startups and emerging firms.

2-????? Oversight by the Financial Services Authority (FSA): The Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulates and audits enterprises in this new sector to ensure compliance and investor confidence.

3-????? Regulatory Framework and Incentives: The FSA Board of Directors Chairman has the authority to execute the decree's provisions through regulations and decisions. This includes developing incentives and facilities for companies listed in the Rising Companies Market in conjunction with the appropriate parties.

???? The Rising Companies Market was developed following Oman's Vision 2040 plan, which stresses economic diversification and private-sector investments. Oman seeks to attract global and local investors through a specialized platform for growing firms, thus strengthening its financial prospects.

???? This act is part of a more extensive sequence of legislative amendments in Oman aimed at liberalizing the market and encouraging private sector engagement in large-scale projects and state assets. The most recent legislation (the Public-Private Partnership and Privatization Law) demonstrates the government's attempts to foster business and economic development.

???? Royal Decree 18/2025 is an essential policy in Oman to encourage innovation and the development of small creative firms, which will help the country achieve its long-term economic goals.