Trade

Oman plans commercial court to attract foreign investors

March 5, 2025, 9:16 AM

Oman's Supreme Court building in Muscat. Qais Al Yousef, the country's commerce minister, says 'procedures are under way' to set up the business court

Keen ‘to create legal and stable environment’
$70bn FDI in 5 years to September 2024
UAE is 3rd largest investor in Oman

Oman intends to set up a commercial court to resolve business disputes in a bid to increase foreign investment, the state-owned Oman News Agency (ONA) has reported.

The country is keen to encourage domestic and international investment to spur economic growth. It hopes this will create jobs for an expanding population as the country’s oil and gas production declines.

“Procedures are under way to set up an investment and commercial court,” said Qais Al Yousef, Oman’s minister of commerce, industry and investment promotion.

“The plan reflects the government’s keenness to create a legal and stable environment to attract foreign investment.”

Oman’s economy

Investors from the UK and US have traditionally been Oman’s largest sources of foreign direct investment, accounting for nearly two thirds of the total.

The country pulled in almost $70 billion of FDI in the five years to September 2024, the ONA said.

The UAE ploughed $2.2 billion into Oman, making it the third largest investor there.