Oman Sets Up Independent International Financial Centre

In Madinat Al Irfan, Oman is carving out an independent financial zone designed to meet international standards, establishing the International Financial Centre of Oman through Royal Decree No. 8/2026 issued by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The centre is set to operate with administrative, financial, and legislative independence under a regulatory and legal framework aligned with international standards and English Common Law, governed by a board appointed by the Sultan and backed by independent authorities for regulation and dispute resolution to support transparency, stability, and investor confidence.

The launch outlines a near-term roadmap focused on building the regulatory framework, engaging stakeholders, and moving to full operations within the year. Long-term incentives include tax exemptions of up to 50 years, positioning the centre to attract capital and institutional participation while it builds out its governance structures and market services.

Framed within Oman Vision 2040, the new centre aims to diversify the economy, draw foreign investment, and reinforce the Sultanate’s standing as a global financial services hub. It is expected to contribute to capital inflows, support innovation, and advance the development of the financial sector and the country’s economic diplomacy, with its international standards and English Common Law alignment signalling the operating model for investors and firms evaluating regional entry points.