Muscat: Ahmed Ali Al Maamari, Executive Vice President of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has affirmed that the issuance of the Promising Companies Index Regulations marks an advanced step in the incentive program for developing the capital market. This initiative, he said, is aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040 to enhance economic diversification and create a more attractive investment environment.

According to Oman News Agency, Al Maamari explained that the new regulations establish a flexible framework that provides private, family, startup, and SME companies with access to alternative funding tools within a transparent and agile investment environment. This will help create diverse funding opportunities in the local market to support business growth and expansion.

He pointed out that the incentive program has three main tracks, one of which is the establishment of the Promising Companies Index as a sub-market on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX). This new market, combined with the regulations, will offer more flexible funding opportunities and help companies achieve higher levels of institutional maturity and sustainable expansion.

The regulations outline clear and simplified listing mechanisms and requirements for early-stage companies, including specific annual growth rates, a minimum number of shareholders, and fixed, publicly announced fees. This approach will ease market entry barriers and improve the efficiency of institutional transformation for these companies.

Al Maamari called on private sector companies that meet the listing requirements to explore the funding and listing options available through this new market.

In a related statement, Haitham Salem Al Salmi, CEO of the Muscat Stock Exchange, said that the creation of the Promising Startups Index represents a significant structural development for Oman's capital market ecosystem. It provides a specialized funding channel for startups, SMEs, and family-owned private companies through a phased regulatory process that will enable them to transition efficiently and sustainably to the main market.

Al Salmi added that the MSX, as the market operator, will provide a comprehensive trading environment supported by advanced technological infrastructure and flexible disclosure models tailored to the growth phase of these companies. The exchange will also apply governance standards that are compatible with the nature of this category of companies, boosting confidence among qualified investors and stimulating market liquidity.

He stressed that this initiative aligns with the exchange's strategy to broaden the investor base and diversify investment tools and products. This will enhance companies' ability to access capital effectively and raise the level of institutional maturity for local firms, which in turn will positively impact the national economy's competitiveness and help achieve Oman Vision 2040's goals for private sector development and attracting quality investments.