Salalah: An awareness session for the promotional campaign "Incentive Program and Promising Startups Index" concluded today in the Wilayat of Salalah. The session was organized by the Muscat Stock Exchange and the National Program for Fiscal Sustainability and Financial Sector Development 'Estidamah', in collaboration with the Dhofar Governorate branch of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
According to Oman News Agency, the session introduced the objectives of the Incentive Program and the Promising Startups Index, along with its three incentive tracks: the Main Market, the Promising Startups Index, and the Third Market. Additionally, the session highlighted key incentives allocated to closed and family-owned companies, outlining the relevant regulatory and technical requirements. It also provided an overview of the program's components designed to support the transformation of these companies into listed entities on the Muscat Stock Exchange.
The five-year Incentive Program offers a range of incentives, including a partial refund of income tax, exemption from listing and prospectus fees, technical and marketing support, and coverage of issuance manager costs. Furthermore, it provides facilities for obtaining usufruct land rights, pricing preference in government tenders, and accelerated financing procedures through the Development Bank. This program is a direct implementation of Royal Directives, following the issuance of Royal Decree No. (18/2025), which established a sub-market on the Muscat Stock Exchange named the "Promising Startups Index." This initiative aims to diversify the economy and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to access institutional financing and investment.
The awareness session aimed to enhance investment literacy among entrepreneurs and investors regarding the Promising Companies Market, achieve integration among financial institutions, stimulate the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in capital markets, and encourage companies to adopt modern management and financing models. These efforts collectively contribute to developing the business environment and fostering sustainable economic growth in the Sultanate of Oman.