Muscat – The Financial Services Authority (FSA), represented by the Capital Market Incentive Programme Team, comprising the FSA, Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) and Muscat Clearing and Depository Company (MCDC), held a meeting with issue managers involved in implementing the Capital Market Incentive Programme under the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) track.

During the meeting, the team highlighted the important role of issue managers as strategic partners in ensuring the programme’s success. Their role includes attracting promising companies and encouraging them to benefit from the incentives and advantages offered under the programme, thereby expanding the base of listed companies and enhancing market depth.

The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the Capital Market Incentive Programme and the key achievements made since its launch. Participants were also briefed on the companies targeted under the current track and the efforts being undertaken to prepare them for entry into the capital market.

Discussions also focused on the role of issue managers in attracting companies eligible for listing, the challenges they encounter during the qualification and preparation stages, and ways to strengthen their contribution to improving companies’ readiness and supporting them throughout the listing process, in line with the programme’s strategic objectives.

The meeting concluded with discussions on proposals and development initiatives aimed at enhancing the programme’s effectiveness and improving coordination among relevant stakeholders. These efforts are intended to support the development of the capital market and enable promising companies to access diversified sources of financing that contribute to their growth and long-term sustainability.

The AIM is one of the three tracks under the Capital Market Incentive Programme, which was launched under Royal Directives to enhance the investment and business environment in the Sultanate of Oman. The programme seeks to provide alternative financing solutions that support business growth and facilitate access to capital markets. The AIM targets closed joint-stock companies with a market value of no less than RO500,000.

The programme offers a range of incentives and facilitative measures for listed companies, including tax benefits and preferences in government procurement and tender processes in accordance with approved regulations. It also provides exemptions from a number of listing and issuance-related fees during the programme’s initial years.