Muscat – Oman’s capital market is set to get a new platform recognising institutional performance, innovation and leadership, with the Oman Capital Market Leadership and Excellence Forum and Awards 2026 to be launched on Sunday.

The Oman Securities Association will launch the initiative at 10am on October 4 at Muscat Stock Exchange, under the patronage of Haitham bin Salim Al Salmi, CEO of Muscat Stock Exchange.

The launch will outline the forum’s objectives, award categories, eligibility and evaluation criteria, while opening nominations and registrations. The awards ceremony will be held on November 30.

Mustafa Ahmed Salman, Chairman of Oman Securities Association, said the initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among capital market institutions and promote competition based on performance and documented achievements.

“The credibility of the awards is based on clear criteria, independent evaluation and fair assessment,” Salman said, adding that sponsorship and judging would remain separate.

Ayman bin Ahmed Al Shanfari, Director-General of the association, said the awards will cover five categories – brokerage and trading; investment, asset management and funds; listed companies and market achievements; innovation, resilience and specialised services; and leadership and institutional recognition.

Assessment areas will include financial performance, investor services, governance and disclosure, investor relations, digital transformation, sustainability and operational excellence. Financial and technical analysis, innovative marketing, crisis management and crowdfunding performance will also be considered.

The awards are open to listed and public joint-stock companies, securities firms, investment and asset management companies, funds, investment, commercial and Islamic banks, crowdfunding and fintech institutions, financial analysts, specialised service providers and sector professionals.

Nominations will open on October 4 and close on October 29. Entries will be screened and evaluated from November 1 to 19.

The judging committee will include representatives from the Financial Services Authority, Muscat Stock Exchange, Muscat Clearing and Depository Company and Oman Securities Association, along with two independent economic and financial experts.

The association said entries would be assessed against published criteria and supporting evidence, with confidentiality, independence and conflict-of-interest safeguards. Sponsorship or participation in the forum will not influence judging.