MUSCAT : Oman Investment Authority (OIA) is leading a qualitative transformation aimed at positioning the sultanate as an increasingly attractive destination for international capital, its president said, as the country aligns investment strategy with diplomacy, governance reforms and economic diversification.
Speaking in an interview, Oman Investment Authority President His Excellency Abdulsalam Al Murshidi said the authority has moved beyond the traditional role of a sovereign wealth fund to become a central platform for attracting foreign investors and anchoring long-term capital in Oman, while also transferring about $2.08 billion (RO 800 million) annually to the state budget to support public finances.
Established in 2020, the authority unified state-owned assets under a single institutional framework, a step Al Murshidi described as a “defining moment” that reshaped how global investors view Oman’s investment landscape.
“The qualitative leap is not only about returns,” he said. “It is about credibility, governance, sustainability and clarity of vision — the factors international capital looks for when choosing destinations.”
Al Murshidi said the authority’s strategy deliberately links foreign investments with domestic economic development, ensuring that international partnerships translate into technology transfer, local manufacturing, logistics hubs and skilled job creation inside Oman.
This approach, he added, has helped position Oman as a trusted partner for cross-border funds and joint investment platforms, supported by the country’s political neutrality, stable regulatory environment and improving corporate governance standards.
The authority’s focus on transparency, sustainability and long-term performance has strengthened investor confidence, with Oman now ranked among the world’s leading sovereign wealth funds for governance and sustainability practices, according to Al Murshidi.
He said sovereign wealth funds increasingly serve as gateways for international investors seeking stable entry points into emerging markets, and Oman has deliberately shaped its model to play that role.
Through co-investment structures, partial ownership models and partnerships with global funds, the authority aims to crowd in private capital rather than compete with it, typically limiting its stake in new ventures to around 40%, except in strategic sectors.
Al Murshidi said this reassures international investors that projects are commercially driven, professionally governed and open to future exits through listings or strategic sales.
“Our goal is for Oman to be seen not just as an investment destination, but as a platform — a place where global capital can connect safely and profitably with regional and international opportunities,” he said.
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