Oman establishes International Financial Centre aligned with global standards
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has issued Royal Decree 8/2026 establishing the International Financial Centre of Oman (IFC Oman) — a sovereign jurisdiction designed to align with leading international financial centres and to advance the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
The decree positions IFC Oman as a cornerstone of the Sultanate's long-term strategy to diversify the economy, attract foreign direct investment and develop a globally competitive financial-services hub. The Centre will operate with administrative, financial and legislative independence, underpinned by a tailored legal framework rooted in English Common Law principles to provide certainty and familiarity to international capital.
An independent governance architecture
IFC Oman will be governed by a Board of Directors appointed by His Majesty The Sultan, with oversight delivered through three independent bodies: the IFC Oman Authority, responsible for strategy and operations; an independent Regulator overseeing licensed financial activities; and a Dispute Resolution Authority providing common-law courts and arbitration services to firms operating within the Centre.
This architecture is designed to ensure clear separation of powers, regulatory independence and credible enforcement — qualities international investors and institutions consistently identify as preconditions for committing long-term capital.
Headquarters and incentives
The Centre will be headquartered in Madinat Al Irfan, Muscat's emerging mixed-use district. Entities licensed to operate within IFC Oman will benefit from a competitive incentives package, including tax exemptions of up to fifty years for qualifying financial activities and supporting professional services.
A measured next phase
With the legal foundation now in place, the next phase focuses on building out the Centre's legislative and regulatory framework, engaging stakeholders across the financial-services industry, and preparing operational readiness for a full launch within the year.
"The establishment of IFC Oman is a defining moment in the Sultanate's economic journey. It creates a credible, internationally aligned platform for financial services that will channel investment into the priority sectors of Vision 2040."
"IFC Oman has been built to grow at the pace of credibility. Our framework is anchored in international standards, our governance is independent, and our offering is designed for institutions that take a long-term view of the region."
The Centre's mandate covers banking, asset and wealth management, insurance and reinsurance, fintech, family offices and professional services — all operating under a common-law foundation aligned with FATF, IOSCO and international AML/CFT standards.