Oman’s Investment Authority Allocates $260 Mln to Support Muscat Stock Exchange

Muscat Stock Exchange (Omani News Agency)
Muscat Stock Exchange (Omani News Agency)
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Oman’s Investment Authority Allocates $260 Mln to Support Muscat Stock Exchange

Muscat Stock Exchange (Omani News Agency)
Muscat Stock Exchange (Omani News Agency)

The Oman Investment Authority (OIA) announced the allocation of 100 million Omani riyals (about $260.8 million) to support the Muscat Stock Exchange through the Liquidity Fund initiative, which is launched by the body in cooperation with the National Program for Financial Sustainability and Financial Sector Development.

Aown bin Abbas al Bahrani, director general of public markets investment at the OIA, said that the Liquidity Fund Initiative is a portfolio worth 100 million Omani riyals to support market-makers and liquidity providers on the Muscat Stock Exchange.

He added that the new initiative reflects the priorities of Oman’s Vision 2040 and falls within the framework of efforts aimed at strengthening the Muscat Stock Exchange, achieving sustainable growth, enhancing investor attractiveness, and increasing their confidence in the market.

The expansion of the Muscat Stock Exchange through the primary or secondary public offerings was among the goals of the OIA’s exit plan that was announced last year. The OIA’s exit from two state-owned firms resulted in the listing of the Pearl Real Estate Investment Fund and Abraaj Energy Services on the MSX.

Meanwhile, the Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, participated in the third edition of the Oman-Switzerland Business Forum, which aims to strengthen the role of the private sector, achieve economic diversification and financial sustainability and attract foreign investment.

The forum was organized by the Oman-Switzerland Friendship Association and the Advisory Organization for the Swiss Export and Investment Program in Lucerne, under the theme of “Opportunities for Investment and Cooperation in Renewable Energy, Infrastructure and Tourism”.

In a speech on the occasion, Eng. Khamis Mohammed Al Shamakhi, Transport Undersecretary at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, outlined the business advantages offered by the infrastructure sector in Oman, mainly investment opportunities in the field of transport and logistics.

 



Oil Up as Israel, Hezbollah Trade Accusations of Ceasefire Violation

FILE - An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FILE - An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
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Oil Up as Israel, Hezbollah Trade Accusations of Ceasefire Violation

FILE - An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FILE - An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Oil prices ticked up on Thursday after Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah traded accusations that their ceasefire had been violated, and as Israeli tanks fired on south Lebanon.

OPEC+ also delayed by a few days a meeting likely to extend production cuts.

Brent crude futures edged up by 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $73.13 a barrel by 1741 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 23 cents, 0.3%, at $68.93. Trading was thin because of the US Thanksgiving holiday, Reuters reported.
Israel's military said the ceasefire was violated after what it called suspects, some in vehicles, arrived at several areas in the southern zone.
The deal, which took effect on Wednesday, was intended to allow people in both countries to start returning to homes in border areas shattered by 14 months of fighting.
The Middle East is one of the world's major oil-producing regions, and while the ongoing conflict has not so far not impacted supply it has been reflected in a risk premium for traders.
Elsewhere, OPEC+, comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, delayed its next policy meeting to Dec. 5 from Dec. 1 to avoid a conflict with another event.
Also supporting prices, OPEC+ sources have said there will again be discussion over another delay to an oil output increase scheduled for January.
"It's highly unlikely they are going to announce an increase production at this meeting," said Rory Johnston, analyst at Commodity Context.
The group pumps about half the world's oil but has maintained production cuts to support prices. It hopes to unwind those cuts, but weak global demand has forced it to delay the start of gradual increases.
A further delay has mostly been factored in to oil prices already, said Suvro Sarkar at DBS Bank. "The only question is whether it's a one-month pushback, or three, or even longer."
Depressing prices slightly, US gasoline stocks rose 3.3 million barrels in the week ending Nov. 22, the US Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday, countering expectations of a small draw in fuel stocks ahead of holiday travel.
Slowing fuel demand growth in top consumers China and the US has weighed on oil prices this year.