Oman's government may issue an international sovereign bond and an Islamic bond next year, its central bank chief Hamood Sangour al-Zadjali said. He did not provide details on the size of the bonds, however. While Oman aims to develop its fledgling Islamic finance industry, a debut issue of sukuk by the government would be a major step towards that. Zadjali also said Oman planned a domestic issue of government development bonds worth 100 million rials ($260 million) in the fourth quarter of this year. The procedes will be used for development purposes as well as for projects. Oman's banking sector is expected to grow 15-20 percent this year in terms of assets.
Hamood Sangour Al-Zadjali, the country's central bank head, stated that Oman may in future consider launching sukuk. He added that inflation in Oman was stable and would be around four percent this year.
Oman accepted Islamic banking in May this year, after previously deciding not to introduce it.