Oman launches capital market awards

MUSCAT, OCT 4
The Oman Securities Association has launched the Leadership and Excellence Forum and Awards for the Omani Capital Market Sector 2026 to encourage market institutions to improve performance, develop financial services and strengthen competitiveness.
The initiative was launched under the auspices of Haitham bin Salim al Salmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Muscat Stock Exchange, as the sector seeks to attract investment and improve the efficiency of financial services.
The awards aim to recognise institutional achievements and their contribution to the market, investors and the national economy, alongside traditional performance indicators.
The launch programme includes presentations on the forum’s objectives, award categories, evaluation criteria and judging methodology, as well as partnership and sponsorship opportunities. It also includes a bell-ringing ceremony at the Muscat Stock Exchange.
Mustafa Ahmed Salman, Chairman of the Oman Securities Association, said the initiative aimed to strengthen cooperation among sector institutions and encourage professional competition based on performance quality and documented achievements.
He said it would highlight successful experiences that could help other institutions improve their practices.
The forum would bring together market leaders and experts to discuss development opportunities, exchange experiences and strengthen collaboration, he added.
Salman said the credibility of the awards depended on clear criteria, independent evaluation and a fair selection process. Separating sponsorship from judging decisions was a fundamental principle intended to protect the integrity of the awards, he said.
Ayman bin Ahmed al Shanfari, Director General of the Oman Securities Association, said the awards covered five main categories: brokerage and trading performance; investment, asset management and funds; listed companies and market achievements; innovation, resilience and specialised services; and leadership and corporate recognition.
Assessment will cover financial performance, execution quality, investor service, governance, disclosure and investor relations, digital transformation, sustainability and operational excellence.
Other areas include financial and technical analysis, innovative marketing initiatives, the management of challenges and the performance of crowdfunding institutions.
The awards are open to public joint-stock and listed companies; securities, brokerage, investment and asset management firms; investment funds; and investment, commercial and Islamic banks.
Institutions specialising in crowdfunding, financial technology, financial analysis and other specialised services are also eligible, along with individual leaders and professionals.
Al Salmi said recent achievements reflected cooperation between the exchange and sector institutions, which had helped increase market activity and liquidity.
Trading value on the exchange has exceeded RO 9 billion since the beginning of the year, compared with approximately RO 5 billion in the previous year, he said.
He attributed the results to sustained cooperation among market participants, including the committee working towards upgrading the exchange.
The next phase would focus on expanding the investor base, broadening the range of traded securities and products, and further increasing liquidity, Al Salmi said.
Registration and award nominations are open from October 4 to October 29. Entries will be reviewed, evaluated and judged from November 1 to November 19, with winners announced and honoured at the closing ceremony on November 30, 2026.
The association said participation in the forum or sponsorship would confer no advantage in the judging process. Awards would be determined solely by the criteria for each category and the evidence submitted in nomination files.
The forum, held alongside the awards ceremony on November 30, will bring together capital market leaders, institutions and experts to discuss sector development, exchange expertise and present institutional and individual achievements.