22 January 2014
SMEs are the broad economic base for most the global economies and are important source of new jobs in the Sultanate. They play an important role in the economic activity and in major projects as well as accommodating a good ratio of national manpower, thus their support is considered very important for supporting and diversification of the national economy.
One of the key support approaches is creation of an exchange for SMEs to improve the growth rate and level of success.
The creation of an exchange for SMEs is an manifestation of the Government’s endeavors to develop and enhance the national economy and implementation of the decision made in Saih Al Shamikhaat.
CMA has undertaken a detailed assessment of various approaches used by Capital Markets and Exchanges in the area of SMEs. This has included an assessment of the relative impact and benefits of these approaches on the overall development of SMEs, returns to investors and market participants, and benefits to clients and suppliers of SMEs.
CMA is now in an advanced stage of developing an SME capital market and exchange model for Oman. The model is being developed in conjunction with some of the most successful SME markets in the world, and in coordination with the Ministry for Commerce and Industry and the Public Authority for SME Development.
The objective of the exchange will be to support the development of SMEs across a wide range of growth enablers, to provide fair and attractive returns to investors and market participants, and to provide clients and suppliers of SMEs (the business counterparties of SMEs) with better access to and information on the opportunities of doing business with SMEs (individually and collectively).
CMA will conduct a consultation and review process with interested parties in Q2 2014, and following consultation feedback expects to finalise plans in the summer of 2014, for immediate start of build and implementation thereafter.
Parties wishing to register their interest are asked to contact the SME team at the CMA, at:
