In the Pipeline - June 2019

The Capital Market Authority issued a directive on 15 May 2019 suspending the 10% withholding tax that is applicable on dividends and interest, with the aim of boosting foreign investments.  The suspension period is three years and may be extended.

Following the success of compulsory medical insurance policies in other Gulf states, Oman has initiated the rollout of its own national mandate.  The Unified Health Insurance Policy (UHIP), also referred to as Dhamani, is expected to grant approximately two million workers in the private sector and their dependents access to health care.  Implementation will gradually take place in 2019 and throughout 2020.

The establishment of the Oman Credit and Financial Information Centre is promulgated by Sultani Decree 38/2019, and the Centre shall be affiliated with the Central Bank of Oman.  The Oman Credit and Financial Information Centre will enjoy administrative and financial independence in addition to acquiring its own legal identity.  The data, systems and assets shall be transferred from the Banking Credit Information Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Oman to the newly established Centre.  The Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Oman shall issue regulations regarding the enforcement of the provisions. All contravening provisions will be repealed.

The Oman-UK Joint Defence Agreement has been ratified by Sultani Decree 42/2019.  The Agreement was signed in Muscat on 21 February 2019.  It will be published in the Official Gazette and will be enforced from the date it is issued.

Sultani Decree 39/2019 promulgates the regulations enforcing the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and their Destruction.  This shall apply to the Chemical Weapons Convention and it will require the banning of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons.  The Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs shall issue the necessary decisions.  The new law replaces Sultani Decree 21/97 and repeals all contravening provisions.  It will be published in the Official Gazette and will be enforced 90 days from the date of publication.

Please contact us if you would like more detailed advice on the above.