Investment Court Boosts Investor Confidence: Key Benefits for Investors and Entrepreneurs in Oman
MUSCAT, JUNE 8 — The Sultanate of Oman has taken a major step to bolster its investment climate and boost investor confidence through the establishment of a specialised Investment and Trade Court. This initiative, highlighted by Ibtisam bint Ahmed al Farouji, Under-Secretary for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), aims to provide a transparent and efficient judicial framework for investment-related cases.
In an interview with Radio Sultanate of Oman, Al Farouji emphasized that a clear judicial system is crucial for supporting investment decisions and enhancing Oman’s appeal as a prime business destination. “A specialised investment court is one of the key factors that strengthens the investment environment in Oman,” she stated. “This court reassures investors that their rights are protected by a dedicated judiciary capable of efficiently handling investment disputes.”
Al Farouji explained that modern investors assess not only the fairness of legal systems but also the speed of dispute resolution, availability of alternative dispute resolution options, and overall litigation processes. The establishment of this court has markedly increased investor confidence and underscored the transparency of Oman’s judicial system.
She also noted the importance of government integration in streamlining investment processes. “The government operates as a unified team, allowing investors to interact with a single interface and receive comprehensive approval for all project services within a set timeframe,” Al Farouji said. This approach brings greater clarity to procedures, timelines, and decision-making, enabling investors to plan and execute their projects more effectively.
Al Farouji highlighted that investor trust depends on transparency and realistic commitments. “When promises align with the system’s capabilities and expectations are clearly managed, investor confidence grows. This confidence is vital for encouraging investment and project expansion in Oman.”
The Investment and Trade Court was established by Royal Decree No. 35/2025, issued by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, and began operations on October 1, 2025. Operating under the Supreme Judiciary Council, the court is part of Oman’s broader strategy to enhance its business environment and attract both local and foreign investors. It provides a specialised judicial framework for resolving investment and commercial disputes more swiftly and effectively.
According to the Supreme Judiciary Council, the court is mandated to resolve cases within 90 days of referral, with an extension of up to 45 days for complex issues. This expedited timeline aims to minimize project delays, reduce the financial burden of prolonged litigation, and lower operational costs for businesses.
Furthermore, plans are underway to establish primary and appellate chambers of the Investment and Trade Court across various governorates, ensuring wider access to specialised commercial justice throughout Oman.
Ibtisam bint Ahmed al Farouji, Under-Secretary for Investment Promotion, MoCIIP (Image)
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The establishment of Oman’s specialised Investment and Trade Court significantly enhances the country’s investment climate by providing a transparent, efficient, and reliable judicial framework that boosts investor confidence. For businesses and investors, this creates opportunities to resolve disputes swiftly and reduce operational risks, while the unified government interface streamlines project approvals, enabling smarter, well-timed investment decisions. Forward-looking entrepreneurs should leverage this improved legal certainty and expedited dispute resolution to confidently expand ventures in Oman’s evolving market.
