Competition Watchdog Strengthens Market Confidence: What This Means for Investors and Businesses in Oman
MUSCAT: The Competition Protection and Anti-Monopoly Centre has become a vital regulatory entity bolstering investor confidence and economic stability in the Sultanate of Oman. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring market fairness and preventing monopolistic practices.
At the microeconomic level, the Centre curbs anti-competitive behavior, promotes fair pricing, and enhances market efficiency. This fosters greater consumer choice, safeguards business owners, and enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to compete fairly within a transparent and regulated marketplace.
The Centre’s impact extends to the macroeconomic sphere by limiting price distortions and excessive market concentration. These efforts support productivity growth, reduce systemic risks, and improve the overall attractiveness of Oman’s investment climate. These objectives align closely with Oman Vision 2040’s goals of economic diversification and private sector-led growth.
Ahmed bin Salem al Rasbi, Director General of the Competition Protection and Monopoly Prevention Centre, emphasized that competition policy is not just regulatory but a powerful economic instrument. It enhances market efficiency, drives innovation, and builds investor trust. He underscored that fair competition is fundamental to a sustainable economy, fostering high-quality products and services free from illicit market influence.
Al Rasbi outlined the Centre’s integrated framework, which focuses on enforcing compliance in sensitive sectors, protecting SMEs from restrictive practices, improving price and information transparency, and monitoring economic indicators to identify risks related to monopolies or excessive concentration.
He further disclosed that the Centre is advancing a series of forward-looking initiatives, including the development of national competition indicators using advanced economic methodologies, full automation of monitoring and analysis services, and sectoral studies in industries such as construction, building materials, and e-commerce—sectors critical to pricing and market access. Cooperation with government agencies and the private sector is also being expanded to create a more flexible and equitable business environment.
In the first half of 2025, the Centre concluded investigations into 15 complaints concerning suspected anti-competitive practices, reinforcing compliance and contributing to a more stable and efficient market.
Khalid bin Khamis al Masrouri, Director of the Prohibited Practices Department, reported that complaints primarily involved abuse of dominant market positions, price manipulation, and barriers to market entry. All cases were handled in strict accordance with the law, increasing companies’ awareness of their regulatory responsibilities.
Regarding economic concentration, the Centre reviewed seven cases to ensure that mergers and acquisitions do not create monopolistic structures detrimental to competition.
Wahiba bint Rashid al Hinaiyah, an economic researcher in the Economic Concentration Department, described oversight of mergers and acquisitions as a frontline defense for the national economy. She warned that unchecked concentration can stifle innovation and distort prices before such damage becomes apparent.
Rajwa bint Mohammed al Rashidiyah, a competition specialist, highlighted progress in implementing recommendations from sectoral studies, including those on the hypermarket sector. She also noted the Centre’s investigations into unfair competition against national products, thereby protecting local industries from dumped imports.
Bader bin Mubarak al Hajri, Head of the Anti-Dumping Department, confirmed that monitoring of dumping cases remains active. — ONA
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The Competition Protection and Anti-Monopoly Centre is a strategic catalyst for market fairness and economic diversification in Oman, directly supporting Vision 2040 by fostering SME growth and investor confidence. For businesses, this means greater transparency and protection from monopolistic risks, while smart investors and entrepreneurs should prioritize sectors benefiting from enhanced regulatory oversight, such as construction and e-commerce, to capitalize on emerging equitable opportunities.
