{"id":11096,"date":"2026-04-26T14:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T10:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/riyada-commercial-banks-cooperation-pact\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T00:39:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T20:39:35","slug":"riyada-commercial-banks-cooperation-pact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/riyada-commercial-banks-cooperation-pact\/","title":{"rendered":"Riyada Signs Strategic Pact with Commercial Banks: How This Boosts Business Financing Opportunities in Oman"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-shimmer{0%,100%{opacity:0.3;transform:scaleX(0.4)}50%{opacity:1;transform:scaleX(1)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-glow{0%,100%{opacity:0.6}50%{opacity:1}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-badge{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(0.8)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}\r\n<\/style><style>\r\n.hitv3sogw{container-type:inline-size;width:100%;max-width:970px;margin:0 auto;box-sizing:border-box}\r\n.hitv3soga{display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;text-decoration:none;color:#fff;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,system-ui,sans-serif;position:relative;overflow:hidden;cursor:pointer;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#111118 0%,#080808 100%);border:1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border-radius:14px;gap:20px;padding:20px 40px;transition:border-color .2s}\r\n.hitv3soga:hover{border-color:#dc262688}\r\n.hitv3sogg1{position:absolute;inset:0;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 0%,rgba(220,38,38,0.35),transparent 65%);pointer-events:none;z-index:0}\r\n.hitv3sogg2{position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;height:45%;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 100%,rgba(220,38,38,0.15),transparent 70%);pointer-events:none;z-index:0}\r\n.hitv3soggl{position:absolute;top:0;left:8%;right:8%;height:1px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,transparent,#dc262666,transparent);z-index:0}\r\n.hitv3sogc{position:relative;z-index:1;display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;flex:1;min-width:0}\r\n.hitv3sogh{font-size:24px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.15;letter-spacing:-.03em;color:#fff;text-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,.4);margin:2px 0;white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}\r\n.hitv3sogs{font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.6);line-height:1.4;margin-top:3px;white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}\r\n.hitv3sogbl{display:none;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;margin-top:9px;align-self:flex-start}\r\n.hitv3sogbi{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:11px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.55);font-weight:500}\r\n.hitv3sogct{position:relative;z-index:1;flex-shrink:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center}\r\n.hitv3sogbtn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;padding:10px 24px;background:#dc2626;background-image:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(255,255,255,.12) 0%,transparent 100%);color:#fff;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;border-radius:8px;white-space:nowrap;box-shadow:0 0 20px #dc262666;border:none;cursor:pointer;font-family:inherit;transition:filter .15s,transform .15s}\r\n.hitv3sogbtn:hover{filter:brightness(1.15);transform:scale(1.04)}\r\n.hitv3sogbr{font-size:9px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.18);text-align:center;margin-top:5px;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Compact horizontal: 380\u2013599px (like 320\u00d7100) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:380px) and (max-width:599px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{padding:12px 22px;gap:12px;min-height:100px}\r\n  .hitv3sogh{font-size:16px}\r\n  .hitv3sogs{display:none}\r\n  .hitv3sogbtn{padding:7px 16px;font-size:11px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Mobile\/card: < 380px (like 300\u00d7250) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (max-width:379px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;min-height:260px;padding:22px 22px;gap:10px}\r\n  .hitv3sogc{align-items:center;text-align:center}\r\n  .hitv3sogh{font-size:22px;white-space:normal}\r\n  .hitv3sogs{font-size:11px;white-space:normal}\r\n  .hitv3sogbl{display:flex;align-self:center;text-align:left}\r\n  .hitv3sogbtn{width:100%;justify-content:center;padding:12px 20px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Wide: >= 600px (leaderboard style) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:600px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{min-height:90px}\r\n}\r\n<\/style><!-- HiT Land Banner \u2014 Container Query Responsive -->\r\n<div class=\"hitv3sogw\">\r\n<a class=\"hitv3soga\" href=\"https:\/\/hit.land\/services\/web-app-development\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-fadein 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0s;\">\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogg1\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-glow 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogg2\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3soggl\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-shimmer 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogc\">\r\n    \r\n    <div style=\"display:inline-flex;align-self:flex-start;align-items:center;gap:6px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitv3sog-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OMAN OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogh\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Websites For <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Omani Businesses.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogs\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Empower your brand with custom digital solutions designed for high conversion and market dominance.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbl\"><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Responsive designs built for growth<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Fast loading with smart automation<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitv3sogbtn\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Build Your Free Website <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>MUSCAT, April 26, 2026 \u2014 The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada) formalized a cooperation agreement on Sunday with multiple commercial banks across Oman. This initiative represents a collaborative effort between the government and the banking sector to broaden support for entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement aims to enhance the business environment and foster SME growth by improving access to finance and offering a comprehensive range of financial and non-financial services. These measures are designed to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in their growth, expansion, and sustainability.<\/p>\n<p>The signing ceremony was held under the patronage of Ahmed bin Ja\u2019afar bin Salim Al Musallami, Governor of the Central Bank of Oman. Also present were Halima bint Rashid Al Zari, Chairperson of Riyada, alongside CEOs of the participating banks and key stakeholders from the entrepreneurship ecosystem specializing in finance and investment.<\/p>\n<p>Participating banks include Bank Muscat, Sohar International, National Bank of Oman, Bank Dhofar, Oman Arab Bank, Ahli Bank, Ahli Islamic Bank, Bank Nizwa, Alizz Islamic Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank (Oman).<\/p>\n<p>Abdul Salam bin Mubarak Al Rawahi, Assistant Director of Finance at Riyada, highlighted that the authority, in partnership with these leading banks, has launched ten cooperation programs targeting the promotion of financial literacy among entrepreneurs, development of specialized training, and creation of tailored financing solutions to empower SMEs.<\/p>\n<p>Rashid bin Zayed Al Ghassani, Head of the Financial Investment and Banking Supervision Sector at the Central Bank of Oman, emphasized that these memorandums are the culmination of significant banking sector efforts to support entrepreneurs. This initiative builds on previous mandates, including the allocation of 5% of total loan portfolios to the SME sector, underscoring the importance of SME development to the national economy.<\/p>\n<p>Al Ghassani noted that the banking sector\u2019s loan portfolio dedicated to SMEs now totals approximately RO 1.2 billion, supplemented by financing from companies, the Development Bank, and other entrepreneurial support funds, with steady annual growth.<\/p>\n<p>Tariq bin Atiq, Acting CEO of Bank Nizwa, described the agreement as a vital step for both the banking sector and SMEs, with an emphasis on enhancing training and capacity-building for entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<p>The cooperation program is designed to create a more efficient and flexible financing system by developing customized financial products tailored to the diverse needs of SMEs. Key aspects of the program include offering incentives and banking facilities, joint training and awareness initiatives, promoting financial literacy, exchanging expertise, and establishing joint guarantee and financing mechanisms to mitigate risks and stimulate lending growth.<\/p>\n<p>This collaboration aligns with Oman\u2019s national strategy to empower SMEs as a major economic growth driver. The sector is expanding rapidly, with over 270,000 SMEs registered nationwide, including more than 130,000 registered with Riyada. Nearly 30,000 of these enterprises hold the Riyada Entrepreneurship Card, managed by owners who are actively engaged in their businesses.<\/p>\n<p><style>\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-shimmer{0%,100%{opacity:0.3;transform:scaleX(0.4)}50%{opacity:1;transform:scaleX(1)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-glow{0%,100%{opacity:0.6}50%{opacity:1}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-badge{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(0.8)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}\r\n<\/style><style>\r\n.hitl8gakw{container-type:inline-size;width:100%;max-width:970px;margin:0 auto;box-sizing:border-box}\r\n.hitl8gaka{display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;text-decoration:none;color:#fff;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,system-ui,sans-serif;position:relative;overflow:hidden;cursor:pointer;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#111118 0%,#080808 100%);border:1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border-radius:14px;gap:20px;padding:20px 40px;transition:border-color .2s}\r\n.hitl8gaka:hover{border-color:#dc262688}\r\n.hitl8gakg1{position:absolute;inset:0;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 0%,rgba(220,38,38,0.35),transparent 65%);pointer-events:none;z-index:0}\r\n.hitl8gakg2{position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;height:45%;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 100%,rgba(220,38,38,0.15),transparent 70%);pointer-events:none;z-index:0}\r\n.hitl8gakgl{position:absolute;top:0;left:8%;right:8%;height:1px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,transparent,#dc262666,transparent);z-index:0}\r\n.hitl8gakc{position:relative;z-index:1;display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;flex:1;min-width:0}\r\n.hitl8gakh{font-size:24px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.15;letter-spacing:-.03em;color:#fff;text-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,.4);margin:2px 0;white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}\r\n.hitl8gaks{font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.6);line-height:1.4;margin-top:3px;white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}\r\n.hitl8gakbl{display:none;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;margin-top:9px;align-self:flex-start}\r\n.hitl8gakbi{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:11px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.55);font-weight:500}\r\n.hitl8gakct{position:relative;z-index:1;flex-shrink:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center}\r\n.hitl8gakbtn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;padding:10px 24px;background:#dc2626;background-image:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(255,255,255,.12) 0%,transparent 100%);color:#fff;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;border-radius:8px;white-space:nowrap;box-shadow:0 0 20px #dc262666;border:none;cursor:pointer;font-family:inherit;transition:filter .15s,transform .15s}\r\n.hitl8gakbtn:hover{filter:brightness(1.15);transform:scale(1.04)}\r\n.hitl8gakbr{font-size:9px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.18);text-align:center;margin-top:5px;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Compact horizontal: 380\u2013599px (like 320\u00d7100) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:380px) and (max-width:599px){\r\n  .hitl8gaka{padding:12px 22px;gap:12px;min-height:100px}\r\n  .hitl8gakh{font-size:16px}\r\n  .hitl8gaks{display:none}\r\n  .hitl8gakbtn{padding:7px 16px;font-size:11px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Mobile\/card: < 380px (like 300\u00d7250) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (max-width:379px){\r\n  .hitl8gaka{flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;min-height:260px;padding:22px 22px;gap:10px}\r\n  .hitl8gakc{align-items:center;text-align:center}\r\n  .hitl8gakh{font-size:22px;white-space:normal}\r\n  .hitl8gaks{font-size:11px;white-space:normal}\r\n  .hitl8gakbl{display:flex;align-self:center;text-align:left}\r\n  .hitl8gakbtn{width:100%;justify-content:center;padding:12px 20px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Wide: >= 600px (leaderboard style) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:600px){\r\n  .hitl8gaka{min-height:90px}\r\n}\r\n<\/style><!-- HiT Land Banner \u2014 Container Query Responsive -->\r\n<div class=\"hitl8gakw\">\r\n<a class=\"hitl8gaka\" href=\"https:\/\/hit.land\/services\/web-app-development\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-fadein 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0s;\">\r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakg1\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-glow 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakg2\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakgl\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-shimmer 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakc\">\r\n    \r\n    <div style=\"display:inline-flex;align-self:flex-start;align-items:center;gap:6px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitl8gak-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakh\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Your Website <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Should Sell.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gaks\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Custom-built websites with smart automation & AI-powered features.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbl\"><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>SEO-optimized & lightning fast<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Smart features built for your business<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitl8gakbtn\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Get Free Consultation <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman&#8217;s Market<\/p>\n<p>The strategic partnership between Riyada and Oman&#8217;s leading banks signals <strong>a new era of enhanced financial support and tailored services for SMEs<\/strong>, positioning them as pivotal drivers of economic growth in the Sultanate. For businesses and investors, this creates <strong>opportunities to leverage expanded financing options and capacity-building programs<\/strong>, while smart entrepreneurs should prioritize financial literacy and engage actively with these initiatives to maximize growth and sustainability.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada) signed cooperation agreements with Oman&#8217;s commercial banks on April 26, 2026, to enhance SMEs&#8217; growth and access to finance. This initiative includes tailored financing, training, and financial literacy programs to support entrepreneurs&#8217; expansion and sustainability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":11097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[482],"tags":[3767,1731,4008],"class_list":["post-11096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","tag-entrepreneurship-development","tag-oman-banking","tag-sme-support"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/3365607.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/36"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11096"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11098,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11096\/revisions\/11098"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}