Insurance firms in Oman invest OMR876mn in first quarter
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Insurance firms in Oman collectively invested OMR876.3 million in the first quarter of 2026, a 10.3% increase from the previous year.
- Omani firms accounted for the majority of these investments, with a strong focus on domestic assets as per regulatory requirements.
- Investments are diversified across asset classes like bank deposits, equities, and bonds, with notable growth in listed equities and investment funds.
Insurance companies operating in Oman significantly boosted their investments in the first quarter of 2026, reaching a total of OMR876.3 million. This represents a robust growth of 10.3% compared to the same period in 2025, underscoring the insurance sector's expanding role in supporting the Sultanate's economy.
Omani insurance firms were the primary drivers of this investment surge, contributing approximately OMR588.8 million to the total. Foreign firms invested around OMR287.5 million. Regulatory frameworks, such as Decision No. (76/2020), mandate that at least 70% of total investments be allocated within Oman, a guideline that both local and foreign firms largely adhered to, with Omani firms investing about 80% domestically and foreign firms around 85%.
The investment portfolios show a strategic allocation across various asset classes. Cash and bank deposits formed the largest portion, at roughly 45% of total investments, amounting to OMR263.9 million. Other significant allocations included corporate bonds (OMR87.2 million), government bonds (OMR79.4 million), and listed equities (OMR73.6 million).
Notably, several investment channels within Oman experienced substantial growth compared to Q1 2025. Listed equities saw a remarkable increase of 90.6%, investment funds grew by 78.4%, corporate bonds by 37.4%, and unlisted equities by 32%. This diversification reflects a growing confidence in Oman's investment environment and a strategic shift by insurance firms to enhance returns within a stable regulatory framework.
Originally published by Times of Oman. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.