The Muscat Securities Market (MSM, ) is the only stock exchange in Oman.[2] It was established by the Royal Decree (53/88) issued on 21 June 1988, to regulate and control the Omani securities market and to participate, effectively, with other organisations for setting up the infrastructure of the Sultanate's financial sector.
After ten years of continuous growth, there was a need for a better functioning of the market. Thus MSM has been restructured by two Royal Decrees (80/98) and (82/98).
History
The Royal Decree (80/98) dated 9 November 1998, which promulgated the new Capital Market Law, provides for the establishment of two separate entities, an exchange, Muscat Securities Market (MSM), where all listed securities shall be traded, and the Capital Market Authority (CMA) – the regulatory. The exchange is a governmental entity, financially and administratively independent from the regulatory but subject to its supervision.
The Market has developed its existing system of clearance and settlement, by introducing a new mechanism for ensuring stable dealings in securities, as well as providing a better environment attracting foreign investment into Oman. The former settlement mechanism was involving only three parties in the clearance and settlement: MSM, Muscat Clearing and Depository Company (S.A.O.C) and the brokers. The newly introduced settlement formula is through a settlement bank (Central Bank) with a Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF), established with the contribution of all intermediary companies.
The Muscat Securities Market is a member of the