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Law Updates

FSA Adopts IFRS S1 and IFRS S2

The Financial Services Authority published in this week’s issue of the Official Gazette Decision E/7/2026 adopting IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, the international sustainability disclosure standards, for listed public joint-stock companies and financial institutions in Oman.

This decision is the latest in a series of moves by the FSA to align Oman’s financial sector with internationally recognised standards. Earlier last year, the FSA issued Decision E/2/2025, which made IFRS the mandatory model for preparing and auditing financial statements in Oman. The latest decision extends that same approach to sustainability, requiring companies to disclose how climate and sustainability-related risks affect their business.

Both standards must be fully applied from 1 January 2029, with the exception of scope 3 under IFRS S2, which covers indirect greenhouse gas emissions, and which must be applied from 1 January 2030. The FSA will also issue forms to guide companies through implementation. Failure to comply can result in penalties ranging from a warning to being struck off the Accountants and Auditors Register.

This decision comes into force as of tomorrow. You can read the text of the decision in full on the link below:

Financial Services Authority: Decision E/7/2026 Adopting the Two International Standards on Sustainability Disclosures

Categories
Law Updates

Employer Obligations Under the New Personal Income Tax Law

Last week, Oman took a groundbreaking step towards economic sustainability by being the first GCC country to introduce the long awaited personal income tax through Royal Decree 56 Issuing the Personal Income Tax Law. The impact that this law is expected to have on the economy and the relationship between the government and residents in Oman cannot be understated. However, it is also important to note that even though this law relates only to the taxation of individuals, it imposes a number of significant obligations on employers. This blog post will outline these key obligations under the Personal Income Tax Law that all companies in Oman need to be aware of to be in compliance with the law in their capacity as employers.

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Law Updates

MTCIT Issues Public Policy for Ethical Use of AI

Last month, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) issued Oman’s first policy for governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This policy was issued in the form of a circular, and therefore it is not a strictly binding legal document published in the Official Gazette.

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Law Updates

New Financial Law Issued

The new Financial Law was published in this week’s issue of the Official Gazette repealing the Financial Law of 1998.

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Article

5 Key ICESCR Provisions: Implementation Efforts in Oman

The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is a multilateral treaty ratified by most of the United Nations (UN) member states, which lays out and aims to enforce various economic, cultural and social rights. It is one of the principal international human rights treaties. Oman’s ratification of the ICESCR, through Royal Decree 46/2020, brought the treaty into force for the Sultanate, signifying its commitment to upholding the human rights enshrined within the covenant. Since then, Oman has actively pursued implementation of the ICESCR’s principles, with “progressive realization” as a guiding framework, and focusing on key provisions including the right to work, social security, education, and adequate standard of living.

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Article

The Separation of Powers in Oman: Balancing Act or Centralised Rule?

The principle of the separation of powers is critical for maintaining the integrity of governance while fostering its efficiency. This principle, which ensures that different branches of government perform separate roles and responsibilities, prevents the concentration of power in the hands of a single authority. But how exactly does this principle operate in the Omani context? This blog post offers an overview of the separation of powers within the Omani legal system, exploring its foundations and its application.