Oman today_ The Omani Shura Council has approved two key laws, which have now been referred to the State Council for final review. The first law focuses on the digitalization of property registration, aiming to simplify ownership, enhance transparency in transactions, and expedite the registration process. Comprising 40 articles across five chapters, this law emphasizes the use of electronic documentation and digital registration services to ensure the legal security of real estate transactions and to make the property market more attractive to both domestic and foreign investors.
The second law concerns the reform of arbitration processes in civil and commercial disputes. This law aims to improve the speed and efficiency of dispute resolution, bringing Oman closer to international standards in this domain and positioning the country as a more appealing destination for foreign investors.
During the same session, council members voiced concerns over the Ministry of Labor’s decision to mandate small enterprises to hire Omani nationals within 30 days. This decision, made without consultation with relevant entities, was criticized for potentially imposing additional economic pressure on small businesses.
The session also highlighted a report on the poor performance of certain state-owned companies in the food security sector. Delays in decision-making and a lack of productivity were identified as the primary reasons behind the failure of related projects.
Additionally, the council approved an air transport agreement between Oman and Kyrgyzstan, aimed at enhancing technical, commercial, and travel cooperation between the two nations. Several other important proposals, including the Geospatial Data Law, the Sports Institutions Law, and the Industrial Organization Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council, were also submitted to the council and are pending review.
The next session of the council will focus on the draft law for civil society organizations. These developments reflect Oman’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its legal framework and attract both domestic and international investment.
A Major Step by Oman Towards Digitalizing Property Registration and Attracting Foreign Investors
