MUSCAT – In line with its principle of fostering collaboration and partnership with government and private institutions, Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, supported the successful organization of the second edition of the Duqm Economic Forum. The event was held in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm from 27-28 October 2025 under the patronage of H.E. Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, with the presence of a number of ministers, undersecretaries, dignitaries, and key decision-makers, as well as participation from local and international investors.

Bank Muscat’s support for this event reflects its ongoing efforts to contribute to strengthening the business and investment climate in the Sultanate and to reaffirm its position as a leading national bank that aligns with the strategic priorities of Oman Vision 2040.

It also underscores the Bank’s strategy of contributing to sustainable economic development and reinforcing Oman’s position as a leading investment destination, while maintaining its commitment to adopting the highest standards of banking quality and keeping pace with the latest sector developments.

This year, the Forum focused on three main themes that reflect the strategy of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and its alignment with Oman Vision 2040: economic diversification, the transition to green industries, and sustainable investment and development.

The Duqm Economic Forum serves as a prominent platform to showcase diverse economic and investment opportunities in the Sultanate. It featured extensive discussions on promising sectors and explored ways to strengthen public-private partnerships in line with the country’s growth and development aspirations.

The Special Economic Zone at Duqm continues to position itself as an attractive investment hub, having successfully attracted and established strategic partnerships across several key sectors, including renewable energy, green hydrogen, green industries, fisheries, petrochemicals, and other diversified industries. Recognizing this potential, Bank Muscat has placed strong emphasis on expanding its presence in Duqm.

As part of this strategy, the Bank inaugurated its first dedicated Corporate Branch in Duqm in 2023. Designed with modern standards that reflect best practices in the banking secto, including safety, security, advanced technology, and customer convenience, the branch offers a wide range of services tailored to government entities and corporates. These include global trade services, project financing, account management, transfers, internet banking, cheque services, payroll solutions, and electronic banking facilities through ATMs and CDMs.

In the same year, Bank Muscat also opened a Meethaq Islamic Banking branch in Duqm, which features multiple departments providing Sharia-compliant banking services and facilities for both individuals and corporates. Meethaq offers a wide portfolio of products, including working capital financing, project finance, term

financing, trade finance solutions such as letters of credit and guarantees, as well as investment solutions like Wakalah- and Mudarabah-based investment deposits and Sukuk. It also provides corporate banking services such as current accounts, call accounts, purchase cards (including tailored corporate purchase cards), in addition to financial transfers, cheque clearing and collection, and other specialized services.

These initiatives are aligned with Bank Muscat’s commitment to promoting financial inclusion and ensuring that individuals, corporates, and institutions have access to a

comprehensive suite of banking options that meet their diverse needs. Today, the Bank’s extensive network spans more than 190 branches and over 900 ATMs, CDMs, and multi-functional machines distributed across all governorates of the Sultanate.