MUSCAT: Muscat Clearing and Depository Company (MCDC) has introduced a regulatory framework for consolidated accounts, allowing licensed operators to hold securities on behalf of multiple beneficial owners through a single account as Oman seeks to make its capital market more accessible to foreign investors.

The framework, introduced under the company’s new clearing and settlement regulations, is intended to align the Omani market with international practices while strengthening transparency, governance and investor protection.

Under the new mechanism, licensed local and foreign consolidated account operators can manage securities for multiple clients through a single account, with each investor’s beneficial ownership rights remaining legally protected.

MCDC Chief Executive Mohammed bin Said Al Abri said the framework strikes a balance between simplifying market access for international investors and maintaining robust regulatory safeguards. He added that investors retain the right to transfer their securities at any time to an individual account or to another authorised consolidated account operator.

The company said the framework is expected to improve the efficiency of clearing and settlement processes, increase foreign investor participation, boost market liquidity and support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 by strengthening the Sultanate’s financial sector and capital market infrastructure.