MUSCAT : Oman’s competition watchdog opened investigations into nine complaints and reports of potentially anti-competitive practices in the first half of 2026 and reviewed six applications for economic concentration, the Oman News Agency reported.

The Centre for Competition Protection and Monopoly Prevention, part of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, also tracked more than 300 transactions linked to economic concentration through the Oman Business platform.

Its reviews included technical assessments, preliminary economic analysis and recommendations aimed at preventing the formation of monopolistic entities that could restrict competition or undermine equal opportunities for businesses.

The centre also monitored changes in major shareholders’ holdings using data from Muscat Clearing and Depository to assess shifts in market structures and their potential effects on competition.

Khalid bin Khamis Al Masrouri, the centre’s acting director-general, said competition protection was central to building an efficient, resilient economy capable of attracting investment.

Competitive markets helped improve product and service quality, encourage innovation, support better pricing and create opportunities for businesses of all sizes, he said.

The centre combines enforcement and market monitoring with sector-level economic analysis to identify and address competition problems before their effects worsen, Al Masrouri said.

Its oversight aims to balance business expansion and investment with safeguards against practices that restrict competition or create unjustified market dominance, he added.

Trade protection

The ministry also continued work on trade remedies to protect domestic manufacturers and defend Omani exports facing similar measures abroad.

Badr bin Mubarak Al Hajri, head of the ministry’s anti-dumping section, said dumping involved imports priced below their normal value that harmed producers of comparable domestic goods.

The ministry coordinates with relevant Gulf authorities on investigations into foreign imports, using evidence and technical and economic analysis while observing Oman’s international trade obligations, he said.

It also works with Omani companies and relevant authorities to provide information supporting exporters facing trade-remedy investigations in overseas markets.

Al Hajri said protecting domestic industries and exporters helped sustain production, preserve access to foreign markets and strengthen the competitiveness of Omani products.

Sector studies and reforms

The competition centre reported progress of more than 90% in implementing recommendations from studies covering hypermarkets and retail, and differences in vehicle and spare-parts prices.

It also continued studies of construction and building materials in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, alongside a study of e-commerce and its implications for competition.

The centre published five guidance documents on the ministry’s website to help businesses and investors understand competition rules and improve compliance with Oman’s Competition Protection and Monopoly Prevention Law and its executive regulations.

The law was issued under Royal Decree No. 67/2014 and subsequently amended, while its executive regulations were issued under Decision No. 18/2021.

Planned reforms include updating competition legislation, preparing a comprehensive national competition policy and developing indicators to measure competition across economic sectors.

The centre also plans to automate its services, connect them with relevant government systems and establish a central market-monitoring database linked to an early-warning system for potential monopolistic practices and market distortions.

Al Masrouri said the next phase would focus on priority economic sectors and closer coordination with government bodies and private businesses to support small and medium-sized enterprises, improve market efficiency and strengthen investor confidence.

The centre is also seeking closer regional and international cooperation through agreements and coordination with Gulf Cooperation Council countries and international competition organisations.

The measures form part of Oman’s efforts under Vision 2040 to diversify its economy and support sustainable growth led by the private sector.

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