The Sultanate of Oman has a cluster of laws regulating the relationship between foreign investors and Omani society. Oman has tried to maintain a balance between its national and regional commitments in this regard. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Foreign Capital Investment Law (OFCIL) as well as related laws in order to articulate standards of investment protection and to provide a road map for foreign investors in the Sultanate. A comparison with some Arab laws is undertaken in order to highlight weaknesses that can be improved in OFCIL.

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In 2004 the responsibilities of the insurance sector was transferred from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in order to develop and restructure the legislative and regulatory nature of this sector. CMA has exercised its role based on the provisions of the Insurance Law to protect the financial ability of insurance companies. The insurance law grants powers to the executive president of the CMA to ensure that insurance companies can satisfy their financial obligations. The question arises as to the limits and effectiveness of these powers. CMA also regulates the conduct of insurance companies by a cluster of regulations issued under the title of Code of Conduct. The question arises to the mandatory nature of these codes. The study includes an analysis of the role of the CMA in protecting the insurance sector in the Sultanate of Oman through the mechanisms of guaranteeing the financial ability of the insurance companies as well as an analysis of the legal and mandatory nature of the codes of conduct issued by CMA.