Overview
International rankings such as the Corruption Perceptions Index and the Ease of Doing Business rankings provide external benchmarks for Oman’s governance and business environment. While imperfect, these indicators influence investor perceptions and policy priorities.
Corruption Perceptions Index for Oman
Oman typically ranks in the top 60 globally on Transparency International’s CPI, with a score around 52 out of 100. This places Oman mid-range among GCC states, behind the UAE and Qatar but ahead of Kuwait and Bahrain. Oman’s anti-corruption framework includes the State Audit Institution and financial disclosure requirements for officials. Areas for improvement include procurement transparency and judicial independence in commercial disputes.
Ease of Doing Business Rankings for Oman
Oman ranked 68th in the World Bank’s final Ease of Doing Business report (2020), with strong scores in getting electricity and dealing with construction permits but weaker performance in starting a business and protecting minority investors. The Business Environment Improvement initiative under Vision 2040 targets top-20 global competitiveness. Reforms have included digital service delivery, one-stop-shop licensing, and commercial court establishment.
Key Differences
The CPI measures perceived public sector corruption, while the Ease of Doing Business index measures regulatory efficiency. Oman performs relatively better on corruption perceptions than on business regulation efficiency. The UAE leads the GCC on both indicators. Improving one metric often supports the other, as transparent governance reduces business transaction costs.
Verdict / Bottom Line
Both rankings highlight areas where Oman can improve. Enhancing procurement transparency and strengthening anti-corruption enforcement would boost the CPI score. Streamlining business registration, improving insolvency frameworks, and protecting minority investors would improve business environment competitiveness. Together, these improvements would enhance Oman’s attractiveness as an investment destination.