Oman’s first corporate sukuk has received regulatory approval and the five-year, RO50m ($130m) private placement aims to close next month. It will be issued by Tilal Development Co and the proceeds will be used to repay existing debt and expand the Muscat Grand Mall. The sukuk, rated BBB by Capital Intelligence, will pay a five percent profit rate and use an ijara structure, a common Shariah-compliant leasing arrangement. Omani domestic investors such as pension funds and insurance firms have expressed interest in the sukuk and it could have a broader regional appeal, in particular from Qatar. A corporate sukuk could also be welcomed by local Islamic banks, which are eager for access to more sharia-compliant investment products while Oman’s Islamic money markets are underdeveloped.
