Oxford Business Group forms strategic partnerships with local institutions to produce Emerging Oman 2006

Emerging Oman is part of the Emerging Markets Series which currently covers 13 countries in the MENA region and 5 countries in the GCC. Oxford Business Group's Emerging Markets Series is critically acclaimed, and was recently hailed by Newsweek as one of the most concise and authoritative guides to the GCC economies.

The research for Emerging Oman 2006 will be produced in association with:

The Omani Centre for Investment Promotion & Export Development (OCIPED) is a quasi-public sector organization whose objective is to promote investments in the Sultanate of Oman and promote Non-Oil Omani origin exports. In line with its mandate to promote both foreign and local investment into Oman, OCIPED is assisting to develop the core content of Emerging Oman 2006, as well as to provide overall assistance to the OBG research team. The research produce will be utilized by the OCIPED as part of the services it provides to prospective investors to assist.

"For the second year running OCIPED is pleased to be working in partnership with Oxford Business Group here in Oman. The analysis and intelligence they provide is a valuable compliment to our organisation and for the broader Omani Economy. We wish the team of Emerging Oman 2006 success."
HH Faisal Bin Turki Al-Said, Head of Planning and International Relations

BankMuscat is with over 90 branches across Oman the leading bank in Oman, where a variety of innovative products and investment related services are offered under one roof. It has, since inception, played an important role in promoting investment opportunities in Oman through its diverse financial services and market analysis on the region's capital markets, and by providing comprehensive industry sector reports and country economic analysis. BankMuscat, with its expert capital markets research, will feature share analysis, published viewpoints on Oman's capital markets, and work in close cooperation with OBG's analysts for the development of the research.

"It is with pleasure that BankMuscat announces is has become OBG's Capital Market's partner for their forthcoming publication, Emerging Oman 2006. Capital Markets is an area of considerable growth not only for BankMuscat, but the whole Omani Economy. We look forward to assisting with OBG's research as Oman's premier investment banking specialist." Mr AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive, BankMuscat (SAOG).

Al Alawi, Mansoor Jamal & Co, barristers & legal consultants, is one of the largest law firms in the Middle East, with strong connections throughout the Gulf Region. It acts as counsel for a number of significant public and private-sector Omani agencies and institutions, and major US, European, and international companies doing business in Oman.

"Within a year of its first edition, Emerging Oman 2005 has proved to be a very useful point of reference for investors planning on investing in Oman. Emerging Oman 2006 constitutes the second year of our synergic partnership with the Group and we look forward to the future."
Al Alawi Mansoor Jamal & Co

PricewaterhouseCoopers is ranked amongst the world's leading accountancy firms and provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services for both the public and the private sector. PricewaterhouseCoopers has been operating in Oman for over 30 years providing a broad spectrum of services to its clients ranging from Assurance to Tax and Legal services to some the leading financial, shipping, consumer & industrial products companies operating in and out of Oman.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers is delighted to be working once again with the Oxford Business Group on their updated Emerging Oman 2006 and looks forward to assisting in the production of a new edition of this informative and thought-provoking guide." PricewaterhouseCoopers

Al Alawi, Mansoor Jamal & Co and PricewaterhouseCoopers have partnered up with OBG to produce 'The Business Guide' which provides an overview and analysis of the accountancy and legal framework that governs business and foreign investment in Oman.

The agreement between OBG and the above mentioned institutions brings together the extensive international and local expertise of all organizations and ensures that the forthcoming Emerging Oman 2006 will be one of the most comprehensive macroeconomic assessments of Oman's economy.

Emerging Oman 2006 will provide comprehensive overviews and analysis of Oman's political and macroeconomic environment, as well as review events and trends in all the major economic sectors, including; banking, capital markets, insurance, IT and telecommunications, industry, real estate & construction, tourism, energy, and media. OBG analysts use a wide variety of research tools, including interviews with leading figures of the economy, consultations with major national financial, industrial and business institutions in all sectors of the local economy, as well as with international institutions.

In addition to OBG's own analysis, Emerging Oman 2006, as with the rest of the Emerging Markets series, will feature published viewpoints and interviews with leading national and international personalities within the field of politics and economics.

The OBG Emerging Markets Series is a subscription based service and caters to the requirements of the international business community interested in understanding the trends and developments of emerging markets around the world. OBG research on Oman, developed in association with its partners in Oman, will be an essential tool to any person or organization interested in understanding the economic environment of Oman.