CBO offers two new GDB issues

MUSCAT: The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) on Thursday announced the issuance of two new Government Development Bonds (GDBs) for public subscription through a competitive auction, comprising Issue No. 80 and Issue No. 81.

According to the CBO, Issue No. 80 is valued at RO 100 million with a five-year maturity and a coupon rate of 4.05 per cent per annum, while Issue No. 81 is valued at RO 25 million with a 10-year maturity and a coupon rate of 4.30 per cent per annum.

Subscription for both issues will be open from January 25 to January 29, 2026. The competitive auctions will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with the bonds to be issued on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, which will serve as the settlement date.

Interest on both bonds will be paid semi-annually on February 3 and August 3 of each year until their respective maturities on February 3, 2031 and February 3, 2036.

CBO said the bonds will be available to all categories of investors inside and outside the Sultanate, regardless of nationality, and subscription will be conducted through the competitive auction method only, via commercial banks operating in Oman during the subscription period.

The Central Bank will also accept direct applications for bids valued at RO 1 million or more, provided these are endorsed by the applicant’s banks.

The Government of the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Finance, guarantees the bonds as a direct and unconditional obligation, the CBO said, adding that the instruments form part of the government’s domestic debt programme and provide additional funding options in the local market.

Investors may also borrow against the bonds through licensed local banks, while the instruments can be traded on the Muscat Stock Exchange at the prevailing market price. Bondholder details will be registered in the dedicated bond register managed by Muscat Clearing and Depository Company.— ONA