Oman’s SME push: Riyada says 19,267 new Entrepreneurship Cards were issued in the first half of 2026, bringing total holders to 32,103, supporting Oman Vision 2040 goals across governorates. Workforce policy: Salalah hosted the Work Forum 2026, launching the National Employment Policy and focusing on how the labour market must adapt to economic and technological change. Capital markets upgrade: Oman’s Financial Services Authority adopted the Executive Regulation of the Securities Law to ready the market for faster fintech and new instruments. Tax tech shift: Oman Tax Authority updates income tax rules and makes THEQA digital identity mandatory for its e-portal login from Aug 1, 2026. AI spotlight: An Omani AI project (“Guardian/ HAris”) was picked among the world’s top 13 for the London International Youth Science Forum, aiming to fight financial crimes like money laundering. Innovation investment: Oman Investment Authority expands into Cambridge and Oxford tech ecosystems, including life sciences, medical devices, semiconductors and quantum. Energy & security ripple: Talks tied to Oman–Iran efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz are in focus as regional shipping risks and Red Sea tensions keep global energy markets on edge. Business results: Muscat Stock Exchange industrial profits jumped 46.8% to about RO 175.3m in H1 2026, led by fertiliser and petrochemical gains.