MUSCAT: Oman is in talks with banks about a possible US dollar-denominated sukuk issue that could occur in March, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
The planned fund-raising exercise would be Oman’s second public debt issuance this year, as the sultanate borrows internationally to finance a budget deficit caused by low oil prices. Oman sold a $6.5 billion (Dh23.87 billion) conventional bond in January, its largest ever debt sale. The new issue is expected to be much smaller in size, as the deficit will be funded mostly through conventional debt, said one banking source familiar with the matter.