Oman Daily Observer, 4 September 2023: Oman’s Central Bank has instructed banks to ensure banks have freelancers and those working independently have separate work-related bank accounts.

They have also been instructed to ensure the appropriate credit facilities are provided to these groups and include them within the percentage specified by the Central Bank to finance SMEs. Freelancing and independent work have been defined as individual businesses that enable an individual to provide services or products without having to establish a workplace or obtain a commercial license.

Banks have to help these groups open bank accounts and ensure they carry out the relevant due diligence in terms of money laundering and terrorist financing. They should notify customers who use their personal accounts for commercial purposes about the importance of opening a separate account and providing credit facilities for this category.

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