RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
14 June 1999 
 (99-2356) 
Working Party on the 
Accession of the Sultanate of Oman Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN 
 
Communication from the Sultanate of Oman  
 
Revision  
  For the purposes of the accession of the Sultana te of Oman to the WTO, the Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry of the Sultanate of Oman has presented the following revised information 
concerning their offer of initial commitments on trade in  services, with the request that it be circulated 
to members of the Working Party. 
  
_______________ 
  WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 2 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
All sectors and sub-sectors 
included in this schedule 3) Commercial presence only in the form of a 
company incorporated in  Oman, with foreign 
equity limited to: 
 
i) 49% up to 31 December 2000 ii) 65% from 1 January 2001 
 
However, for banks, comm ercial presence is also 
allowed in the form of wholly owned branches 
of foreign banks.   
 
Commercial presence for foreign service 
companies subject to mi nimum capital of Rial 
Omani 150,000 until 31 December 2000.  No 
such requirement as from 1 January 2001. 
 4) Unbound except for measures concerning 
entry and temporary stay of natural persons who 
fall into one of the following categories:  
(i)  Business Visitors
 
 Persons not based in Oman, who visit Oman on 
behalf of a service supplier for business 
negotiations (and not for direct sale of services) or for doing preparatory work for establishing 
commercial presence in Oman.  Entry for 
persons in this category shall not be for more than 90 days. 3) Purchase of land and real estate is not 
permitted to foreign companies and foreign individuals.  However, service suppliers will 
have the right to 50 year renewable leases for 
land and buildings necessary to engage in service activities. 
 
Companies with foreign equity up to 65% will pay income taxes at the same rates as wholly 
owned Omani companies.  However, companies 
with foreign equity exceeding 65% may be 
required to pay a higher rate of income tax as 
compared with wholly Omani owned companies.   WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1
 Page 3Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
  
(ii)  Employees of juridical persons  
 
Limited to 20% of the number of managers, 
executives and specialists (as defined below) of a service supplier.  If the total number of 
managers, executives and specialists of a service 
supplier is less than 10, it can bring up to two foreign persons from abroad. 
 
Limited to 20% of the number of other personnel 
of a service supplier, ie. other than managers, 
executives and specialists.  
The entry of such natural persons shall be for a 
period of two years subject to renewal for two additional years with a maximum of four years. 
 
Definitions:
 
 
Managers:   Persons within an organization who 
primarily direct the organization or a department or sub division of the organization, supervise and 
control the work of other supervisory, 
professional or managerial employees, have the authority to hire or fire or recommend hiring, 
firing, or other personnel actions (such as 
promotion or leave authorization), and exercise discretionary authority over day-to-day 
operations.  Does not include first-line 
supervisors unless the employees supervised are 
professionals nor does it include employees who 
primarily perform tasks necessary for the provision of the service.    WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 4 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
 Executives:   Persons within an organization who 
primarily direct the management of the organisation, establish the goals and policies of 
the organization, exercise wide latitude in 
decision making, and receive only general supervision or direction from higher-level 
executives, the board of directors or stockholders 
of the business.  Executives would not directly perform tasks related to the actual provision of 
service or services of the organization. 
 
Specialists:
  Persons within an organization who 
possess knowledge at an advanced level of continued expertise and who possess proprietary 
knowledge of the organization's services, 
research, equipment, techniques or management.   
   WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1
 Page 5 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
II.  SECTOR-SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS 
1. BUSINESS SERVICES 
A. Professional Services 
a) Legal services 
Consulting work in home 
country law and international 
law only.   Part of CPC  861 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as  indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section  
b) Accounting, auditing and 
book-keeping services.   CPC 8621 & 8622    
c)  Taxation Services.  
CPC 8630    
d)  Architectural Services. 
CPC 8671    
e)  Engineering services.             
CPC 8672    
f)  Integrated engineering  
services  CPC 8673    
g)Urban planning & landscape 
architectural services. CPC 8674    
h)  Medical & dental  
services   CPC 9312    
i)  Veterinary services.  
CPC 93201    
 
 
  
 
   WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 6 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
B.  Computer and Related Services 
CPC 841, 845 & 849 
a) Consultancy services related to the installation of computer 
hardware 
b) Software implementation services 
c) Data processing services 
d) Data base services 
e) Other 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as  indicated in the 
horizontal section. 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
C.  Research & Development Services 
CPC 851-853 
a) R&D services on natural sciences 
b) R&D services on social 
sciences and humanities. c) Interdisciplinary R&D 
services 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as  indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
    WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1
 Page 7Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
F.  Other Business Services 
a) Advertising 
CPC 8711 1) None 
2) None 1) None 
2) None  
b) Market research        
CPC 86401 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the  3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the   
c) Management consulting          
CPC 8650 horizontal section  horizontal section  
e) Technical testing                     
CPC 8676    
f) Services incidental to  
agriculture ,hunting and 
 forestry  CPC 881    
g) Services incidental to  
fishing 
CPC 8820    
h) Services incidental to  
mining 
CPC 883 + 5115    
i) Services incidental to 
manufacturing. (except 88442) 
CPC 884+885    
j) Services incidental to  
energy distribution 
CPC 887    
m) Related scientific &  
technical consulting 
services  CPC 8675    
n)  Maintenance and repair of 
equipment (not including 
maritime vessesl, aircrafts or 
other transport equipment.   
CPC 633 + 8861 + 8866     WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 8 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
o) Building cleaning          
CPC 874 q) Packaging  
CPC 8760 1) None 
2) None 3) Foreign equity limited to 49% 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 3) Unbound 
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section  
s) Convention                          
CPC 87909 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section  
2.  COMMUNICATI ON  SERVICES  
B.  Courier Services 
CPC 7512 1) None 
2) None 3) Foreign equity limited to 49% 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section  
C.  Telecommunication Services 
a)  Voice Telephone Services 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Until December 31, 2005 , GTO will 
have exclusive right to provide services. None as of 1.1.2006 
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Unbound 
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal section Comments are scheduled in 
accordance with 
"Notes for Scheduling Basic 
Telecom Services Commitments" (S/GBT/W/2/REV.1); and, 
"Market Access Limitations on 
Spectrum Availability" (S/GBT/W/3) 
Oman adopts the additional 
commitments listed in the Reference Paper attached. 
b)  Packet Switched Data 
Transmission Services 
c) Circuit Switched Data 
Transmission  
Services. 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Until December 31, 2003 , GTO will 
have exclusive right to provide services. 
None as of 1.1.2004 4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section. 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Unbound 
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section    WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1
 Page 9Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
d) Telex Services 
e) Telegraph Services 1) Unbound 
2) None 3) Until December 31, 2003,
 GTO will 
have exclusive right to provide services. 
 None as of 1.1.2004 4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 3) Unbound 
 
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal section  
f) Facsimile Services (The 
provision of facsimile 
equipment has already been 
liberalized and GTO does not provide the equipment) 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Until December 31, 2005,
 GTO will 
have exclusive right to provide services.  None as of 1.1.2006 
4) Unbound except as in the horizontal 
section 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Unbound 
 4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section  
Mobile/Cellular Services 
Analogue/digital services 
PCS (Personal Communication 
Services) Paging Services 
Mobile Data Services 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Until December 31, 2003,
 GTO will 
have exclusive right to provide services.  None as of 1.1.2004 
4) Unbound except as in the horizontal 
section 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Unbound 
  
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section  
Payphone & Calling  Card 
Services 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Until December 31, 2000,  GTO will 
have exclusive right to provide the Payphone Services 
None as of 1.1.2001. 
Until December 31, 2001,
 GTO will have 
exclusive right to provide calling card 
operation services. 
As of 1.1.2002, no restrictions, except that 
the calling card platform should be in 
Oman. 4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section. 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Unbound 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section   WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 10 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
g) Private Leased circuit 
services Data Services 
Internet Services 1) Unbound 
2) None 3) Until December 31, 2003,
 GTO will 
have exclusive right to provide services. 
 None as of 1.1.2004 4) Unbound except as in the horizontal 
section 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 3) Unbound 
 
 4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section Private Networks  will be allowed  
through leased lines supplied by PSTN operators or by provision of 
self infrastructure.  Also they will be 
allowed break out into PSTN and resale of excess capacity on private 
network to third parties. 
 Data Services – Private Operators 
will be allowed to established  
private infrastructure for the 
Internet Services -ISP providers will 
have to set up their own trade in Oman which will be connected 
through leased lines from PSTN 
operator. 
h) Electronic Mail i) Voice Mail 
j) On-line information and  
data base retrieval k) Electronic  Data Interchange 
l) Enhanced/value added 
facsimile services (incl. store and forward, store and 
retrieve). 
m) Code and protocol  conversion 
n) On-line information and/or 
data procession 1) Unbound 
2) None 
3) Until December 31, 2003,
 GTO will 
have exclusive right to provide services.  None as of 1.1.2004 
4) Unbound except as in the horizontal 
section 1) Unbound 
2) Unbound 
3) Unbound 
  
4) Unbound, except as in the horizontal 
section  
Note:  Commitments are taken consistent with "N otes for Scheduling Basic Telecom Services Commitments" (G/GBT/W/2/REV.1) and "Market Access Limitations on Spectrum 
 Availability" (S/GBT/W/3). 
 
 
 
 
    WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1
 Page 11Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
3.  CONSTRUCTION & RELATED ENGINEERING SERVICES  
A.  General Construction work 
for   buildings CPC 512 
B.  General Construction work 
for Civil Engineering CPC 513 
C.  Installation and Assembly  
Work  CPC 514, 516 
D:  Building Completion and 
Finishing Work CPC 517 
E.  Other  
CPC 511, 515, 518 1) None 
2) None 3) Only for projects of $ 10 million and 
more 
 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 
 1) None 
2) None 3) None, except as indicated under 
limitations on market access 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section 
  
4.  DISTRIBUTION SERVICES  
A.  Commission agents 
Services  CPC 621 
B.  Wholesale trade Services  
CPC 622 C.  Retailing Services   
CPC 631+ 
632, 6111, 6113, 6121 D.  Franchising   CPC 8929 1) None 
2) None 
3)Foreign equity limited to 49% 
4) Unbound , except as indicated in the horizontal section  1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound , except as indicated in the horizontal section  
5.  EDUCATIONAL SERVICES  
A.  Secondary education 
services  CPC 922 
B.  Higher education services  CPC 923 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
 
 
 
 
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 12 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
6.  ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES  
A.  Sewage Services  
CPC 94010 B.  Refuse disposal services        
CPC 94020 
C.  Sanitation & similar services  CPC 94030 
D.  Other  CPC 9403 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section  
7.  FINANCIAL SERVICES  
A.  Insurance & insurance related Services 
Direct insurance (including co-
insurance): 
(a) Life  CPC 8121 
(b) Non-life  CPC 8129 (c) Reinsurance & 
retrocession;  CPC 81299 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section. 
 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section. 
     
(d)  Insurance intermediation, 
such as  brokerage and agency 
CPC 8140 
(d)  Services auxiliary to insurance, such as consultancy, 
actuarial, risk assessment and 
claim settlement services.  CPC 8140 1) None 
2) None 3) Foreign equity limited to 49% 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1
 Page 13Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
B.  Banking and other financial services (excluding insurance)  
a)  Acceptance of deposits and 
other repayable funds from the public   
CPC 81115-81119 
b)  Lending of all types, including, consumer credit, 
mortgage credit, factoring and 
financing of commercial 
transaction;  
CPC 8113 c)  Financial leasing;   
CPC 8112 
d)  All payment and money transmission services, 
including credit, charge and 
debit cards, travellers cheques and bankers drafts;   
CPC 81339 
e)  Guarantees and  commitments;   
CPC 81199 1) Unbound 
2) None 3) (i) Commercial presence allowed for 
wholly owned branches of foreign banks. 
 ii) Foreign equity in locally incorporated banks limited to 49%. 
iii) The aggregate holding by (a) an 
individual and his relating parties 
(b) an incorporated body and its related 
parties (c) a Joint-Stock Company or a Holding Company & its related parties, in a 
locally incorporated bank shall not exceed 
15%, 25% and 35% respectively, of the voting shares of the bank 
iv) Number of bank branches in Muscat 
limited to four for each bank (whether local or foreign). 
v)  Commercial presence for other financial 
services in accordance with the horizontal 
limitations. 
4) Unbound, except that the number of  1) Unbound 
2) None 3) None 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the  
e)  Trading for own account or 
for account of customers, whether on an exchange, in an 
over-the-counter market or 
otherwise, the following: foreign persons limited to 5% of the total 
number of employees of a bank or a financial service company. horizontal section.   WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 14 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
- Money market 
instruments (including cheques, bills, 
certificates of 
deposits);  CPC 81339 
- foreign exchange;  
CPC 81333 
- derivative products 
including, but not 
limited to, futures and 
options; CPC 81339 
- exchange rate and 
interest rate instruments, including 
products such as 
swaps, CPC 81339 
- forward rate 
agreements; 
- transferable securities; 
CPC 8121 
- other negotiable 
instruments and financial assets, 
including bullion.  CPC 
81339    
(g)  Participation in issues of 
all kinds of securities, 
including under-writing and 
placement as agent (whether 
publicly or privately) and 
provision of services related to such issues;   
CPC 8132    
(h)  Money broking;   
CPC 81339      WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1
 Page 15Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
(i)  Asset management, such as 
cash or portfolio management, all forms of collective 
investment management, 
pension fund management, custodial, depository and trust 
services;  CPC 8119 + 81323    
(j)  Settlement and clearing 
services for financial assets, 
including securities, derivative  
products, and other  negotiable instruments;    
CPC 81339 or 81319    
(k)  Advisory, intermediation 
and other auxiliary financial 
services on all the activities 
listed in sub-paragraphs (v) through (xv), including credit 
reference and analysis, 
investment and portfolio research and advice, advice on 
acquisitions and on corporate 
restructuring and strategy.   CPC 8131 or 8133    
(l)  Provision and transfer of 
financial information, and financial data processing and 
related software by suppliers of 
other financial services;   
CPC 8131    
 
 
 
 
   WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 16 
Modes of supply: (1)  Cross-border supply  (2)  Consumption abroad   (3)  Commercial presence    4)  Presence of natural person s 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on nati onal treatment Additional commitments 
8.  HEALTH AND RELATED SOCIAL SERVICES  
A.  Hospital services              
CPC 9311 1) None 
2) None 3) Only for hospitals of more than 50 beds 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 1) None 
2) None 3) None, except as indicated under 
limitations on market access. 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section.  
9.  TOURISM & RELATED SERVICES  
A.  Hotels and restaurants      
CPC 64110, 64120, 642 
B.  Travel agencies and tour 
operators services       
CPC 7471 1) None 
2) None 
3) Foreign equity for restaurants limited to 
49%. None for others. 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
10.  TRANSPORT SERVICES  
A.  Maritime Transport Services  
(a)  Passenger transportation     
CPC 7211 
(b)  Freight transportation         CPC 7212 1) None 
2) None 
3) Subject to economic needs test 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section  
C.  Air Transport Services 
(c)  Maintenance and repair of 
aircraft  CPC 8868 1) None 
2) None 3) Subject to economic needs test 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 3) None 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section  
H.  Services Auxiliary to all Modes of Transport 
(c)  Freight transport agency  
services  
CPC 748 1) None 
2) None 
3) Subject to economic needs test 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None 
2) None 
3) None 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
 Page 17 
 
 
REFERENCE PAPER  
 
Scope  
 
The following are definitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic 
telecommunications services.  Definitions
 
 Users
 mean service consumers and service suppliers. 
 
Essential facilities  mean facilities of a public telecommunications transport network or service that 
 
a) are exclusively or predominantly provided by a single or limited number of suppliers; 
and 
 
b) cannot feasible be economically or tec hnically substituted in order to provide a 
service. 
 A major suppliers
 is a supplier which has the ability to mate rially affect the terms of participation 
(having regard to price and supply) in the releva nt market for basic telecommunications services as a 
result of:  
a) control over essential facilities; or  b) use of its position in the market 
 
1. Competitive safeguards
 
 1.1 Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications
 
 
 Appropriate measures shall be maintained fo r the purpose of preventing suppliers who, along 
or together, are a major supplier from engaging  in or continuing anti-competitive practices. 
 1.2 Safeguards
 
  The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular: 
 
a) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization;  b) using information obtained from comp etitors with anti-competitive results; and 
 
c) not making available to other services suppliers on a timely basis technical 
information about essential facilities and co mmercially relevant information which 
are necessary for them to provide services. 
 
2. Interconnection
 
 
2.1 This section applies to linking with supplie rs providing public telecommunications transport 
networks or services in order to allow the user s of one supplier to communicate with users of 
another supplier and to access services provi ded by another supplier, where specific 
commitments are undertaken. WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 18  
 
2.2 Interconnection to be ensured
 
  Interconnection with a major supplier will be en sured at any technically feasible point in the 
network.  Such interconnection is provided: 
 
a) under non-discriminatory terms, conditi ons (including technical standards and 
specifications) and rates and of a quality no less favourable than that provided for its own like services or for like services of non- affiliated service suppliers or for its 
subsidiaries or other affiliates; 
 
b) in a timely fashion, on terms, cond itions (including technical standards and 
specifications) and cost-oriented rates that are transparent, reasonable, having regard 
to economic feasibility, and sufficiently unbundl ed so that the supplier need not pay 
for network components or facilities that it does not require for the service to be provided; and 
 
c) upon request, at points in addition to the network termination points offered to the 
majority of users, subject to charges that  reflect the cost of construction of necessary 
additional facilities. 
 
2.3 Public availability of the pro cedures for interconnection negotiations
 
  The procedures applicable for interconnecti on to a major supplier will be made publicly 
available. 
 2.4 Transparency of interconnection arrangements
 
 
 It is ensured that a major supplier will make  publicly available either its interconnection 
agreements or a reference interconnection offer. 
 2.5 Interconnection: dispute settlement
 
 
 A service supplier requesting interconnection with  a major supplier will have recourse, either: 
 
a) at any time or  b) after a reasonable period of time which has been made publicly known. 
 
 to an independent domestic body, which may be  a regulatory body as referred to in paragraph 
5 below, to resolve disputes regarding a ppropriate terms, conditions and rates for 
interconnection within a reasonable period of tim e, to the extent that these have not been 
established previously. 
 
3. Universal service
 
  Any Member has the right to define the ki nd of universal service obligation it wishes to 
maintain.  Such obligations will not  be regarded as anti-competitive per se , provided they are 
administered in a transparent, non-discrimin atory and competitively neutral manner and are 
not more burdensome that necessary for the kind of universal service defined by the Member. 
 4. Public availability of licensing criteria
 
  Where a license is required, the following will be made publicly available: 
  WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
 Page 19 
 
 
a) all the licensing criteria and the period of  time normally required to reach a decision 
concerning an applicable for a license and 
 b) the terms and conditions  of individual licenses. 
 
 The reasons for the denial of a license will be  made known to the applicant upon request. 
 5. Independent regulators
 
  The regulatory body is separate from, and not accountable to, any supplier of basic 
telecommunications services.  The decisions of and the procedures used by regulators shall be 
impartial with respect to all market participants. 
 6. Allocation and use of scarce resources
 
 
 Any procedures for the allocation and use of scarce resources, including frequencies, number 
and rights of way, will be carried out in an obj ective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory 
manner.  The current state of allocated frequency ba nds will be made publicly available, but detailed 
identification of frequencies allocated for specific government uses is not required.  WT/ACC/SPEC/OMN/4/Rev.1 
Page 20 SULTANATE OF OMAN  
 
INITIAL OFFER ON SERVICES  
 
LIST OF ARTICLE II (MFN) EXEMPTIONS  
 
 
 
 
Sector or  subsector Description of measure indicating 
its inconsistency with Article II Countries to which the measure 
applies Intended duration Conditions creating the need 
for the exemption 
All Sectors Pref erential treatment for service 
suppliers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries GCC countries Indefinite GCC regional arrangement and 
eventual economic integration in the area of services. 
   
 
__________