MSX Signs Agreements to Link with Kazakhstan and Astana Stock Exchanges

Muscat Stock Exchange Completes Framework for Cross-Border Trading via Tabadul

Muscat:  The Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), in cooperation with the Tabadul digital exchange platform, signed two agreements with the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) and the Astana International Stock Exchange (AIX) as part of completing the contractual, regulatory, and operational frameworks required to link MSX with these markets through the Tabadul platform.

The agreements regulate remote trading mechanisms via the Tabadul platform and enable brokerage firms licensed by the Muscat Stock Exchange to access the Kazakh markets in accordance with clear registration and accreditation procedures. They also stipulate the application of the trading, disclosure, and supervisory rules in force in the host market, while preserving the regulatory and supervisory independence of each exchange.

Haitham bin Salem Al Salmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Muscat Stock Exchange, said that this step represents an extension of MSX’s approach to developing its regulatory and operational structure and reflects its commitment to strengthening the integration of the Omani capital market with regional and international trading systems.

He added that this integration contributes to enhancing market efficiency, expanding investment options available to investors, and supporting sustainable growth over the medium and long term.
“Completing the linkage through the Tabadul platform is not merely an operational step, but part of a broader strategic vision aimed at reinforcing the position of the Omani capital market within regional and international market systems, and creating a more open and diversified investment environment that supports investment attraction, while maintaining the highest standards of governance and compliance,” he said.

For his part, Abdullah bin Salem Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of the Tabadul platform, affirmed that Tabadul continues to play its role as a regional enabler for market connectivity through an integrated operating model that balances expanded market access with strict governance and compliance standards, providing brokerage firms and investors with a secure and interconnected trading environment.

The Tabadul platform currently connects several exchanges, including the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Muscat Stock Exchange, Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, Astana International Stock Exchange, Armenia Stock Exchange, and Bahrain Bourse.

Adil Mukhamejanov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, stated that completing the contractual arrangements with the Muscat Stock Exchange reflects a high level of operational readiness between the two sides and marks an important step toward strengthening market connectivity between Central Asia and the Middle East, expanding investment access and enhancing cross-market interaction.

Meanwhile, Zahras Musabekov, Chief Financial Officer of the Astana International Stock Exchange, noted that this development represents a pivotal milestone in operational integration among connected markets, contributing to the creation of a more open and efficient trading environment and increasing the attractiveness of participating markets to regional and international investors.

In addition, the Muscat Clearing and Depository Company (MCDC) and the Tabadul platform signed an agreement governing the rules and procedures for clearing and settlement of securities under the remote trading framework. The agreement regulates clearing and settlement mechanisms for transactions executed by Omani members in Tabadul-connected markets, as well as non-Omani members trading on the Muscat Stock Exchange, and defines the role of MCDC in this process.

Mohammed Said Al Abri, Chief Executive Officer of Muscat Clearing and Depository Company, explained that the agreement represents a strategic step toward accessing regional markets and opening new avenues for foreign investment, while enhancing investor confidence through adherence to internationally recognized capital market standards.

He added that the agreement establishes a clear framework for managing collateral, defining trading limits, and settling transactions, ensuring the protection of the rights of all parties and reducing operational risks.

Under the agreed framework, clearing and settlement operations will be carried out in coordination between Muscat Clearing and Depository Company and the Tabadul platform for transactions executed by trading members of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange and the Astana International Stock Exchange, in accordance with the regulations applicable in each market, ensuring the smooth transfer of securities and cash settlements among connected markets.

The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mahlam bin Bashir Al-Jarf, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Oman Investment Authority, along with a number of chief executive officers and representatives of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, representatives of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange and Astana International Stock Exchange, and several brokerage firms and international companies.