Oman Rial (OMR)
Candlefocus EditorThe Omani Rial was first issued in 1970 and replaced the Indian rupee, which had been used in the country since 1940, at par. Therefore, the Omani rial was given a fixed exchange rate of 1 OMR = 2.6 USD. This exchange rate has remained unchanged ever since.
The Omani Rial is the second most valuable currency in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), after the Kuwaiti dinar. It is also one of the most stable currencies in the region, especially due to its pegs to the US dollar. It is also one of the few currencies in the world still backed by gold reserves.
The Omani Rial is printed by the Royal Mint of Oman and is available in coin denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 baisa, along with notes of 100, 200, 500 and 1000 baisa, as well as notes of 1/4, 1/2, 1, 5 and 20 Riyals. As the country is not part of the Eurozone, it is not possible to purchase OMR from banks outside of Oman.
The Omani economy is heavily dependent upon oil exports and as such its economy is closely linked to the global economy and the price of crude oil. Therefore, the value of the Omani Rial is directly related to oil prices and global economic trends. Despite its relative stability, the Omani Rial has experienced some fluctuations in value in recent years.
The Central Bank of Oman is responsible for issuing and maintaining the official exchange rate of the Omani Rial and it works closely with oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to ensure monetary and financial stability.
Overall, the Omani Rial is one of the strongest and most stable currencies in the Arabian Peninsula due to its peg to the US dollar, its gold reserves backing and its strong economic ties with other GCC countries. It is a relatively difficult currency to obtain outside of Oman and as such is a valuable currency choice for overseas investors and tourists.