Oman's Ratification On Combating Bribery Of Foreign Public Officials

With the adoption of Sultani Decree 41/2016, the Sultanate of Oman ratified the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (the Convention).

The core obligation of the Convention requires Oman to make it a criminal offence for any person to intentionally bribe a foreign public official.  Inciting, aiding, abetting and authorising an act of bribery of a foreign official are also to become criminal offences, as are attempting to and conspiring to bribe a foreign official.  Effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties must be imposed and rules for seizure and confiscation of the relevant bribes must also be introduced.  While the primary criminal liability is imposed on individuals, legal persons such as companies are also to be liable.