Oman’s central bank plans to float OMR150mn worth of government development bonds towards the end of the year for raising funds to repay a maturing bond issue. “This is replacement for an issue, which is expiring by the end of the year,” Hamoud Sangour Al Zadjali, executive president of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) told journalists. Quoting the minister responsible for financial affairs, Al Zadjali also said that the Oman government will not issue bonds in the international market this year. “Probably (there could be an issue) next year, depending on the budget.” The CBO chief added that the central bank has raised OMR300mn by way of development bonds so far this year and the forthcoming bond issue will take the total amount raised by way of development bonds to OMR450mn. (Times of Oman)