Doing Business in the United Kingdom VS Oman – A Comparison
Entrepreneurs and investors often face a tough decision when choosing between starting a business in the United Kingdom and Oman as their preferred business destination. Both countries offer distinct advantages that appeal to different types of businesses. While Oman attracts interest with its strategic Gulf location and tax-friendly environment, 3E Accounting highlights the United Kingdom’s competitive business environment, high quality of life, and relatively lower costs for setting up smaller ventures. This comparison will help you decide which location aligns best with your expansion goals.
The United Kingdom: Known for its political stability and strong legal framework, the UK offers a transparent and well-regulated environment for businesses. Government support programs further enhance the attractiveness for investors.
Oman: Oman offers a stable and growing economy, with active efforts to diversify beyond oil. However, the legal system is more conservative, and foreign businesses may face more regulatory challenges compared to the UK.
Taxation
The United Kingdom: The corporate tax rate is 25%. The UK provides R&D tax relief and other incentives to encourage innovation and growth.
Oman: Oman’s corporate tax rate is 15%. The country imposes no personal income tax and grants exemptions in certain free zones.
Ease of Company Incorporation
The United Kingdom: The UK offers one of the easiest environments for company incorporation in the United Kingdom. The process is fully online, cost-effective, and can be completed quickly with strong digital infrastructure in place. You can also explore company incorporation services to simplify the setup.
Oman: Oman is digitising its registration system, but processes still require more manual steps and physical submissions. Some sectors remain restricted for foreign ownership.
Cost of Living and Business Operations
The United Kingdom: While cities like London are expensive, operating a business outside major hubs offers affordable options. Businesses benefit from a range of flexible company setup solutions and lower operational costs for smaller enterprises.
Oman: Oman’s overall living and business costs are low. Office rentals, utility bills, and labor expenses are significantly cheaper than most Western countries.
Access to Markets
The United Kingdom: The UK enjoys global connectivity, with strong access to European and North American markets. It holds numerous trade agreements and offers reliable infrastructure. Government-backed business finance support schemes further aid market entry.
Oman: Oman has geographic access to the Gulf, Africa, and South Asia. The Port of Salalah is a major logistics hub, and the country benefits from regional GCC agreements.
Quick Comparison Overview
Here’s a quick overview of the key differences for easy reference.
Factor
United Kingdom
Oman
Business Environment
Stable, transparent, investor-friendly
Stable but more traditional legal structure
Corporate Tax Rate
25%
15%
Capital Gains Tax
Yes
No
Ease of Incorporation
Fully online and efficient
Partially digital, more manual steps
Business Costs
Moderate (flexible outside major cities)
Low (across most sectors)
Market Access
Europe, North America, global trade network
GCC, Africa, South Asia
Benefits of Choosing 3E Accounting
When it comes to starting a business in the United Kingdom, navigating the legal and administrative processes can be complex without the right support. That’s where 3E Accounting comes in. As a trusted partner for company incorporation, we provide tailored solutions for entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish a strong business presence. Whether you need help with company registration or expert guidance on setting up businesses in the UK, our experienced team ensures a smooth and efficient process.
To get started, you need to choose a business structure, register your business, and meet tax obligations. For a full guide, visit starting a business in the United Kingdom.
The UK allows full digital registration through Companies House. For more, read this company registration guide.
Abigail Yu oversees executive leadership at 3E Accounting Group, leading operations, IT solutions, public relations, and digital marketing to drive business success. She holds an honors degree in Communication and New Media from the National University of Singapore and is highly skilled in crisis management, financial communication, and corporate communications.