Sovereign wealth funds from Oman and Brunei are partnering to establish an aircraft leasing firm with capital of RO200 million ($520 million), the Omani fund said on Monday.

Oman's State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) is setting up the firm with Oman Brunei Investment Co (OBIC), which is itself a 50-50 venture between SGRF and the Brunei Investment Agency.

The new venture, Oman Brunei Aviation Leasing Co (OBALC), will invest in and manage the purchase and lease of commercial aircraft operated by airlines in the Middle East and globally.

"Aircraft leasing represents an attractive investment product and in due course we will be offering institutional investors the opportunity to participate in the sector through an aviation leasing fund," said Abeer Al Abduwani, chief executive of OBIC.

OBALC will be owned 30 per cent by SGRF, 60 per cent by OBIC and 10 per cent by other investors. – Reuters