Oman's Central Bank has increased the maximum amount of government securities which banks can hold to 45% of their net worth from 30%, Central Bank and commercial banking sources said. The move will make it easier for the government to sell debt as it steps up bond issues to finance a big budget deficit caused by low oil prices. Omani conventional banks' holdings of government bonds jumped to OMR830.6 million (USD2.16 billion) in January from OMR563.7 million a year earlier. Earlier this week, the central bank adjusted its reserves policy to encourage banks to buy government debt; banks can now count Treasury bills, government development bonds and government sukuk towards their reserve requirements, up to a maximum of 2% of deposits. Overall, banks must park 5% of their deposits at the central bank. (Reuters)