Saturday 21 / February / 2026
Muscat: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion continues to enhance and expand the “Maroof Oman” platform, launched to support all participants in the e-commerce sector, including sellers and buyers, as part of its ongoing efforts to regulate the digital marketplace and reinforce transparency and trust in online transactions across the Sultanate of Oman.
The “Maroof Oman” platform serves as a national tool supporting the growth of the digital economy by helping licensed online stores improve their chances of success. It allows customers to verify whether sellers hold official permits issued by the ministry, facilitates communication between buyers and businesses, and strengthens confidence in digital commercial activities.
For sellers, the platform enhances customer trust, confirms the legality of their operations, and helps them reach a wider target audience. For buyers, it provides access to a verified list of licensed online stores, along with store information and customer ratings, enabling more informed and secure purchasing decisions.
As of February 2026, the platform has documented 340 online stores, while 670 verification requests have been submitted. This reflects growing awareness among business owners about the importance of formal registration, as well as increased consumer preference for dealing with licensed stores—especially during peak shopping periods such as Ramadan and Eid.
Azza bint Ibrahim Al-Kindi, Director of the Commercial Affairs and E-Commerce Department at the ministry, said the platform represents a strategic step toward regulating Oman’s e-commerce sector. She noted that it promotes a culture of safe and responsible online shopping by enabling consumers to verify stores before completing purchases and by boosting the credibility of compliant merchants.
She also urged consumers to check for a store’s verification certificate on the platform before buying, while encouraging online merchants to apply for documentation to benefit from the trust and competitive advantages the system provides.
The ministry is also implementing an integrated awareness campaign across its official channels, targeting both consumers and merchants. The campaign highlights the importance of verification, promotes safe online shopping during Ramadan and Eid, and emphasizes that choosing verified stores leads to smarter and more secure purchasing decisions.
The ministry reaffirmed that the “Maroof Oman” platform is one of its key national initiatives aimed at organizing the e-commerce sector, protecting consumer rights, and enhancing the credibility of online businesses, in line with Oman’s broader digital transformation goals and efforts to support the national economy.
