MUSCAT : Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion is tightening oversight of the Sultanate’s fast-growing e-commerce sector, with 340 online stores now registered under the national “Maroof Oman” platform as part of efforts to boost consumer confidence and formalise digital trade.

Launched as a regulatory and support tool for sellers and buyers, the Maroof Oman platform documents online stores licensed to operate in the Sultanate, allowing consumers to verify the legitimacy of businesses before completing purchases.

The initiative forms part of the ministry’s broader strategy to regulate the digital marketplace and safeguard consumer rights, particularly during high-activity shopping periods such as Ramadan and Eid.

As of February 2026, the platform had registered 340 online stores and received 670 registration requests, reflecting growing awareness among merchants about the importance of formal documentation and rising consumer preference for licensed businesses.

The platform seeks to serve multiple objectives. For sellers, it enhances credibility by confirming official licensing status, promotes regulatory compliance and expands access to a wider customer base. For buyers, it provides a verified list of licensed e-stores, detailed store information and customer evaluation features to support informed purchasing decisions.

Azza bint Ibrahim Al Kindi, Director of the Department of Commercial Affairs and E-Commerce at the ministry, described Ma’roof Oman as a strategic step toward regulating the sector.

She said the platform promotes a culture of safe and responsible online shopping by enabling consumers to verify store authentication before completing transactions, adding that the ministry remains committed to building a reliable and growth-oriented digital environment.

Consumers have been urged to ensure that online stores display authentication certificates through the Maroof Oman platform before making purchases, while store owners have been encouraged to expedite registration to strengthen trust and develop sustainable customer relationships.

To reinforce the initiative, the ministry is rolling out an integrated media campaign across its official channels, including circulars and awareness messages promoting verification before online purchases. Slogans such as “Shop with confidence” and “Your smart decision starts with verification” are being highlighted, particularly during peak shopping seasons.

The ministry said Ma’roof Oman remains a key national initiative aimed at regulating e-commerce, enhancing the credibility of online businesses and supporting Oman’s broader digital transformation and economic diversification goals.

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