Muscat: All individuals, institutions, and companies engaged in e-commerce activities must obtain the necessary licenses through the Oman Business Platform, in addition to verifying their e-stores through the Ma'arouf Oman (Maroof) platform concerned with verifying e-stores, said the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP).
It added that government agencies will not be able to conclude any contracts, agreements, or transactions with individuals or companies unless they have obtained the necessary licenses, in implementation of the provisions of the e-commerce regulations issued pursuant to Ministerial Resolution 2023/499.
The ‘Maroof Oman’ platform provides its services to e-commerce customers, whether sellers or buyers, intending to digitally document electronic stores as well as organize their work in Oman; it provides a database for these stores and practitioners.
To register online store, e-commerce traders require to log in to the Maroof Oman platform – http://:www.maroof.om – with their merchant account and enter their store data. They then need to link their store to their commercial registry.
The data will be saved and sent to the system administrator for approval or rejection. If your commercial register is already in use, there will be a rejection message.
The platform brings together online stores on a single platform, connecting merchants with potential customers. It gives them credibility and also protects consumers from deception. It works to create a legal and regulatory environment to develop and promote e-commerce.
For the benefit of the owners of an online store or even to have a business account on social media to sell your products or offer services such as (Instagram, Snapchat, etc,) the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) has simplified the process of applying for a license via the Oman Business platform.
Non-Omanis can engage in e-commerce according to the provisions of the Foreign Capital Investment Law. Individuals or companies must also obtain approval from relevant authorities if the nature of the activity requires it.
The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has urged online customers to avoid shopping from untrusted accounts and e-commerce sites.
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