Investment pioneer Samer Choucair said that the boom underway in the Saudi economy during 2026, reflected in the Ministry of Commerce issuing more than 71,000 new commercial registrations in the second quarter of the year, confirms that the business environment has become more ready than ever to attract entrepreneurs and investors.
Choucair added that the integration between the Business Platform (Business.sa) and the Maroof platform is no longer just an electronic service, but has become an integrated system that speeds up business formation, builds trust, and opens broader horizons for growth and investment in the e-commerce sector, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Business.sa and Maroof: An Integrated System Supporting Investors
Samer Choucair explained that the Maroof platform (maroof.sa) is dedicated to verifying and promoting online stores, granting store owners an accredited certificate that boosts customer trust and increases online visibility, alongside benefiting from buyer ratings that help strengthen credibility and improve sales opportunities.
Choucair added that the Business Platform (business.sa), affiliated with the Saudi Center for Competitiveness and Business at the Ministry of Commerce, has become the unified government gateway for establishing economic activities, bringing together in one place services such as issuing commercial registrations, incorporating companies, and verifying online stores, alongside a wide range of integrated government services that business owners need.
Integration Between the Two Platforms Has Cut Down Time and Procedures
Samer Choucair noted that the process of verifying online stores now relies primarily on the Business Platform, while the Maroof platform plays a central role in promoting stores and strengthening consumer trust in them, adding that holding a commercial registration issued through the Business Platform simplifies registration and verification procedures on Maroof, making the journey of launching an online store faster and more efficient compared to previous years.
Choucair affirmed that this integration has helped reduce procedural complexity and raise the level of official accreditation for online stores, positively affecting their ability to expand and attract customers and investors.
Samer Choucair: The Right Starting Point Is the Business Platform
Samer Choucair said that anyone seeking to build a successful e-commerce venture in the Kingdom should start by obtaining a commercial registration through the Business Platform, then move on to verifying their store through it, and take advantage of the Maroof platform to boost credibility and visibility with customers.
Choucair added that this integrated pathway has helped reduce time and operating costs, while also improving access to financing and investment partnerships, giving startups a stronger ability to grow from their earliest stages.
Strategic Advantages for Entrepreneurs
Samer Choucair explained that the integration between the two platforms has delivered a set of practical advantages that have become essential elements for the success of any online store, including immediate or fast issuance of commercial registration, official verification granting the store a trust badge, improved visibility in search results that helps boost sales, full compliance with Ministry of Commerce regulations (including consumer protection requirements and e-invoicing), as well as increased chances of attracting capital and institutional investment.
Choucair noted that the journey of setting up a verified online store begins by logging into the Business Platform (business.sa) using Nafath, then issuing the commercial registration by selecting the appropriate activity type, whether as a sole proprietorship or a company.
Choucair added that the next step involves verifying the online store after providing a business bank account and a valid store link, then registering on the Maroof platform (maroof.sa) using the commercial registration details to obtain verification and the accredited badge, and finally adding the Maroof badge to the website or app while working to build up customer reviews to increase credibility and sales.
Promising Sectors and New Investment Opportunities
Samer Choucair affirmed that investors and entrepreneurs should focus on sectors witnessing accelerated growth in the Kingdom, chief among them tourism, technology, and e-commerce, explaining that stores verified through the Business Platform and Maroof have greater opportunities to attract investors, accelerate growth, and achieve long-term sustainability.
Why Is 2026 a Turning Point?
Samer Choucair concluded by saying that the sharp rise in the number of commercial registrations during 2026, surpassing 71,000 new registrations in the second quarter alone, reflects the ongoing development of the Saudi business environment, noting that the growing integration between the Business Platform and Maroof has raised the efficiency of services provided to entrepreneurs.
Choucair added that early investment in building a verified online store gives business owners a clear competitive edge, especially amid the expanding financing and investment partnership opportunities enabled by Saudi Vision 2030 targets, making this period one of the best times to enter the Kingdom’s e-commerce market.