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How to Get Enhanced Digital Certification (EDC) in the Middle East

Support Specialist 3
Support Specialist 3
Updated

In this article

The Middle East is a region rich with entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and global trade opportunities. Whether you’re building a business in Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Amman, or Cairo, SupplierGateway's Enhanced Digital Certification (EDC) helps your company prove it is legitimate, equity-led, and ready for partnerships.

EDC is affordable, 100% online, and often completed in just minutes. Today, SupplierGATEWAY supports EDC applications in 14 Middle Eastern countries — including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen.

General EDC Eligibility

To qualify for EDC, your business must be:

  • Legally registered in your country.
  • At least 51% owned and controlled by qualifying individuals (e.g., women, underrepresented groups, veterans, LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities).
  • Able to provide government-issued photo ID for the qualifying owner(s).

What to Have Ready (Before You Start)

Before beginning your EDC application, prepare the following:

Business Registration Certificate

  • Example: Trade License (UAE), Commercial Registration (Saudi Arabia), CR (Qatar), Commercial Register Extract (Lebanon).

Tax Identification Number (TIN/VAT/CR number, if applicable)

  • Example: ZATCA VAT ID (Saudi Arabia), Tax Card (Egypt), Establishment ID (Qatar).

Government-issued photo ID of qualifying owner(s)

  • Passport, Emirates ID, National ID, Residency Card (Iqama), or equivalent.

Ownership Documents (if required by company type)

  • Articles of Association, Partnership Agreement, Memorandum of Association.

Biometric-ready device

  • Laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera for identity verification.

Pro Tip: Scan and save your files in PDF format with clear labels (e.g., “TradeLicense2024.pdf”).

 

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the EDC Application (Middle East Edition)

The process is identical across all Middle Eastern countries — only the document you upload in Step 5 changes depending on your country’s registration system.

  1. Create or Log In to Your SupplierGATEWAY Account
    • Select your country (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan).
       
  2. Start the EDC Application
    • From your dashboard, click Enhanced Digital Certification (EDC) → Apply/Start.
       
  3. Complete Business Profile
    • Enter your legal business name (exactly as on your registration).
    • Fill in address, phone, and official email.

    • Enter your Tax ID or CR number as listed on your certificate.

       

  4. Ownership & Inclusive Category
    • List owners, % ownership, and roles.
    • Select the category (women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ+, disability-owned).
    • Make sure qualifying owners total 51% or more.
       
  5. Upload Required Documents
    • Business Registration: Upload your country’s required documents (e.g., Trade License – UAE, Commercial Registration – Saudi Arabia, Sijilat CR – Bahrain, Tax Card – Egypt).
    • Tax ID Proof: Upload VAT/TIN certificate, Establishment ID, or equivalent.
    • Owner ID: Passport/National ID/Residency Card.
    • Articles/Partnership Deeds if applicable.
       
  6. Biometric Identity Verification
    • Use your device camera to complete the quick facial check.
    • Good lighting helps — remove glasses/hats if possible.
       
  7. Review & Attest
    • Check all details match your documents
    • Confirm ownership and category attestations.
       
  8. Payment
    • Pay $25 for 1 year or $70 for 3 years.
    • If sponsored, enter your code (fees waived).
       
  9. Submit Application
    • Most applications are certified within 15 minutes if all documents match.
    • If corrections are needed, you’ll receive clear instructions.

       
  10. Download & Share
  • Save your digital EDC certificate.
  • Share it with corporate buyers or upload to supplier portals.
     

Quick Country Note

When you reach Step 5 (Upload Documents):

  • UAE → Trade License + Emirates ID/Passport
  • Saudi Arabia → Commercial Registration (CR) + National ID/Iqama
  • Qatar → CR Certificate + Establishment ID
  • Oman → CR Certificate + National ID/Residency Card
  • Bahrain → Sijilat CR + CPR/Passport
  • Kuwait → Commercial License + Civil ID
  • Jordan → Registration Certificate + Articles
  • Lebanon → Commercial Register Extract + Tax ID
  • Israel → Registrar of Companies Extract + Owner ID
  • Egypt → Commercial Registration Certificate + Tax Card
  • Iraq → Registrar of Companies Certificate + Articles
  • Palestine → Ministry of National Economy Registration + Owner ID
  • Syria → Commercial Registration + Articles
  • Yemen → Ministry of Industry & Trade Registration + License


 

Required Documents by Country

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

  • Sole Proprietorship: Commercial Registration (CR) from Ministry of Commerce; ZATCA VAT registration (if applicable).
  • Partnership: Partnership contract; CR listing partners.
  • Company (LLC/JSC): CR certificate/printout; notarized Articles of Association.
    Tip: Make sure your CR is active with the Ministry of Commerce.

 

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

  • Sole Proprietorship: Trade License from Emirate DED (e.g., Dubai, Abu Dhabi); Establishment card (if applicable).
     
  • Partnership: Partnership agreement; Trade License showing partners.
  • Company (LLC/PSC): Active Trade License; Memorandum of Association (MOA); Free Zone license/registry extract if applicable.
    Tip: Always check that your license reflects the correct ownership.
     

🇶🇦 Qatar

  • Sole Proprietorship: Commercial Registration (CR) from Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MOCI); Municipal Trade License.
  • Partnership: Partnership agreement; CR showing partners.
  • Company (WLL/PSC): CR; Articles or Memorandum filed with MOCI.
    Tip: Keep a recent copy of your CR ready in PDF format.
     

🇴🇲 Oman

  • Sole Proprietorship: Commercial Registration (CR) via Invest Easy; Municipality license.
  • Partnership: Partnership agreement; CR extract.
  • Company (LLC/SAOC/SAOG): CR extract; Articles of Association.
    Tip: Use Invest Easy’s portal to download the latest CR extract.

     

🇧🇭 Bahrain

  • Sole Proprietorship: Sijilat Commercial Registration (CR); Municipality permit if required.
  • Partnership: Partnership deed; Sijilat CR extract.
  • Company (WLL/PSC): Sijilat CR printout; Articles/Memorandum.
    Tip: Obtain your CR directly from the Sijilat portal to avoid delays.
     

🇰🇼 Kuwait

  • Sole Proprietorship: Commercial License & Registration (Ministry of Commerce & Industry).
  • Partnership: Partnership deed; commercial registration extract.

  • Company (WLL/KSCC): Commercial Registration certificate; Memorandum/Articles.
    Tip: Ensure your Civil ID or residency documents match business records.

     

🇯🇴 Jordan

  • Sole Proprietorship: Companies Control Department registration; professional license (if required).
  • Partnership: Partnership agreement; CCD registration.
  • Company (LLC/PSC): Company registration certificate; Articles of Association.
    Tip: Upload Articles of Association if applying as an LLC.
     

🇮🇱 Israel

  • Sole Proprietorship: Business license or tax registration for Osek Patur/Murshe.
  • Partnership: Partnership agreement; Registrar of Partnerships extract.
  • Company (Ltd): Registrar of Companies extract; Certificate of Incorporation; Articles.
    Tip: Ensure your Registrar extract is recent and stamped.
     

🇱🇧 Lebanon

  • Sole Proprietorship: Commercial Register extract.
  • Partnership: Partnership agreement; Commercial Register extract.
  • Company (SAL/SARL): Commercial Register extract; Articles/Bylaws.
    Tip: Registration extracts should be no older than 6 months.
     

🇪🇬 Egypt

  • Sole Proprietorship: Commercial Registration certificate; Tax Card.
  • Partnership: Notarized partnership contract; Commercial Registration certificate.
  • Company (LLC/JSC): Commercial Registration extract; Articles of Association.
    Tip: Ensure your Tax Card matches your registration name exactly.

 

🇮🇶 Iraq

  • Sole Proprietorship: Registrar of Companies certificate.
  • Partnership: Partnership agreement; Registrar registration.
  • Company (LLC/Joint Stock): Registrar of Companies certificate; Articles of Association.
    Tip: Always provide the most recent Registrar-issued certificate

 

🇵🇸 Palestine

  • Sole Proprietorship: Ministry of National Economy registration; municipal license.
  • Partnership: Partnership agreement; registry extract.
  • Company (Ltd/PSC): Company registration certificate; Articles.
    Tip: Prepare scanned copies of both national and municipal registrations.

     

🇾🇪 Yemen

  • Sole Proprietorship: Ministry of Industry & Trade commercial registration; local license.
  • Partnership: Partnership deed; registry extract.
  • Company (LLC/Joint Stock): Commercial registration certificate; Articles/Bylaws.
    Tip: Documents must be clearly stamped and issued by the Ministry.
     

Validity & Renewal

  • Certification is valid for 1 year (or 3 years if you choose the extended option).
  • You’ll get reminders when it’s time to renew — simply update your documents and re-verify identity.
     

Helpful Tips

  • Always provide official extracts or stamped documents — avoid drafts or outdated copies.
  • Match names across IDs, tax documents, and business registration.
  • Keep everything in PDF format for easy upload.
  • Use a well-lit camera for biometric verification.

     

Registration Link


Getting certified with SupplierGateway's EDC is a powerful way to show buyers that your company is professional, reliable, and equity-led. Whether you’re in the GCC, Levant, or North Africa, this step can open doors to regional and global business opportunities.

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