[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] Naver (NAVER(035420)) is set to expand the local service ecosystem for its map-based super app, which is currently being prepared for launch in Saudi Arabia. The company plans to broaden its scope of cooperation with local institutions and businesses, ranging from daily life services—such as restaurant reservations and payments—to the real estate and local government sectors.

According to the information technology (IT) industry on the 1st, Naver Innovation has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Saudi local company WDDK, the Saudi Real Estate Registry (RER), and Meta, respectively. Naver Innovation is a joint venture between Naver Cloud and NHC Innovation, a subsidiary of the Saudi National Housing Company (NHC).

The two companies will explore the potential for developing integrated digital services that begin with reservations and extend to payments, ticketing, and promotions. They are also reviewing ways to improve the user experience by linking their platforms and exchanging data.

Areas of cooperation include a joint restaurant reservation solution, as well as digital marketing, customer acquisition, integrated experience packages, and corporate hospitality programs. The two companies will also explore ways to expand their business into the Middle East and global markets, including Saudi Arabia.

This move is seen as part of Naver’s efforts to expand its network of lifestyle service partners that can be integrated with the map-based super app it is currently developing locally. Naver is working to consolidate features closely tied to local users’ daily lives—including location search, route guidance, real-time traffic information, reviews, reservations, and payments—into a single app.

Collaboration has also begun in the public sector. Naver Innovation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Real Estate Registry (RER) to facilitate digital transformation in the real estate and local government sectors.

The two parties will explore ways to enhance service efficiency and improve the user experience by leveraging digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI). They will also seek to expand technological integration in compliance with relevant regulations and utilize smart mapping and geospatial information technologies to enhance data quality and advance real estate and local government services.

Cooperation with Meta is also expanding. Naver Innovation signed an MOU with Meta at LEAP 2026 and agreed to explore the possibility of integrating the map-based super app “Balady+” with the Meta platform. Both parties will seek ways to improve the user experience of digital maps and navigation by enhancing the ease of moving between services and linking relevant data.

These agreements were signed on the sidelines of “LEAP 2026,” a global technology event currently taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. LEAP 2026 is being held at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center from the 31st of last month through the 3rd of this month. It is a leading local technology event featuring participation from the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and other organizations.

Naver Innovation is showcasing technologies and business initiatives currently being pursued in Saudi Arabia, including maps, digital twins, robotics, cloud computing, and AI. Through its official channels, Naver Innovation has outlined its vision to build a local digital ecosystem that integrates these technologies and contribute to the achievement of Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030.”