GeM Revolutionizes Public Procurement in India
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is reshaping public procurement in India, significantly impacting the economy and the lives of citizens. Launched on August 9, 2016, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, GeM aims to create a transparent and efficient platform for government purchases. By facilitating the procurement of goods and services, GeM not only ensures the effective use of public funds but also fosters economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. This initiative has already enabled startups to fulfill orders worth ₹35,950 Crore, showcasing its potential to drive employment and innovation across the nation.
What is GeM?
GeM is an online platform designed to streamline public procurement in India. It was established to provide a transparent marketplace where government buyers can easily access a wide range of products and services. The platform promotes openness by making information about sellers and their offerings readily available. This transparency helps users make informed decisions and ensures fair competition among sellers, regardless of their size. GeM’s commitment to inclusiveness allows all government buyers and sellers to participate, fostering a diverse and robust marketplace.
Core Principles of GeM
GeM operates on three fundamental principles: openness, fairness, and inclusiveness.
Openness
The platform prioritizes transparency by providing easy access to information about sellers, goods, and services. Users can find relevant data that aids in decision-making and price assessment, ensuring a fair procurement process.
Fairness
GeM aims to create a level playing field for all sellers, big and small. By treating all sellers equally and not favoring any particular vendor, the platform supports healthy competition and aligns with government policies promoting preferential market access.
Inclusiveness
GeM actively encourages participation from all government buyers and sellers. It provides training and support to those unfamiliar with the platform, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage in public procurement.
Key Features Driving Participation
GeM has introduced several initiatives to enhance participation and ease of doing business.
SWAYATT: Promoting Ease of Doing Business
The SWAYATT initiative focuses on facilitating market access for startups, women entrepreneurs, and Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs). It aims to create direct linkages to public procurement opportunities, ensuring that last-mile sellers receive the necessary training and support to thrive in the marketplace.
Startup Runway 2.0: Showcasing Innovation
This initiative allows startups to present their innovative products and services to government buyers. By creating a dedicated marketplace category, GeM encourages participation from startups, regardless of their certification status, thereby promoting the “Make In India” initiative.
Womaniya: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
The Womaniya initiative highlights products made by women entrepreneurs and self-help groups. By categorizing these products for easier procurement, GeM aligns with the government’s goal of reserving 3% of public procurement for women-led MSMEs, thereby fostering female entrepreneurship.
GeM’s Impact on MSMEs and SC/ST Entrepreneurs
GeM is committed to supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. The platform collaborates with various stakeholders to achieve a mandatory procurement goal of 25% from MSMEs, with a sub-target of 4% from SC/ST entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to enhance the participation of marginalized communities in public procurement, promoting inclusivity and economic growth.
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