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Fostering Growth and Inclusivity: The Strategic Impact of GeM on India’s Economy
Introduction : GeM on India’s Economy
Public procurement plays a vital role in economic development, ensuring efficient use of public funds while creating opportunities for businesses.
- The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has revolutionised procurement in India, benefiting government buyers, startups, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), and women entrepreneurs.
GeM’s Contribution to Economic Growth and Inclusivity
- Startups have secured orders worth ₹35,950 Crore through GeM, boosting innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Women entrepreneurs represent 8% of GeM’s seller base, with 1,77,786 Udyam-verified women MSEs fulfilling orders worth ₹46,615 Crore.
What is GeM? A Game-Changer in Public Procurement
- GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is an online public procurement platform launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on August 09, 2016.
- The platform ensures transparency, efficiency, and fairness in government purchases, fostering an open and competitive market.
Core Principles of GeM: Ensuring Fair and Open Access
- Transparency: GeM provides transparent access to information, pricing insights, and procurement data to enhance decision-making.
- Fairness: The platform offers equal opportunities to sellers of all sizes, ensuring a level playing field.
- Inclusiveness: GeM welcomes all government buyers and sellers, offering training and support for seamless participation.
Key Features of GeM: Driving Inclusive Growth
SWAYATT: Enhancing Ease of Doing Business
- This initiative promotes direct market access for startups, women entrepreneurs, MSEs, and self-help groups (SHGs).
- It facilitates training and onboarding for last-mile sellers, supporting small-scale businesses in government procurement.
Startup Runway 2.0: Showcasing Innovation
- A dedicated marketplace for startups to list their innovative products and services for government buyers.
- Encourages Make in India initiatives by offering startups the same functionalities as regular sellers.
Womaniya: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
- Designed to support women entrepreneurs and SHGs, offering them opportunities to sell to government entities.
- Specially categorised handicrafts, handloom, jute, coir, bamboo products, organic foods, spices, and home décor to facilitate procurement from women-led businesses.
MSME SC/ST Entrepreneurs:
- Aims to achieve the mandatory procurement goal of 25% from MSMEs, with a 4% sub-target for SC/ST entrepreneurs.
- Encourages active participation of MSMEs from marginalised communities in government procurement.
The Saras Collection: Celebrating Handcrafted Excellence
- Features handcrafted products from self-help groups (SHGs), including handloom textiles, office décor, personal care items, and event souvenirs.
- Supports rural artisans and craftsmen, ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
GeM Statistics
- 162,985 primary buyers and 228,754 secondary buyers are actively procuring from the platform.
- The marketplace offers 11,006 product categories and 332 service categories.
- Last financial year: 62,86,543 orders valued at ₹4,03,305 Crore.
- Current financial year: 61,23,691 orders worth ₹4,52,594 Crore.
- 37.87% of total orders are from Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), showcasing GeM’s role in empowering local businesses.
Conclusion
- GeM has transformed public procurement by ensuring transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity, empowering startups, women entrepreneurs, and MSMEs to drive economic growth and social equity.
- Through initiatives like SWAYATT, Startup Runway 2.0, and Womaniya, GeM enhances the ease of doing business, fostering an open, competitive, and sustainable marketplace for transparent procurement.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
