GeM Empowers Women-Led MSMEs & Startups, Says Minister Piyush Goyal

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday marked the 8th anniversary of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), spotlighting the platform’s transformative impact on public procurement and enterprise empowerment.

According to Goyal, GeM has enabled 1,85,408 women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and supported 31,005 DPIIT-recognised startups.

Launched in 2016, GeM provides an end-to-end digital platform for government buyers, ensuring cost-effective and transparent procurement.

In FY 2024–25 alone, the platform processed 72,36,651 orders worth ₹5,43,019 crore, reaffirming its scale and efficiency.

Speaking on X (formerly Twitter), Goyal remarked, “Wishing @GeM_India on its 8th Incorporation Day. The platform has redefined public procurement through transparency, efficiency, and inclusion. More than just a marketplace, GeM is a movement — enabling empowerment.”

Inclusive Growth &  Innovation

Highlighting GeM’s alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive economic participation, Goyal added, “GeM is giving every enterprise a chance to grow and serve India.”

The platform acts as a bridge between innovators and government buyers, allowing for quicker market validation, faster scaling, and a stronger contribution to India’s global innovation position.

GeM has also facilitated hiring for over one million individuals and issued insurance policies – including health, life, and personal accident – covering more than 1.3 crore people during FY25.

The minister stressed ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and fairness in public procurement.

These include robust anti-cartel safeguards, a more intuitive user interface, and expert-led interventions to optimise performance.

Goyal recently chaired a strategic meeting with GeM officials and stakeholders, where he outlined a forward-looking roadmap to improve procurement systems, facilitate wider adoption across states, and expand access to flexible payments and credit.

“The focus is on empowering both buyers and sellers on the platform,” Goyal said, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a more inclusive and innovation-driven procurement ecosystem.

As GeM continues to grow, it stands as a key pillar in India’s digital governance framework, fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic resilience.

The success of women-led enterprises and startups on GeM underscores the platform’s role in reshaping India’s economic participation through technology and policy-driven inclusion.

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