Govt-E-Marketplace Launches Outreach Programme To Add Local Sellers

With the aim to bring local sellers across the country on the Government-e-Marketplace (GeM) platform, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched a national outreach programme, GeM Samvaad.

The outreach programme, launched by the secretary of the department of commerce, Anup Wadhawan, will take place with stakeholders and local sellers across the country. The aim of the programme is to facilitate the on-boarding of local sellers on the marketplace while catering to specific requirements and procurement needs of buyers.

The outreach programme will commence from December 19, 2019, till February 17, 2020, and will cover all the states and union territories of the country, according to a statement by the ministry.

Through GeM Samvaad, the marketplace is looking forward to receiving feedback from users which shall be used for making improvements and advancements in the system.

Launched in 2016, GeM is the national public procurement portal offering end to end solutions for all procurement needs of Central and state government departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), autonomous institutions and local bodies. Since its commencement, GeM has transformed public procurement in the country by leveraging technology and making procurement contactless, paperless, and cashless.

As of now, the online B2B platform has registered over 15 lakh products and around 20K services from more than three lakh registered sellers and service providers. Over 40K government buyers are currently buying products and services from the GeM portal.

Besides large traders and other players selling their products and services on the government’s online marketplace, MSMEs and startups are also adding value to the platform. In its short journey of three years, GeM has processed over 28 lakh orders worth INR 40K Cr in gross merchandise value out of which 50% has been transacted by MSMEs.

Recently, a government official has said that GeM is one of the most inclusive marketplaces in the world as it comprises of 20% MSMEs and startups with their gross merchandise value standing at INR 600 Cr ($83.9 Mn).

Through the GeM portal, MSMEs and startups have increased their revenues. On the other hand, the government has also been able to save around 15-25% from it. However, the savings for the automobile sector stand a bit low, which might be because of the ongoing slowdown in the industry, at 12%.