Government e-Marketplace (GeM) & UN Women Sign MoU

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN Women to strengthen the empowerment and integration of women entrepreneurs—especially from the informal sector—into India’s public procurement ecosystem.

Key Highlights

• Focus on Women’s Economic Empowerment

The MoU aims to increase the visibility, market access and participation of women-led enterprises and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in government procurement processes. The collaboration will offer capacity-building support, training, and greater outreach for women entrepreneurs.

• About GeM

• GeM is the national public procurement portal for Central and State Ministries, Departments, PSUs and autonomous bodies.
• Launched on August 9, 2016, it provides an open, transparent and efficient procurement platform.
• GeM operates as a Section 8 company under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• It offers a fully digital, cashless and system-driven ecosystem that ensures transparency and fairness in procurement.

• Dedicated Support for Women Entrepreneurs

To facilitate easier onboarding and sales, GeM has created generic product categories covering:

• Handicrafts, handloom items
• Jute and coir goods
• Bamboo products
• Organic foods and spices
• Accessories, home décor, office furnishings

These categories enable SHGs and women-led micro-businesses to directly supply their products to government buyers.

• Promoting Fair Access:

A core principle of GeM is to ensure equal treatment of all sellers, irrespective of size. The platform does not provide promotional advantage to any specific seller, ensuring a level playing field.

• End-to-End Procurement Solution

GeM provides a unified, streamlined experience for both buyers and sellers, enhancing efficiency and accountability across all stages of procurement.

Source: PIB