GeM, WTC Mumbai Sign MoU To Expand Global Procurement Opportunities For MSMEs

Mumbai, Jan 20 (KNN) Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai (WTC Mumbai) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen domestic and international collaboration in public procurement, with a focus on expanding opportunities for MSMEs, startups, women entrepreneurs and underrepresented suppliers.

Framework for Global Engagement

The partnership aims to enhance GeM’s global positioning through structured cooperation in areas such as global procurement dialogues, capacity-building programmes, supplier outreach and research on emerging themes including artificial intelligence in procurement, sustainability and green practices.

Leveraging WTC Mumbai’s international network, the collaboration will facilitate webinars, trade fairs and buyer-seller meets. These initiatives are expected to help Indian MSMEs access overseas markets, while also enabling international suppliers to onboard onto the GeM platform.

Focus on Inclusion and Market Access

Satya Narayan Meena, Additional CEO and CFO of GeM, said the MoU marks an important step in evolving GeM into a globally benchmarked platform. “With over one crore registered users on the GeM portal, ensuring wider exposure and market access is crucial. By leveraging MVIRDC’s trade and exhibition expertise, we aim to empower MSMEs, women entrepreneurs and smaller enterprises, while further strengthening India’s digital procurement ecosystem.”

Industry Support and MSME Advocacy

Dr Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, WTC Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI), said the partnership would help bridge India’s public procurement system with diverse domestic and international markets. He added that the collaboration would enable MSMEs, women entrepreneurs and startups to gain better access to government procurement through GeM.

Dr Kalantri noted, “WTC Mumbai has advocated for timely credit to MSME’s and women entrepreneurs to ensure their competitiveness to the Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of India, falling in place these would also further strengthen the MSME’s towards the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat.” 

Governance and Policy Alignment

A Joint Working Group will oversee implementation of the initiatives, ensuring alignment with government policies on public procurement, data security and inclusivity. 

(KNN Bureau)