Vocal for Local on GeM- Empowering India’s Local Businesses

1. Vocal for Local on GeM: Empowering India’s Local Businesses India’s digital and economic transformation has been shaped by many bold initiatives — and Government e Marketplace (GeM) stands out as a key pillar of this journey. As the nation’s unified public procurement platform, GeM enables government departments to procure goods and services efficiently while empowering local entrepreneurs to access opportunities in public procurement. Aligned with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ missions, GeM plays a vital role in strengthening domestic manufacturing, enhancing visibility for MSEs and driving self-reliance across sectors. What is Vocal for Local on GeM? ‘Vocal for Local’ on GeM promotes indigenous products and grassroots entrepreneurship through exclusive marketplace listings. The initiative encourages government buyers to prioritise goods and services that are Made in India, thereby fostering employment, reducing import dependency and supporting inclusive economic growth. Over the years, the campaign has gained strong traction — helping local producers, artisans and small manufacturers become part of India’s vast public procurement ecosystem. GeM’s Role in Enabling Local Growth As India’s largest public procurement platform, GeM connects Central and State Departments, PSUs, autonomous bodies and local authorities with verified sellers/ service providers nationwide. Through a completely digital, paperless and transparent process, GeM removes intermediaries, reduces transaction costs and ensures ease of doing business for MSEs. The Vocal for Local campaign has simplified registration and listing procedures, enabling more regional sellers/ service providers to onboard and showcase their products directly to government buyers. This has resulted in a significant rise in MSE participation, driving growth and competition across India’s supply chains. Key Benefits for Local Businesses 1.Access to Government Procurement: Direct connection with government buyers eliminates middlemen and ensures fair, transparent transactions. 2.Efficiency and Transparency: Real-time order tracking, secure payments and equitable terms promote confidence and trust.

2. 3.Financial Support: GeM facilitates collateral-free loans through partner financial institutions, easing working capital requirements. 4.Ease of Doing Business: Simplified registration, product listing and order management empower even rural entrepreneurs to participate. 5.Promotion of Indigenous Products: Enhanced visibility for Made in India products expands market reach and reduces import dependency. Success Stories From Rajasthan’s handicraft units to MSEs producing healthcare essentials, countless success stories showcase how GeM has transformed local enterprises into national suppliers. For instance, a small handicraft business from Rajasthan registered on GeM and gained consistent orders from multiple government departments. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, MSEs producing sanitizers and PPE kits leveraged GeM to meet urgent procurement needs across states — proving that local can indeed go national. Impact on Local Economy The Vocal for Local initiative on GeM has positively impacted India’s local economies by: Creating employment across manufacturing, logistics and service sectors.  Driving rural inclusion by enabling artisans and weavers to access nationwide markets.  Strengthening MSEs, the backbone of India’s economy, through digital access and  visibility. Expanding export readiness for Indian-made products showcased on GeM.  Conclusion GeM’s Vocal for Local initiative has redefined how India supports its entrepreneurs. By integrating small and local enterprises into public procurement, GeM is not just promoting business —it’s building a stronger, self-reliant nation. More than a marketplace, GeM is a movement towards economic empowerment, transparency and digital inclusivity —making “Local” the foundation of India’s global growth story. Sources: 1.Government e Marketplace (GeM) 2.Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India 3.Press Information Bureau (PIB)