SWAYATT Initiative

  • The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated the 6th anniversary of the SWAYATT (Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through e-Transactions)
  • The initiative aims to enhance market access for startups, women entrepreneurs, youth, Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in public procurement.

What is the SWAYATT Initiative?

About:

  • Launched in 2019 to promote inclusion of startups, women-led enterprises, youth, and MSEs in the GeM platform.
  • Provides training, registration, and capacity-building to enable sellers to leverage GeM for business growth.

Achievements:

  • Growth of Women-led Enterprises and Startups:
    • Increased from 6,300 women-led MSEs and 3,400 startups at launch to 1,77,786 Udyam-verified women MSEs.
    • Women-led businesses now constitute 8% of GeM’s seller base.
  • Enhanced Market Access and Financial Support:
    • ₹35,950 Crore worth of orders facilitated for startups.
    • Aims to double women entrepreneurs and increase their procurement share (currently 3.78%).
    • Plans to onboard 1 lakh DPIIT-registered startups.
  • MoU with FICCI Ladies Organisation (FICCI-FLO):
    • Training and onboarding of 9,500+ women entrepreneurs to create direct market linkages.
  • Special Initiatives:
    • “Startup Runway” and “Womaniya” storefronts introduced to enhance visibility for startups, women entrepreneurs, and youth in government procurement.

What is the Government e-Marketplace (GeM)?

  • GeM is India’s National Public Procurement Portal, facilitating the purchase of goods and services by Central & State Governments, PSUs, and affiliated entities.
  • Established in 2016 under the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Developed with technical support from the National e-Governance Division (MeitY).

Key Features of GeM:

  • Paperless, Cashless, and System-Driven:
    • Minimizes human intervention to enhance transparency and efficiency.
  • Promotes Ease of Doing Business:
    • Provides a unified procurement platform for startups, MSMEs, and women entrepreneurs.
  • Reduces Cost and Time:
    • Ensures competitive pricing and faster procurement cycles for government buyers.

Significance of GeM and SWAYATT:

  • Boosts Economic Inclusion: Encourages participation of startups, women entrepreneurs, and MSMEs in government contracts.
  • Enhances Transparency: Reduces scope for corruption and delays in public procurement.
  • Encourages Digital Adoption: Strengthens the digital economy and e-governance initiatives.
  • Supports ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’: Increases reliance on Indian startups and enterprises for procurement needs.

The SWAYATT initiative and GeM have significantly improved the inclusivity and efficiency of government procurement. Continued efforts in training, market linkages, and financial support will further enhance participation from women, youth, startups, and MSMEs, contributing to India’s economic growth and self-reliance.

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