New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday launched SWAYATT on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and reiterated the need to support and strengthen such initiatives and enterprises which constitute the backbone of the Indian economy.

SWAYATT is an initiative to promote Start-ups, Women and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions on Government e-Marketplace (GeM). This will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem to Government e-Marketplace the national procurement portal.

On the occasion, the Minister also dedicated GeM Start-up Runway -- an initiative of GeM in association with Start-up India to facilitate Start-ups registered with Start-up India to access the public procurement market and sell innovative products and services to government buyers.

He also felicitated a few successful entrepreneurs from Women Self Help Groups, Start-ups and MSMEs in GeM.

Mr Prabhu also appreciated the achievements of GeM reaching out and empowering these diverse groups. He also hailed the event for impressively showcasing many such successful efforts of SHGs, Start-ups, Women enterprises, MSMEs partnering GeM.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry CR Chaudhary also released a movie on GeM SWAYATT and expressed hope that its national launch would further seek to promote inclusiveness by catapulting various categories of sellers and service providers, take proactive steps to facilitate the training and registrations of such specific category of manufacturers and sellers, develop women entrepreneurship and encourage participation of MSME sector and Start-ups in public procurement.



The event which was webcast live across the country, witnessed enthusiastic participation from all over India including policy makers, social activists, artisans, women entrepreneurs, and start-ups who will work to ensure market linkages for these sections in public procurement.

Women Self Help Groups, Start-ups, and Government Organization had exhibited 24 stalls at the venue. The event partners included various ministries like Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, MSME, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Rural Development and Skill Development apart from industry associations financial institutions, autonomous bodies like NSIC, KVIC, CCIC and SPVs - Invest India and Start-up India.

UNI SW SHK1819