Ludhiana: A Government e-Marketplace (GeM) facilitation centre has been launched in Ludhiana to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and industrial units access central govt procurement opportunities.Located in Punjab’s primary industrial hub, the centre will provide local sellers, startups, and women entrepreneurs with hands-on assistance for platform registration, product listing, and participation in buyer-seller meets.GeM is the Centre’s portal through which govt departments purchase goods and services via direct purchase, e-bidding, and reverse auctions. The new centre aims to eliminate technical barriers for smaller firms unfamiliar with digital bidding and compliance norms.Ludhiana deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain stated that staff have been deployed specifically to assist businesses with onboarding, emphasising that modern, technology-driven public procurement strengthens administrative transparency, efficiency, and public confidence.“All MSMEs and industrial units can get themselves registered on GeM through the facilitation centre. The staff has been made available specifically to assist with GeM registration and facilitate people,” said DC Jain.Maninder Singh, general manager of the District Industries Centre, noted that while departments already utilise GeM, the facility will bridge awareness gaps for local firms seeking to sell to the govt. Manjinder Sachdeva, general secretary of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisations, added that the initiative will boost local industrial participation and competitiveness.
