Archive · 10 Sep 2026
MSMEs Eye Export Growth and Government Marketplace Opportunities
Small businesses can grow by selling to customers outside India.
They can also sell to government buyers through the Government e-Marketplace, or GeM.
Selling abroad requires good quality, correct paperwork and dependable delivery.
Businesses may need registrations such as IEC and GST.
GeM gives small businesses another way to find institutional buyers.
However, simply joining GeM does not guarantee success.
Companies must understand buyer needs and calculate all their costs before bidding.
The main lesson is that strong systems and careful planning help businesses grow sustainably.
SIDBI MSME Samvaad highlighted exports and the Government e-Marketplace as growth opportunities for MSMEs.
Export readiness requires quality, consistency, documentation, compliance and timely delivery.
IEC and GST registrations, ICEGATE, DGFT systems and applicable Free Trade Agreements can support international trade.
More than 12 lakh micro and small enterprises were highlighted as registered on GeM, with public procurement exceeding ₹5 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
The discussion emphasized financial discipline, accurate cost calculations and reliable execution over competing only on price.
- Who
- Micro, small and medium enterprises, with perspectives discussed through SIDBI MSME Samvaad.
- What
- The discussion examined how MSMEs can expand through exports and the Government e-Marketplace.
- When
- The article was dated September 10; it also cited public-procurement figures for FY 2025-26.
- Where
- The discussion was presented from New Delhi, India, and addressed international markets and government procurement across India.
- Why
- To explain the systems, compliance, financial planning and execution capabilities MSMEs need for sustainable growth.
- Export requirements
- Quality, consistency, documentation, compliance and timely delivery.
- Trade systems
- IEC and GST registrations, ICEGATE and DGFT systems were identified as relevant to digital export processes.
- GeM registrations
- More than 12 lakh micro and small enterprises were highlighted as registered on GeM.
- GeM procurement
- Public procurement on GeM was reported as exceeding ₹5 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
- MSME participation
- Micro and small enterprises accounted for 68% of orders, while around 45% of procurement value went to MSMEs.
- Pricing lesson
- Businesses were advised to account for production, overhead, logistics and delivery costs before bidding.