Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal held a strategic meeting with department officials on April 30, 2026, to accelerate the development of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) as a central driver of transparent and competitive public procurement in India.
Goyal stated on
The roadmap presented prioritizes deep digital enablement to streamline procurement by utilizing advanced data analytics and AI-driven tools, aiming to maximize efficiency and accountability in government spending.
A key aspect of the meeting was the planned expansion of the vendor base to disrupt existing monopolies and encourage a competitive environment. Goyal stressed that this ‘open-door’ digital policy intends to position the government as a partner to businesses of all sizes.
The strategy also renews a commitment to social inclusivity by specifically targeting growth opportunities for MSMEs, start-ups, and women entrepreneurs within public procurement processes.
On April 28, while speaking to the media, Goyal confirmed that the India-New Zealand agreement established a framework for cooperation in education, technology, and traditional medicine, designed to significantly increase foreign direct investment (FDI) from New Zealand over the next 25 years.
He said, “100% of goods that can be imported from India to New Zealand will now be subject to zero duty…Partnerships in education, sports, culture, agriculture, productivity and technology, intellectual property, and traditional medicine, including AYUSH and Maori traditions, have also been established. A unilateral agreement has been signed in the fields of traditional medicine…It will be a highly beneficial FTA.”
The Minister highlighted a substantial increase in bilateral capital flow, noting New Zealand’s past FDI contributions were modest. He added, “Most importantly, New Zealand, which has invested only Rs 70 million in foreign direct investment over the last 25 years, or Rs 600-650 crore at today’s exchange rate, will invest USD 20 billion dollars (approximately Rs 2 lakh crore) in India in the next 25 years. This massive investment will create millions of new employment opportunities, provide a major boost to business and industry, and enable us to move forward more. rapidly in the ‘Amrit Kaal’.”
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