GIFT City Climbs Global Financial Centres Index, Strengthening Its Position as a Global Financial Hub
New Delhi, March 26, 2025 – Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India’s pioneering smart city and first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), has made notable advancements in the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 37), underscoring its rising stature as an emerging global financial hub.
According to a statement released by GIFT City on Wednesday, the city has achieved significant progress in multiple categories of the GFCI rankings. Most notably, GIFT City secured the top rank in reputational advantage, jumped from the 45th to the 40th position in the fintech category, and improved its overall ranking from 52nd to 46th place globally. Moreover, it has sustained its status among the top 15 financial centres in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting its growing influence on the international stage.
What Is GIFT City?
GIFT City, located in Gujarat, India, is the country’s first fully operational smart city and the nation’s maiden International Financial Services Centre. The city is designed to provide world-class infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to promote financial services, fintech innovation, and international business. It aims to facilitate ease of doing business and attract global talent and investments.
Insights from the Global Financial Centres Index
The GFCI, compiled by the London-based Z/Yen Group, evaluates financial hubs across the world using over 140 data points collected from reputable third-party organizations, including the World Bank, OECD, and the United Nations. The index assesses centres on multiple vectors such as business environment, human capital, infrastructure, financial sector development, and reputational measures.
The latest GFCI 37 report assessed 133 financial centres worldwide, with 119 making it onto the main index. The index serves as a key barometer for investors, policymakers, and market players in identifying competitive advantages and growth opportunities within global financial districts.
GIFT City’s Growing Appeal
Speaking on the achievement, Tapan Ray, Managing Director and Group CEO of GIFT City, highlighted that the city’s upward movement in the GFCI rankings mirrors India’s expanding footprint in the international finance arena. He stated, “Our ascendancy in reputational advantage, marked improvements in fintech rankings, and robust overall performance reinforce the global investors’ and businesses’ confidence in GIFT City as a preferred destination for financial services.”
This progress underlines GIFT City’s commitment to innovation, regulatory excellence, and fostering a conducive environment for fintech companies and international financial institutions. It reflects the city’s evolution from a nascent financial district to a dynamic hub playing a strategic role in India’s economic growth and integration with global markets.
The Road Ahead
As GIFT City continues to climb the ranks within the global financial ecosystem, it promises enhanced opportunities for international investors, professionals, and businesses looking to leverage India’s expanding financial services sector. The improvements in fintech and reputational standing are likely to attract greater technological innovation, collaboration, and capital flows to the region.
The elevation of GIFT City in the GFCI rankings is also aligned with India’s broader vision of establishing itself as a pivotal global financial centre, complementing the country’s ongoing economic reforms and infrastructure modernization efforts.
About the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI):
The GFCI is a biannual report published by Z/Yen Group that ranks the competitiveness of financial centres worldwide. The rankings are based on an extensive range of factors, including business environment, human capital, infrastructure, financial sector development, and reputational metrics.
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