Archive · 23 Aug 2026
GIFT City Emerges as India’s International Financial Centre
GIFT City is a new financial hub in Gujarat, India.
It helps banks, companies, and investors do business across countries.
HSBC’s Sandeep Batra said it has grown quickly in only a few years.
More than 1,200 businesses and other players now work there.
People can use services such as multicurrency accounts and international investments.
Companies also use GIFT City for aircraft leasing, ship financing, and trade.
The city is adding hotels, social facilities, and other infrastructure.
Batra believes it can eventually become a truly global financial centre.
HSBC’s Sandeep Batra said GIFT City has experienced rapid growth over the past four to five years.
More than 1,200 players now operate in the GIFT City ecosystem, according to Batra.
Businesses there include FCNRB deposits, aircraft leasing, vessel financing, trade, and treasury centres.
Residents and non-residents can open multicurrency accounts and access global investment products through GIFT City.
Batra said GIFT City remains more closely linked to India but is expected to become more international over time.
- Who
- Sandeep Batra, HSBC’s head of international banking, discussed GIFT City with NDTV Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal.
- What
- GIFT City is expanding as a financial hub offering banking, investment, leasing, financing, and trade services.
- When
- During an NDTV Walk The Talk interview; the article does not state the date.
- Where
- Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, or GIFT City, in Gujarat, India.
- Why
- Its ecosystem is growing as more financial businesses, investors, and international banking services move there.
- Location
- Gujarat, India
- Current scale
- More than 1,200 players operate in the GIFT City ecosystem.
- Growth period
- HSBC received one of the first IFSC licences four to five years ago, according to Batra.
- Key programme
- GIFT City has become a major centre for the FCNRB programme.
- Financial services
- Services mentioned include multicurrency accounts, global investments, aircraft leasing, vessel financing, trade, and treasury centres.
- HSBC presence
- HSBC recently moved a senior officer from Mumbai to GIFT City.
- Infrastructure
- Hotels, social infrastructure, fitness, and other facilities are developing in the city.