Gift City

Easing of liquor policy for GIFT City to boost hospitality, investments

Gujarat has eased liquor rules in GIFT City by removing temporary permits for visitors and allowing licensed hotels and restaurants to serve across premises, while prohibition stays statewide

IFSCA eases norms for fund managers in GIFT City; approves new GIC rules

IFSCA has cleared relaxations for fund management entities in GIFT City, including KMP eligibility and PPM extensions, and approved new Global In-House Centres Regulations, 2025

Gujarat eases liquor rules at GIFT City; permit requirement scrapped

Any person from outside Gujarat or India can now consume liquor at designated hotels or restaurants inside GIFT City, a global finance centre in Gandhinagar, by just showing photo ID card, as per changes made in alcohol rules at the hub by the state government. The government has introduced major changes to liquor rules at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) and done away with the norm of obtaining a permit for alcohol consumption. The state home department has announced the changes through a gazette notification. Through the December 20 notification, the department has further eased liquor consumption rules at GIFT City. Gujarat is a "dry" state where manufacture, sale, and consumption of liquor are prohibited. However, the government made an exemption for GIFT City in 2023 by allowing sale and consumption of alcohol inside the central business district with some conditions. As per the latest notification, any "external person", who is not from Gujarat, or a foreig

MUFG Bank not keen on raising Shriram Finance stake beyond proposed 20%

MUFG Bank said it will not raise its stake above the proposed 20 per cent in Shriram Finance and has no plans to invest in other Shriram Group entities, even as SFL approved a $4.4 billion deal

Growth in services exports essential to reduce concentration risk

India must broaden its services export base beyond IT and consulting to reduce concentration risks, boost competitiveness, create jobs and sustain growth amid global protectionism, say economists

Overseas investments via GIFT City funds: Strong rules, simpler taxes

Taxes on capital gains and dividends are paid at the fund level; investors do not pay

Berkley IFSC Branch first P&C insurer in GIFT City with dual licences

Berkley Insurance Company IFSC Branch has become the first P&C insurer in GIFT City to hold both insurance and reinsurance licences, and will focus on specialty lines by end-FY26

Nearing expiry: SBI seeks tax break extension for its GIFT City unit

SBI has asked the Centre to extend its 10-year tax holiday at GIFT City, saying early entrants lost effective benefit years. Experts warn activity could shift offshore if incentives lapse

9 foreign reinsurers in talks to enter GIFT City through IIO route

There are also 10 reinsurers who are in their preliminary stages of discussion

SMFG accelerates India expansion by boosting lending, $5 bn buying blitz

Japan's second-largest lender has made investments to expand in financial services from retail to wholesale banking in India, such as a landmark deal that made it the biggest shareholder of Yes Bank

A large part of India's capital needs to be met via GIFT City: Ifsca Chair

K Rajaraman, chairman of the IFSCA, outlines how the IFSC is emerging as a hub for India Inc's foreign-currency needs

Moving India: So near yet so far for Gujarat's transport infrastructure

The fourth of a six-part series examines why daily commute in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and GIFT City remains a challenge despite better bus and metro services, and new infrastructure

IIBX eyes over $12 bn forex flow in FY26 from gold and silver contracts

India International Bullion Exchange eyes sharp growth in gold and silver contracts, boosting foreign exchange inflows through GIFT City

Govt urges banks to deepen presence in IIBX, expand GIFT City operations

The senior government official further noted that the intent is to strengthen the ecosystem around IIBX and ensure that banks play a larger role in facilitating bullion trade and related financial flo

BS BFSI Summit: GIFT City achieving key milestones, gaining global traction

At BS BFSI Insight 2025, experts said international financial hub has evolved beyond banking, insurance, and capital markets. There are now over 35 active business segments operating in the centre

Building foresight capability to anticipate risks a priority: Sebi Chairman

As the three-day premier summit came to a close, a clear call emerged: Regulate wisely, innovate responsibly, and build a resilient, tech-driven foundation for India's financial future

IFSCA releases consultation paper on dematerialisation of IFSC securities

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has issued a consultation paper on regulatory framework for dematerialization of securities by entities in the IFSC jurisdiction. India International Depository IFSC Ltd is designated as the issuing agency for International Securities Identification Numbers (ISIN) within GIFT City, IFSC. However, it has been observed that certain entities continue to obtain ISINs and hold securities through depositories located in the domestic jurisdiction, even when such securities are issued by entities established in IFSC jurisdiction, IFSCA said in a statement. In order to provide sufficient time for transition, it has been decided that the entities in the IFSC that have already dematerialised their securities with the domestic depositories in India shall migrate such securities to a depository in the IFSC by March 31, 2026, it said. To ensure a smooth transition, a depository in IFSC should ensure a seamless migration from domestic

IFSCA proposes differential distribution in funds to boost blended finance

The move is aimed at enabling blended finance structures that combine concessional or philanthropic capital with private investment to fund socially desirable but commercially less viable projects

Coventry University in talks with Edu Ministry for more India campuses

The UK-based university, which got approval for its first Indian campus in Gujarat's Gift City, plans further expansion under India's National Education Policy 2020

How GIFT City's new forex settlement system can be a game-changer for India

The new real-time foreign currency settlement system situates GIFT City among global financial centres like Hong Kong and Tokyo, with a promise of faster transactions and better liquidity