GIFT City climbs to 37th in the global financial centres index

The Global Financial Centres Index published its fortieth edition, and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City moved up nine places to 37th among 139 centres assessed. Mumbai rose three places to 49th. The index is compiled by a London research firm with the China Development Institute, from 144 quantitative measures and nearly 40,000 assessments by financial professionals.

GIFT City was also listed among fifteen centres expected to gain significant importance over the next two to three years, a group weighted toward Asia-Pacific and West Asia. Its managing director attributed the movement to policy support from the Union and state governments, the regulatory framework of the international financial services authority, infrastructure, and a widening base of financial-services firms.

Why a commerce or finance student should care

A rising financial centre is, for a student, a hiring map. The work concentrated in an IFSC is not the same as at a domestic branch:

• Fund management and alternative investment funds: analysts, fund accountants, compliance officers.
• Banking units of Indian and foreign banks: treasury, trade finance, foreign-currency lending.
• Insurance and reinsurance offices: actuarial and underwriting roles.
• Capital markets and bullion and international exchanges: operations, risk, market surveillance.
• Fintech and aircraft and ship leasing: newer, smaller, and where early entrants get unusual responsibility.

What to build now

For B.Com, BBA, economics and MBA students in Gujarat, the differentiators are unglamorous and specific: a working understanding of the IFSC regulatory framework, financial modelling, one of the professional tracks (CA, CFA, FRM, actuarial), and internships with firms already inside the campus. Proximity helps. Most of the recruiting here is still done by people who can interview you the same week.

CareerBox News Desk, reporting on the fortieth edition of the Global Financial Centres Index and the ranking of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City. Official portal: giftgujarat.in. Dates and eligibility change; confirm them on the official portal before you act.