GIFT City, India’s first operational International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and a smart city, offers an unmatched suite of investment opportunities tailored for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign nationals. For investors looking to tap into India’s growth with regulatory ease and tax benefits, GIFT City presents diversified options ranging from banking to capital markets in an internationally compliant ecosystem.
Types of Investments Available for NRIs and Foreign Nationals
GIFT City hosts a broad array of regulated financial products, enabling investors to diversify portfolios and access multiple asset classes conveniently within India’s first IFSC. Whether you are interested in banking products, mutual funds, or trading securities, GIFT City offers streamlined processes backed by attractive incentives.
Offshore Banking and Foreign Currency Accounts
NRIs can open Global Savings Accounts and Offshore Banking Units (OBUs) in GIFT City with multiple foreign currency options including USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, and more. These accounts provide competitive interest rates and tax exemptions on interests under IFSC regulations, making it ideal for parking surplus funds in a secure, currency-flexible environment.
Mutual Funds, Portfolio Management, and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
Investors can access a range of mutual funds and portfolio management services tailored to meet global standards. More notably, GIFT City is emerging as a hub for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) offering exposure to equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate, and venture capital. AIFs allow NRIs and foreign investors to participate in high-growth, diversified asset classes with relatively simplified compliance.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in GIFT City
REITs listed within GIFT City’s IFSC exchanges present NRIs with the opportunity to invest in India’s premium real estate markets without the complications of direct property management. These trusts offer regular income through rents and capital appreciation, allowing diversification into commercial and residential real estate sectors in a regulated framework.
Trading in Equities, Bonds, and Derivatives at GIFT City Exchanges
Two key exchanges operate within GIFT City — India INX and NSE IFSC. India INX is India’s first international exchange offering trading in equities, commodities, and currency derivatives across global time zones, while NSE IFSC caters to a broad spectrum of securities trading. NRIs and foreign investors can benefit from real-time access to varied global securities with regulatory oversight, extended trading hours, and tax incentives under the IFSC regime.
GIFT City is revolutionizing how NRIs and foreign nationals invest in India by combining an investor-friendly regulatory framework with a technologically advanced financial ecosystem. With opportunities spanning offshore banking to capital markets, it presents a compelling proposition for those seeking diversification, tax efficiency, and global market access through India’s premier IFSC.
