Global Recognition for GIFT City as a Financial and Technology Hub
Bilkul Bazaar
Gandhinagar: As part of his three-day official visit to India, Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister of Israel, visited Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) — India’s first operational smart city and International Financial Services Centre in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. The visit underscores GIFT City’s growing position as a hub for financial services, technology, and innovation, attracting increasing attention from global leaders and investors.
Strengthening India–Israel Collaboration in Finance and Technology
Smotrich, accompanied by a delegation of senior government officials and regulators from Israel, held detailed discussions with K. Rajaraman, Chairperson of IFSCA, Sanjay Kaul, MD & Group CEO of GIFT City, and senior officials from GIFT City and IFSCA. He explored the city’s development model, including its IFSC, fintech hubs, and regulatory framework. He praised the scale, vision, and execution of GIFT City, describing it as a model for advanced financial and technology infrastructure.
Acknowledging GIFT City as a project of national importance, Smotrich emphasized its role in positioning India as a global financial hub and highlighted its potential to serve as a platform for collaboration between India and Israel in finance and technology.
Welcoming the minister, Sanjay Kaul said, “We are honoured to host Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at GIFT City. His visit reflects the global recognition GIFT City is receiving as a modern financial and tech hub. We see immense potential for collaboration between India and Israel, especially in areas like fintech, innovation, and sustainable finance. We look forward to building long-term partnerships that create value for both economies.”
The discussions during the visit highlighted opportunities in banking, insurance, capital markets, fintech, and asset management. With world-class infrastructure, progressive regulations, and strong government backing, GIFT City is increasingly positioning itself as a gateway for global institutions to engage with India’s growth story.