World Economic Forum 2026: GIFT City delegation led by Sanjay Kaul to engage with global leaders at Davos
Gandhinagar, January 16
A high-level delegation from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City will engage with global business leaders, investors and policymakers during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from January 19 to 23.
The delegation will also include top officials from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The visit comes at a time when GIFT City is witnessing strong momentum across international banking, fund management, fintech, asset leasing, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and international education.
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is a key global convergence point for leaders from government, business and finance. The GIFT City delegation will hold a series of strategic interactions in Davos with global players across financial services, banking, technology, fintech, institutional investment and multinational corporations. These engagements will focus on exploring collaboration opportunities, facilitating global capital flows, and positioning GIFT City as a preferred destination for international firms seeking to expand their presence in India and beyond.
Discussions are expected to centre on areas such as international banking, fund management, aircraft and ship leasing, fintech innovation, GCCs, sustainable finance and emerging technologies. The delegation, which also includes officials from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), will highlight GIFT City's integrated urban infrastructure, progressive regulatory framework, and growing talent ecosystem as key enablers for global businesses.
Sanjay Kaul, MD & Group CEO, GIFT City, said, "India is at a defining stage in its economic journey, with increasing global interest in its financial markets and growth opportunities. Our engagement in Davos provides an opportunity to connect directly with global decision-makers and demonstrate how GIFT City can serve as a gateway for global capital and capabilities into India."
GIFT City, India's first operational smart city and the country's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), has steadily emerged as the country's international financial hub, offering a globally competitive platform for financial services, innovation, and cross-border activity within India's jurisdiction. The engagements in Davos are expected to support investment outreach, partnership building and long-term strategic collaboration, reinforcing GIFT City's role in India's evolving global economic engagement.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Hope they focus on sustainable finance and green tech. That's where the future is. India can lead in this space if we get the right partnerships and investments through platforms like GIFT City.
Good initiative, but I hope the benefits trickle down beyond just the big corporates and financial firms. Need to see more focus on how this creates jobs for regular graduates and boosts the local economy in Gujarat.
As someone working in fintech in Bangalore, it's encouraging to see India building a dedicated hub for international finance. Competition with Singapore and Dubai is tough, but GIFT City has unique advantages. Go team!
The focus on aircraft and ship leasing is a smart move. We have a huge aviation and shipping market. If we can capture even a part of that leasing business locally, it will be a massive win for the economy. Jai Hind!
While the ambition is great, execution on the ground is key. Hope the delegation also learns from the challenges faced by other global financial hubs. We need world-class infrastructure and seamless processes to truly compete.
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