National/Gujarat, 14th March 2025: India’s apex industry body for the alternate capital ecosystem, Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), in collaboration with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), hosted the inaugural IFSCA-IVCA Fund Management Conclave 2025 on 12th March, held at GIFT City’s prestigious GIFT Club.

Organised in partnership with IC Universal Legal, Investec, PwC, and Peak XV Partners, the Conclave fostered conversations on accelerating capital flows through IFSC and strengthening India’s position in the global investment ecosystem. Delivering an address on “Fund Management Growth in IFSC”, Shri Pradeep Ramakrishnan, Executive Director, IFSCA, highlighted the regulatory advancements and opportunities that shape the sector.

Emphasising GIFT City’s development as a worldwide centre for fund management, Shri Ramakrishnan said, “IFSC is at a crucial point in its journey to becoming a global financial powerhouse. With nearly 200 debt issuances and growing opportunities in ETFs, we expect significant expansion. However, the ESG fund ecosystem has yet to gain momentum. To encourage participation, we have waived fees for the first 10 ESG funds, with a few slots still open.

The cost of compliance is far lower than the cost of non-compliance. IFSC must not be seen as just a branch office of Mumbai or any other financial hub—it must establish itself as an independent, thriving ecosystem. Strengthening governance, particularly through the role of Principal Officers (POs) and Compliance Officers (COs), is essential for ensuring IFSC’s credibility on the global stage.

As regulators, we remain open to industry feedback and are introducing a master circular and innovative structure like the SPV model to streamline operations. IFSC is more than just a gateway for global investments—it is a center for financial innovation and integrity. Now is the time to seize this opportunity and shape IFSC’s future as a world-class financial hub.”

With an increasing number of fund management entities (FMEs) running a range of investment schemes, such as venture capital, private equity, global debt, and alternative investment funds (AIFs), Shri Ramakrishnan emphasised the growth of fund management activities at GIFT-IFSC. He emphasised that the policy measures of IFSCA have been instrumental in luring both foreign and domestic fund managers to join IFSC.

The Conclave provided a prestigious platform for discussions among senior government officials, fund managers, and financial industry leaders, focusing on fund regulations, taxation policies, and structuring options for global investors at GIFT-IFSC.