Neeraj Agarwal, Regional Commercial Head for the Middle East, India, Africa, and Mauritius (“MIAM”), recently spoke at the India–Saudi Investment Connect event in Jeddah. Organised by the Consulate General of India, the event highlighted the thriving start-up ecosystem and the significant benefits of investing in GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City). With extensive expertise in capital markets, funds, private client services, and wealth management, Neeraj shared valuable insights into the strategic advantages offered by this dynamic financial hub.
Jeddah: a gateway to India’s booming start-up ecosystem
Jeddah, a key economic centre in Saudi Arabia, serves as a vital bridge between the Middle East and India. The event aimed to strengthen economic ties and explore investment opportunities. GIFT City, India’s first operational smart city and international financial services centre, is uniquely positioned to attract global investors. Its robust regulatory framework and world-class infrastructure make it an ideal destination for those seeking growth and diversification. Saudi investors, who share a trusted economic, political, and social relationship with India, can benefit greatly by using GIFT City as a route to invest in India’s booming start-up ecosystem.
Opportunities and insights: Neeraj Agarwal's perspective
During his presentation, Exclusive Opportunities for Investors via GIFT City and a Primer on the Indian Start-up Ecosystem, Neeraj emphasised several key points, including GIFT City's strategic vision to become a global financial hub, the numerous tax advantages available to investors, and the one-window approval mechanism for establishing entities. He highlighted India’s thriving start-up ecosystem, with funds in India, GIFT City, and the Middle East focused on capturing this growth to generate exponential returns.
Reflecting on the event, Neeraj commented, "It was inspiring to witness the keen interest and enthusiasm of the audience. The discussions that followed my presentation were insightful, highlighting the potential for collaboration and investment. I left Jeddah with a renewed sense of optimism about the future of GIFT City and its role in fostering global economic growth. The networking opportunities were very beneficial."
Neeraj also underscored the world-class infrastructure, the regulatory sandbox fostering innovation, and the streamlined access to global markets offered by GIFT City. The city is rapidly becoming a hotspot for entrepreneurs in fintech, technology, and other sectors, with incubation centres, venture capital, and networking opportunities creating a dynamic environment for innovation.
