Standard Chartered on November 12 launched four international investment funds from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), expanding its existing operations into wealth management.
The launch adds to the range of overseas investment products being developed through the financial centre, which has attracted interest from domestic and international financial institutions seeking to cater to investors looking for global market exposure.
The bank’s new Signature CIO Funds will offer diversified, multi-asset portfolios based on investment strategies developed by its Chief Investment Office. The funds will invest across global equities, bonds, commodities, liquid alternatives and cash.
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Developed in partnership with Amundi Asset Management and SBI Funds International (IFSC) Limited, the four funds are designed for investors with different investment objectives and risk appetites.
Samir Subberwal, Global Head, Wealth Solutions, Retail Products, Data & Analytics, Standard Chartered, said the launch would provide clients in India with another avenue to diversify their portfolios and access international investment opportunities.
Launched in 2022, the Signature CIO Funds have attracted more than $5 billion in assets under management and are available across 13 markets.
Standard Chartered has been operating in GIFT City since 2020. The latest launch is an expansion of its existing presence rather than a fresh entry into the financial centre.
JioBlackRock, Axis Bank also plan investment offerings
JioBlackRock, the joint venture between Jio Financial Services and BlackRock, received regulatory registration for its IFSC subsidiary in May 2026. It has since moved ahead with its GIFT City investment offerings, including the Advantage World Equity Fund, an outbound fund investing in global equities.
Axis Bank had also outlined plans in December 2025 to introduce inbound and outbound funds through GIFT City. The proposed offerings included funds investing in Indian equities for wealthy clients and NRIs, as well as products providing exposure to global equities and dollar-denominated structured investments. The current launch status of these funds needs confirmation.
GIFT City’s fund management ecosystem
The number of fund management entities operating in GIFT City has increased from 177 in June 2025 to 235 in June 2026, according to available industry data.
The financial centre provides a regulatory framework for asset managers to establish funds offering exposure to domestic and international markets. Its development has also been supported by changes in the regulatory and tax framework governing IFSC operations.
For asset managers, GIFT City offers an additional route to develop international investment products, while giving eligible investors access to overseas markets through regulated fund structures.
Also read: Franklin Templeton’s first outbound GIFT City fund to invest in US stocks: Key details