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THE ECONOMIC TIMES

DFCC Bank’s green bond debut first foreign corporate issuer at GIFT IFSC

Sri Lanka’s DFCC Bank PLC has become the first foreign corporate issuer to list green bonds on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT IFSC. The green bonds, valued at LKR 2.5 billion, are Sri Lanka’s first capital market debt instruments dedicated to renewable energy, focusing primarily on funding solar energy projects.

These bonds align with Sri Lanka’s goal of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and are already listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.

The listing on NSE IX reflects the IFSCA’s broader vision of making GIFT IFSC a hub for sustainable and green finance, particularly for the Global South.

Speaking at the event, K Rajaraman, Chairperson of IFSCA, emphasized the significance of this milestone. “We are delighted, as a regulator, to support and facilitate this initiative by both NSE IX and DFCC Bank of Sri Lanka,” he said.

“India and Sri Lanka are very important partners in the growth and stability of this region. We believe that strong economic relations between both countries will lay the foundation for greater economic progress in both nations.” Thimal Perera, CEO of DFCC Bank PLC, highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in sustainable finance. “This listing reflects the growing relevance of regional financial partnerships in advancing meaningful progress,” he said.

V Balasubramaniam, MD & CEO of NSE IX, welcomed DFCC Bank PLC as the first foreign corporate issuer at NSEIX and in GIFT IFSC.

“I am confident that this listing will inspire more issuers from Sri Lanka and neighbouring countries to explore opportunities in GIFT City,” he said. “The IFSCA listing regulations are designed to support global fundraising, and NSE IX is proud to contribute to the vision of BIMSTEC business summits fostering regional collaboration through robust trade and investment.”

NSE IX, established in 2017, continues to dominate the market with over 99% share in GIFT IFSC, offering a wide range of financial products.

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