GIFT City nears framework for direct share listings without IPO
XED, which provides education programs to top executives. The company plans to raise $12 million through a dollar-based offering in GIFT City this month.While the offering will test the IPO route at the offshore financial centre, the forthcoming framework is aimed at companies that want to list directly on the exchanges.If implemented, the proposal would allow Indian and global companies, whether already listed elsewhere or privately held, to list their shares on GIFT City exchanges without raising fresh capital.
That, in turn, could broaden the pool of companies at the offshore financial centre tapping into global investor appetite.Emails sent to IFSCA remained unanswered.“For many companies, especially those eyeing global investors but not yet ready for a full IPO, this may emerge as a compelling middle path,” said Ketaki Mehta, Partner - GIFT City, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.To be sure, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), the regulator for GIFT IFSC, already allows companies to list on IFSC exchanges without making a public offer under Regulation 40 of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (Listing) Regulations, 2024 dated 20 August 2024.However, detailed operational rules and guidance on how the framework will work in practice are still awaited from the regulator.IFSCA’s move could also help align GIFT IFSC with other global markets where direct listings are permitted.For instance, Spotify Technologies listed its shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2018 without raising money through an IPO. The company chose the route because it was already cash-flow positive and did not need to raise capital.
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