Published on: July 28, 2025

Key Outcomes and Discussions:

National GCC Policy Framework:

A central theme of the summit was the comprehensive multi-pronged policy proposal put forth by the CII to bolster the GCC sector. This framework aims to:

• Promote Investments: Attract increased investments in emerging technologies and from underpenetrated global markets (e.g., Japan, Nordics, Australia, Middle East), in addition to traditional markets like the US.
• Talent Development: Address the growing demand for skilled professionals through initiatives such as establishing Talent Acceleration Hubs for reskilling/upskilling programs and a National Digital Talent Platform.
• Digital Infrastructure: Support GCC growth by proposing the development of Digital Economic Zones (DEZs) with fiscal incentives like tax holidays and import duty exemptions.
• Simplified Regulatory Framework: Streamline processes by advocating for a National Single Window Platform for fast-track approvals and considering concessional tax rates for GCCs.

Strategic Sessions:

The summit featured high-impact discussions across several crucial areas:

• Industry–Government Collaboration: Deliberations focused on fostering stronger partnerships to enhance GCC competitiveness and define a national framework. Smt. Anuradha Thakur, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, provided key insights.
• GIFT City’s Emergence: Discussions highlighted GIFT City’s unique value proposition as an emerging GCC hub, covering regulatory flexibility, talent ecosystem, and infrastructure. Dr. Sanjay Kaul, MD & Group CEO of GIFT City, delivered a special address.
• Opportunities in Tier 2 Cities: The potential for cost-effective expansion in Tier 2 cities, leveraging untapped talent pools and supportive local governments, was a key focus, with interventions from various state government secretaries.
• Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Sessions underscored the importance of seamless collaboration among multiple ministries (Commerce, Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Telecommunications) to strengthen the overall GCC ecosystem.

Healthcare Advocacy on the Sidelines:
Crucially, during the summit, a distinct meeting was secured of a few minutes with the Hon’ble Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. This direct engagement provided an invaluable opportunity for advocacy on policy reforms aimed at improving access to essential medicines through our requests to change the relevant rules of NDPS Act. The dialogue also emphasized the urgent need for ethical and streamlined regulatory frameworks as noted on GCC Summit under community engagements, coupled with supportive fiscal policies, to advance public health outcomes and ensure affordable healthcare for all citizens.

Strategic Significance:

The “GCC Opportunity in India” summit underscored India’s inherent strengths and readiness to lead in the global GCC landscape, leveraging its favorable demographic dividend, burgeoning services exports, and ambitious digital infrastructure plans. The strategic convergence of discussions on both robust economic growth through GCCs and critical healthcare policy reforms, particularly access to medicine, positioned the event as a significant catalyst for inclusive and sustainable national development.

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