DFCC Bank PLC, Sri Lanka becomes the First Foreign Corporate Green Bond issuance to list on NSE International Exchange in GIFT IFSC
DFCC Bank Sri Lanka lists first foreign corporate green bond on NSE IX at GIFT IFSC to support renewable energy goals.
NSEIX welcomed the team of DFCC Bank PLC, Sri Lanka lead by Mr. Thimal Perera Chief Executive Officer and Mr.Prins Perera Senior Vice President Treasury and Investment Banking in GIFT IFSC on June 9, 2025 to ring the bell to celebrate the listing of foreign currency green bonds of LKR 2.5 Billion Green bonds , which are Sri Lanka’s first capital market debt instrument dedicated to renewable energy. Its primary focus is to fund solar energy projects in support of Sri Lanka’s goal of achieving 70 per cent electricity generation from renewable energy by 2030. These instruments are already listed on the primary Stock Exchange – Colombo Stock Exchange. This aligns with IFSCA’s broader vision of positioning GIFT IFSC as a hub for sustainable and green finance in the Global South.
These are the first foreign corporate issuances to be admitted to listing in GIFT IFSC on NSE International Exchange, making it a landmark transaction and encouraging more and more issuers from Sri Lanka and neighboring countries to leverage the opportunities and gain wider access to a much different diaspora of investors at GIFT IFSC. NSE IX , the leading and dominant Stock Exchange in GIFT IFSC has pioneered many firsts and are proud to on board this prestigious issuance on the Debt securities market platform.
Commenting on the listing, Mr.K.Rajaraman Chairperson IFSCA said, “Today we have the listing ceremony of DFCC Bank from Sri Lanka, which has listed its Green Bonds worth about 2.5 billion Sri Lankan rupees through the secondary listing process at the NSE International Stock Exchange in the International Financial Services Center in GIFT CITY, Gujarat. We are delighted, as a regulator, to support and facilitate this initiative by both NSE IX and DFCC Bank of Sri Lanka. 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. We also encourage many companies from Sri Lanka to look at the GIFT City ecosystem for financing their business growth and to utilize the entities in GIFT CITY as well.”
Commenting on the listing, Thimal Perera, Chief Executive Officer of DFCC Bank PLC , "This listing reflects the growing relevance of regional financial partnerships in advancing meaningful progress. As the first foreign corporate to list a bond on NSE IX, we are setting a precedent for how institutions like ours can mobilize cross-border capital for sustainability. It is a pragmatic step that connects purpose with scale, and ambition with action"
Commenting on the listing, Mr. V.Balasubramaniam MD & CEO NSEIX said, “We are delighted to welcome DFCC Bank PLC as the first foreign corporate issuer in NSEIX and in GIFT IFSC with a secondary listing of LKR 2.5 Billion green bonds on the Exchange. I am confident that this listing will inspire more issuers from Sri Lanka and neighboring countries to explore opportunities in GIFT City. The IFSCA listing regulations are designed to support global fundraising and NSE IX is proud to contribute to the broader vision of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Business summit “to foster greater regional collaboration through robust trade and investment relations among the member countries”
About NSE IX:
NSE IX is an International multi assets exchange set up at GIFT City on June 5, 2017, and recognized by International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) (www.ifsca.gov.in). NSE International Exchange holds a dominant market share of over 99 per cent, highlighting extensive leadership in GIFT IFSC.
NSE IX offers a diversified portfolio of products including Indian Single Stock Derivatives, Index Derivatives, Currency Derivatives, Depository Receipts and Global Stocks. The exchange provides a comprehensive range of primary market products including listing of Equity Shares, SPAC, REITs, InvITs, Depository Receipts, Debt Securities and ESG Debt Securities under the regulatory framework of IFSCA (Listing) Regulations, 2024. NSE IX and GIFT NIFTY has received part 30 exemption from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under regulation 30.10 and SEC class relief under Sections 5, 6, 15, or 17A (SEC Act 1934) which enables US customers to participate in derivative contracts listed on NSE IX.
Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.