Partnership of Odisha Government and Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) for establishing an Integrated Global Financial Technology Center in Bhubaneswar, Singapore

Partnership of Odisha Government and Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) for establishing an Integrated Global Financial Technology Center in Bhubaneswar, Singapore

Odisha Embraces FinTech Future with Integrated Global Hub

Odisha, India, is set to become a global leader in Financial Technology (FinTech) innovation and capability, with the launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar on August 21, 2025. This ambitious initiative aligns with Odisha's Vision 2036 and 2047 goals, aiming to boost the state's economy through advanced banking, insurance, payments, and emerging FinTech solutions.

The Government of Odisha, in partnership with the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), is driving this transformation. The I-GFTCH will serve as a Centre of Excellence, dedicated to digital transformation and pioneering FinTech solutions. It will support startups with incubation, mentorship, masterclasses, bootcamps, market readiness programs, and venture development, leveraging expertise from GFTN and the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF).

A key element of this strategy is global learning and talent development. The hub features a professional certification program, such as the NUS-AIDF Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech, designed to make over 7,000 graduates job-ready in the next five years. This comprehensive course covers topics on Fundamentals of FinTech and Insurtech, Al & Blockchain application, InsurTech innovations, and Real-world case studies.

The first pillar of Odisha's strategy, Global Learning, includes a future-proof FinTech and InsurTech professional certification programme offered by NUS-AIDF and GFTN. This five-month hybrid course, open to final year undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking to build a career in the financial sector, aims to empower over 7,000 students from all districts across Odisha with pragmatic expertise in Financial Technology and InsurTech sectors.

Odisha is also establishing a strategic offshore or nearshore hub for global and national GFTN's partner financial institutions. This hub will act as dynamic nodes for business growth and collaboration among startups, corporates, and innovators via shared workspaces and integrated resources.

The I-GFTCH initiative is supported by the Department of Electronics & IT and the Department of Higher Education. As a testament to its global reach, Bhubaneswar will host the Black Swan Summit (BSS) India in the first quarter of 2026, a global forum accelerating the adoption of frontier technologies.

The Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech is sponsored by the Government of Odisha in partnership with GFTN. Benefits include priority job opportunities with access to placement fairs and referrals to banking and insurance companies for internship placements. Students will also gain global visibility through GFTN Knowledge CircleTM with exclusive, free access to hundreds of articles and reports from GFTN and complimentary access to GFTN Forums worldwide (terms & conditions apply).

In summary, Odisha's strategy to become a FinTech leader integrates global partnerships, talent upskilling, innovation acceleration, ecosystem development, and economic growth aligned with a vision for a digitally empowered economy by 2047. This positions Odisha not only as an Indian FinTech hub but also as a key participant in the global digital finance ecosystem.

References: [1] Odisha Government Press Release [2] GFTN Press Release [3] AIDF Press Release [4] Singapore-Odisha Collaboration Agreement [5] Odisha Economic Development Report 2025

1. The Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Odisha, India, aims to promote digital transformation and pioneer FinTech solutions, contributing to Odisha's vision for a digitally empowered economy by 2047.
2. The Government of Odisha's strategy includes establishing a strategic offshore or nearshore hub for global and national partners of the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), fostering business growth and collaboration among startups, corporates, and innovators.
3. To empower students seeking careers in the financial sector, the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech, sponsored by the Government of Odisha in partnership with GFTN, offers access to placement fairs, internships, and global visibility through GFTN Knowledge CircleTM, with benefits including priority job opportunities and free access to hundreds of articles and reports from GFTN.
4. The I-GFTCH initiative aligns with Odisha's educational goals, featuring a professional certification program such as the NUS-AIDF Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech, focused on topics like FinTech and InsurTech essentials, artificial intelligence, blockchain application, InsurTech innovations, and real-world case studies, aiming to train over 7,000 graduates in the next five years.

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