Geojit BNP Paribas launches QFI Investment service

KOCHI: Leading financial services company Geojit BNP Paribas today launched its Qualified Foreign Investors (QFI) Investment service.

As a Qualified Depository Participant (QDP) approved by SEBI across the two depositories - CDSL and NSDL, the company will cater to the investment needs of foreign investors through network of joint ventures in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain, Geojit BNP Paribas Managing Director C J George told reporters here.

In the context of global financial turmoil, the Indian economy offers tremendous long term investment opportunity to foreign investors who are looking for diversifying their investment portfolios, he said.

The government recently came up with guidelines for encouraging overseas inflows through Qualified Financial Investment (QFI) route, which provides easier and more cost-effective compliance mechanism for foreign investors.

Geojit will cater to the needs of foreign investors by providing astute investment advice in the UAE through Barjeel Geojit Securities LLC, its joint venture in the UAE and through Aloula Geojit Capital in Saudi Arabia, BBK Geojit Securities KSCC in Kuwait and Bahrain and QBG Geojit Financial services in Oman.

With the company having a strong presence in the Middle East through its partnerships and this new investment service will attract many investors into the country, George said.

Through the QFI route, both Institutional and retail investors, including private banks and their clients, hedge funds, pension funds, can invest in the Indian stock, bond and mutual fund market. Investors from 45 countries can enter via the QFI route including China, Hong Kong, UAE and Oman.