LABUAN: Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC) has climbed 11 places to 44th globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index 40 (GFCI 40), strengthening its standing among the world’s leading financial centres.
The latest ranking places Labuan IBFC among the top 45 of 117 financial centres assessed, up from 55th previously.
The international financial centre has recorded steady improvement over three consecutive GFCI editions, moving from 60th to 55th before advancing to 44th, representing a cumulative rise of 16 places.
Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA) director-general Affendi Rashdi said the latest achievement reflected Labuan IBFC’s growing international recognition and its increasingly distinctive role in the global financial landscape.
"This advancement signals Labuan IBFC’s growing stature as a distinctive and internationally relevant financial centre, one that is building on its specialised strengths to serve the evolving needs of global business,” he told Bernama today.
The latest GFCI also upgraded Labuan IBFC’s profile from an "International Contender” to a "Specialised Centre”, reflecting its established capabilities in areas including captive insurance, Islamic finance, digital financial services and wealth management.
Its improved ranking has also strengthened its comparative position against several established financial centres in Europe and the Caribbean.
Affendi said Labuan IBFC’s specialised offerings complement Malaysia’s broader financial ecosystem while strengthening the country’s international financial connectivity.
"We will continue to build bridges across financial centres and jurisdictions, deepening international linkages, unlocking new opportunities and positioning Labuan IBFC as a trusted gateway connecting Asia with global business and investment,” he said.
Labuan IBFC is also preparing its Strategic Roadmap 2027-2031, which will set out the centre’s next phase of development, focusing on stronger international and regional connectivity, competitiveness, responsible innovation and regulatory maturity.
The roadmap is expected to further strengthen Labuan IBFC’s development as a competitive, future-ready and well-connected international financial centre. - Bernama
