Kakkanchery | 11 February 2026: MS Holdings, a UAE-based firm, has established a Global Capability Centre (GCC) at KINFRA Techno Park in Kakkanchery, Kerala. The center currently employs around 100 professionals and plans to scale over 2,000 employees within five years, focusing on technology services and financial research and development.

Scaling Financial R&D and Tech Services

The Kerala GCC will function as a key operational hub for MS Holdings’ global activities, supporting financial research, regulatory compliance analysis, technology platform development, and client servicing. The scope extends beyond routine support work, with teams contributing directly to international projects aligned with UAE and global financial regulations.

Scaling from 100 to 2,000 employees represents a structured growth plan that will require sustained hiring, training, and capability development. The roles involve specialized knowledge in international financial standards, governance frameworks, and digital platforms, necessitating investment in professional development and global-standard training programs.

“Such centres play a crucial role in providing international-standard employment opportunities to the youth within their own regions. Kerala offers a favorable ecosystem for global companies, backed by strong industrial infrastructure and a skilled human resource base.”

– V Abdurahiman, Kerala Sports Minister

By establishing a financial R&D hub in Kerala, MS Holdings is expanding India’s footprint in cross-border financial services and technology-enabled operations.

Scaling a Tier-2 GCC Ecosystem

The planned expansion to 2,000 employees will be a key indicator of Kerala’s ability to sustain large-scale GCC operations. Rapid scaling in financial services and technology domains requires structured onboarding, continuous training, and robust governance frameworks to maintain quality standards.

If execution remains consistent during growth, Kerala could emerge as a viable Tier-2 destination for Global Capability Centres, particularly for firms seeking cost efficiency and stronger talent retention outside established tech hubs.

“The GCC would move forward in collaboration with global-standard training programs. By enabling local professionals to work directly on international projects, the initiative would further energize India’s knowledge-driven economy”

– CA Mohammed Shafeek, Founder & CEO of MS Holdings

For the state economy, the GCC model supports high-skilled employment in technology services and financial research, reducing reliance on remittances and outward migration. Successful scaling would demonstrate that Kerala can host internationally integrated capability centers supporting global markets.

Over time, sustained performance in financial R&D, compliance services, and technology platform development could position Kerala as a differentiated GCC location aligned with Gulf markets, contributing to the broader expansion of India’s distributed capability center ecosystem.

Curated by SSF Global to track developments shaping the future of GCCs, enterprise ecosystems, and India’s commercial real estate landscape.

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About SSF Global
SSF Global is a Global Community for Enterprise Function Leaders and serves as a research & advisory platform focused on Global Business Services (GBS), Global Capability Centres (GCCs), and the evolution of enterprise innovation in India and beyond. We track, publish, and partner in narratives that shape how capability centres transform into hubs of trust, intelligence, and sustainable growth. We also evaluate, assess and benchmark the GCCs for their performance, maturity and other parameters using our proprietary tools built from the knowledge gained from direct interaction with our members (GCCs & GBS).