Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse in Surat, Gujarat, marking a monumental addition to the city’s global prominence. The inauguration ceremony was preceded by the Prime Minister’s visit to the Panchtatva Garden and a tour of the Green Building of Surat Diamond Bourse & SPINE-4. Earlier in the day, PM also inaugurated the new terminal building at Surat Airport.
In his address to the gathering, Prime Minister Modi lauded the significance of the Surat Diamond Bourse, calling it not just an ordinary diamond but the best in the world. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Surat Diamond Bourse will now stand proudly alongside India’s finest during global discussions about diamond bourses. He expressed pride in the showcase of Indian designs, materials, and concepts, noting that the building symbolizes the capabilities and resolutions of New India. He said, ‘If Surat decides, then our share in gems-jewelry export can touch double-digit”, the Prime Minister said, reiterating the government’s support for the sector. He mentioned measures like declaring the sector as a focus area for export promotion, promotion of patented design, diversification of export products, collaboration for better technology, promotion of lab-grown or green diamonds and special provisions for green diamonds in the budget. He expressed confidence that the sector is bound to get benefitted from the positive global outlook towards India and the growing stature of ‘Make in India’ brand.’
Acknowledging the dedication and hard work of the entire diamond industry, the people of Surat, Gujarat, and India, Prime Minister Modi remarked on the transformative impact of the Surat Diamond Bourse. With a focus on sustainable practices, he commended the architecture of the building, labelling it as an example for environmental advocates worldwide.
Highlighting Surat’s resilience and journey from being a manufacturing hub for the largest ships in the world to becoming a global diamond center, the Prime Minister recognized the city’s magnificence and its recent status as one of the top 10 growing cities in the world.
Addressing the diamond industry’s role in India’s economic growth, Prime Minister encouraged industry leaders to explore ways to increase Surat’s contribution to the country’s exports. He outlined government measures, including declaring the sector as a focus area for export promotion, promoting patented designs, and supporting the growth of lab-grown or green diamonds.
Surat Diamond Bourse is set to become the world’s largest and most modern center for international diamond and jewellery business. It will facilitate global trading of both rough and polished diamonds, along with retail jewellery business and international banking services. The Bourse is expected to generate 1.5 lakh new jobs, contributing significantly to the economic growth of the region.
