Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), the world’s largest and most modern center for international diamond and jewelry business, on Sunday. The grand inauguration follows the unveiling of a new integrated terminal building at Surat airport, equipped to handle domestic and international passengers with a peak hour capacity increase to 3,000 passengers.
Situated in Khajod village near Surat city, the Surat Diamond Bourse building boasts an impressive 67 lakh square feet of floor area, making it the largest office complex globally. This megastructure is set to be a global hub for trading both rough and polished diamonds, as well as jewelry.
Key features of the Surat Diamond Bourse include a state-of-the-art ‘Customs Clearance House’ for import and export, a retail jewelry mall, and facilities for international banking and safe vaults. The complex is part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City project, aimed at transforming Surat into a comprehensive hub for the diamond industry.
Several diamond traders, including those formerly based in Mumbai, have already taken possession of their offices through a meticulously organized auction process, according to SDB’s media convener, Dinesh Navadiya.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel laid the foundation for the SDB and DREAM City project in February 2015. The completion of the SDB, now standing as the world’s largest office building with nearly 4,500 diamond trading offices, is a monumental achievement for the diamond industry.
With nine towers spanning 15 floors each, the mega-structure covers a plot of 35.54 acres within DREAM City. The office spaces range from 300 sq ft to 1 lakh sq ft, offering a diverse range of options for diamond traders and businesses.
Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the inauguration emphasizes the government’s commitment to bolstering the country’s economic sectors and establishing India as a global leader in the diamond trade. The Surat Diamond Bourse is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the international diamond and jewelry business, offering state-of-the-art facilities for traders and contributing to the economic growth of the region.
