Surat Diamond Bourse Inaugurated by PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Surat Diamond Bourse, touted as the world's largest and most modern centre for international diamond and jewellery business, is a symbol of New India’s capabilities and resolutions. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the new terminal building at Surat airport.

Speaking after inaugurating the Surat Diamond Bourse, the Prime Minister pointed out that a new diamond has been added to the magnificence of Surat city.

"It is not an ordinary diamond, but the best in the world," Mr Modi said, underscoring that the radiance of the Surat Diamond Bourse is overshadowing the largest of the edifices in the world.

"Surat Diamond Bourse will now come to the fore along with India’s pride during discussions about diamond bourses around the world. Surat bourse showcases the abilities of Indian designs, designers, materials and concepts. This building is a symbol of new India’s capabilities and resolutions," he said.

Talking about the two other gifts to the city, the Prime Minister mentioned the inauguration of a new airport terminal at Surat and the elevation of the status of Surat airport as an international airport.

He informed the gathering about the commencement of the Surat-Dubai flight and the soon-to-start flight to Hong Kong. "With Surat, Gujarat now boasts three international airports," the Prime Minister said.

Throwing light on his personal connections and learning experiences with the city of Surat, the Prime Minister mentioned the spirit of "Sabka Saath Sabka Prayas".

"The soil



of Surat differentiates it from the rest," Mr Modi said, noting that the cotton produced in the region is unmatched.

Highlighting Surat’s journey of highs and lows, the Prime Minister stated that Surat’s magnificence attracted the British when they first came to India.

Recalling the time when Surat was the manufacturing hub of the largest ships in the world and the port of Surat hoisted the flags of ships from 84 countries, Mr Modi said, "Now, that number will increase to 125."

The Prime Minister noted that the people of Surat have known Modi’s guarantee for a long time. "The diamond bourse is an example of Modi’s guarantee for the people of Surat," he said.

At the event, the Prime Minister also talked about India’s stride from 10th to 5th place in the world economy and said, "Now Modi has given the guarantee that, in the third innings, India will be among the top 3 economies of the world. The government has a roadmap for the next 25 years and is working on the goals of a $5 trillion economy and a $10 trillion economy."

Recalling his interaction with the people associated with the diamond trade and the 2014 World Diamond Conference in Delhi, where special notified zones for the diamond industry were announced, the Prime Minister said that the journey has led to a big diamond centre in the form of Surat Diamond Bourse, making possible many aspects of the diamond trade under one roof.

"The bourse will have facilities like international banking, safe vaults and a jewellery mall, leading to 1.5 lakh new jobs," he said.