PM Modi Inaugurates Surat Diamond Bourse, New Terminal Building At Surat Airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse and the new integrated terminal of Surat Airport on Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse and the new integrated terminal of Surat Airport on Sunday.
Prime Minister Modi first arrived at the Surat Airport to inaugurate the terminal building. He then held a roadshow on his way to the Surat Diamond Bourse.
The SDB will create 1.5 lakh new jobs, Modi said, adding that the bourse will solve the supply and value chain problems that had been plaguing Surat's diamond traders for long.
"Surat's people have seen 'Modi's guarantee' turn into a reality, the Diamond Bourse being the latest example. All kinds of diamond business is possible under one roof now," the prime minister said.
India's contribution to the global gems and jewellery export business can rise to double digits from 3% with Surat's help, Modi said.
The Surat Diamond Bourse will be the world's largest and modern centre for international diamond and jewellery business, an official statement said. The SDB is part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile City.
The building is the world's largest office complex with more than 67 lakh square feet of floor area and 4,500 diamond trading offices. It is located at Khajod village near Surat city.
The diamond bourse will be a global centre for trading of both rough and polished diamonds as well as jewellery. It will comprise a state-of-the-art 'Customs Clearance House' for import and export, jewellery mall for retail jewellery business and facility of international banking and safe vaults.
Representation of Surat Diamond Bourse (Source: Surat Diamond Bourse website)
The newly inaugurated terminal at Surat Airport can handle 1,200 domestic passengers and 600 international passengers during peak hours. The peak hour capacity can be further increased to 3,000 passengers with the annual handling capacity increasing to 55 lakh passengers.
"Textile, tourism, education and skill-based sectors will benefit from opportunities that will be brought in by the new international airport. Surat to Dubai flights will start today, Surat to Hong Kong flights will start soon," Modi said in his address after the inauguration.
(With PTI inputs)
