South African Youth to Learn Diamond Polishing in Surat

(IDEX Online News) – Fifty South African youth are headed to the Gujarati city of Surat for six months to learn how to polish diamonds. The move comes after the South African government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Gujarat.

"Gujarat leads in diamond processing and polishing so we are planning to bring students from South Africa to Surat for training in the diamond polishing industry,” said F K Morule, high commissioner, South Africa, as reported by The Times of India.

“One of the major issues that South Africa is facing is that of high unemployment rate, so once students complete their training in Surat, they will be immediately absorbed into the diamond industry in South Africa," he said.

The paper also reported that the South African government is also planning a joint venture with Gujarat which will combine rough from South Africa and the polishing skills of Surat for a “win-win situation.”

Morule also said that the South African government is looking at long-term joint ventures in coal, iron ore mining, infrastructure, development of ports and power projects with Gujarat.