PM Modi: 150,000 New Jobs at Surat Bourse
December 17, 23
(IDEX Online) - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (17 December) officially opened the new Surat Diamond Bourse, with a promise that it would create 150,000 new jobs.
The $355m bourse has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the biggest office building in existence (7.1 million sq. ft of floor space), eclipsing The Pentagon, HQ of the US Defense Department.
"One more diamond has been added to Surat's magnificence," Modi told crowds at the inauguration ceremony.
"The tall buildings around the world have lost their sheen in front of such a huge diamond. Surat diamond industry has been giving employment to around 8 lakh (800,000) people, and with the coming up of new diamond bourse, 1.5 lakh (150,000) more of them will get jobs.
"The Surat Diamond Bourse shows the strength of Indian design, designers, materials and the Indian concept. It is an emblem of new India and its strength. I congratulate the entire diamond industry, Surat, and the country for the Surat Diamond Bourse."
The Prime Minister also inaugurated a new terminal building at Surat International Airport, which will promote travel to the region.
SDB is home to over 4,500 offices. Kiran Gems, the world's largest rough diamond manufacturer, has relocated its headquarters there from Mumbai and has built a dedicated apartment complex nearby for 1,200 employees.
The new bourse was originally supposed to open in January 2020, according to the SDB website. That was put back by September 2021, and then to 2022. It opened for business last month.
Pic shows Mr Modi inaugurating the Surat Diamond Bourse.