Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Surat Diamond Exchange, touted as the world’s largest and most modern hub for international trade in diamonds and jewellery, is a symbol of New India’s capabilities and commitment.
After inaugurating the Surat Diamond Exchange, the Prime Minister pointed out that a new diamond has been added to the magnificence of the city of Surat.
“It is not an ordinary diamond but the best in the world,” Mr. Modi said, pointing out that the brilliance of the Surat Diamond Exchange overshadows the world’s largest building.
“The Surat Diamond Bourse will now come to the fore, along with Indian pride, during discussions of diamond exchanges around the world. The Surat bourse showcases the prowess of Indian designs, designers, materials and concepts. This building is a symbol of India’s new capabilities and commitment.” ” he said.
In connection with two other gifts to the city, the Prime Minister mentioned the opening of a new airport terminal in Surat and the upgrading of Surat Airport to an international airport.
He informed the gathering about the launch of the Surat-Dubai flight and the soon-to-start flight to Hong Kong. “With Surat, Gujarat now boasts of three international airports,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister shed light on his personal ties and study experience with the city of Surat and mentioned the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Prayas’.
Highlighting Surat’s journey of ups and downs, the Prime Minister said that Surat’s magnificence attracted the British when they first came to India.
Recalling the time when Surat was the manufacturing hub of the world’s largest ships and the Surat port hoisted the flags of ships from 84 countries.
The Prime Minister noted that the people of Surat have known Modi’s guarantee for a long time. “The diamond exchange is an example of Modi’s guarantee to the people of Surat,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister also talked about India’s move from 10th to 5th in the world economy and said, “Now Modi has given a guarantee that in the third innings, India will be among the top 3 economies of the world. The government has a plan for the next 25 years and is working towards targets of $5 trillion and $10 trillion.”
Recalling his interaction with people associated with the diamond trade and the World Diamond Conference in Delhi in 2014, where Special Notified Zones were announced for the diamond industry, the Prime Minister said the journey led to a major diamond hub in the form of Surat. The Diamond Bourse, which enables many aspects of the diamond trade under one roof.
“The exchange will have facilities like international banking, safe vaults and Jewellery shop, which will lead to 1.5 million new jobs,” he said.
