Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), the world's largest diamond bourse, will be inaugurated on October 17. Located in the Bandra-Kurla Complex, BDB is spread over 20 acres, with a built-up area of two million sq. ft. It will house eight towers of nine storeys' each, comprising a total of 2,500 offices. When fully operational, the bourse is expected to have an inflow of around 20,000 people daily.
The project has taken 18 years to come to fruition and BDB is being set up with the primary objective of establishing necessary infrastructural facilities for promotion of export of diamonds including diamond jewellery from India and providing all support and service facilities so as to make India an international trading centre for gems and jewellery.
Addressing the media, BDB President Anoop Mehta said, “the gem and jewellery industry is undoubtedly the fastest growing industry in the world.
The diamond industry in recent years galloped from one peak to the other primarily due to the forces of the emerging markets and the Asian economy. India is a major diamond manufacturing hub with 11 out of 12 diamonds being processed here. The Union Ministry of Commerce and the Indian diamond industry over the years have combined their efforts to streamline various initiatives that have today propelled Indian diamond trade to the next level.''
He further added, “today we are the leaders in every aspect of this trade, in terms of number of pieces manufactured, maximum carats being exported and highest volume. With the inauguration of the bourse, we will now be equipped with the best infrastructure in the world.''
Mr. Mehta said that a large part of the current diamond trading operations from Pancharatna building and its surroundings in south Mumbai would move to the new location.
“BDB will be a one-stop point for diamond buyers and traders. The shift will help us achieve 10-15 per cent average growth annually in the next five years,'' he said.
