Ahmedabad Construction work of the ambitious ‘Diamond Bourse’ project at Khajod village near Surat started today in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Speaking at the event to mark the start of the construction work, Rupani expressed confidence that the bourse would become a global centre for international diamond trade within next three years, an official release said.

This project, spread across 36 acres, is aimed at providing a global platform for buying and selling diamonds at one location.

Rupani said the project will create employment opportunity for 1.5 lakh people.

The proposed Diamond Bourse will have over 4,000 state-of-the-art offices of diamond merchants. Traders from India as well as from other countries will be able to sell and buy rough as well as polished diamonds directly at one place, said the release.

The bourse will have a total construction area of 65 lakh square feet. It will have some of the most modern facilities, such as trading hall, self deposit vaults, museums, banks, customs office, retail zone, auction house and security control rook among others, it added.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel assured that in order to give a boost to local industry, Gujarat government will not levy tax on the import of rough diamonds meant to be exported again after polishing.

The foundation stone of the building was laid in 2015 by former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.