On 15 February, Gujarat Chief Minister, Anandiben Patel, laid the foundation stone of the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) city and the Diamond Bourse at Khajod village in Surat.

DREAM city in Surat is spread across 2,000 acre of land and will be a global platform for buying and selling diamonds at a single location. The estimated cost of this project is Rs 1,25,000 crore and will create job opportunities for 1.5 lakh people.

A special purpose vehicle comprising a 33-member strong committee of industry and government representatives will execute the project.

The proposed Diamond Bourse will consist of more than 10,000 offices of diamond merchants. Apart from the international diamond bourse, Dream City will also house international banking and insurance facilities, world class security surveillance, dedicated custom house, freight forwarding and consolidation facilities, dedicated connecting corridors to airport and highways, integrated smart residential housing projects, entertainment and recreation facilities, hospitals and sports complex, among other things.

Also, the CM announced that the state government plans to establish a textile university to provide skilled manpower in the sector.