Surat is proposed to get an exports-only hub for diamonds, which will possibly be the first diamond SEZ in India.
Once the diamond SEZ is set up, jewellery exporters will be able to bring in diamonds and have them processed in the notified area.
Land for the SEZ project has already been identified and it is proposed to be set up in a month or two.
Surat is already a diamond hub, with polished diamonds being exported to Antwerp, Dubai and other places.
India's gems and jewellery sector accounts for about 15 per cent of the total exports. Total gems and jewellery exports from SEZs in April-July 2014 stood at $ 1.08 billion as against $ 1.58 billion in the previous year.