Bharat Diamond Bourse Celebrates 12 Years

(IDEX Online) - The Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), in Mumbai, India, has celebrated 12 years of operations.

Vice president Mehul Shah thanked the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE), in Ramat Gan, saying it had served as inspiration for the venture.

The BDB complex (pictured), covering 2m sq ft, was designed in the shape of a diamond and, like IDE, it has interconnected high-rise buildings.

"Before designing the bourse a team was sent from Mumbai to Israel to study the IDE and I am truly thankful to the IDE team to have supported and encouraged BDB by providing knowledge and information," said Mr Shah.

He said that before BDB opened, traders struggled with difficult access to customs, and fear of crime.

BDB faces tough competition from the new Surat Diamond Bourse, said to be the world's largest office building, 175 miles away.