Surat is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major seaport and has now developed into a global center for diamond cutting and polishing. It is the eighth largest city and the ninth largest urban agglomeration in India. Surat serves as the administrative headquarters of Surat district and is located on the banks of the Tapti River, close to the Arabian Sea. In 2016, according to a study conducted by the City Mayors Foundation, Surat was ranked as the world’s fourth-fastest growing city. Between 2001 and 2008, the city recorded an annualized GDP growth rate of 11.5%. Surat was awarded “Best City” by the Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems (ASICS) in 2013. It was selected as the first smart IT city in India under the Microsoft CityNext Initiative in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro. The city has approximately 2.97 million internet users, representing about 65% of its total population. In 2015, Surat was chosen for the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant and was later selected as one of the twenty cities under the Government of India’s Smart Cities Mission. In 2017, it was ranked as the fourth cleanest city in India by the Ministry of Urban Development. Surat, renowned for its diamond cutting and polishing industry, is widely known as the Diamond City of India. It is also recognized as the textile hub of the nation and the Silk City of India.

Surat is Gujarat’s second largest city, one of the fastest-growing business hubs in the country, and a thriving commercial centre. The city is well connected by air and rail to Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, and other major Indian metropolitan cities.

It is considered to be the financial capital and the growth engine of Gujarat.
Surat is known as the Silk City of India.
Surat is the hub for the production of synthetic textiles.
The Surat textile industry produces approximately 25 million meters of fabric daily, supported by around 7,20,000 weaving machines.

Surat – Diamond Manufacturing Hub of the World

Surat is one of the most prominent diamond processing centers in the world and plays a dominant role in the global diamond industry. The city processes and exports nearly 80% of India’s total polished diamond production. It is home to more than 3,500 diamond processing units, with nearly 10,000 diamond-related units operating in and around the city. The annual turnover of the diamond business in Surat is estimated at approximately USD 2 trillion (around ₹2 lakh crores), reflecting the massive scale of operations.
Surat accounts for over 80% of India’s total exports of processed diamonds, and it is widely recognized that 8 out of every 10 diamonds in the world are cut and polished in Surat. The diamond industry is one of the city’s primary economic pillars and significantly contributes to its reputation as the “Financial Capital” and “Growth Engine” of Gujarat. The city also has a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that houses a dedicated Diamond Park, further strengthening its position in international trade.
Surat’s business ecosystem is supported by a strong base of skilled entrepreneurs known for their expertise and innovation in the diamond sector. The upcoming Surat Diamond Bourse, with more than 10,000 diamond offices, is set to provide a world-class international business platform and further enhance the city’s global standing in the diamond trade.
Gujarat’s second-largest city, Surat is among the fastest-growing business hubs in India and continues to thrive as a major commercial center driven by its robust diamond industry.