Is Mumbai set to lose its crown jewel to Surat?

The city faces the grim prospect of losing its pre-eminent position in the diamond export business. A lot more than pride is at stake.

For the last eight years, Murugan Thamarai has run his food stall on the footpath opposite gate number 8 of the Bharat Diamond Bourse, selling idlis and vadas. Located in a relatively isolated stretch of the Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai's new financial district, it helps that there aren’t too many affordable options around.

Despite the pandemic, business has been brisk at the stall. The record high that exports of diamonds and jewellery hit last year could have something to do with it. Thousands of employees file into the bourse each morning and many among them grab a snack before they …

Author

T Surendar

Surendar helps lead the newsroom at The Morning Context as executive editor. Over the years, Surendar has worked in industries from pharmaceuticals to diamonds, as well as a stint as an equity analyst. In his long career as a business journalist, he has led teams at The Times of India, India Today and Fortune India. He was part of the founding team at Forbes India and interned at and published in The Times, London.

Executive Editor

surendar@mailtmc.com

Mumbai