An initiative of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India’s apex gem and jewellery trade body, is giving hope to the small diamond cutting and polishing centres in Surat, to increase both production and quality by using hi-tech technology. The trade body has proposed a project under the central government's Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) scheme, which aims to form common facility centres where hi-tech machines and equipment and training will be made directly available to these companies in Ahmedabad, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Visnagar, Mehsana, Jasdan, Khambhat, Mahuva, Palanpur-Deesa, Banaskantha, Palitana, Satalasana and Ugamedi.

The project is estimated top be worth Rs 40 crore. The proposal is submitted to the Central Government.