Surat gears up for festivals

VADODARA: The trade, commerce and industry in flood-ravaged Surat is showing first signs of revival with a number of small units having restarted operations. With losses estimated at about Rs 14,000 crore, the businesses in Surat are now focusing on recommencing operations expecting demand surge during the upcoming Navratri and Diwali festivals.

Demand for diamond jewellery and man-made fabric for which Surat is a hub climbs manifold during the festival season both in India and abroad.

The diamond industry in the city, which was going through a slack period in the past few months due to lacklustre exports and more recently due to floods, is now looking at meeting the exports demand in October and November for the western markets where the festival season commences in December.

“There are already pending jobs and we are expecting some more work for exports in coming days as the festive season starts,” said Babubhai Viradia, secretary, Surat Diamond Association.

Similarly, the textile industry is likely to get the much-needed fillip due to upcoming festivals like Navratri and Diwali in September-October, which together contribute close to 35% of the total business.