Abu Dhabi’s Lulu Group International, a diverse conglomerate, is now keen to invest in Andhra Pradesh. Previously, the company had decided against investing in the state after the YSRCP government allegedly cancelled land allocations. In 2019, under the TDP government, Lulu Group had planned a Rs 2,200 crore project in Visakhapatnam, including an international convention centre, shopping mall, and luxury hotel. However, these plans were shelved with the change in administration.

A recent meeting between Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Lulu Group’s chairman and managing director MA Yusuff Ali has changed the scenario. The meeting took place in Amaravati on Saturday. Naidu expressed his pleasure on X, stating, “I’m pleased to welcome the chairman & MD of Lulu Group International, MA Yusuff Ali back to Andhra Pradesh. We discussed plans for a mall and multiplex in Vizag, hypermarket and multiplexes in Vijayawada and Tirupati.”

Investment Plans and Support

The discussions also included investments in the food processing sector across Andhra Pradesh. Naidu assured that the Government of Andhra Pradesh would provide full support and cooperation for these ventures. He added, “I wish my friend Ali all the best in his endeavours and look forward to a fruitful partnership for the development of Andhra Pradesh.”

Lulu Group is a significant entity in the Middle East with an annual turnover of USD 8 billion and a workforce of 70,000 employees. The company has diverse interests including hypermarkets, shopping malls, import & distribution, trading, shipping, and IT. It operates across several countries such as UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Global Presence and Operations

Additionally, Lulu Group has distribution companies spread across regions like the Far East, Europe, United States, Africa, Asia, and Australia. This global presence underscores its capacity to undertake large-scale projects and investments.

The renewed interest of Lulu Group in Andhra Pradesh marks a positive shift in their investment strategy within India. This development could potentially lead to significant economic growth and job creation within the state.