Yusuff Ali M.A., Chairman and Managing Director of Lulu Group International, has completed 50 years in UAE. He has thanked President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and called himself an “extremely proud” resident of Abu Dhabi.
It was on December 31, 1973, when Yusuff Ali M.A. reached the shores of the UAE from Mumbai onboard a ship, named ‘Dumra’. Hoping to become a successful entrepreneur, he started working at his uncle’s small distribution business in Abu Dhabi.
Hailing from the Nattika village in Kerala’s Thrissur district, the 68-year-old today spearheads Lulu Group International, which operates one of the largest chains of hypermarkets and shopping malls. His total net worth is $7.1 billion, according to Forbes.
On completion of his 50 years in UAE, Yusuff Ali M.A. shared a photograph of his old passport on Instagram and wrote, “I happily remember that it was on 31st of December 1973, that I first landed in UAE. Today, 31st of December 2023, I am completing 50 years in UAE. I take this opportunity to thank beloved His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, for leading this great country. I am also thankful to His Highness for the great support being extended to me. I am extremely proud to be a resident of Abu Dhabi, UAE since 50 years”.
“I also pray Almighty Allah to grant Magfirah to the late HH Sheikh Zayed, Father of the Nation and visionary leader who laid the strong foundation of modern UAE. I am also thankful to HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for giving me an opportunity to show my passport which has my first entry to UAE,” he added.
I happily remember that it was on 31st of December 1973, that I first landed in UAE. Today, 31st of December 2023, I am completing 50 years in UAE. I take this opportunity to thank beloved @MohamedBinZayed, President of UAE, for leading this great country. I am also thankful to… pic.twitter.com/jKLYW5WSte— Yusuffali M. A. (@Yusuffali_MA) December 31, 2023
Yusuff Ali M.A. also serves as the Second Vice-Chairman at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
According to reports, Lulu Group International has around 260 hypermarkets and shopping malls across 24 countries, including India, Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, China, the UK and the US.
Recalling his first visit to the UAE in 1973, Yusuff Ali M.A. said it was around 10 pm when he came out of Dubai’s Rashid Port.
“I still remember it took almost four hours that night to reach Abu Dhabi, as it was single-track road those days,” he said.
At first, Yusuff Ali M.A. began working at his uncle’s distribution business. Later, he started as a small trading centre in the mid 1970s.
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