Lulu Group Chairman Yusuff Ali MA has been reappointed to the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s board by resolution of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The move marks his fifth term and underscores his influence in strengthening private sector growth, as Lulu’s global workforce surpasses 75,000 and profits continue to rise.
Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman and Managing Director of Lulu Group International, has once again been entrusted with a significant role in shaping the business landscape of Abu Dhabi. His reappointment as a Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, confirmed through a resolution issued by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, marks his fifth term on the influential body and his second appointment by special resolution. The decision reinforces not only his standing within the UAE’s corporate ecosystem but also his enduring contribution to the strengthening of private enterprise in the region.
For decades, Yusuff Ali has stood at the intersection of commerce, diplomacy and community leadership, symbolising the remarkable trajectory of Indian entrepreneurship in the Gulf. Ranked as the richest Indian in the UAE, with an estimated net worth of $5.8 billion, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential business leaders in West Asia. His continued presence on the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s board reflects the confidence that the emirate’s leadership places in his experience and vision at a time when economic diversification and private sector dynamism are central to the UAE’s long-term development plans.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry plays a pivotal role in shaping the emirate’s business environment, representing the interests of the private sector and acting as a bridge between entrepreneurs and policymakers. Board members are tasked with guiding strategies that enhance competitiveness, attract investment and support sustainable economic growth. Yusuff Ali’s reappointment signals continuity in leadership at a time when the region is navigating rapid technological shifts, global market fluctuations and new trade alignments.
His association with the Chamber has spanned several years and multiple terms, during which Abu Dhabi has undergone significant transformation. From oil-led prosperity to a diversified economy driven by trade, tourism, logistics, retail and innovation, the emirate’s evolution mirrors the growth journey of Lulu Group itself. The retail conglomerate, which began as a modest venture, now employs over 75,000 people across multiple countries and stands as one of the largest employers of Indian expatriates worldwide.
Lulu Group’s expansion has paralleled the UAE’s emergence as a global trade hub. With hypermarkets, supermarkets, shopping malls and food processing units spread across the Middle East, Asia and beyond, the group has built an integrated supply chain that connects farmers, manufacturers and consumers across continents. Recent reports of strong profit growth further underline the group’s robust global presence and operational resilience in a competitive retail landscape.
Business observers note that Yusuff Ali’s leadership style blends commercial acumen with a deep understanding of multicultural markets. His ability to navigate regulatory environments, foster partnerships and anticipate consumer trends has been instrumental in Lulu’s sustained growth. These qualities also make him a valuable asset to the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s board, where strategic foresight and industry insight are critical to policymaking.
Beyond corporate success, Yusuff Ali’s journey carries symbolic weight for the Indian diaspora in the Gulf. Hailing from Kerala, he built his business empire in the UAE through decades of perseverance, earning respect across communities. His presence on the Chamber’s board underscores the contribution of expatriate entrepreneurs to the UAE’s economic fabric and the inclusive ethos that has characterised the nation’s development model.
The resolution by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council that led to his reappointment highlights the structured governance approach through which key business leaders are selected to guide institutional direction. Such appointments are not merely ceremonial but reflect trust in the individual’s capacity to contribute to strategic economic planning. For Yusuff Ali, this is the second time he has been inducted through such a resolution, an indicator of the high regard in which he is held by the emirate’s leadership.
At a time when global economies are recalibrating post-pandemic supply chains and embracing digital transformation, the role of chambers of commerce has become increasingly significant. They are expected to facilitate innovation, encourage entrepreneurship and promote cross-border trade. Leaders like Yusuff Ali, who operate at the intersection of multiple markets, bring practical insights that help align policy with on-ground realities.
The retail sector, in particular, has undergone rapid change, with e-commerce, logistics efficiency and consumer behaviour reshaping business models. Lulu Group’s ability to adapt to these shifts, while maintaining a strong physical retail presence, offers a case study in resilience. This experience feeds directly into the strategic discussions at the Chamber, where understanding sectoral challenges is vital to shaping supportive policies.
Yusuff Ali’s role also extends into philanthropic and social initiatives, further enhancing his public profile. His involvement in community welfare, disaster relief and support for educational and healthcare institutions has earned him recognition beyond the business sphere. This holistic approach to leadership aligns with the Chamber’s broader vision of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
As Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as a global investment destination, the Chamber’s board will play a key role in communicating the emirate’s opportunities to international stakeholders. Having a business leader with extensive global networks and credibility strengthens this outreach. Yusuff Ali’s relationships across Asia, the Middle East and Europe serve as informal bridges that complement official trade channels.
His reappointment comes at a time when bilateral trade ties between India and the UAE are expanding under new economic agreements. The presence of an Indian-origin business leader in a prominent advisory role reinforces the people-to-people and business-to-business connections that underpin these ties. It also reflects how diaspora leaders contribute to diplomatic goodwill through commerce.
For Lulu Group employees across continents, the news of their chairman’s renewed mandate carries symbolic significance. It reaffirms the company’s standing within the UAE’s economic structure and highlights the leadership’s continuing relevance in shaping policy conversations. Internally, it is seen as a recognition of the organisation’s contribution to employment, supply chains and consumer markets.
Industry analysts observe that leadership continuity at institutions like the Abu Dhabi Chamber provides stability in times of global uncertainty. Experienced board members bring institutional memory, helping guide decisions with perspective drawn from past cycles of growth and disruption. Yusuff Ali’s fifth term ensures that such continuity remains intact.
As the UAE charts its future through innovation, sustainability and economic diversification, the role of private sector champions becomes ever more critical. Entrepreneurs who have built multinational enterprises from the region carry lessons that inform broader policy. Yusuff Ali’s journey from a small trading operation to a global retail giant mirrors the aspirational narrative of the UAE itself.
His reappointment, therefore, is more than a personal milestone. It is a reflection of the synergy between visionary entrepreneurship and forward-looking governance. It underscores how business leaders can play constructive roles in shaping economic ecosystems beyond their own enterprises.
With Lulu Group reporting strong profit growth and expanding its footprint across markets, the timing of this appointment adds another layer of relevance. It signals that the Chamber values active, growth-oriented leaders who are deeply engaged with evolving market realities.
As he steps into his fifth term on the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s board, Yusuff Ali carries with him decades of experience, global networks and a track record of institution-building. In a region that thrives on ambition and adaptability, his continued presence at the policy table ensures that the voice of practical enterprise remains central to strategic economic conversations.
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