UAE's Lulu Group starts its operations in the Philippines

A state-of-art- logistics and export centre has been set up near capital Manila.

In a bid to strengthen its reach in the ASEAN countries, Lulu Group International, a highly diversified entity based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has begun their operations in the Philippines by setting up its state-of-art- logistics and export centre in Laguna near capital Manila. 
MAY Exports Philippines Inc was officially inaugurated by Jose Gabriel Lavina, Under Secretary, Dept of Agriculture in the presence of Ramil L. Hernandez, Governor of Laguna province, Timmy Chipeco, Mayor of Calamba, Ambassador Amable Aguiluz, Philippine President's Special envoy to GCC countries,  Hamad Saeed Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador, Jaideep Mazumdar, Indian Ambassador, Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman of LULU, Salim MA, Lulu Director and other dignitaries.
Ideally located at Calamba Premiere International Park, the new centre will be primarily engaged in sourcing, storing, packing and exporting fruit, vegetables and other commodities from the Philippines to its more than 150 Hypermarkets spread across GCC countries & Egypt. This move by the Lulu Group will further boost its sourcing operations and help bring quality Filipino products for its large customer base across many countries.
"It is part of our ongoing strategy to set up own sourcing and food processing units around the world to ensure uninterrupted supply and maintain competitive pricing by eliminating third parties. The Philippines has a vast variety of Fruits, Vegetables, Ethnic Filipino Food products, Frozen food and an extensive range of other commodities like health & beauty, garments, footwear etc", said Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group.  
Earlier Yusuffali MA along with the management team had called upon President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacanang Palace and updated him about the group's investment plans in the Philippines. President Duterte has assured Yusuffali, all possible support for the future expansion.
"We are working closely with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to boost export of these products from the Philippines to our Hypermarkets spread across Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region, Malaysia and Indonesia", he said.  
"We are already directly importing about US$10 million worth of fruits, vegetables and other commodities from the Philippines, which will be increased to US$30 million within a year", added Yusuffali.  At present, Lulu Group's total trade volume of Filipino products stands at US$ 35 Million which includes Import and Local purchase.
Elaborating about his association with Philipines, Yusuffali said "currently, we employs more than 9,600 Filipinos in our Hypermarkets across the GCC and they have been a very integral part of our growth and are known for their hard work, dedication & efficiency".

• Philippines