'This country makes the impossible possible'

Joy Alukkas
Chairman and Managing Director of Joyalukkas Group
I landed in the UAE 31 years ago to establish my jewellery business that catered to the needs of the south Indian population working in this wonderful land of opportunities.
I belong to a well-to-do business family from Kerala. So I came with the cash and capability to set up a business. Therefore, I did not have to go through the struggle of making a monthly income.
I was just 29 when my friend received me at the Dubai airport in 1986. I spent the first hour getting an understanding from my friends about the UAE in the context of the business purpose I had set out to accomplish.
I came with an open mind to explore the opportunities that this country offered. My first few weeks were spent in understanding this in detail and to figure out locations to start my first jewellery showroom. After scouting around the UAE, I settled on Abu Dhabi as my first location. In 1987, I opened a modest jewellery showroom in Abu Dhabi, which has now grown to become a 120-plus showroom chain.
I loved the rich culture and traditions here. The dynamic growth happening here appealed deeply to me.
The country has always offered a very positive environment for business and I managed to complete all procedures and formalities very easily and quickly.
I believe that the UAE inspired me to dream bigger and achieve higher. I have seen many things considered impossible being made possible in the UAE. This also gave me the confidence that even I could do the same in the area of business.