M. A. Yousuf Ali

Yusuff Ali M. A. (full name Yusuff Ali Musaliam Veettil Abdul Kader - see Keralan naming conventions) is a UAE-based Indian billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and managing director of LuLu Group International that owns the LuLu Hypermarket chain worldwide and LuLu International Shopping Mall. With an annual turnover of US$7.4 billion, LuLu Group International employs the largest number of Indians outside India. According to Forbes, Yusuff Ali was ranked the 21st wealthiest Indian and the 270th (as of 2018) richest in the world, with a personal wealth of $5.2 billion. According to Forbes Middle East, Yusuff Ali was ranked No. 1 in Top 100 Indian business owners in the Arab World 2018. In 2013, Yusuff Ali acquired 4.99% of the Thrissur-based Catholic Syrian Bank (CSB) and increased his stake in the Aluva-based Federal Bank to 4.47%. In 2016, Yusuff Ali purchased the Scotland Yard Building in London. As of 2013 he held a 9.37% share in Cochin International Airport. He has bought a 10% stake in the UK-based trading firm, East India Company, and a 40% stake in its fine foods subsidiary for around $85 million in total. The Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre on Bolghatty Island is one of the largest convention centres in South Asia, along with the third largest Grand Hyatt branded hotel in the same campus.