Exactly half a century ago, on this very day, an 18-year-old Indian youth landed on the shores of the UAE with aspirations of becoming a prosperous entrepreneur. He commenced his journey by joining his uncle's modest distribution business in Abu Dhabi. Despite facing hardships, his determination to shatter barriers and ascend to greater heights burned brightly.
Now at the age of 68, Yusuffali M.A., originally from the Nattika village in Thrissur district, Kerala, stands at the helm of the multibillion-dollar Lulu Group International. This conglomerate oversees a chain of widely acclaimed hypermarkets and shopping malls.
Celebrating his remarkable 50-year journey in the UAE, Yusuffali fondly reminisced about his six-day voyage from Bombay (now Mumbai) aboard the ship Dumra, which docked at Dubai's Rashid Port on December 31, 1973.
"While the ship arrived in the morning, I stepped out of the port around 10 pm," recalled Yusuffali, highlighting the contrasting era when traversing the emirates was a laborious task.
In the 1970s, a single-track road system meant that reaching Abu Dhabi took nearly four hours that night in a blue Toyota Stout pickup.
His professional journey began in his uncle's distribution business and evolved into a small trading center. Today, it stands as one of the largest retail conglomerates in the region, boasting over 260 hypermarkets and shopping malls across 24 countries, employing around 70,000 individuals from 46 nationalities.
Yusuffali, appointed as the Second Vice-Chairman at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is not just a successful businessman; he is an influential community leader, philanthropist, and a pillar of support for the vast Indian community in the region. "Business is not just about money, products, or services; it's all about people," he emphasizes.
Among the numerous accolades he has received are the Abu Dhabi Award, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, and the Padma Shri, recognizing his significant contributions.
Expressing gratitude to the UAE's leaders, especially the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Yusuffali acknowledges the unwavering support that has propelled his success. A recent meeting with Sheikh Mohamed allowed him to express gratitude and share the story of his initial arrival, showcasing the first entry stamp on his old passport.
For Yusuffali, making a humble contribution to the UAE's phenomenal growth is the pinnacle of his life's achievements. With a thriving business spanning continents and revenues exceeding $8.4 billion, he remains committed to his work, stating that retirement is never on his mind as long as he is healthy.