2 UAE business giants keen to invest in Bangladesh

LuLu Group chairman and managing director Yusuff Ali (L) calls on prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the meeting room of St Regis Abu Dhabi hotel in Abu Dhabi on 19 February. Photo: PID
LuLu Group chairman and managing director Yusuff Ali (L) calls on prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the meeting room of St Regis Abu Dhabi hotel in Abu Dhabi on 19 February. Photo: PID

Two UAE business giants on Tuesday expressed their keen interest to invest in Bangladesh's different sectors, including healthcare, shopping mall, hotel and tourism.

Chairman and managing director of LuLu Group, Yusuff Ali, and founder and chairman of NMC, BR Shetty, expressed their eagerness during separate meetings with prime minister Sheikh Hasina at her hotel suite in Abu Dhabi.

PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed newsmen after the two meetings.

He said the Lulu Group chairman mentioned that Bangladesh has emerged as a very potential area for investment in the tourism and hyper shopping mall.

Yusuff Ali sought land in Dhaka and adjacent areas for the construction of the infrastructure.

The LuLu Group has a plan to construct a shopping mall which will create employment opportunities for about 5,000 people and has a convention centre and car parking facilities for 3,000 vehicles, Ihsanul said.

Yusuff Ali highlighted some of the projects implemented by his group in different countries.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is ready to welcome foreign investment for the country's development.

She assured the LuLu Group of land allocation and urged them to visit Bangladesh to have first-hand experiences for implementing their business plans.

Prime minister called upon the LuLu Group chairman to set up food processing industries and invest in the special economic zone in Bangladesh.

She said Bangladesh offers attractive packages and facilities, including duty-free regime, for foreign investors.

NMC Group founder BR Shetty showed interest to expand its humanitarian activities and healthcare services in Bangladesh based on company's policy- ‘free treatment, quality, affordability and ethical practice.’

Sheikh Hasina welcomed the interest of the NMC Group and urged them to come up with a proposal for construction of hospitals for treatment of cancer and cardiac problems.

The NMC chairman said they will visit Bangladesh to talk to the officials for executing the plans.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, state minister for expatriates' welfare and overseas employment Imran Ahmad and prime minister’s principal secretary Nojibur Rahman were also present in the meetings.