LuLu Group to invest big in Visakhapatnam

Andhra Chief Minister visits Lulu Mall in Kochi

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu (right) and Lulu Group chairman M.A. Yusuff Ali during the former’s visit to Lulu Mall in Kochi on Saturday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said here on Saturday that the UAE-based LuLu Group would set up an integrated project, comprising a convention centre, shopping mall, and a hotel, in Visakhapatnam.

Interacting with the media at LuLu Mall here, Mr. Naidu said Lulu Group had been awarded tender to develop the project in Visakhapatnam. “By seeing this, we are expecting that LuLu Group will do better than this [in Visakhapatnam],” he said.

'Vizag is a good area'

On the proposed investment for the venture, the Chief Minister said Lulu Group would decide on it. “Visakhapatnam is a good area, a very creative city. I am confident that they [LuLu Group] have done so much for Kerala, contributing to the growth of the State. India is a big country. This type of investment is needed everywhere,” he observed.

Recalling that he had been requesting Lulu Group chairman M.A. Yusuff Ali from the beginning to set up a shopping mall and convention centre similar to the one in Kochi, in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Naidu said he wanted to come here and witness the mall and the convention centre. “I am totally convinced. They have created one of the best shopping malls. The convention centre, having 5000-capacity, is also world-class,” he said.

Mr. Naidu did not respond to queries on the impact of demonetisation and GST. He said he did not prefer answering political questions.