Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shown keen interest in the international retail chain LuLu Hypermarket, inviting Indian billionaire MA Yusuff Ali to consider expanding the company into Australia.
The invitation came during the Prime Minister’s visit to Abu Dhabi, on his return from trips to the United States and the United Kingdom.
The chain operates over 300 stores in countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, Bahrain, Kuwait, Indonesia, and Qatar, and already sells Australian products internationally. Albanese emphasized that LuLu’s presence in Australia could increase competition in the supermarket sector, which is dominated by the Coles-Woolworths duopoly.
“This company is large enough to work directly with Australian producers, including mango, orange, and Halal meat producers,” the Prime Minister said, noting that expansion could benefit both consumers and producers.
The announcement coincides with the new Australia–UAE free trade agreement, which will eliminate tariffs on most Australian exports and increase investment from UAE sovereign wealth funds into Australia. The move is expected to create growth opportunities and revitalize the retail market, where food prices remain a persistent concern for Australian consumers.
