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Yusuffali M.A.

Yusuffali M.A., head of Lulu group, Middle East’s retail major, and non-resident India (NRI) businessman, won the Abu Dhabi Chamber election held yesterday with a thumping majority.

Ali who won previous two elections, retained his seat with 1,721 votes, highest among expatriate candidates. The elections during which 14,555 votes were cast also elected 13 local citizens to the board of directors for a four-year term.

Four panels — the Abu Dhabi Initiative, Abu Dhabi Excellence, Abu Dhabi Future and Abu Dhabi First — representing 70 Emiratis, including five women and eight expatriate candidates, participated in the elections. Huge turnout was witnessed during the election which was held at three different centers.

Abu Dhabi Chamber is the only government organization in the world where expatriates can get elected to the director board through a democratic election process.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyam, UAE minister for culture, youth and community development, on behalf of Abu Dhabi government and ruling family members congratulated Ali on his hat-trick victory and urged him to continue his work and contribute to the growth of the UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular.

“I am pleased with faith reposed on me by the business community of Abu Dhabi and I thank them wholeheartedly for helping me to come out victorious once again. I am fully aware of the responsibilities and I will strive to further enhance the business and investment relationship between India and UAE and work closely with all stake holders for mutual benefit,” said Ali after winning.

Abu Dhabi Chamber is an autonomous entity under government supervision, which works toward streamlining and regulating business and industrial affairs in Abu Dhabi. Chamber is also playing its role as a supporter of and contributor to the economic development process and as an economic partner in making contributions to Abu Dhabi’s economic growth.

Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), currently estimated at $775 billion, is one of the world’s wealthiest sovereign fund in terms of total asset value.

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