The Managing Director of Lulu Group, Yusuffali M.A. has maintained his top position for the fifth time in a row at the Indian Power List published by Arabian Business.

The Kerala-born businessman runs the Lulu Group, one of the largest companies having strong presence in the Middle East's retail sector.

One of the key reasons for being considered as the most powerful Indian in the Gulf is his close proximity with the various rulers and ruling family members of the GCC countries, which he has used many a time for the benefit of India and Indians, namely, investments, bilateral relationships, setting up of Hindu crematoriums or Christian churches.

He was recently been elected as director board member of Abu Dhabi Chamber for the third time in a row and is the first and only Indian till date to occupy such a position in a foreign country.

The Lulu Group is making its first retail push into the Far East, with new hypermarkets in Malaysia and Indonesia, and entailing planned investments of $500 million.

All of the initial processes such as acquiring the land and regulatory approvals have already been gone through, according to Yusuffali. Lulu Group recently acquired a 10 percent stake in UK-based legendary trading firm The East India Company and a 40 percent stake in its fine foods subsidiary for around $82 million in total.

"The new investment will enable the fine foods unit to expand its store network in Europe, the Far East and prepare for a launch in the United States, Yusuffali.

Lulu Group has operations in 32 countries, with a 31,000 staff strength and reported revenues of $5.2 billion during calendar year 2013. The group is all set to open its regional office in the South American country of Brazil by December and also in Turkey by early next year.