FOOD PROCESSING HUB. May Exports Phils, a division of the Middle East-based LuLu Group International opens its cutting edge product processing facility and food logistics hub at the Philippine Export Processing Zone (PEZA) at Calamba Premiere International Park in Laguna. Leading the ribbon cutting are Yusuff Ali M.A., (3rd from right) chair and managing director of LuLu Group International; United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to the Philippines Hamad Saeed Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi (back 2nd from right); Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar (2nd from left); Presidential Special Envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Amb. Dr. Amable R. Aguiluz V (2nd from right); Honorary Consul to the Kingdom of Bahrain Amable C. Aguiluz IX (far right); PEZA Administrator Charito Plaza (center); and Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Gabriel M. Laviña (3rd from left). (Photo by Saul E. Pa-a)
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna -- A world-class cutting edge product processing facility and food logistics hub opened Wednesday at the sprawling Calamba Premier International Park (CPIP) in Barangay Batino here, following the inaugural rites that signaled the first ever entry of the Middle East conglomerate.
LuLu Group International through its local unit, May Exports Philippines, officially kicked off its operations at the Laguna industrial park Wednesday. Lulu Group is a leading hypermarket chain based in the Middle East
The new center’s warehouse No. 1 is primarily engaged in sourcing, storing, packing and exporting fruit, vegetables and other dry goods and commodities, textiles, electronics, households, furniture and other general merchandise in a bid to strengthen its reach in the ASEAN countries.
Leading the inaugural rites spruced up by a Filipino-inspired “Ati-Atihan” festive dance and drum beats were Yusuff Ali M.A., chair and managing director of LuLu Group International; United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to the Philippines Hamad Saeed Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi; Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar; Presidential Special Envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council Dr. Amable R. Aguiluz V; and Honorary Consul Amable C. Aguiluz IX to the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Philippines.
Also present were Philippine Economic Zone Authority Administrator Charito Plaza; Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Agri-Business and Marketing Jose Gabriel M. Laviña; DA-Calabarzon Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extension Milo M. Delos Reyes; Department of Trade and Industry-Calabarzon Regional Director Marilou Q. Toledo; Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc SB Chipeco and Laguna Tourism, Culture, Arts and Trade Office chief Dr. Rosauro Sta. Maria Jr.
“Today, we are very happy to inaugurate our Food-Processing Procurement, Packaging and Logistics facility in the Republic of the Philippines. This is our first entry here and this is just a beginning. You can expect much more from our Group to this great country,” said Yusuff Ali during the inaugural program.
He said their Group is one of the leading retailers with a chain of around 151 LuLu Hypermarkets and Shopping Malls in the Middle East, Far East and India.
“As you know, the Middle East countries are home to a large overseas Philippine community. They form a very important segment of our customer-base,” Yussuff Ali stressed, saying Lulu Hypermarkets are the preferred shopping destination for the Philippine community in these countries.
He said that for the past several years, their conglomerate has been importing food and non-food products from the Philippines to cater to the large Filipino customers.
“Every year, we conduct Philippine Food Festival in the Middle East to introduce Philippine products to the citizens and multinational expatriates residing in these countries,” he said.
He said that with the increasing “day by day” requirement for uninterrupted supply of superior quality Philippine products, they have decided to open this facility here.
He told the audience of trade, industry officials and business circles of bankers and suppliers that during his and the Group’s courtesy call - together with Ambassador Aguiluz and Usec. Laviña - on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, they explained LuLu Group’s investments, which include the food processing and retail sector and the inauguration of its first hub in the country.
Yusuff Ali said the President explained to them the government’s efforts, especially in the ease of doing business and the eradication drive against corruption and “much more to attract investments.”
“We are really impressed and I am happy to say that investors are getting great confidence to invest here,” he said.
He shared that he has also informed the President that out of their 46,000 global work force, around 8,000 Filipinos are employed in their various outlets, describing them as “very hardworking, dedicated and sincere.”
“The President and his team were very happy to hear this,” he added. He assured to increase their export to USD100 million within two years, citing “we will try to export more and more and I hope that our team will achieve this with your support.”
The multi-million investments by Lulu Group in the country are seen to boost its sourcing operations and help bring quality Filipino products to its large customer base in their hypermarkets across many countries including Malaysia, Indonesia and North Africa region besides the Middle East.
Yusuff Ali said they have started exporting about USD10 million worth of fruits, vegetables and other commodities from the Philippines through the new facility and would be increased to USD30 to USD100 million within the year.
May Exports Philippines, a fully export-oriented company of Filipino products operates its new warehouse facility with state-of-the art storage units and advanced machinery to process and handle dry food, non-food, frozen and perishable food products with a well-established system and forensic testing facility for quality control and traceability of food contents.
Its system can check any food-related hazards and initiate necessary value addition by date coding and labeling for different countries, translation of labels, “halal” and other relevant certifications and export labels.
Its clientele include UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Far East, US, UK, Vietnam, Spain, South Africa and India.
Meanwhile, Chipeco thanked LuLu Group International and its subsidiary May Exports Phils. for choosing Calamba City as site for their logistics hub.
“I know that you could have chosen a lot of local government units (LGUs), but you opted and chose Calamba, and I give you my word sir: please tell your people, if you have any problem go to me and I will solve their problem,” Chipeco said, adding that as investor in this city, “you are our friend, and being friends, we make sure that our friends are happy in Calamba City.” (PNA)
