Lulu to build convention centre, hotel, mall in Vizag

Foundation stone for project laid for Rs20b project planned for coastal city

UAE-based Lulu Group will construct an international convention centre, hotel and shopping mall in this coastal city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh with an investment of Rs20 billion (Dh1.13 billion).

The integrated project coming up at RK Beach is expected to create employment for 10,000 people.

The foundation stone for the project was laid by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu during the inaugural session of CII Partnership Summit yesterday.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, central ministers Suresh Prabhu, Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Lulu Group chairman Ali M.A. were present.

Yousuf Ali said the project will be completed in three years. He said the project will provide 5,000 direct jobs and many indirect jobs.

While he did not reveal the investment figure in his speech, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s office, the project will come up at a cost of Rs20 billion. The statement also said the project will provide employment to 10,000 people. Yousuf Ali said the facility would bring international conventions and tourists to Visakhapatnam.

Chandrababu Naidu said this would be a prestigious project for the coastal city. He urged Lulu Group to complete the project in 30 months.

He said he hoped that the convention centre would be ready next year to host the next Partnership Summit. Yousuf