Dubai’s Sharaf Group has announced ambitious plans to expand its investments in India’s logistics, infrastructure, and food segments, capitalising on the country’s evolving business-friendly climate. Speaking at the UAE-India Economic Forum, Salah Sharaf, Group Executive Director of Sharaf Group, highlighted the company’s long-term strategy to enhance its presence in these key sectors over the next few years.
Sharaf Group has been actively involved in India’s logistics and railway sectors for several years, with operations in five logistics parks across the country. According to Salah Sharaf, the company is now looking to diversify and expand its logistics operations to ten more cities, seeing vast potential in India’s infrastructure landscape. “The two infrastructure-related fields will be the next areas of focus for the group,” he said, noting the significant room for development within the country’s logistics and infrastructure sectors.
Sharaf emphasised the need for enhanced infrastructure in India, pointing out existing inefficiencies that present opportunities for growth. “Although the country has evolved, it still has insufficient means,” Sharaf noted, adding that these challenges are precisely where Sharaf Group sees the greatest potential for expansion.
Beyond logistics and infrastructure, the Sharaf Group is setting its sights on the food industry, particularly in light of the growing UAE-India partnership on food security. This sector is seen as a strategic investment opportunity aligning with food security commitments made by both nations. Salah Sharaf announced that the company has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to participate in the World Food India exhibition, an event that aims to foster partnerships within the food sector.
The strengthened UAE-India relations have been a driving factor behind Sharaf Group’s investment plans, bolstered by high-level diplomatic exchanges between the two countries. Sharaf praised the Indian government for its recent reforms, which have significantly reduced bureaucratic barriers that once deterred foreign direct investment (FDI). “The Indian government’s stance on foreign investment has changed 180 degrees from what it was nearly a decade ago,” he said, expressing optimism about the more favorable investment climate.
Sharaf Group’s focus on food security also aligns with the UAE’s growing interest in securing its food supply chain. Vice-Chairman Sharafuddin Sharaf noted the importance of the World Food India exhibition in enhancing cooperation between the two nations. “Being a partner in the World Food India exhibition shows how vital the food sector is in the relationship between the two countries,” he stated, adding that India’s positive stance toward FDI has been a significant factor in attracting foreign investors.
The Group’s expansion plans are a testament to the Indian government’s efforts to make the country an attractive destination for foreign investment, particularly in logistics, infrastructure, and food security. Both Salah and Sharafuddin Sharaf expressed optimism about their investments in India, crediting recent policy reforms for creating a more conducive environment for foreign investors.
