Chief Minister Hemant Soren Meets Lulu Group Founder at Davos – Jharkhand Eyes Global Market Access for Farmers and SHG Products

Davos, Jan 2026 : At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Chief Minister Hemant Soren engaged in strategic discussions with Yusuff Ali, Founder and Managing Director of the Lulu Group, a globally renowned retail conglomerate with operations across India and multiple international markets.

During the interaction, Mr. Ali proposed exploring the sourcing of Jharkhand’s agriculture-based produce and forest-based products through Lulu Group’s extensive retail network. The initiative aims to open national and international market access for the state’s products, creating direct economic benefits for farmers, women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and communities dependent on forest produce.

The Lulu Group expressed keen interest in a wide range of products cultivated and manufactured in Jharkhand that complement its existing global value chains. The company also conveyed willingness to support capacity-building initiatives in the state to enhance product quality, aggregation, and supply chain readiness, ensuring that Jharkhand’s offerings meet international standards.

Aspiration to Become a Primary Supplier

To advance these discussions, a high-level delegation from the Lulu Group is expected to visit Jharkhand soon to conduct a detailed assessment of the state’s production, sourcing, and aggregation capabilities. The state government articulated its intent to position Jharkhand as a key sourcing partner within Lulu Group’s global supply ecosystem, aiming to integrate local producers into high-value, sustainable supply chains.

With Lulu Group operating retail outlets across 21 Indian states and multiple international markets, this engagement represents a significant step toward connecting Jharkhand’s farmers, SHGs, and forest-based producer communities to global value chains. By facilitating wider market access, the initiative is expected to enhance incomes, create sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen the state’s vision of inclusive, value-driven growth.

The collaboration underscores Jharkhand’s commitment to leveraging its agricultural and forest resources strategically, while promoting women’s empowerment and community-led economic development. Through partnerships like this, the state aims to create a robust ecosystem where local producers can compete globally, thereby contributing to long-term socio-economic transformation.

This engagement at WEF 2026 positions Jharkhand as a forward-looking investment and trade destination, reinforcing its ambition to integrate local products into global markets and unlock sustainable economic opportunities for its farmers and SHG communities.