India@FDI Magazine

Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. “We do not plan to make
equity investments abroad, but are keen to take our brand
international and work with local partners,” explains Mr Kaul.
The Leela group operates nine award-winning hotels in
India. This figure is expected to double over the next five years
and interestingly, at least four of the hotels would be located
abroad including the Middle East.
“The Gulf is a very important market for us,” explains Mr
Kaul. “We have created tremendous brand awareness in the
region, especially as some of the topmost dignitaries from
there have stayed at our properties.”
According to him, business ties between India and the UAE
are expanding at a rapid pace. India’s business presence in the
UAE is very strong, he notes. “There is natural affinity between
the two nations and I envisage more investments flowing into
India from the UAE over the coming years.”
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, there
is a new mindset in the country, which is being looked at
differently, Mr Kaul told this correspondent in an interview
last week in Mumbai, just hours before he flew to Dubai for
a few days on a business trip. “As Ease of doing business in
India improves genuinely, it will usher in new investments into
the country.”
Referring to the group’s Indian operations, Mr Kaul notes
that its properties have won laurels the world over. Recently,
Travel & Leisure magazine rated the Leela brand in the fifth
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