Dubai-based SS Lootah Group, a leading group in the UAE, is set to launch a software development centre in the south Indian state of Kerala.

SS Lootah Group is a family-owned diversified business house with ventures across key industries from construction, real estate, energy, food and hospitality to financial services, applied research, information and communication technologies (ICT), education and healthcare.

The Lootah Group will take a final decision this week or early next week on the unit at Technopark campus here, a top Technopark official said on condition of anonymity.

'A few rounds of discussions have already been held on the issue. They have already established their corporate office in the country's capital Delhi and here they will be entering into software development,' the official added.

Initially, the company will have an office of more than 30,000 sq ft at the campus in Thiruvananthapuram.

Commenting on the group’s entry into India, SS Lootah group chairman Yahya Lootah said: “Our aim is to explore avenues which lead to human development, apart from bringing in investment. About 40 per cent of our workforce in the UAE is from India and it is time for us to give them back at their home world class infrastructure and amenities.”

SS Lootah group is the first private sector entity from the UAE to set up a permanent base in India.