Anthony Albanese has courted a new Middle Eastern supermarket to break up the “Colesworth” duopoly, after meeting with a “hypermarket” chairman.

The Prime Minister talked with LuLu Hypermarket chairman Yusuff Ali, capping off a 10-day international tour with a stopover in the United Arab Emirates.

"I want to see more competition," he said.

"This is a significant company."

The chain has 250 stores in the Middle East, dwarfed by Coles’ 850 and Woolworths’ 1,130 supermarkets in Australia.

“They are the largest [retailer] throughout the Middle East,’ Mr Albanese said.

“We know that Aldi, of course, has come to Australia, but this is a significant player that has an engagement with Australia, and I want to see that competition.”

He and Mr Yusuff Ali had a “little discussion” while walkin

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