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By Dipesh Ghimire

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Leadership Race Intensifies as Hemraj Dhakal Announces Senior Vice President Candidacy

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Leadership Race Intensifies as Hemraj Dhakal Announces Senior Vice President Candidacy

The election race within the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has formally entered a new phase after Hemraj Dhakal announced his candidacy for the post of Senior Vice President. Targeting the federation’s 60th Annual General Meeting scheduled for Chaitra 28 and 29, Dhakal unveiled his panel in Kathmandu on Monday, outlining an agenda centered on economic productivity and private sector confidence.

Currently serving as Vice President under the commodity category, Dhakal positioned his campaign around the idea of transforming Nepal’s economy from consumption-driven to production-oriented. He stressed that employment generation within the country must be prioritized to curb youth migration abroad. According to him, strengthening manufacturing and value-added industries is not merely an economic necessity but a national responsibility.

Dhakal’s panel reflects representation across multiple business segments. Jyotsna Shrestha has been nominated for Associate Vice President, while Umesh Dalmia and Kalpana Gaire are contesting for the newly structured District/Municipality Vice President positions. Naresh Lal Shrestha is fielded for Commodity Vice President, and Kamala Shrestha has been proposed for the Women Vice President role. The revised statute of FNCCI allows for two District/Municipality Vice Presidents this term, signaling an attempt to broaden provincial representation.

As per the federation’s constitution, the current Senior Vice President, Anjan Shrestha, will automatically assume the presidency following the AGM. Consequently, the contest for the Senior Vice President position has gained strategic importance, as it effectively determines the future leadership pipeline of the apex private sector body.

In his address, Dhakal pledged proactive advocacy to push forward business-friendly legislation that has remained stalled, initiate tax reforms, and build a more investment-friendly environment. He underscored that the federation must not remain a passive observer but instead engage assertively with the government to safeguard entrepreneurs’ interests. “If required, we will knock on the doors of government institutions repeatedly to protect the rights of the business community,” he remarked, signaling a more confrontational yet policy-driven approach.

The event also featured remarks from FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, who claimed that most of the commitments made during his tenure have been fulfilled. He pointed to institutional reforms and policy advocacy as key achievements. According to him, the proposal to place the federation under the jurisdiction of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority was successfully withdrawn, preserving the autonomy of the private sector body.

President Dhakal further highlighted constitutional amendments within FNCCI that ensured representation from each province and eliminated the requirement for central members to seek re-nomination from district chapters. He described these reforms as steps toward institutional stability and inclusiveness.

The unfolding election reflects deeper currents within Nepal’s private sector. At a time when economic growth remains subdued and investor sentiment fragile, leadership at FNCCI carries added weight. The next Senior Vice President will not only prepare to assume the presidency in due course but will also shape the federation’s engagement with fiscal policy, regulatory reforms, and investment promotion in the coming years.

With competing visions likely to emerge in the weeks ahead, the election is shaping up to be more than a routine organizational exercise. It has become a referendum on how assertively the private sector intends to position itself amid Nepal’s evolving economic and political landscape.

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