आर्थिक विकासलाई चुनावी साझा एजेण्डा बनाउन अध्यक्ष ढकालको आग्रहAnalyzing FNCCI's Call: Why Economic Development Must Transcend Partisan Politics in the 2026 Elections

वालिङ (स्याङ्जा) – नेपाल उद्योग वाणिज्य महासंघका अध्यक्ष चन्द्रप्रसाद ढकालले मुलुकको दिगो आर्थिक विकासका लागि निजी क्षेत्रको एजेण्डालाई सबै राजनीतिक दलले साझा चुनावी एजेण्डा बनाउनुपर्नेमा जोड दिएका छन् । स्याङ्जामा बुधबारदेखि सुरु भएको ‘नवौँ वालिङ महोत्सव’ को उद्घाटन गर्दै अध्यक्ष ढकालले आगामी निर्वाचनमा सबै दलको घोषणापत्रमा अर्थतन्त्रको विकासले प्राथमिकता पाउनुपर्ने धारणा राखेका हुन् ।

अध्यक्ष ढकालले मुलुक अहिले निर्वाचनको पूर्वसन्ध्यामा रहेको स्मरण गराउँदै भने, “राष्ट्रिय अर्थतन्त्रको सुदृढीकरण अहिलेको पहिलो आवश्यकता हो । राजनीतिक दलहरू यतिखेर चुनावी घोषणापत्र लेख्ने तयारीमा हुनुहुन्छ, म आग्रह गर्न चाहन्छु– ती घोषणापत्रमा आर्थिक विकास र निजी क्षेत्रका एजेण्डाहरूले प्राथमिकता पाउनुपर्छ ।”

साझा एजेण्डाको खाँचो

जुनसुकै सरकार आए पनि अर्थतन्त्रको मूल मुद्दामा सबैको एउटै स्वर हुनुपर्ने निजी क्षेत्रको अडान रहेको ढकालको तर्क थियो । महासंघले विगतदेखि नै सबै दललाई एउटै मञ्चमा राखेर आर्थिक बहस चलाउँदै आएको चर्चा गर्दै उनले उच्चस्तरीय आर्थिक सुधार सुझाव आयोगको गठन र यसले दिएका कतिपय सुझावहरू कार्यान्वयनमा आउनु सकारात्मक रहेको बताए ।

औद्योगिक विकास र रोजगारी

निजी क्षेत्रले लामो समयदेखि औद्योगिक विकासमार्फत स्वदेशमै रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्ने प्रयास गरिरहेको उल्लेख गर्दै उनले राज्यले ती प्रयासलाई नीतिगत रूपमै सघाउनुपर्ने बताए । “देशमा लगानीको वातावरण बनाउन अवरोधका रूपमा रहेका कतिपय परम्परागत कानुनहरूको संशोधन गर्ने काम सुरु भएको छ,” उनले भने, “मैले महासंघको नेतृत्व सम्हालेपछि विधानलाई समय सापेक्ष बनाउनेदेखि नीतिगत सुधारका लागि दबाब दिनेसम्मका कार्यहरू प्राथमिकताका साथ सम्पन्न भएका छन् ।”

महोत्सवको लक्ष्य र प्रभाव

वालिङ उद्योग वाणिज्य संघको आयोजनामा सुरु भएको यस महोत्सवले गण्डकी प्रदेशकै आर्थिक र पर्यटकीय गतिविधि चलायमान बनाउने अपेक्षा गरिएको छ । माघ २५ गतेसम्म सञ्चालन हुने महोत्सवमा १० करोडको अल्पकालीन कारोबार र तीन लाख दर्शक भित्र्याउने लक्ष्य राखिएको छ ।

अध्यक्ष ढकालले स्थानीय उत्पादनको प्रवद्र्धन र बजार विस्तारमा यस्ता महोत्सवहरू कोसेढुङ्गा सावित हुने विश्वास समेत व्यक्त गरे । कार्यक्रममा स्थानीय जनप्रतिनिधि, उद्योगी व्यवसायी तथा सर्वसाधारणको उल्लेख्य उपस्थिति रहेको थियो ।

SYANGJA – As Nepal approaches the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, the private sector has issued a stern reminder to the political class: the country can no longer afford to keep the economy on the back burner.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Waling Festival in Syangja on Wednesday, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), urged all political parties to adopt a "Common Economic Agenda" in their election manifestos. His speech signals a growing frustration within the business community over policy inconsistency and the lack of a unified vision for industrial growth.

The "Common Agenda" Philosophy

President Dhakal’s primary argument is that economic development should not fluctuate with a change in government. By calling for a shared agenda, the FNCCI is pushing for policy predictability.

The Interpretation: For years, investors in Nepal have been wary of "political risk"—the fear that a new administration will scrap the projects or tax incentives of its predecessor. Dhakal is advocating for a "National Minimum Consensus" on the economy. If all major parties (NC, CPN-UML, Maoist Center, and others) agree on core issues like foreign investment, industrial protection, and infrastructure, it creates a "Safe Zone" for both domestic and foreign capital.

Focus on Industrialization and Jobs

A significant portion of Dhakal’s address was dedicated to the private sector's role in job creation. He emphasized that the only way to stem the tide of youth migration is through massive industrialization.

The Interpretation: FNCCI data shows the private sector contributes 81% to the GDP and provides 86% of employment. By urging parties to include private sector-driven agendas in their manifestos, Dhakal is asking for a shift from a "Distributive Economy" (spending on social security and populist projects) to a "Productive Economy" (investing in factories, energy, and tourism). This is a call for a Supply-Side Reform where the government acts as a facilitator rather than a competitor.

The Success of the High-Level Reform Commission

Dhakal highlighted the recent formation of the High-Level Economic Reform Commission as a success story of private-sector advocacy.

The Interpretation: The fact that the government accepted FNCCI's demand for this commission—and is already implementing some of its recommendations—shows that the private sector is currently in a strong "Bargaining Position." Dhakal is using this momentum to ensure that the commission's long-term suggestions (like labor law reforms and tax simplification) don't get lost in the pre-election noise.

Legal and Institutional Modernization

The President also touched upon his tenure's achievements, including the amendment of traditional laws that hindered investment and the modernization of FNCCI’s own internal statutes.

The Interpretation: This is a subtle message to political leaders: If the FNCCI can reform itself to stay relevant, why can't the state? By amending over 30 investment-related laws (through ordinances and legislative action in 2024-2025), a foundation has been laid. The 2026 election, in Dhakal's view, should be about building on this foundation rather than reinventing the wheel.

The Bottom Line: A Challenge to Political Parties

Chandra Prasad Dhakal is essentially throwing a gauntlet to the political leaders. As parties prepare their manifestos for the March vote, the "Waling Declaration" serves as a checklist.