Election Fever Heats Up for FNCCI Leadership

Kathmandu. The election fever for the upcoming leadership of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has intensified significantly. With the nomination process for various positions gaining momentum ahead of the General Assembly and election scheduled for Chaitra 29 and 30, a compelling contest between two panels is emerging within the federation.

On Sunday, the group led by Shiva Prasad Ghimire, supported by Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha, filed their nominations with great fanfare. Ghimire has filed his candidacy for the Vice President (Commodity) position, while his panel has fielded Prabal Jung Pandey for Associate Vice President, and Dil Sundar Shrestha and Krishna Prasad Sharma for District/City Vice President positions.

Speaking to the media after filing his nomination, Vice Presidential candidate Ghimire claimed that his group's victory is certain. He pledged to reform the federation's secretariat and establish a dedicated unit to address the grievances of the private sector if elected.

Stating that complex laws are the primary reason for the lack of an investment-friendly environment in Nepal, he emphasized that he would work intensely under Anjan Shrestha's leadership to resolve these issues. He remarked that since the country has found a political way forward, the federation must now play a leading role in the direction of prosperity, which requires a dynamic team.

Meanwhile, the group led by Hemraj Dhakal, another candidate for Senior Vice President who has the support of current President Chandra Dhakal, also appears very active in the electoral arena. The team, including Associate Vice Presidential candidate Jyotsana Shrestha, filed their nominations last Thursday. Business figures such as Abinash Bohara, Ambika Sharma Lamichhane, and Desh Bandhu Basnet are competing for member positions from this group.

With both panels intensifying nationwide tours and lobbying to build momentum in their favor, the upcoming FNCCI election has become a major topic of discussion among industrialists and business people.