Dhakal and Sanghai Compete for FNCCI Senior Vice President Post

The 60th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), scheduled for April 11-12, will elect a new leadership. Under the current statute, incumbent Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha will automatically become president, while elections will be held for other posts.

Two candidates are vying for the post of senior vice president—incumbent Vice President (commodity sector) Hemraj Dhakal and businessman Ram Chandra Sanghai—who have entered the race with separate panels.

The Dhakal group has already announced its panel. From Dhakal’s side, Jyotsna Shrestha will contest for associate vice president, Naresh Lal Shrestha for vice president (commodity sector), Umesh Dalmia and Kalpana Gaire for vice president (district/municipal), and Kamala Shrestha for vice president (women).

Meanwhile, Ram Chandra Sanghai, a director of the Triveni Group, is also contesting for the post of senior vice president. He had previously run for the same position. Although Sanghai has not formally announced his panel, Prabal Jung Pandey is set to contest for associate vice president, Krishna Sharma for vice president (district/municipal), and Shiva Prasad Ghimire for vice president (commodity sector) from his group.

Below are excerpts from interviews conducted by New Business Age’s Hima BK with both candidates for senior vice president.

Reforming the tax system and promoting productive industries are my priorities: Hemraj Dhakal

What are your main agendas?

Much work needs to be done to reform the tax system, including the multi-rate Value Added Tax (VAT). We have been consistently pushing for the introduction of a law on credit recovery. Although the current fiscal year’s budget has provisions related to this, the necessary procedures have yet to be formulated. Many legislative amendments remain pending, and we aim to move them forward.

Priority will be given to sectors with strong potential in Nepal—agriculture, information technology, tourism, hydropower, and manufacturing industries. We will work to lower bank interest rates for these sectors and resume the suspended cash incentives for exports. This will help revive the market.

Nepal undertook its first phase of economic reforms in 1990. Now it is time for the second phase of reforms. The government must focus more on productive industries to create an environment where people choose to stay in Nepal and young people can find employment here. I will work in coordination to achieve this.

Why is it necessary to compete with panels?

Although panels are formed during elections in the FNCCI, the organization remains a common umbrella institution for all of us before and after the elections. Efforts are still underway to reach a consensus. It is possible that we may even form a single panel to support the incoming president.

Both sides may sit together and discuss the possibility of a consensus. There have already been preliminary discussions on giving capable and experienced members an opportunity now and promoting others in the next election. Such an approach would enhance the dignity of the private sector and strengthen the FNCCI.

What is the basis of your confidence in winning?

I have consistently supported businesses in the stock market sector, special economic zones, districts/municipalities, and the broader private sector whenever they faced problems. I understand the FNCCI network well. I have worked across all segments—associate members, district/municipal chambers, and commodity associations.

I understand the issues of the business community, including banking, exports, trade, and investment. I have always stood united with entrepreneurs to address their concerns. The office bearers and executive committee need leadership, and if a proposal for consensus emerges, we can move forward together.

I will focus on increasing employment: Ram Chandra Sanghai

What are your main agendas?

Small and large industries operating in districts and provinces face numerous challenges. I will engage directly with entrepreneurs and advocate with the government to address their problems.

I will place special emphasis on increasing employment in the country. The party that forms the government has also given high priority to job creation, and the private sector will always support that objective. For this, we must encourage the establishment of more industries and factories.

We will also support government initiatives aimed at reducing corruption and ensuring good governance. My candidacy is focused on promoting small businesses, creating jobs, and establishing industries in rural areas.

Why is it necessary to compete with panels?

The panel should consist of industrialists and entrepreneurs. In the FNCCI, senior vice presidents and members should essentially represent businesspeople. Regardless of whether they represent small or large enterprises, they must understand business and be able to create employment.

This will help create an environment where others feel encouraged to invest and generate jobs. All members of my panel are industrialists and entrepreneurs who have created employment. The panel has been formed on that basis.

What is the basis of your confidence in winning?

My panel includes entrepreneurs who have established industries and created jobs. We have strong influence among FNCCI associate members, commodity associations, and district/municipal chambers.

Even in the previous election, we achieved a strong result despite not winning. This time, we aim to secure victory.