FNCCI Election: Anjan Shrestha unveils panel of seasoned industrialists ahead of AGM

KATHMANDU: Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha has officially announced his panel of candidates for the upcoming election of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), positioning a team of experienced industrialists and business leaders ahead of the 60th Annual General Meeting scheduled for Chaitra 28–29, 2082 (April 10–11, 2026 AD).

The panel, unveiled on Monday, is being promoted as the leadership team that will take shape under Shrestha, who is set to become the automatic president of FNCCI following the general convention, as per the federation’s statute.

Competitive Election Landscape

The announcement comes amid intensifying competition within Nepal’s apex private sector body. Earlier, on Falgun 21, 2082 (March 4, 2026 AD), another panel led by current Commodity Vice President Hemraj Dhakal had already entered the race, setting the stage for a closely watched leadership contest that could shape Nepal’s private sector direction, policy advocacy, and investment climate.

Key Leadership Candidates from Shrestha Panel

From Shrestha’s group, the following candidates have been nominated for key leadership roles:

Commodity Vice President: Shiv Prasad Ghimire
Associate Vice President: Prabal Jung Pandey
District/Municipality Vice Presidents:
Dilsundar Shrestha
Krishna Prasad Sharma
Commodity Sector Candidates

A broad representation of Nepal’s industrial ecosystem has been reflected in the commodity sector nominations:

Arnikoraj Bhandari – Nepal Ice Cream Industry
Rabin Puri – Nepal Feed Producers Association
Rajkumar Karki – Nepal Broom Association
Basant Chandra Marhatta – Seed Entrepreneurs Association
Raghunandan Maru – Cement Industry
Sunita Nehafuki – Agriculture sector
Hom Prasad Ghimire – Plywood Industry
Dhan Prasad Lamichhane – Pashmina Industry
Dharmaraj Sapkota – Securities Brokers
Sangharsha Bista – Restaurant Sector
Rajesh Bhakta Shrestha – Floriculture
Naniraj Ghimire – Footwear Industry
Yap Bahadur Thapa Magar – Biogas Sector
Bishwanath Khanal – Transport Sector
Krishna Prasad Awale – Brick Industry
Dhruva Bahadur Gautam – Bottled Water Industry
District and Provincial Representation

Under the district/municipality category, the panel includes:

Koshi Province: Nabin Rijal
Bagmati Province: Bed Bahadur Shrestha
Gandaki Province: Navaraj Subedi
Lumbini Province: Thakur Shrestha
Associate Category Candidates

Alongside Vice President candidate Prabal Jung Pandey, the associate category includes a wide range of business figures:

Avigya Malla
Ambika Prasad Poudel
Babukaji Karki
Hemant Golchha
Ishwor GC
Juna Mathema
Krishnalal Maharjan
Nikolesh Pandey
Priyaraj Regmi
Rajesh Kumar Agrawal
Rishi Agrawal Chainawal
RS Bhandari
Shakti Kumar Begani
Sushil Thapa
Suyash Pyaakurel
Ujwal Kumar Shrestha
Strategic Importance for Nepal’s Private Sector

The FNCCI election is being closely watched by investors, policymakers, and international stakeholders, as the new leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping Nepal’s business environment, private sector advocacy, foreign investment climate, SME growth, and economic policy direction.

With multiple panels entering the race and seasoned industrialists leading the contest, the upcoming AGM is expected to be a defining moment for Nepal’s private sector leadership transition.