April 14: Chandra Prasad Dhakal has been elected the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). Dhakal was elected to the post from 57th AGM of the FNCCI as per its statute that senior Vice President is the one in a line to become the President. 

Likewise, Anjan Shrestha has been elected as the Senior Vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). Shrestha and two other candidates-- Ram Chandra Sanghai, Umesh Lal Shrestha—were vying for the position.

Following the defeat of Sanghai in the first-round election held on Wednesday, Shrestha secured his win after Umesh Lal Shrestha agreed to withdraw his candidacy and support Anjan. 

The election for the Senior Vice-President had entered the second-round as none of the candidates received 51 percent votes in the first round. As per FNCCI's statute, one should receive at least 51 percent votes to be elected as senior vice-president. 

The newly elected Senior Vice-president Shrestha is the executive director of the Laxmi Group, a conglomerate of Sujal Food and Dairy Products, packaging industry, automobile trading, infrastructure, and steel manufacturing. 

Hemraj Dhakal has been elected as a commodity Vice-President of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry(FNCCI). Dhakal, Manishlala Pradhan and Sukuntalal Hirachan had contested for the Vice-president under commodity. 

Jyotshana Shrestha has been elected as an Associate Vice-president of the FNCCI. Shrestha and Bharat Acharya had vied for the post.  A total of 58 executive members have been elected from the FNCCI election.  

FNCCI new President Dhakal is a successful entrepreneur and industrialist of the first generation. He was member of executive committee of FNCCI for two terms.  Dhakal is the founding chair of IME Group. He has nearly four decades of journey in entrepreneurship. Born at Amalchaur of Baglung district in 2022BS, Dhakal had begun entrepreneurship since 2045BS.

 Dhakal made the first successful business stride with the establishment of IME remit, the first remit company in Nepal, in 2057BS.  Currently, IME Group has its investment in two dozens of enterprises and industries, which have presence both in Nepal and abroad. Dhakal has significant role on building formal economy of the country through foreign remittance.  The IME Group has given direct employment to more than 20,000 and while 40,000 are employed indirectly in the country. 

Upon his election as the FNCCI President, Dhakal said he would prioritize five areas during his tenure- preparation of strategy to resolve current economic crisis, creation of investment atmosphere, strengthening of State and private sector, production of competent human resources and employment generation, and boosting entrepreneurs' morale.