KATHMANDU, April 7: As the upcoming elections of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) approach, Jyotsana Shrestha’s team is emerging as a strong contender on the Associates’ front.
The entry of Sachin Dhakal, son of FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, into the Associates’ category has further strengthened the Jyotsana group, which is contesting for the vice-president position, traditionally decided through proxy voting.
Chandra Dhakal elected Senior Vice President of FNCCI
FNCCI Chair Dhakal has long maintained influence in the Associates’ category. His son, Sachin Dhakal—who was unanimously selected based on proxy votes even before the elections—has joined Jyotsana Shrestha’s team as a candidate for central executive member, energizing the electoral atmosphere. FNCCI insiders say this move has made her team even more formidable. During his tenure as senior vice-president, Chandra Dhakal had consistently secured the highest number of votes from the Associates’ category.
Vice-presidential candidate Jyotsana Shrestha said she built her team to include representatives from all sectors, ensuring a comprehensive and united front. Currently serving as vice-president for the Associates’ category, Shrestha highlighted her achievements, including drafting business-friendly policies and spearheading collective negotiations, while noting that more work remains in policy advocacy and fostering a business-friendly environment—goals she intends to pursue if re-elected. “We have carefully selected candidates representing all sectors of the Associates’ category,” she said. “I earnestly appeal to all voters to support our team and ensure our victory.”
Member candidate Shova Gyawali has placed investment expansion, women’s entrepreneurship, and creating a business-friendly environment at the centre of her agenda. Campaigning under the ‘Local to Global’ concept, she plans to promote local products to international markets through FNCCI initiatives. While women’s participation in small and home-based industries in Nepal is rising, she emphasized the need for institutional support to expand market access and export opportunities for their products.
Candidates from Jyotsana Shrestha’s group for member positions include Avinash Bohora, Ambika Sharma Lamichhane, Gopal Khanal, Chandra Dhakal, Jamuna Paudel, Jash Shrestha, Deshbandhu Basnet (Ajit), Er. Vinod Dhakal, Batu Lamichhane, Balram Sapkota, Bharat Ranabhat, Ram Raja Shrestha, Dr. Ramsharan Thapaliya, Raj Kumar Timalsina, Shailendra Guragai, Sunil Narayan Shrestha, Sachin Dhakal, Shova Gyawali, and Sandeep Agrawal (Makhariya).
