FNCCI Election 2026: Naresh Lal Shrestha Unveils 16-Member “Inclusive” Panel For Commodity Category
29th March 2026, Kathmandu
The battle for the leadership of Nepal’s largest private-sector umbrella body, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has intensified as Naresh Lal Shrestha officially announced his full electoral panel.
FNCCI Election 2026 Naresh Lal Shrestha
Competing for the post of Vice President (Commodity Category), Shrestha’s team launch comes as a direct response to the recently announced group led by his rival, Shiva Prasad Ghimire.
A Strategic Alliance for Industrial Growth
Naresh Lal Shrestha, a veteran industrialist and current Chairperson of the Export Promotion Committee, has aligned his candidacy with the Hemraj Dhakal Group.
While Anjan Shrestha is set to automatically become the next President, the contest for the remaining office bearer positions has split the federation into two primary factions: the Hemraj Dhakal panel and the Shiva Prasad Ghimire (Anjan Shrestha-supported) panel.
“Our team represents the backbone of Nepal’s economy. We have carefully selected 16 leaders who reflect the diversity of our trade sectors,” a representative from the Shrestha group stated.
The Naresh Lal Shrestha Panel: Key Candidates
The group has introduced a robust list of candidates for the Central Executive Committee, aiming for a balance between traditional industry and modern service sectors:
Executive Committee Contenders: Suraj Banjade, Bidur Dhamala, Bhakta Hamal, Durga Subedi, Pashupati Dev Pandey, and Sagar Dhakal.
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Central Member Candidates: Biplav Adhikari, Prahlad Dahal, Dr. Subodh Kumar Gupta, Lilendra Pradhan, and Rajendra Sangroula.
The panel boasts representation from critical sectors including Tourism, Agriculture, Pharmaceuticals, Real Estate, Stock Broking, and Energy (Fuel).
A Clash of Visions: Shrestha vs. Ghimire
The race for the Commodity Vice Presidency is being viewed as the “highlight” of the 2026 convention.
Naresh Lal Shrestha is running on a platform of International Trade and Export Promotion, leveraging his deep ties with the Nepal-German Chamber and export-oriented manufacturing.
Shiva Prasad Ghimire has built his campaign on Domestic Supply Chains and Energy Stability, backed by his experience as the founder of the SG Group and former president of the LP Gas Industries Association.
The Road to the AGM
The FNCCI election, scheduled for Chaitra 29 and 30 (mid-April 2026), arrives at a time when the Nepalese private sector is calling for policy stability and government intervention to revive the economy.
As current President Chandra Prasad Dhakal urges for “unanimous leadership” to keep the private sector’s voice strong, the emergence of two distinct, competitive panels suggests that the 2026 AGM will be a definitive moment for the future of industrial advocacy in Nepal.
For more: FNCCI Election 2026 Naresh Lal Shrestha
