Kathmandu — Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Chandra Prasad Dhakal has stated that significant progress has been achieved across all five major priorities set at the beginning of his three-year tenure.
Speaking at a press meet held in Lalitpur on Wednesday, Dhakal said that although the country’s economy was in a highly challenging state when he assumed leadership, notable success has been made in revitalizing economic activities and creating an investment-friendly environment.
He noted that maintaining the morale of the private sector amid the impacts of COVID-19, global conflicts, and policy uncertainties was his top priority. Highlighting achievements in policy reforms, he said FNCCI has moved beyond its traditional role of merely raising demands and has become an active participant in the policy-making process.
According to him, the formation of a High-Level Economic Reform Recommendation Commission and recommendations for reform in more than 30 laws have laid a strong foundation for improving the investment climate.
On the evolving relationship between the government and the private sector, Dhakal stated that the earlier culture of confrontation has been replaced by a new era of cooperation and partnership. He added that FNCCI successfully facilitated revisions to proposals that would bring the private sector under the jurisdiction of anti-corruption authorities and played a key mediating role in resolving the long-standing ‘dedicated’ and ‘trunk line’ tariff disputes.
To mobilize domestic capital, a Rs. 10 billion “Nepal Development Public Limited” has been established. Dhakal further shared that investment conferences have been organized in countries such as India, China, the UAE, Qatar, and the United Kingdom to attract foreign direct investment.
He also emphasized institutional reforms within FNCCI, including amendments to its statute to ensure a more inclusive and transparent leadership selection process. Measures such as direct election of the president and increased female participation have made the organization more competitive, he claimed. Additionally, FNCCI published its first-ever research report on the contribution of the private sector, creating a basis for evidence-based advocacy.
Dhakal expressed gratitude to the media for constructive criticism and support in making his tenure result-oriented, and voiced confidence that this collaboration will continue to strengthen in the future.
