Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The 57th Annual General Body Meeting of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is beginning in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Although the AGM will discuss a wide range of issues of the Nepali business sector, all eyes will be on the election for the new executive committee to be held on Wednesday.
A total of 118 candidates are competing for 64 positions in the executive committee of FNCCI. The position of Senior Vice President is particularly coveted, as the Senior Vice President is automatically promoted to the position of President in the next term as per the FNCCI charter.
This means the current Senior Vice President, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, will assume the position of President afte the 57th AGM.
Three candidates vying for the position of Senior Vice President, namely Anjan Shrestha, Ram Chandra Sanghai, and Umesh Lal Shrestha. All three are contesting the election by forming separate panels.
Anjan Shrestha
Anjan Shrestha, the incumbent Vice President (Commodities) of FNCCI, is now contesting for the position of Senior Vice President. He defeated fellow Senior Vice President aspirant Umesh Lal Shrestha in the election for the Vice President (Commodities) in the 56th AGM.
Shrestha is a Director at Laxmi Group, which is one of the prominent trading and industrial houses in the country. Additionally, he has also served as the former President of NADA Automobiles Association.
Laxmi Group is a diversified conglomerate with business interests spanning across various industries, including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), steel, dairy, trading, automobiles, and food products, among others. Jaima Laxmi Trading Company is engaged in trading commodities such as sugar, powdered milk, liquid glucose, printing ink, plastic granules, and palm oil, among others.
Furthermore, Laxmi Intercontinental is the authorized distributor of Hyundai, a renowned automobile brand from South Korea, in Nepal. Similarly, Laxmi Premium Motors holds the authorized distributorship for BMW Motors in Nepal, while Laxmi Commercial Vehicle represents SML Isuzu in the Nepali market.
In his manifesto, Shrestha has made a commitment to revitalizing the private sector, making it dynamic, vibrant, and accountable. Being someone who entered the business sector through small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Shrestha has also vowed to address grievances to support the growth and development of SMEs
Arunraj Sumargi is the candidate for the post of Vice President (District/Town), Manish Lal Pradhan for the post of Vice President (Commodities) and Bharat Raj Acharya for the post of Vice President (Associate) from Shrestha’s panel.
Umesh Lal Shrestha
Umesh Lal Shrestha is another candidate running for the position of Senior Vice President. He is the son of Pushpalal Shrestha, one of the founding leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal, and is involved in pharmaceutical production. Umesh Shrestha is the owner of Quest Pharmaceuticals, based in Birgunj.
He began his career in the pharmaceutical sector by working at Hexal Pharmaceuticals Company and later ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing his own pharmaceutical company in 1999. Through his capable leadership, Quest Pharmaceuticals has emerged as one of the prominent pharmaceutical brands in Nepal, showcasing his expertise and success in the industry.
Umesh Lal Shrestha has a significant track record of serving in leadership roles within the FNCCI and the pharmaceutical industry. He has served as a member of the Executive Committee of FNCCI for three terms, and also held the position of Vice President in the past. In addition, he has served as the President of the Nepal Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association for three terms, showcasing his extensive experience and expertise in the business sector.
Shrestha’s agenda for focusing on resolving the issues faced by businessmen unconditionally is a testament to his understanding of the challenges and concerns of the business community.
Dinesh Shrestha is Umesh Lal Shrestha’s candidate for the position of Vice President (District/Town), Bharatraj Acharya for the position of Vice President (Associate), and Hemraj Dhakal for the position of Vice President (Commodities).
Ram Chandra Sanghai
Ram Chandra Sanghai, a director of Triveni Group, is also a candidate for the post of Senior Vice President in the FNCCI elections. As a third-generation member of the Sanghai family in the business, he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table.
Triveni Group is known for its diverse investments in various sectors, including manufacturing, trading, banking & insurance, energy, retail, education, entertainment & hospitality, agriculture, and automobiles, among others.
Triveni Group has a wide portfolio of companies and business interests, including NIC Asia Bank, Prudential Insurance, Nepal Life Insurance, and Mahalakshmi Bikas Bank in the financial sector. In addition, the group also has investments in Sagarmatha Cement, Himal Gas, Dolphin Moulded Furniture, Triveni Spinning Mills, Green Ventures, Big Mart, Delhi Public School and Big Cinemas, among others. It represents brands like L’Oreal, Pran, Somany, Garnier, Hawkins, Escorts, and Royal Enfield, among others, in the Nepali market.
Sanghai has expressed a commitment to addressing the issues faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
Sanghai has included Sukuntalal Hirachan as his panel’s candidate for the position of Vice President (Commodities), Surkrishna Baidya for Vice President (District/Town), and Jyotsna Shrestha for Vice President (Associate).
