The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is scheduled to elect its senior vice-president on April 12.

Umesh Lal Shrestha, Anjan Shrestha and Ram Chandra Sanghai are competing for the second most powerful post in the private sector umbrella body. The senior vice-president automatically becomes president at the end of the latter’s three-year term, making the post more valuable.

Umesh Lal Shrestha is the founder and managing director of Quest Pharmaceutical, Anjan Shrestha is the executive director at Laxmi Group and Ram Chandra Sanghai represents the Triveni Group.

As per the FNCCI’s charter, the senior vice-president will be elevated to the top post upon the completion of the incumbent president’s tenure.

Current Senior Vice-President Chandra Dhakal will assume the post of president on April 16 when President Shekhar Golchha steps down.

According to the election committee of the FNCCI, there are three contenders for the post of senior vice-president, eight candidates for the three vice-presidential posts and 108 candidates for the 60 posts of members.

The three senior vice-presidential candidates have intensified their campaigning as polling day nears.

Here is what the candidates have to say:

Ram Chandra Sanghai

I have three key items on my agenda. The first item on the agenda is institutionalising and improving the organisation—the FNCCI.

Second, I will negotiate with the government to resolve the ongoing problems businesses are facing. And thirdly, we need the right policy for the development of the economy for which we need to lobby with the government.

I will work for Vision 2030 of the FNCCI which was launched by incumbent President Golchha. I will prioritise strengthening and building the capacity of the federation’s district-level branches.

I will prioritise creating a business and industry-friendly environment in Nepal. The interests and rights of entrepreneurs need to be ensured. We also need to create an environment where foreign investment will be prioritised.

I have plans to develop the federation more effectively for which the organisation will be made technology-friendly. The federation will play an important role in helping groups to support the work of entrepreneurs and traders.

The help desk and hotline will be managed effectively to provide solutions to the grievances and problems of entrepreneurs and traders. Coordination between the federal, provincial, district and local governments will be promoted.

The institutional capacity of the industry and commerce associations and commodity associations will be developed. Training and projects will be provided through industry and commerce associations.

Sur Krishna Vaidya is vying for the post of vice-president (industry), Sukunta Lal Hirachan vice-president (commodity) and Jyotsana Shrestha vice-president (associate) from Sanghai’s panel.

Umesh Lal Shrestha

The main item on my agenda is strengthening small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Neither the government nor the FNCCI listens to the grievances of the SMEs that account for 80 percent of the private sector.

The SMEs are not being supported even by the banks and financial institutions. I am competing in the election to support SMEs. The interest on loans is rising and this has forced many SMEs to close down. We have heard that a few operators have committed suicide.

I am not against banks. The regulatory body is sitting and doing nothing when everyone is suffering. I will negotiate on all these issues with the concerned stakeholders.

Dinesh Shrestha is vying for the post of vice-president (industry) and Hem Raj Dhakal for the post of vice-president (commodity) from Umesh Lal Shrestha’s panel.

Bharatraj Acharya is the common candidate for associate vice president from the groups of Umesh Lal Shrestha and Anjan Shrestha.

Anjan Shrestha

I have six key items on my agenda for the election. The first is development of cottage, small and medium scale industry. The second is coordination between the government and the private sector. The third is formulation of appropriate policies by coordinating with the government.

The fourth is structural improvement of Nepal’s economy, the fifth is increasing the competitiveness of the private sector, and the sixth is making the FNCCI a successful and strong private sector body.

The major item on our agenda is establishing that entrepreneurs are co-partners with the government for the development of the country. I will continue the improved work of the federation started by previous leaders. I commit to strengthen the work in the federation office.

I will work to make sure that the problems of entrepreneurs are continuously taken to the government and that the government addresses them.

Manish Lal Shrestha is vying for the post of vice-president (commodity) and Arun Raj Sumargi vice-president (industry) from Anjan Shrestha’s panel.