Azad Shrestha announces FNCCI presidency

REPUBLICA

POKHARA, Jan 19: Pokhara-based businessman Azad Shrestha has announced candidacy for the presidency of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).

Shrestha, who is a central member of FNCCI and past president of Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), is the first aspirant vying for the leadership of the apex business organization in the country.

The 45th general body meeting of FNCCI scheduled to be held within a couple of months will elect the new leadership.

Officials of PCCI said Shrestha´s candidacy was announced with the view that Pokhara-based business leader should lead FNCCI after decade-long interval. Ananda Raj Mulmi of Pokhara had led the umbrella organization of business people during 1998-2000.

PCCI has also declared the candidacy of its past president Rajendra Lalchan for the post of central committee member.

“We have selected an appropriate and able candidate in the form of Azad Shrestha for the presidency of FNCCI, keeping in view his long experience with PCCI and FNCCI,” said Krishna Mohan Shrestha, president of PCCI, at a declaration program here on Wednesday.

Azad Shrestha had formally applied at PCCI, expressing his willingness to vie for the post. Announcing his candidacy, Shrestha expressed commitment to improve eroding business environment in the country and take initiative in generating more employment opportunities by joining hands with political parties.

“National economy is passing through gloom due to long-running transitional phase and political instability. My efforts will be on forging alliance with political parties to launch a campaign for economic prosperity in the country,” Shrestha added.

Stating that soaring bank rates and increasing unemployment among youths are the major problems in national economy, Shrestha expressed commitment to take initiative for ending problem of load-shedding, strikes, and extortions by different groups.

“My candidacy has come at an appropriate time as it is high time we exerted pressure on the government and the political parties to ensure political stability and maintain lad and order situation,” said Shrestha.

He also said tackling rising prices of food commodities, soaring interest rates, deepening unemployment, increasing cost of production, and deep-rooted syndicate system in transport sector and introducing long-term revenue and banking policy would be his major agendas.