FNCCI, UN underline collaboration to boost jobs, investment

Kathmandu, Aug. 18

The President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Anjan Shrestha, and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal Lila Peters Yahia have stressed the need for results-oriented collaboration among the government, private sector, development partners, the United Nations and all other stakeholders for Nepal’s economic and social development.

During a meeting on Tuesday, Shrestha said the FNCCI was willing to work with the UN to develop practical programmes combining skills development, entrepreneurship, investment promotion and decent employment. Noting that restoring investment and business confidence in Nepal’s economy was currently crucial, Shrestha said young people should be placed at the centre of development by creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for them within the country.

Shrestha said Nepal was in the process of graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category and had requested a three-year extension of the transition period until November 2029. He said further UN support was needed to ease the post-graduation transition by strengthening productive capacity, export competitiveness, trade facilitation and Nepal’s ability to meet international standards.

Likewise, Yahia said the UN was positive about building a strong partnership with the private sector in Nepal. She said the United Nations would continue to support Nepal’s inclusive and sustainable economic development.

In response to the government’s request to the UN on delaying LDC graduation, the relevant committee would make a decision, she said stressing that Nepal should use the intervening period to make the necessary preparations.

“Graduation should not be limited to a change in status. It should be viewed as an opportunity for sustainable economic transformation, job creation, increased investment, and enhanced production and export capacity,” said Yahia.

She also said stable and predictable policies and public trust in national institutions were crucial to harnessing Nepal’s young workforce and potential across various sectors. She further stressed the need for strategies focused on import substitution and export promotion.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 19 August 2026.