The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), an organisation promoting industrial, trade, and investment relations between Nepal and India, is likely to see a presidential contest between its current Vice President Kunal Kayal and Executive Committee Member Karan Chaudhary. The competition is anticipated ahead of NICCI’s 32nd General Assembly, scheduled for October 15, 2026, which will elect a new executive committee for the next two years.
Kunal Kayal is a director at Keyal Group, based in Birgunj, while Karan Chaudhary serves as the managing director of CG Holdings, part of the prominent Chaudhary Group.
This election marks a significant moment in NICCI’s 33-year history, as it will be only the second time that the organisation’s leadership is chosen through a competitive electoral process. The election schedule dictates that nominations for the president and nine other executive committee members will be registered on October 7, 2026.
A Brief History of NICCI
NICCI was initially established as an ad-hoc committee in 2049 BS and formally registered in 2051 BS as a bilateral chamber of commerce and industry with the District Administration Office in Kathmandu. The executive committee’s term is set for two years. The current executive committee, led by President Sunil KC, was elected during the 30th Annual General Assembly on September 26, 2024.
NICCI plays a crucial role in advocating for policy reforms to expand domestic and foreign investment in Nepal. It has previously submitted an 11-point proposal to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, urging improvements in industrial and trade policies.
What Lies Ahead
The formal list of presidential candidates will be finalised after the nomination registration on October 7, 2026. Should both Kayal and Chaudhary file their candidacies, the new leadership will be determined by an election during the 32nd General Assembly on October 15, 2026. The newly elected executive committee will then be tasked with advancing industrial, trade, and investment activities between Nepal and India for the subsequent two years.
It remains unclear whether any other candidates will register for the presidential post. Additionally, specific agendas or manifestos from Kunal Kayal and Karan Chaudhary regarding their vision for NICCI’s future are yet to be publicly detailed.
