The 45th Annual General Meeting and Election of Nepal Automobiles Association of Nepal (NADA) has kicked off in the capital. The Chief Guest of the event was the Hon’ble Finance Minister of Nepal, Mr Janardan Sharma, while Mr Anjan Shrestha, Vice President- Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Mr Chandra Prasad Dhakal, Senior Vice President – FNCCI, Mr Shambhu Prasad Dahal, Former President of NADA, office-bearers and executive members of FNCCI, office-bearers and members of NADA, NADA Institutional State Presidents, and senior officials from various government agencies, also make their presence felt in the ceremony.

The 45th AGM of NADA will also elect a new President of NADA. The annual general meeting will see Mr Dhruba Thapa and Mr Karan Chaudhary competing against each other for the post of NADA’s President. NADA’s Vice-President Mr Karan Chaudhary is planning to add another feather to his cap by contesting for the President position while Mr Dhruba Thapa, one of the veterans of the Nepalese automobile industry with more than 21 years of experience, has also announced his candidacy for the same. Both candidates have an experienced panel of members who will be contesting for the various posts in the upcoming elections. Insiders and Industry Experts predict a tough tussle between Mr Thapa and Mr Chaudhary for the President position.

Also Read: NADA Election 2021: Karan Chaudhary Announces His Panel; To Bring Together The Entire Auto Sector | NADA Election 2021: Dhruba Thapa Panel Announced; Appeals Everyone To Vote For Change

Addressing the event, Mr Krishna Prasad Dulal, Current President of NADA, highlighted the various issues that have been plaguing the Nepalese automobile industry. He called attention to economic agendas, problems faced by the automobile industry, and road safety challenges while applauding the government’s policies to establish vehicle assembly industries in the country. Krishna Dulal also requested the government to create a stable policy for the operations of such industries.

The automobile sector is one of the most lucrative businesses in the state and one of the most transparent businesses in the country. Although the automobile sector of Nepal is the highest revenue earning sector in the country, there has been no representation from NADA in the Revenue Advisory Development Committee formed by the Government. Even though the government has introduced an encouraging policy to maximize the use of EVs in the country, it has failed to set up the required number of charging stations, resulting in the slow growth of this sector.  He also emphasized the importance of road infrastructures and the need to import vehicles for the overall economic development of the nation.