Nepali industrialists remain trapped in a world of golf courses, visits to Thailand,polite receptions hosted by Western ambassadors and social gatherings that do little to advance the country's development
Nepal's industrialists and businessmen have long failed to rise to the challenge of shaping the national agenda and steering the country onto a meaningful development path. Their inability to professionalise their representative bodies and articulate a coherent vision for Nepal's future has left the nation languishing in economic stagnation and policy paralysis.
While their counterparts in neighbouring countries wield significant influence over national policies, Nepali industrialists remain trapped in a world of golf courses, visits to Thailand,polite receptions hosted by Western ambassadors and social gatherings that do little to advance the country's development. This is not just a failure of ambition but a betrayal of their responsibility to the nation.
In India, industry associations like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) are powerhouses of policy advocacy. They engage deeply with the government, pushing for reforms in manufacturing, exports, innovation and infrastructure. Their professionalisation, research capabilities and strategic vision have helped India become a global economic player.
Bangladesh's Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has been a critical force behind the country's export-led growth. BGMEA's focussed advocacy on labour laws, trade policies and international agreements has transformed Bangladesh into a garment manufacturing powerhouse, lifting millions out of poverty and putting the country on the global map for ready-made garments.
Bhutan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) exemplifies how industry can partner with government to promote sustainable development. Their collaboration balances economic growth with environmental conservation, a model Nepal's industrialists have yet to even consider. In each of these countries, industry associations are not just lobby groups – they are visionaries, strategists and partners in nation-building.
Contrast this with Nepal, where industry bodies often resemble feudal social clubs more than professional organisations. Their leadership is fragmented, lacking strategic vision or the capacity to influence policy effectively. Instead of championing reforms, they have surrendered their role to petty, barely educated and highly corrupt politicians who manipulate the system for personal gain. The result is a private sector that is voiceless in critical national debates, unable to advocate for the reforms and investments that Nepal so desperately needs.
The storytelling of Nepali industrialists is confined to elite social circles, where the narrative revolves around golf courses, honorary consulships and ambassadorial receptions rather than factories, innovation or infrastructure projects. This disconnect from the ground realities of Nepal's economic challenges has left the private sector irrelevant in shaping the country's future. The lack of professionalisation means that industry bodies are ill-equipped to conduct research, formulate policy recommendations or engage with government stakeholders in a meaningful way.
This abdication of responsibility has real consequences. Nepal's development trajectory is marred by policy inertia, a hostile business environment and missed opportunities for industrial growth. Infrastructure remains inadequate, regulatory frameworks are outdated and the investment climate is uninviting. The private sector's failure to push for change has allowed corruption and inefficiency to flourish unchecked, leaving Nepal trailing behind its neighbours in every key economic indicator.
Nepali industrialists must wake up to the reality that their silence and inaction are costing the country dearly. The era of social posturing must end. It is time for them to professionalise their organisations, develop a clear vision for Nepal's industrial future and engage robustly with policymakers. They must demand transparency, accountability and reforms that create a conducive environment for business growth. They must invest in research, data-driven advocacy and build coalitions that transcend petty politics. Only then can they reclaim their rightful place as architects of Nepal's development.
The neighbouring countries offer a blueprint. India's CII and FICCI show how industry can be a formidable force in shaping national policy, driving reforms that have transformed India into a major economic power. Bangladesh's BGMEA demonstrates the power of focussed, professional advocacy in transforming an economy, turning a once-impoverished nation into a global leader in garment exports. Bhutan's BCCI highlights the importance of sustainable, collaborative approaches, balancing growth with environmental stewardship.
Nepal's industrialists have no excuse for their current state of impotence. Their failure is not due to lack of resources or talent but a lack of will, vision and professionalism. They have allowed corrupt politicians to hijack the national agenda, leaving the country's economic potential untapped.
If Nepal is to break free from this cycle of stagnation, its industrialists must shift from their present obsessions to the game of national development. They must move beyond social posturing and become the strategic, visionary leaders the country desperately needs. This means investing in their own capacity, modernising their associations and speaking with one voice on issues that matter. It means forging partnerships with government, civil society and international partners to drive reforms and unlock investment.
The time for excuses is over. Nepal's industrialists must decide whether they want to be remembered as the generation that watched the country fall behind, or the one that finally stood up, took responsibility and led Nepal into a new era of growth and prosperity. The choice is theirs – and the clock is ticking.
Prof Peela is a South Asia regional geopolitical and security expert
