CNIYEF Lumbini Chapter holds first AGM, elects Bikash Pandey as president

BHAIRAHAWA: Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum (CNIYEF) Lumbini Chapter has held its first annual general meeting (AGM) in Bhairahawa. During the event, Bikash Pandey was elected as president for 2026/27 tenure, marking the completion of the chapter's charter year.

The formal ceremony celebrated the transition to new leadership. Pandey succeeds chartered president Rajan Kasajoo, who will continue on the board as the immediate past president.

The newly elected board for 2026/27 includes Learning Chair Vivek Kasaudhan, Growth & Expansion Chair Abhinava Thapa, Finance Chair Abhishek Pathak, Membership Chair Anish Pathak, Network & Communication Chair Arjun Pathak and Startup Chair Anmol Mittal. The executive team is further supported by Executive Director Rustam Kandel, Finance Co-chair Aashish Ghimire, Membership Co-chair Amrit Bhusal and Startup Co-chair Siddharth Goyal.

Under the new leadership, the chapter aims to build on its foundation with a stronger focus on entrepreneurial learning, membership growth, startup development, networking, collaboration and meaningful engagement with the wider business community.

Newly elected president Pandey has identified 'CNIYEF Ignite' as a signature initiative for his tenure. The chapter also plans to concentrate on capacity-building opportunities for young entrepreneurs and community-oriented initiatives as part of its annual programme.

The organisation envisions becoming a stronger platform for the emerging generation of entrepreneurs in Lumbini Province, connecting young business leaders across sectors, encouraging the exchange of ideas and strengthening the bridge between established industries, startups and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Binod Chaudhary, president emeritus of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and chairman of CG Corp Global, attended as the chief guest. Special guests included House of Representatives (HoR) members Dr Lekh Jung Thapa from Rupandehi Constituency No. 3 and Sulav Kharel from Rupandehi Constituency No. 2, alongside Siddharthanagar Municipality Mayor Istiyaq Ahmed Khan.

The AGM provided an opportunity for members to review the chapter's inaugural year. The session included a review of activities and initiatives undertaken during 2025/26, a presentation and discussion of financial matters, reflection on key achievements and interaction among members to identify priorities for the coming year.