NEPSE CEO Appointment Delayed Until After Dashain as Four Candidates Complete Interviews

he selection process for the vacant Chief Executive Officer position at the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE)will move forward after the Dashainholidays, despite the completion of interviews and professional work planpresentations by all four shortlisted candidates. According to MaheshAcharya, coordinator of the CEOSelection and Recommendation Committee formed by the Ministry of Finance, the committee will evaluatethecandidates based on their academic qualifications, professional work plans, and interview scores beforerecommending the top three names tothe Cabinet. The four contenders are Pratap Subedi, Deputy GeneralManager of Agricultural Development Bank Limited; Anil Raj Paudel, formerExecutive Vice-Chairperson ofthe Youth and Small Entrepreneur Self-Employment Fund; Nawaraj Sapkota, a former Chief District Officerandjoint secretary with approximately 27 years of civil service experience; and Narayan Prasad Sapkota, aformer joint secretary with nearly fourdecades of government service. The candidates completed theirinterviews and presentations on Ashoj 23, but the final recommendations havenot yet been made. Once thecommittee submits its shortlist of three candidates, the Cabinet will select one individual to lead NEPSE for afour-year term. The appointment is being closely watched by Nepal’s capital market participants, givenNEPSE’s central role in stock trading, marketinfrastructure, and investor participation. Expectationssurrounding the appointment include stronger corporate governance, technologicalmodernization, and adeeper understanding of financial markets. The final decision, however, is expected to proceed only afterthe Dashainholiday period, according to the selection committee coordinator.