Introduction to Chandra Prasad Dhakal

Chandra Prasad Dhakal, born on June 23, 1965, in Baglung Municipality-8, Baglung, Nepal, is a pioneering Nepali entrepreneur, banker, and business leader renowned for revolutionizing the remittance and financial sectors in Nepal. At 60 years old (as of October 2025), Dhakal is the first-generation serial entrepreneur who co-founded the IME Group conglomerate with his brother Hem Raj Dhakal in 2001, transforming it into a diversified empire spanning banking, remittances, hydropower, tourism, automobiles, insurance, fintech, and manufacturing. As Chairman of IME Group and Global IME Bank—the largest commercial bank in Nepal by network size—he oversees more than two dozen enterprises that employ over 45,000 people directly and indirectly, contributing significantly to Nepal's economy through job creation, tax revenues, and foreign exchange inflows.

Dhakal serves as the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal's apex private sector body, where he advocates for policy reforms, investment promotion, and private sector-led growth. A recipient of multiple national honors, including the 'Gorkha Dakshin Bahu IV' and 'Commercially Important Person (CIP)' awards, Dhakal's journey from a modest grocery store in the 1980s to leading a multi-billion NPR empire exemplifies resilience amid Nepal's economic challenges. His philanthropy through the IME Foundation focuses on education and healthcare for underprivileged communities, while recent international engagements at IMF-World Bank meetings underscore his role in global economic dialogues. With an estimated net worth of around NPR 10 billion (approximately $75 million USD) as of 2025, Dhakal remains a influential figure in Nepal's business landscape, blending commercial success with social impact.

Early Life and Education

Chandra Prasad Dhakal was born into a lower-middle-class family in Amlachaur, Baglung, in 2022 BS (1965 AD), a rural area in western Nepal known for its agricultural roots and limited economic opportunities. Growing up in modest circumstances, Dhakal's early life was shaped by the challenges of post-Rana regime Nepal, where access to formal education and business avenues was scarce for families like his. He embarked on his entrepreneurial path young, starting a small-scale grocery store around 1984/85 (or 1994 per some accounts), which served as his initial foray into commerce and honed his business acumen.

Specific details on Dhakal's formal education are not widely documented in public sources, but his practical, self-taught approach to business—from freight forwarding to remittances—suggests a background emphasizing hands-on learning over advanced degrees. His early ventures reflect a resourceful mindset, transitioning from local trade to international services amid Nepal's economic liberalization in the 1990s.

Family

Dhakal hails from a close-knit family, with his brother Hem Raj Dhakal as his primary business partner and co-founder of the IME conglomerate. The brothers' collaboration began in the early 2000s, leveraging familial trust to build IME from a remittance startup into a diversified group. Hem Raj often handles operational aspects, complementing Chandra's strategic leadership. Public records do not detail Dhakal's spouse, children, or extended family, maintaining a low-profile personal life focused on professional endeavors. His family roots in Baglung continue to influence his philanthropy, with initiatives targeting rural development in his birthplace.

Business Career and Key Ventures

Dhakal's career spans over four decades, evolving from small-scale trading to leading Nepal's largest private-sector conglomerates. His breakthrough came in 2001 with IME Remit (now IME Ltd.), Nepal's first formal remittance company, addressing the informal hawala system's risks and formalizing inflows from Nepali migrant workers abroad. This venture alone revolutionized financial access, bringing in billions in foreign exchange and earning CIP awards for highest forex contributions.

Under Dhakal's stewardship, IME Group has expanded aggressively through mergers, acquisitions, and greenfield projects, generating over NPR 100 billion in annual turnover (estimated). Key milestones include orchestrating Global IME Bank's mega-merger in 2020-2022, consolidating 21 institutions into Nepal's largest bank by assets and network. His focus on diversification—spanning 25+ sectors—has created synergies, such as integrating remittances with banking and tourism via cable car projects.

Dhakal's strategy emphasizes infrastructure in every province, promoting tourism and energy self-sufficiency.

Leadership Roles

• President, FNCCI (2023-present): Leads advocacy for private sector reforms, including Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) approval and hydropower policy tweaks.
• Chairman, IME Group & Global IME Bank (2007-present): Oversees strategic expansions and mergers.
• Honorary Consul, Republic of Indonesia (2010-present): Facilitates bilateral trade/rescue efforts (e.g., 2015 earthquake).
• Board Member, Social Security Fund (SSF): Ministry of Labour advisor on employment security.
• Think Tank Member, Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation: Shapes tourism policies.

Achievements and Awards

Dhakal's contributions have earned national and international recognition for economic impact and philanthropy.

As FNCCI head, he secured policy wins like BIA draft passage and Euro-6 fuel standard advocacy (with implementation caveats).

Philanthropy and Social Work

Through IME Foundation (CSR arm), Dhakal supports education and healthcare for underprivileged children, building schools/clinics nationwide. During COVID-19, it provided aid domestically and internationally; post-2015 earthquake, relief efforts earned Indonesian honors. The foundation's focus on rural Baglung-like areas aligns with his roots, funding scholarships and primary health programs.

Recent Activities (as of October 2025)

Dhakal remains highly active, blending business with diplomacy:

• October 21, 2025: Shared Tihar greetings on X (@ChandraPDhakal, 1,563 followers). Met Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley in North Carolina to discuss Nepali business ties.
• October 19, 2025: Celebrated Global IME Bank's Best Bank award.
• October 18, 2025: At IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C., met ECB President Christine Lagarde, BII MD Nadaba Mpofu, and Nepali officials to pitch investments.
• October 17, 2025: Engaged IFC/IMF/World Bank on Nepal's economy.
• October 16, 2025: Attended IOE Advocacy Training in Istanbul, meeting IOE officials.
• September 2025: Emotional X post on arson attacks on businesses, urging resilience ("I feel like crying, but I have to rise"). Addressed youth entrepreneurs post-crisis.

Net Worth and Financials

As of 2025, Dhakal's net worth is estimated at NPR 10 billion (1 kharba, ~$75 million USD), derived from IME Group's assets, Global IME Bank stakes (2.36% shares worth NPR 905.67 million), and diversified holdings. IME Group's revenue exceeds NPR 100 billion annually, with remittances alone contributing NPR 500 billion+ in forex (2024). No public disclosures on personal finances, but his CIP status reflects elite economic status.

Challenges and Controversies

Dhakal has navigated Nepal's volatile economy, including hydropower PPA delays and "take or pay" budget models, which he publicly critiqued as FNCCI head. In August 2025, he urged phased Euro-6 fuel implementation to avoid import disruptions. September 2025 arson attacks on private firms prompted his raw emotional response, highlighting security risks for entrepreneurs. No major personal controversies; critiques focus on systemic issues like rising business costs (e.g., 2023 interview). His tenure emphasizes resilience, with FNCCI pushing reforms amid political instability.

Personal Life and Outlook

Dhakal maintains a private personal life, with interests in tourism and rural development reflecting his Baglung origins. Married (details undisclosed), he balances family with a demanding schedule of international travel and domestic advocacy. Looking ahead, Dhakal aims to complete provincial cable car projects by 2026-2027, scale hydropower to 200+ MW, and elevate FNCCI's role in Nepal's LDC graduation (2026). His vision: A private sector-driven economy fostering inclusive growth, with IME as a model for sustainable conglomerates.

For more, follow @ChandraPDhakal on X or visit imegroup.com.np.