Kathmandu, Nov. 10 -- Calls are growing louder for Nepal to seek a deferment of its planned graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, as the country grapples with deep political instability, low productivity, and economic uncertainty.

On Monday, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the apex private sector body, urged the government to formally request a reassessment from the United Nations and seek at least a three-year extension to the graduation timeline.

Speaking at an interaction organised by the National Planning Commission-the government agency responsible for national plans and policies-FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said the government must take the lead in pursuing the e...