Transferring ownership of commercial assets from the state to the private sector

The past two decades, and especially the 1990s, have witnessed throughout the world an unprecedented expansion of private sector involvement in the production of goods and services that had previously been provided by the public sector. Greater private sector participation in the economy has occurred not only in the management and financing of State-owned enterprises (SOEs), but also as a result of a substantial transfer of State-owned assets to the private sector. This transfer of SOEs has encompassed a broad range of sectors, from extractive and manufacturing industries to transportation, banking and notably public utilities, such as energy, telecommunication and water services. The present chapter analyses this process as it has affected productive industries, rather than public utilities such as electricity, public services such as rail travel, or social services such as health and education.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Climate Action