PRIVATISATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR ENTITIES TO REMAIN CORNER STONE OF GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC AGENDA-Syed Naveed Qamar

Islamabad, November 4, 2008

The privatisation of public sector entities will remain corner stone of the government’s economic agenda. Syed Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Privatisation said while chairing a meeting of the members of the Board of Privatisation Commission here today.

The Minister said that the private sector has the capability; expertise and resources to run the businesses while the government should only focus on policy matters. The privatisation process brings efficiency, enhances productions, attracts fresh investments, creates new job opportunities, and generates revenues for the government, he added.

Syed Naveed Qamar directed the Privatisation Commission to exercise utmost transparency at all levels while processing the transactions and to provide level playing field to all the investors.

The PC Board finalized the bidding schedule for the privatisation of National Power Construction Company (NPCC) and formulated its recommendations for the approval of the Cabinet Committee On Privatisation (CCOP), which is scheduled to meet soon. The parties for NPCC include 1. Pak Elektron Limited (PEL), 2. ICC (pvt) Limited, 3. Al-Tuwariqi Steel Mills, Karachi, 4. Saudi Cable Company Limited, KSA, 5. JS PE Management, Karachi, 6. Alfanar Construction Company, KSA and Zad Investment Company, KSA, which are completing the process of due diligence. The meeting also reviewed the status and progress of various ongoing and upcoming transactions.

The PC Board members, senior representatives of the respective ministries/ departments and PC officials attended the meeting.