A production line at Hanel JSC. This has been one of State-owned enterprises in the list of privatisation in 2020. — Photo hanel.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has approved a list of 124 State-owned enterprises (SOEs)  for divestment this year.

According to Decision No 908/QĐ-TTg, 120 enterprises will be divested by the representative agencies of the State capital (companies under ministries and provincial People's Committees). Hà Nội has the most enterprises that need to divest with 28, including some big names like Thượng Đình Shoes, 19 Garment and Textile Company, Hanel, Thụy Khuê Shoes and Trần Phú Electrical Engineering Company.

Another four enterprises will have their capital transferred to the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) by December 31 if divestment by the representative agency is not complete before November 30. They include Song Hong Corporation, Hà Nội Construction Joint Stock Corporation, No 1 Construction Corporation and Việt Nam Urban and Industrial Zone Development Investment Corporation (IDICO).

In addition, 14 SOEs will be transferred to the SCIC for divestment. The transfer must be completed before August 31. These companies include Việt Nam Industrial Construction Corporation and Saigon Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Corporation (SABECO).

Notably, 69 other SOEs will have their divestment halted till the end of this year for review including 54 in the water supply sector. The businesses will face restructuring and capital withdrawal in 2021-25.

State divestment of firms under the Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Public Security, HCM City People's Committee, SCIC, Hanoi Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Joint Stock Corporation; Việt Nam Satellite Digital Television Company Limited; Việt Nam Television Tower Investment Joint Stock Company and enterprises not listed in this decision comply with the plan approved by authorities.

The decision aimed to accelerate the progress of divestment at firms the Government does not need to hold capital in and to ensure collection for public investment plans in 2016-20. It would also help promote the restructuring of SOEs to focus on key sectors of the economy.

The PM asked ministers and chairman of provincial People’s Committee to implement the divestment on schedule.

State privatisation and divestment have not seen new changes since the beginning of this year. Minister of Finance Đinh Tiến Dũng said State divestment is very slow in many ministries and localities such as Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Construction. — VNS