News Briefs--(22-10-2018)

Govt privatises 81 SoEs so far

A total of 81 state-owned enterprises (SoEs) in the country have so far been privatised after the formation of the Privatisation Commission. Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, who is in-charge of the Prime Minister Office in Parliament, made the disclosure in Parliament on Sunday, replying to a starred question from treasury bench member AFM Bahauddin Nasim (Madaripur-3). Of the mills and factories, the highest 30 were under the textile and jute ministry, 19 under the industries ministry, five under the environment, forest and climate change ministry, and four under the fisheries and livestock ministry, said Matia. Besides, 20 other SoEs under the industries ministry and three under the finance ministry were given to the private sector through handing over the government shares, she said. — UNB

Iraq reverses decision to transfer oil cos’ ownership

ERBIL, Oct 21 Iraqi Oil Minister Jabar al-Luaibi has reversed his decision to transfer the ownership of nine state-owned oil companies from the ministry to the newly formed National Oil Company, the ministry said on Saturday. He later told state television in an interview that Iraq hopes to produce 7 million barrels of oil a day (bpd) through the National Oil Company and to export 4 million bpd in 2019. — Reuters