ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the principal opportunities and discusses the question of choice. Broadly one can think of a range of privatisation opportunities in terms of the degree of ownership, control, management or operations which is foregone by the government. Three categories of privatisation were identified: ownership measures; organisational measures; and operational measures. The lowest form of privatisation may involve no more than introducing good business practice in state enterprises through the engagement of a manager or a consultant from the private sector. For communication purposes, ‘privatisation’ has political overtones of capitalism which in some countries may inhibit the development of policies which favour market and competitive solutions to the problems of state enterprise. The wide breadth of choice suggests the need for a policy on privatisation, especially where the government holds a large portfolio of enterprises. Implementing privatisation is a highly specialist activity, and to be successful many different experts will be needed.
