- We must ask, “How and why should the state own?” – Aftenposten

- We must ask, "How and why should the state own?" – Aftenposten

– This is about the state owns one third of the values ​​at the Oslo Stock Exchange in addition to owning individual companies. We do not sell because we have budget problems in Norway, says trade minister Monica Maeland (H).

She announced Wednesday that many have been waiting for: The government wants to take the property company Entra of stock and reduce state ownership in the company.

During the announcement of the government’s ownership report in June revealed that Mæland wanted the opportunity to reduce state ownership in eight companies, including Airport Express, SAS and precisely Centers. There has also been wide agreement on the divestment of Entra, a sale also Stoltenberggovernment opened in 2011.

Background: The government will sell shares for 46 billion.

Do not own

The reasons for reducing the government’s stake in the business world has many in the opposition, however, reacted to. Jonas Gahr Støre has told Business Today that the government is “driven by ideological considerations.” SW and Centre have argued equally, and are strongly opposed to the sale of state shares in several companies, the Government will now embark on the market.

– I live well with accusations of being ideological. Politics is all about ideology. This is about turning the question. We must ask, “How and why should the state own?”, Not “How and why should the state not own?” Says Monica Maeland.

– But you argue the principled State why you want to reduce government ownership. What is the commercial and strategic benefits of this divestiture?

– We have a political grounds. This is about creating the power spread, get a more diverse ownership and invite other owners into. The state is a very dominant owner in the Norwegian sector, and we want to do something.

Money Management

– So this political argument is more important than the revenue they State-owned companies bring in to the state?

– Yes, we are not involved with the placement of fortune when we own the companies. We also own companies that did not go so well, because we think there are good political reasons. Hydro’ve for example had very good returns in recent years, but there is a special company. Entra is not so. Here, we believe it is not particularly good reasons why the state should own.

– Entra sale will provide substantial revenues into. What do you want to spend your money on?

– We do not sell because we have budget problems in Norway, we have never intended. All state revenues go into the state treasury and are managed appropriately.

– So the money here is not used to invest in other companies?

– No , they go the usual way into the state’s financial affairs.

Can continue as co

Mæland states that there is “a real possibility that the state remains a shareholder after an eventual IPO,” the Despite the government “s authorized Parliament to sell all shares of Centers.”

Industry Minister could Wednesday not explain why exactly IPO is right for Centers, beyond referring to the government have come to this conclusion after a “thorough review” where both internal forces and external advisors have been used.

Published: 17.sep. 2,014 9:37 p.m.