PEs to get chief executives soon
KATHMANDU, APR 1:
Public Enterprises Directorate Board will announce the vacancy to appoint the chief executive officers of at least three public enterprises (PEs) this week, according to chairman of the board Bimal Wagle.
The board has prioritised those public enterprises which have more public importance and have been running without a chief executive for a substantially long time, he said, adding that Nepal Electricity Authority, Hydropower Investment Company and Nepal Oil Corporation are in the priority list.
The board will continue to recruit chief executives for other PEs after completing the appointments to these three entities, according to him.
Public Enterprises Directorate Board will start filling the vacant positions of the boards of different public enterprises after the CEO selection process is over, he said. “The overall performance of public enterprises is being affected due to the absence of a responsible person who can take crucial decisions.”
Similarly, the board will also carry out a study to bring in strategic partners for different public entities.
“It is easier to bring in a partner but a difficult task to develop a separate strategy,” said Wagle. “A policy level decision is a must to bring in a strategic partner for those PEs who are seeking partners.”
Some public entities including Nepal Telecom are waiting for the government’s decision to bring in a strategic partner to enhance their competitiveness and profitability. But, the government has not been very serious towards bringing in strategic partners for profitable public enterprises.
Chairman Wagle also emphasised on the necessity to seek possible options for operating public enterprises rather than just opting for liquidation.
“It is easy to liquidate public entities,” he said. “But, the government should explore all possible options before taking such harsh decisions.”
“Bringing in a strategic partner or privatisation are other options for operating PEs rather than closing them down.”
The government has listed 39 PEs under the recently formed Public Enterprises Directorate Board.
Source: THT
