VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam plans to publish a list of 280 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that will be privatized in 2015.

Speaking to Bloomberg news service, Dang Quyet Tien, deputy director of Corporate Finance Agency (Ministry of Finance), said 2015 would be a record year for equitization, with about 280 SOEs.

"The publication of the list of companies and the specific volume of shares offered this year will help attract investors," Tien said.

Initiated in the early 1990s, the equitization of SOEs is being promoted in the context of the government attempting to promote economic growth in 2015 to 6.2% - the highest level in four years.

Tien said the list of 280 SOEs that will sell state capital this year would be gathering this month and soon to be announced.

Last year, Vietnam did not complete the equitization plan, although the number of equitized SOEs doubled compared to 2013. A total of 143 SOEs were privatized in 2014, while the goal was 200.

Michel Tosto, from Ban Viet Securities Company, commented that the Vietnamese government was determined and is making every effort possible to accelerate this process. However this process may be still prolonged because of cumbersome procedures, he said.

On this point, Tien said the equitization procedures will change this year. Companies will not necessarily perform IPOs first but find strategic partners with commitments on sustainable development, to avoid being acquired, he said.

Tri Thuc Tre