The Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG) plans to equitise along with 20 of its subsidiaries in the third quarter of this year.

The valuations of the targeted companies have more or less been completed.

VRG is working with auditing firms to check the legal provisions on valuations, and has outlined concrete plans for converting its member companies into shareholding businesses. The company is also looking for strategic investors after equitisation.

The Viet Nam Southern Food Corporation (Vinafood 2), whose plan to equitise was approved by the Government, is set to equitise in the fourth quarter.

VRG and Vinafood 2 are among several large companies under the agriculture ministry due to go public this year.

Others include Agriculture Materials Company, Vinafood 1, Viet Nam National Coffee Corporation, and Ha Long Fisheries Company.

In the first quarter the ministry will disinvest from several companies: Viet Nam Fisheries Corporation, Sugar and Sugarcane Company, and Viet Nam Maize Development and Investment Company.

It is planned that around VNĐ2.19 trillion worth of disinvestments will be carried out in the agriculture sector in 2017-20.

Market observers said the fact that several major agricultural companies would be equitised this year and the Government would disinvest from many large companies would provide several opportunities for those who want to invest in the agricultural sector.

VNS