Reforming State-Owned Enterprises

When State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are inefficient, they drain limited public funds and act as a drag on economic growth. SOEs are businesses majority owned by governments. SOEs generally provide utilities, infrastructure, and banking services, and absorb a substantial amount of public investment on which they provide low returns. The Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) works with Pacific governments so that SOEs provide better services and generate a positive return on government investment.

This booklet is part of a series of three-page infographic brochures that provide an overview of the context, aims, and achievements of PSDI. One brochure profiles PSDI overall, while the others explain the support PSDI provides under four of its focus areas: business law reform, economic empowerment of women, financing growth, and state-owned enterprise reform.

PSDI is a regional technical assistance facility cofinanced by ADB, the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand. Since 2007, PSDI has been helping ADB’s 14 Pacific developing member countries achieve sustainable economic growth through business environment reform.