WHEREAS, it has become necessary to change the role and participation of the state in the economy and to encourage the expansion of the private sector and thereby promote the economic development of the country;

WHEREAS, as long as public enterprises continue under state ownership, it is necessary to provide them with such guidance and support so as to enable them to be competitive and profitable and thereby play an appropriate role in the implementation of the country’s industrial development strategy and the enhancement of economic growth;

WHEREAS, to achieve these objectives, it has become necessary to amalgamate the Ethiopian Privatization Agency and the Public Enterprises Supervising Authority with a view to coordinating the implementation of the Privatization Programme with the activities of supervising public enterprises;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows: