21 Nov 2002

Criticism of Solomons government in dealing with SOE's

5:40 pm on 21 November 2002

There is criticism in Solomon Islands of the government's way of dealing with state-owned enterprises.

A top official who does not want to be named says undue pressure is being applied on business such as Solomon Airlines and the power and water companies.

George Atkin reports.

"He says the state-owned enterprises have been losing money because of the government's attitude towards them. He says in many cases the state has been their main creditor. The chairman of the prominent state-owned enterprises says state enterprises can only survive the current economic catastrophe if they demand the central government to pay promptly for the services rendered to it. He says if the government continues to expect the same special treatment, its companies will continue to experience the same difficulties."