300 enterprises to be privatized on second stage

300 enterprises, largely including communication, air transport, fuel and energy, mechanical engineering, and chemical ones, will be put on auction on the second stage of privatization, head of the President's office economic policy department Mail Rahimov told journalists Friday. He added that the stage is to be completed before the end of 2001.

Touching upon the outcomes of the first stage of privatization, Mr. Rahimov said 23,500 small enterprises had been privatized, 1,200 medium enterprises turned into joint stock companies and shares of 1,000 of them sold. 10 enterprises were privatized via investment tenders, while 12,000 leased.*