State-owned enterprise

Some businesses are run by the state. This means the government owns them.

These businesses have many jobs. They can help people get things like trains. They can also help keep prices low for everyone.

Sometimes, a government starts a new business. This helps a new industry grow. It can also help people in far away places.

Some of these businesses make money for the state. Other businesses focus on helping the people. They might provide things like mail or power.

Governments use these businesses to help their lands. They can make life better for many people.

A state-owned enterprise is a business owned by a government. The government can own all of it or just part of it. These businesses have many different goals.

Some businesses work to make a profit for the state. Others focus on helping people. For example, they might provide mail or trains. They can also bring goods to far away places. This helps people who live where private shops are rare.

Governments also use these businesses to help new industries grow. This is helpful when a new type of work is too risky for private owners. In some areas, the government owns things like power or water. These are called natural monopolies. This means it is easier for one big group to run the service for everyone.

Many countries use this way of running businesses. In China, there are more of these companies than in any other country. They help build big seaports. In Saudi Arabia, the government owns oil companies. In Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines is a very large and successful airline. In Europe, many governments used these businesses to rebuild after wars. Some of these businesses were later sold to private owners. This is called privatization.

A state-owned enterprise, or SOE, is a business owned by a government. A central or local government can create these through new laws or orders. The government usually owns most or all of the company. These businesses have many different jobs to do at once. They might try to make a profit for the government. They also work to keep prices low for regular people. Some SOEs help provide goods to very remote areas. This is helpful where private businesses are hard to find.

There are many reasons why a government would run a business. One reason is to manage a natural monopoly. This happens when one large service is easier for one group to run. Examples include railway companies or electric power systems. Governments also use SOEs to help "infant industries" grow. These are new types of businesses that might be too risky for private owners. The government can provide the money needed to get these industries started. This helps the whole economy in the long run.

History shows that different countries use SOEs in unique ways. In the Meiji era, Japan used government businesses to build modern industries. This included important sectors like the railways. In the 20th century, many countries in Europe took over large industries. This happened a lot after World War II to help rebuild nations. Some of these companies were later sold to private owners through privatization. This process changed how many services were managed across the continent.

Many famous companies around the world are state-owned. In Saudi Arabia, the government owns Saudi Aramco, a huge oil company. China has more SOEs than any other country in the world. These companies help build massive seaports through the Belt and Road Initiative. In Africa, Ethiopian Airlines is a very large and profitable airline. The Philippines also has successful ones, like the Landbank of the Philippines. Each of these examples shows how governments use business to reach goals.

Running a business for a government is different than running a private one. An SOE might be more efficient than a standard government office. However, they might be less efficient than a regular private company. This is often because of political interference in their choices. Private companies usually only care about making a profit. SOEs must balance making money with helping society. They try to meet the specific needs of the people they serve.

A state-owned enterprise, often called an SOE, is a business entity owned by a government. A central or local government can create these through specific laws or executive orders. In most cases, the government holds either full or majority ownership of the company. These organizations are unique because they have two different goals. They aim to earn a profit for the government, but they also work to meet social or developmental needs. For example, a state railway might focus on making travel affordable for everyone while still trying to earn money.

There are several ways these businesses function. Some are fully owned by the state, while others are only partially owned. In some places, like Canada, they are called Crown corporations. In New Zealand, they are known as Crown entities. In Malaysia, the term government-linked company (GLC) is often used. A GLC can be a private company where the government has bought a large stake. If the government owns more than 50% of the company, it is said to have a controlling interest. The process of turning a government department into a business is called corporatization.

Economists study why a government might choose to own a business instead of letting private companies do it. One reason involves what is called a natural monopoly. This happens when a single large company can provide a service more efficiently than many small ones. Because of this, SOEs often manage infrastructure like railways or electric power. They also handle strategic goods like postal services, arms manufacturing, or energy resources. By controlling these, the government can ensure that essential services reach everyone, even in remote areas.

Governments also use SOEs to support "infant industries." These are new or young industries that might be too risky for private investors. Private companies might avoid these industries because they require large amounts of money or have uncertain outcomes. An SOE can provide the necessary investment to help these new sectors grow. Once the industry is stable, it can contribute more to the economy. However, experts debate how well governments can predict which industries will actually succeed.

Comparing SOEs to other organizations reveals different strengths and weaknesses. Compared to a standard government bureaucracy, an SOE might be more efficient. This is because they often have more independence from politicians. However, they can also be harder to monitor, which increases the cost of regulation. When compared to private companies, SOEs are often seen as less efficient. This is sometimes due to political interference in their business decisions. Yet, unlike private firms that focus mostly on profit, SOEs prioritize government policies and social needs.

Different countries have used SOEs to change their economies in massive ways. During the Meiji era, Japan used state intervention to build modern industries like railways. In the 20th century, many European nations used nationalization to rebuild after World War II. This involved the government taking control of sectors like telephones, banks, and water services. While many of these were later sold to private owners through privatization, some still remain under state control. In the Eastern Bloc during the 20th century, many countries followed models similar to the USSR.

Today, SOEs play a huge role in the global economy. China has more state-owned enterprises than any other country. These companies help the government by paying taxes, supporting jobs, and helping during natural disasters. China's SOEs are also leaders in building seaports through the Belt and Road Initiative. In the Middle East, many OPEC countries own the oil companies on their land. For example, the Saudi government owns Saudi Aramco, which it renamed from the Arabian American Oil Company in 1988.

Other nations also see significant success from these entities. In Africa, Ethiopian Airlines is the largest and most profitable airline on the continent. In the Philippines, the Landbank of the Philippines was the most profitable SOE for the 2024 financial year. This shows how these businesses can be major contributors to a nation's wealth. Whether they are managing energy, transport, or finance, state-owned enterprises remain a powerful tool for shaping how a society functions.