Privatization Trends: A Record Year in 2006
Author: Sunita Kikeri and Verena Phipps Date: 1/13/2008 (PDF, 200KB)
An update of the World Bank Group’s Privatization Database shows that privatizations in developing countries amounted to US$70 billion in 2006—or US$105 billion including two mega Chinese offerings. Both results beat all previous years in nominal terms. Contrary to popular perceptions of a slowdown, the data show that privatization in its various forms continued in a broad range of countries and sectors, particularly infrastructure and banking. Initial public offerings were prominent, especially in China.