Vietnam will equitize Vietnam Airlines, the country's national flag carrier, in 2008 under a recent government decision, local newspaper Vietnam News reported Tuesday.

 

Vietnam Airlines with registered capital of 5.74 trillion Vietnamese dong (US$358.75 million) and its 39 affiliates will operate under the form of holding company.

 

Also under the decision, Vietnam will equitize 15 state-owned corporations in 2007; 18 others and the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Group in 2008, and 12 corporations in 2009; and restructure six others in 2010.

 

Vietnam is expected to equitize some 600 state-owned enterprises, including some big corporations, commercial banks, and public utilities this year.

 

Vietnam's aviation sector served over 4.9 million domestic and foreign passengers and 80,400 tons of cargoes in the first eight months of 2006, registering year-on-year rises of 13.1 percent and 14.4 percent respectively, according to the country's General Statistics Office.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2007)