The Ethiopian Privatization and Public Enterprises Supervising Agency (PPESA) is to fully privatize two state-owned enterprises, Walta Information Center reported.

The bid which opened on Monday 1 October 2013, include Ethiopian Mining Development S.C and Caustic Soda S.C, Wondafrash Assefa, PPESA corporate communications director, told Walta.

 Both companies have been put up for privatization previously in with a joint venture arrangement unsuccessfully, but PPESA is now ready to transfer the two companies with full ownership, Wondafrash said.

The Ethiopian Mineral Development S.C, formerly known as Ethiopian Mineral Resource Development Corporation, is engaged in production and exploration of mineral deposits including tantalum, niobium, and rare earth elements.

Located in Zeway, 160Km from Addis Ababa, Caustic Soda SC is the only caustic soda manufacturer in Ethiopia established in 1994.

Source: Walta Information Center