whiteowl wrote:Don't know if it's a good idea but it definitely presents a great opportunity to mint cash.
I think it is a sensible idea and will likely lead to increased FDI for the country, which is good.
National ownership of companies, like having your flag on a national airline, is an expensive affectation that adds no real value, other than pride, and in many cases shuts out companies from the kind of talent, new ideas and technology that they need to grow and compete globally.
As long as company X is creating good jobs, paying taxes and otherwise contributing to the national well being, its ownership should not be an issue.
What about repatriation of profits, you ask?
Well, what about it?
"The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth." (Niels Bohr)