Cantonal shareholdings Trade representatives question the canton of Aargau's shareholdings

The canton of Aargau should examine four of its 47 holdings in institutions and companies particularly closely. The trade association and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce see the greatest need for action at Aargauische Kantonalbank (AKB).

There is no longer any economic justification for the state holding in AKB, said Hans Schibli, Vice President of the Aargau Trade Association (AGV), at a media conference in Aarau on Tuesday. According to the study "Review of the shareholdings of the Canton of Aargau", the state guarantee for AKB represents a considerable financial risk for taxpayers. The first step should therefore be partial privatization.

Beat Bechtold, Director of the Aargau Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AIHK), said that AEW Energie AG should concentrate on its core business, i.e. power generation and grid operation. Today, it is involved in companies that are in direct competition with private providers.

The study also sees distortions of competition at Schulverlag plus AG and VIACAR AG (online car index of several cantons). The canton could sell its shares. The participation in seven other institutions and companies should also be examined: Aargauische Gebäudeversicherung, Aargauische Pensionskasse, Axpo Holding AG, Kantonsspitäler Aarau und Baden, Park Innovaare, Nationalstrassen Nordwestschweiz (NSNW).