The privatization of State Economic Enterprises has been a major structural objective of the Turkish government since the mid-1980’s. Although a formidable task, numerous state companies have already been privatized. Over the last ten years, the state has completely withdrawn from a number of industry sectors, including food processing and cement production. Similarly, more than half of government shares in the tourism, textile and forestry sectors have been privatized. Privatization of public banks has also begun.