La Derecha Diario Privatization of AySA: The government set the deadline for the total sale of the shares
The Ministry of Economy has initiated the process to transfer 90% of AySA's share capital to the private sector within eight months
The national government has moved forward with the privatization of Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos (AySA), the country's main drinking water and sanitation company. Resolution 1198/2025, signed by the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, and published in the Official Gazette, marks the beginning of the process that seeks to transfer the company's management to the private sector.
AySA, 90% of whose share capital belongs to the State, provides services in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA). The official plan contemplates the sale of at least 51% of the shares to a strategic operator through a national and international public tender, while the remainder will be placed on local stock markets.
Legal framework and responsible agencies
The privatization of AySA is framed by Decree 494/2025 and Law 27,742, better known as the Bases Law, which declared the company "subject to privatization." The Temporary Special Executive Unit "Public Companies Transformation Agency" was designated to coordinate the procedure together with the Secretariat of Public Works.
Both agencies must guarantee the continuity of the public drinking water and sewage service during and after the transfer. The concession contract will be drafted by the Secretariat of Public Works, with the participation of the Executive Unit.
Valuation and deadline for the sale
The National Appraisal Court reported that it can't carry out the company's valuation within a reasonable period. For this reason, the government decided to hire a public banking entity to determine AySA's value.
The resolution sets a maximum period of eight months from its entry into force to complete the sale of the share package. During this time, all technical, legal, and financial steps that allow the transfer must be completed.
Impact on users and economic policy
The Executive clarified that the privatization will not affect the continuity of the service, which must be maintained without interruptions in the AMBA. The measure is part of the policy of reducing state participation in public companies and encouraging private investment in the management of essential services.
This way, the government seeks to improve AySA's operational efficiency, attract capital, and ensure a regulatory framework that guarantees service quality for the millions of users who depend on the daily supply of water and sanitation.
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