TEHRAN- Government's shares in the power, oil and ga industries will be ceded to the cooperatives and private sector according to target set by the Third Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2000-2005), announced the Management and Planning Organization.

The MPO said in its publication, executive strategies for third five-year plan', which sets to create competition and do away with state monopoly, all specialized and related activities in oil production will be ceded to the cooperatives and private sectors.

Moreover, refining activities which can be separated from refinery operations, will also be ceded to the cooperatives and private sectors in the third plan.

To monitor oil an gas exploration, drilling and production companies, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) will act as a specialized supervisory company under the Oil Ministry.

Power plants will also be operated by the cooperatives and private sectors, IRNA said.