A government-owned business designed to act in the public interest is called a

• A. Public Corporation
• B. Private Company
• C. Cooperative
• D. State-owned Bank

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how governments organize enterprises to serve the public rather than private profit. A public corporation is a company that is owned by the government but operates as a separate legal entity, running commercial activities to provide goods or services in the public interest. This structure lets the government deliver essential services—like utilities, transport, or other infrastructure—while aiming for efficiency and accountability.

This fits best because the government owns the firm and its purpose is to serve the public, not primarily to maximize private profits. The other options describe different forms: a private company is owned by private investors seeking profits; a cooperative is owned by its members who use its services; and a state-owned bank is a specific type of government-owned financial institution, but the general term for a government-owned business is a public corporation.