This study provides an overview of the public sector including the public sector enterprises (PSEs) in the SEACEN region. It examines the nature of the public sector as well as gives an idea of the size of the public sector in selected SEACEN countries. Some discussion is also devoted to one component of the public sector namely the PSEs in which the various definitions and evolution of PSEs are presented. The role of the entire public sector in the context of economic development is also analysed.