Kuala Lumpur: Two Malaysian companies, Proton Holdings Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, have been named as among the 10 most exciting companies in the Muslim world by Dinar Standard, a newly-launched news portal (www.dinarstandard.com) focusing on business developments in Muslim countries.In addition, these two companies are also among 22 Malaysian companies listed in the top 100 companies in the Muslim world (DS100) in terms of revenue in 2003.
Malaysian companies formed the second largest number in the DS100 list behind Turkey with 24 companies.
Overall, companies from 18 out of the 57 OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference) member countries made into the list.
The DS100 list is the first ever ranking of top businesses in the Muslim world and reveals a rich diversity of companies that are leading their markets, both regionally and globally.
Dinar Standard said the goal of the DS100 list is to reflect as close a picture as possible of the leading business activities in the OIC member countries.
"The DS100 aims to provide managers and strategists with a tool to benchmark trends and identify major issues and opportunities. At the same time, the DS100 aims to recognise companies that are leading the charge in the global competitive landscape and are making a significant impact in the well-being of their communities," it added.
Heading the list of Malaysian companies is Petronas with revenues of US$25.664 billion in 2003 and ranked third in the entire list behind Saudi Arabian Oil Company or Saudi Aramco (US$83.1 billion) and the National Iranian Oil Company (US$38.37 billion).
The other Malaysian companies in the list are Sime Darby, Oriental Holdings, Telekom Malaysia, PPB Group, Petronas Dagangan, Malaysian Airline System, Maybank, Federal Flour Mills, Commerce Asset Holdings, Berjaya Group, Malaysian International Shipping Corporation, Edaran Otomobil Nasional (EON), DRB-Hicom, Maxis Communications, Amsteel Corporation, Genting, AMMB Holdings, YTL Corp and UMW Holdings.
In its remarks on Proton as being one of the 10 most exciting companies in the Muslim world, Dinar Standard said only 11 countries out of the 146 World Trade Organisation members can design and manufacture a vehicle from the ground up with the latest technology, meeting world standards.
And in 2002, Malaysia became the 11th country through Proton, it said.
As for TNB, Dinar Standard said TNB, with one of the largest market capitalisation on Bursa Malaysia, "stands out as one of the most successful privatisation efforts by the Malaysian government."
It is also the largest electricity utility company in Malaysia with RM60.0 billion worth of assets serving over six million customers.
The other companies in the 10 most exciting companies list are Emirates (United Arab Emirates), Indofood (Indonesia), Koc Holding (Turkey), Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia), Bank Mandiri (Indonesia), Orascom Telecom (Egypt) and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Saudi Arabia) and ENKA (Turkey).- Bernama
