Asia’s best managed companies 2007: China leads the pack

SELECTING THE BEST company in Asia has never been an exact science. As the region’s main growth area moves away from export industries and increasingly towards service-based and consumer-driven markets, the performance of companies across a broad range of industry sectors reflects that trend. Although some will find their growth rates slowing and profitability harder to come by, others will benefit from increased demand and liquidity. Regional factors also enter the equation. The ever-swelling force of China is being felt across Asia and worldwide. Companies with a strong presence in China are feeling the benefits over those that lack it. The erupting numbers of technology users are providing a boon to those telecoms companies quick on the uptake, while the swiftly growing demand for housing and office space provides ample opportunity for property firms to get their fill. In December Nasdaq became the latest global exchange to open an office in Beijing, joining rivals such as the New York Stock Exchange in benefiting from recent rule changes. Nasdaq drew 19 initial public offerings of Chinese companies this year, double its 2006 figure.