India accounts for the third-highest number of companies on the list, which includes Bajaj Healthcare, Kilpest India and Hawkins Cookers. The list highlights 200 of Asia-Pacific's public companies with less than $1 billion in revenue and consistent top-and-bottom-line growth
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In a challenging year, a clutch of companies stood out for their resilience, clocking in sound financial figures amidst the pandemic. Twenty-six such companies from India have made it to Forbes Asia’s Best Under A Billion announced on September 8, an annual list of 200 publicly listed small and midsized companies in the Asia-Pacific region with sales under $1 billion.
The list represents companies from 17 countries; China leads the list with 37 companies, followed by Japan at 27. India and Taiwan tie for third place with 26 companies each.
“Their sound financial figures reflect how well these companies coped during a global pandemic. No surprise: Healthcare and pharmaceutical-related companies were standouts while tech and logistics firms linked to the global e-commerce boom also benefitedâ€, Forbes Asia said.
Many of the companies listed aimed to mitigate the effects of the pandemic; for instance, Kilpest India became the first Indian company to get US FDA authorization for emergency use of its real-time Covid-19 PCR detection kit, developed by a subsidiary. “While its agrochemical business faced a tough year, sales of this India-based agri-biotech company were up 12% and net profit surged for the year to March [thanks to the kit],†Forbes Asia says.
The list includes 42 returnees from the previous year; a special mention can be made for Taiwan’s Aspeed, which has been on the list for a notable eight years in a row.