PSO, PTCL in Top 100 Businesses in the Muslim World Ranking
Pakistan Times Business & Commerce Desk

WASHINGTON (US): A Pakistani-American has started a very interesting venture of ranking Top 100 Businesses of Muslim World, called Dinar Standard - a new business strategy e-magazine.

The first-ever ranking, called the DS100, confirms dominance of the oil sector in companies in the 57 countries of the OIC region, but also reveals a rich diversity of industries gaining maturity.

The venture is headed by a dedicated member of New Jersey-based AOPP (Association of Pakistani Professionals), Rafih Shikoh and the link to the website is [http://www.dinarstandard.com].

In an announcement Tuesday, the venture says, Saudi Aramco, the top oil producer in the world, leads the DS100 - as the largest  business enterprise of the Muslim world. Saudi Aramco's leading position signifies the influence of the energy sector, which is further confirmed by the fact that the next seven companies on the list are all state-owned Integrated Oil & Gas companies.

However, overall only 18% of the companies listed in the DS100 -along to the energy sector. In fact, a diverse set of additional innovative, high growth industries such as Telecom, Financial Services, Transportation, Construction, and Manufacturing are also well represented.

It says, Turkish companies lead the DS100 - with 25 companies represented, followed by 22 from Malaysia, 15 from Saudi Arabia, and 11 from Indonesia. Other leading countries represented include Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, and Algeria.

Diversified companies represent the largest industry sector on the list, led by Turkish family-owned conglomerates Koc Holding, Sabanci Holding, and Dogan Holding. Financial Services is the next most represented sector with Turkish banks such as Ziraat Bank, Is Bank, Akbank, and Vakif leading the DS100 - with the highest revenues.

The  other major sector is Telecom with 10 companies represented and led by Saudi Telecom, Turk Telecom (listed on the NYSE) and Telkom Indonesia. This is perhaps the most exciting sector with a flurry of privatization and innovation activities. Other key industries represented in the DS100™ include Food Processing, Airlines, Construction, Automotive, Basic Materials, Consumer Appliances and Utilities.

"The goal of the DS100 - is to reflect as close a picture possible of the leading business activities in OIC member countries. Given the nature of the region, where most big businesses are either state-owned or private family-owned, the DS100™ has attempted to include not only publicly listed companies but also private and government held companies (for whom data could be verified through public sources)."

"The emerging picture is the closest- to assess corporate level opportunities and challenges that lie within the OIC economies", states Rafi-uddin Shikoh, Editor of Dinar Standard. "We hope that the  DS100- will do its part in raising the spirit of competitiveness in the region, and at the same time give recognition to those companies that are making a significant impact on the well-being of their communities."

Meanwhile, the Association of Pakistani Professionals has appreciated "the intense work" carried out by Dinarstandard. Syed Asif Alam, president of the AOPP, in a statement, hoped "to see more of such publications which put positive yet realistic face of the Muslims in the media."●