Five Malaysian companies -- Elsoft Research Bhd, Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd, MyEG Services Bhd, Pentamaster Corp Bhd and Vitrox Corp Bhd, are on Forbes 2017 “Best Under A Billion” list.

The annual list highlights 200 public companies in Asia Pacific with less than US$1 billion in revenue, and have a consistent top- and bottom-line growth.

According to Forbes' website, this year’s candidates are from 13 countries and averaged 55 percent growth in sales, 24 percent in profit margin, and 113 percent growth in earnings per share.

Only 70 of these small- to medium-sized enterprises generated revenue solely within the region.

Overall, consumer products and services companies have been on the rise in the list, an indication of Asia’s success in moving towards a consumer economy. 

Three of these companies are based in Penang, namely Elsoft Research, Pentamaster and Vitrox.

Elsoft Research is engaged in the research, designing and development of test and burn-in systems and application specific embedded system.

Pentamaster is involved in the provision of management services and also offers manufacturing automation solutions and services, while Vitrox undertakes the manufacture and development of three-dimensional and line scan vision inspection system.

Meanwhile, Kerjaya Prospek operates as an investment holding and engages in the business of building construction, interior fit-out business and miscellaneous construction related services and MyEG Services is involved in the development and implementation of electronic government services and provision of related services.

-- Bernama