Three Taiwan-based companies, one more than in 2000, were named by Forbes on its 2001 list of the world's largest 500 listed businesses outside the US, according to the magazine's latest issue to be published July 23.
Based on its selection requirement of a minimum annual business turnover of US$5.2 billion, three local firms -- Cathay Life Insurance Co Ltd (
Cathay Life Insurance was placed in 236th spot this year, an advance from its 2000 ranking of 252nd.
Taiwan's largest insurance company, with total assets worth US$31.4 billion, chalked up a business revenue of US$11.6 billion last year, earning a net profit of US$312 million.
TSMC made the list for the first time at 488th place this year, recording an annual business revenue of US$5.32 billion and a net profit of US$2.08 billion.
The leading Taiwan chipmaker has assets totaling some US$11.1 billion.
Mitac Inc experienced a large jump by leaping to 495th place this year from 607th place a year ago.
The computer firm, sitting on assets of US$1.55 billion, posted a business revenue of US$5.27 billion and turned a net profit of U$58 million.
Japan led other foreign countries, with 163 companies named on the list, followed by Britain with 67, France with 45 and Germany with 40.
Canada and Holland had 24 and 22 companies, respectively, included on the list.
Mainland China, including the Hong Kong area, saw four companies on the list, while South Korea had 20 firms named.
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