Unilever nets best 'FinanceAsia'

Unilever nets best 'FinanceAsia'

Hong Kong-based FinanceAsia magazine has recognized consumer
goods company PT Unilever Indonesia, the local unit of
London-and-Rotterdam-based Unilever NV, as this year's best
managed company and for best corporate governance.

The magazine ranked automotive company PT Astra International
in second place as the best managed company, followed by
telecommunications firm PT Indosat, publicly listed retail
company PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa and Bank Central Asia.

In best corporate governance, FinanceAsia ranked Ramayana in
second place, followed by Indosat, Astra and cigarette maker PT
HM Sampoerna.

According to the magazine, the awards were originally
announced in its April issue, drawn from the result of a poll it
had conducted among 424 fund managers and equity analysts who
cover Asia's biggest companies.

The magazine said Unilever was granted best managed and best
corporate governance following achievements in increasing its net
profit amid lingering fears of domestic violence and the general
elections.

"Investors and analysts point to the profits the company
generated and the evolving managerial quality of Unilever as
their catalyst for investment," said FinanceAsia in a statement
on Thursday.

The magazine has also granted five other awards to companies
and executives, including: best investor relations to Ramayana;
best small capitalization company to plastic producer PT
Dynaplast; and most committed to strong dividend policy to HM
Sampoerna.

Meanwhile, Unilever Indonesia chief financial officer (CFO)
Des Dempsey received the best CFO award, while HM Sampoerna
investor relations head Alex Wreksoremboko as best investor
relation representative. -- JP