Monday, September 25 2006 11:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Leading telecom service provider Bharti Airtel has been ranked 13th among the best performing 50 companies in Asia by 'BusinesWeek' magazine, ahead of corporate giant Reliance Industries and Infosys.

"The annual ranking, 'Asia Business Week 50', of best companies across all sectors in Asia ranked Bharti ahead of compatriots Reliance Industries (17) and Infosys (23), "sources said.

Commenting on the ranking, Bharti Airtel CMD Sunil Mittal said it highlighted the company's relentless pursuit to create a world-clas organisation providing best in class services.

Business Week said Bharti's plans to invest two billion dollars on network expansion and marketing to reach underserved markets in rural areas was "serious money" and a step towards Mittal's broader ambition to be the most admired brand in India by 2010.

"Investors already like what they see. Bharti Airtel delivered 30 per cent total shareholder returns in 2005 and a head-turning 493 per cent over the last three years," the sources said quoting Business Week.