Asia - 200 Best Under A Billion List

• This year's list of the best small- and midsize companies throughout the Asia Pacific region is chock-full of survival stories and lessons for entrepreneurs. Unprecedented dislocations in the global economy disrupted supply chains over the past 12 months, froze lines of credit, depleted consumer coffers and sent business spending into hibernation. The 64 companies returning from last year are a testament to fearless management; 136 new entrants have seized opportunities arising from the economic uncertainty.
• The combined China-Hong Kong set of companies numbers 78, the biggest yet and up 15 from last year.
• Relative economic strength on the mainland played a part, as does an increasing presence thereabouts of retailing, apparel, Web advertising and health care. Together, consumer-focused industries accounted for 102 companies on the list this year, versus 78 in 2008 and 67 on our first edition in 2005.