The 20 most profitable romanian companies last year posted net profits worth more than 2.9bn euros, one billion euros more than in 2005, according to a ZF analysis based on the data published by the Economy and Finance Ministry.

Eighty percent of the profits generated by the top 20 companies are concentrated at the level of the top ten companies, namely 2.3bn euros.

In terms of turnover, companies included in the ranking boasted cumulated turnovers worth 15.7bn euros for last year, up 2.7bn euros against 2005. The top 20 companies in terms of income last year registered overall revenues that accounted for 16% of Romania's GDP.

Petrom, controlled by Austria's OMV, is still the champion of profits, with net income worth almost 650m euros. The two mobile telephony giants hold the next two positions: Orange, with net profit of over 400m euros and Vodafone with almost 325m euros.

The two biggest domestic banks, BCR and BRD Soc-Gen rank fourth and fifth, followed by the most profitable state-owned company, Romgaz, with profit close to 132m euros.

Besides Romgaz, the Romanian state still owns only two other players of the companies included in this ranking - Transelectrica and Transgaz. Austrian, German and French investors are the best represented and, in fact, control a large part of the Romanian economy. In terms of industries, the most profitable firms come from energy, telecom, banking services, auto, constructions and retail.