Jeddah, SPA — Eight Saudi companies including Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) and Samba Financial Group have found their places on a list of the world”s top 500 companies published by Financial Times recently.

Other Saudi companies that secured a place on FT500 for the year 2005 were: Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Company, Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), Riyadh Bank, Saudi British Bank (SABB) and Etihad Etisalat.

Saudi petrochemical giant SABIC jumped to 22nd position on the new list after it was placed 139th in the previous list for 2004. Four Saudi companies secured their places on the list for the first time, according to Al-Eqtisadiah business daily.