BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Profits of China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) administered by the central government more than doubled in October from a year ago after months of declines, a senior official said here on Friday.

    The 132 central SOEs reaped a profit of 79.5 billion yuan (11.64 billion U.S. dollars) in October, up 151 percent year on year, said Huang Shuhe, deputy director of the State-owed Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) at the 2009 Annual CEO Forum.

    In October, revenues surged by 22 percent from a year ago to nearly 1.16 trillion yuan, Huang said.

    Their profits during Jan-Oct was 633.8 billion yuan, while revenues amounted to 9.83 trillion yuan during the same period.

    Huang also noted 24 central SOEs had entered the rank of Fortune 500 companies.

    "China's companies still face difficulties and great challenges due to roaring raw material prices, huge environmental pressure and rampant protectionism triggered by the financial crisis," he said.

    He said the companies should further enhance independent innovation, improve corporate governance and accelerate the pace of "go global" to compete with foreign brands.