Tokyo Asia's leading centre of commerce
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
SINGAPORE, June 12 (AFP): Tokyo is Asia's leading centre of commerce but London is number one in the world, said a study released today by MasterCard.
Three other Asian cities-Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore - ranked among the world's top 10, according to the MasterCard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index.
In a press release, MasterCard called its index "the most comprehensive analysis to date of how major cities compare in performing critical functions that connect markets and commerce globally."
Tokyo earned its top Asia Pacific ranking for factors including its Aaa Moody's foreign currency government bond rating, ease in dealing with licences, a stable inflation rate, high level of health, safety and other services, overall quality of life, aviation connectivity, and number of patent applications, MasterCard said.
"I believe that these results were achieved by Tokyo possessing, among a spectrum of commercial attractions, an advanced urban infrastructure, and one of the safest and most secure living environments in the world," the press release quoted Tokyo's governor, Shintaro Ishihara, as saying.
London topped the chart with an index value of 77.79 followed by New York with 73.80, Tokyo at 68.09, Chicago with 67.19, Hong Kong at 62.32, Singapore 61.95, Frankfurt 61.34, Paris 61.19, Seoul 60.70 and Los Angeles 59.05.
Three other Asian cities-Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore - ranked among the world's top 10, according to the MasterCard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index.
In a press release, MasterCard called its index "the most comprehensive analysis to date of how major cities compare in performing critical functions that connect markets and commerce globally."
Tokyo earned its top Asia Pacific ranking for factors including its Aaa Moody's foreign currency government bond rating, ease in dealing with licences, a stable inflation rate, high level of health, safety and other services, overall quality of life, aviation connectivity, and number of patent applications, MasterCard said.
"I believe that these results were achieved by Tokyo possessing, among a spectrum of commercial attractions, an advanced urban infrastructure, and one of the safest and most secure living environments in the world," the press release quoted Tokyo's governor, Shintaro Ishihara, as saying.
London topped the chart with an index value of 77.79 followed by New York with 73.80, Tokyo at 68.09, Chicago with 67.19, Hong Kong at 62.32, Singapore 61.95, Frankfurt 61.34, Paris 61.19, Seoul 60.70 and Los Angeles 59.05.