Singapore ranks as Asia 's most innovative city in Asia-Pacific , according to a new survey by Solidiance , a strategy consulting firm based in the Southeast Asian city-state . Singapore ranks number one for innovation in the Asia-Pacific because `` it has made dramatic and perpetual improvements for the past 25 years , '' said Solidiance , transforming itself from a trading port to high-tech and financial hub . After Singapore , the top five cities are Sydney , Melbourne , Hong Kong and Auckland . The report examines six links between what a city has to offer and the amount of talent that relocates to that city : the availability of a skilled talent base ; a strong higher education system ; the livability of a city and environmental sustainability ; technological advancement and government regulations that support financial freedom and global integration . With Singapore , the city has pushed an 'open door policy ' welcoming professional talent from around the world . In 2000 , 8 % of the country 's 4 million residents were foreigners . In 2012 , the foreign population made up 14 % of the city 's 5.3 million people . Strong government regulations have provided for a structured and stable environment with which to conduct business , the report said . The World Bank ranked Singapore as the best place to do business in the world for 2013 , unchanged from 2012 . But to keep its top spot as best Asian city for innovation , Singapore needs to stay open to new ideas , new cultures , and new entrants , adds Solidiance . `` Singapore has no other choice ; it must adapt , stay opened and lead change if it is to remain relevant in the 21st century , '' says Damien Duhamel , Managing Partner Asia of Solidiance . Sydney scored highest in the categories of global integration , having a skilled talent base and for its technological advancement . Sydney has been able to attract a wide range of professionals from industrialists to artists and information technology experts , the survey found . Melbourne ranks as the third most innovative city in the Asia-Pacific because of its superiority in the human talent category . Half of the city 's population comes from immigrant backgrounds , Solidance notes , and the city supports a `` good level '' of diversity acceptance . Hong Kong ranks fourth thanks to its technological and regulatory leadership . Solidiance points to the city 's tech cluster of Cyberport , envisioned in 1999 and built to help develop Hong Kong 's IT industry . However , as reported in local Hong Kong media , critics complain Cyberport has been a failure with office occupancy never reaching full capacity . Hong Kong is also known as one of Asia 's most prominent financial hubs thanks to its regulatory framework and lack of corruption . In 2012 , the city ranked at number 14 in Transparency International 's Corruption Perceptions Index . Hong Kong also has the lowest tax rates in Asia -- 16.5 % for corporations -- which attracts business to move and stay in the city . Auckland took the number five spot largely on its ability to attract skilled talent -- and its tolerance for diversity , the report said . The ease of doing business also expatriate to settle in the city . In the category of livability , however , bad infrastructure for public transport is one of the Auckland 's largest detractions .
Singapore is Asia-Pacific 's most innovative city , says marketing firm Solidiance in a new report . City innovation report looks at six main categories including talent base , education , livability . Singapore 's foreign talent population jumped from 8 % in 2000 to 14 % in 2012 . World Bank ranked Singapore as best place to do business for 2013 .