Hong Kong has edged out the United States and the United Kingdom, for the first time, to come out tops in the World Economic Forum’s Financial Development Index.
According to the Geneva-based non-governmental organisation, Hong Kong is also the first Asian country to top the scoreboard, in the WEF’s annual report released Tuesday.
Launched in 2008, the ranking is based on efficiency and size of banking and other financial services, the business environment and financial stability amongst other things.
It is also the first time neither the United States nor the United Kingdom took the top spot since the WEF began the survey four years ago.
The United States fell to second place while the United Kingdom settled for third place, mainly caused by a decline in its initial public offering activity and securitisation.
"While Western financial centres are understandably focused on short-term challenges, this report should serve as a wake-up call that their long-term leadership may be in jeopardy," Kevin Steinberg of the WEF said.
Hong Kong jumped three spots to get to the top, boosted by high scores in the non-banking financial services segment such as IPOs and insurance.
