SINGAPORE has been ranked as one of the best global cities in the world in a study by the influential Washington-based magazine, Foreign Policy. The country was ranked seventh in an index of the top 60 global cities, defined as cities that radiate influence, wealth and sophistication.

It was hailed as a place to get a degree and do business, but fared poorly as a cultural capital. The cities that finished ahead of Singapore were New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Los Angeles - in that order. But the Republic placed higher than other powerhouses such as Chicago (No. 8), Beijing (No. 12) and Frankfurt (No. 21).

On business, Singapore was cited for the large number of top-40 global service firms with offices in the country and the volume of goods that passed through here, among others.On the list of top cities to get a degree, Singapore finished behind New York and London, but ahead of places like Boston, Los Angeles and Paris.

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