For investors and the world, Asia Pacific represents the future in many ways. According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s latest City Momentum Index, for example, 19 of the top 20 most dynamic cities are in Asia Pacific, including six in India and nine in China.

“Asia continues to show strong momentum, with cities that are successfully expanding their innovation economy, punching above their weight in terms of attracting capital, companies and people,” says Jeremy Kelly, director of global research at Jones Lang LaSalle.

Foreign direct investment is an important driver of this growth. The fastest growing cities in India have successfully attracted high volumes of foreign-based capital in recent years, in part thanks to such reforms as the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act. Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, also are on the verge of joining some of the world’s most transparent property markets due to reforms.

“Transparency is vital in securi