Derby was one of the key cities in the UK during the Industrial Revolution, and that spirit has remained as it has set itself as one of the country's hubs for high-tech industries such as automotives and gaming.

The Belgian region of Wallonia has set itself a target of becoming Europe's most attractive logistics hub by 2020. While this may appear a little ambitious, large companies are increasingly investing in the area, drawn to its pro-business environment, highly skilled workforce and excellent links to the rest of Europe.

Despite its small size, Antigua and Barbuda's economic integration with other Caribbean jurisdictions gives its companies a huge market to do business with, says the minister of finance, economy and public administration. However, the island's image of being a tax haven is one that will have to be shed in order to achieve bigger growth.

The agri-food business has acquired a mixed reputation over the past few years, with many in emerging markets claiming that the demands placed upon it are unrealistic. However, the issue of feeding the world's growing population is not going to go away, and those well placed to meet these demands will be the ones to profit.

The growing demands on the world's water supplies have led to recent warnings of future food and energy shortages, as well as more droughts such as those seen in the US this year. Given this, it is little surprise that water security and monitoring services are being increasingly sought-after, and their importance looks set to grow and grow.

Malaysia's excellent economic performance in recent years has come on the back of its Economic Transformation Programme. Its prime minister and finance minister Dato’ Sri Abdul Tun Najib Razak tells Barbara Njau how the programme has helped diversify the country's economy, which has continued to thrive while much of the rest of the world has struggled.

The close relationship between industry and research and education institutions in Tuscany gives the region an edge when it comes to R&D and innovation.

The aftermath of the global financial crisis has seen the rapid growth of China's large eastern cities slow. This has caused attention to increasingly turn towards inland areas of the country, and chief among them is the city of Chengdu. Barbara Njau reports on why this south-western centre is attracting more and more FDI attention.

The Chengdu government's long-term focus on the high-tech industries appears to be paying off, as its technology parks are attracting international names brought in by the city's pro-business attitude and deep talent pool.

Texas governor Rick Perry has won the inaugural fDi Governor's Award for 2012, thanks in no small part to his pro-business approach which has helped to create 300,000 new jobs in the state in the past three years.