Vast reserves of precious metals and oil make Afghanistan an attractive proposition for investors bold enough to risk the country's security threats, poor infrastructure and widespread corruption.

Afghanistan's minister of mines, Wahidullah Shahrani, tells fDithat by exploiting its mineral resources, the country can end its dependence on aid and banish security concerns about doing business there.

As mobile penetration in many parts of the world reaches saturation point, Africa's fast-growing market is attracting the attention of telecommunications businesses. This has provided a boom in the sector throughout the continent, as well as bringing further investment in training and wider infrastructure projects.

Faced with a volatile global economy, investment into the logistics industry fell significantly last year. Now many within the sector are being forced to adjust both their business and supply chain strategies and look to emerging markets for signs of growth.

Companies setting up shop in Brazil, Russia, India and China are becoming increasingly dependent on financial outsourcing to navigate unfamiliar and often complex local legislation. While there are many advantages to outsourcing financial operations, there are myriad factors to consider before these can be realised.

The growing trend of airports as strategic assets to attract inward investors has led to a rise in both airport cities, which place airports at the centre with new cities growing around them, and existing air hubs receiving extensive facelifts. 

With government commitment to the US aerospace industry seemingly waning, many are predicting a skills shortage in the near future. Given the rapid developments in the aerospace industry globally, particularly in China, are the days of Western domination in this field numbered?

Adel Ali, CEO of Air Arabia, explains how the global economic downturn has benefited the low-cost carrier, as the increasing number of passengers opting for a cheaper service has allowed it to increase its fleet and service more destinations, putting it on course for continued international expansion.

The aviation industry was one of the main casualties of the global economic crisis in many regions around the world, but in the Middle East its growth has continued unabated. Central to this growth has been the expansion of Qatar Airways, which, according to its CEO, has no plans to slow down.

As of five years ago, Ras Al Khaimah had no private healthcare provider, which was seen to be putting off investors from settling in the emirate. However, RAK Hospital has since filled this gap, and now has its sights firmly set on attracting international medical tourists.