For decades the textiles industry was Macedonia's specialty, but the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s caused production to slow dramatically. However, the industry is showing signs of a revival, led by the likes of Comfy Angel and Moda Sveti Nikole, both of which have attracted interest from western Europe.

While some IT hotspots in central and eastern Europe are overheating, with rising demand leading to a hike in wage expectations, Macedonia is positioning itself to take advantage, investing in developing the IT expertise of its graduates and establishing a business incubator to assist new businesses.

The service levels shown to foreign companies locating in Macedonia's free zones have come as a pleasant surprise to even the most seasoned of professionals, giving the country a further competitive advantage on top of its tax incentives and cheap labour.

Economic free zones, political stability and diversification have fuelled development and growth in Sharjah – the emirate now accounts for one-third of the UAE's manufacturing sector – but its government has further plans to maximise its appeal to international investors. 

While the airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have focused on long-haul flights for wealthy passengers, Sharjah's smaller international airport has acquired a reputation for speed and efficiency while carving out a niche for short-haul flights aimed at middle-class travellers.

Sharjah is positioning itself as a safe, family-friendly holiday destination and is anticipating increased demand, particularly at the high end of the travel and leisure sector.

Marine and air freight services, waste management and education are just some of the areas in which Sharjah is leading the way not only in the United Arab Emirates, but throughout the whole of the Middle East.

While the US continues to take the lion’s share of investment and projects in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, locations in Asia and Europe are increasingly attracting the attention of investors. 

With its good business climate, highly educated workforce and large neighbouring countries, Finland should be easily marketable to investors but, according to the country's president Sauli Niinisto, the country needs to work harder at promoting its merits and pushing for more inward FDI.