Dr Samir Hamrouni, CEO of the World Free Zones Organization, outlines the attributes that are essential to flourishing free zones.

The UAE's DMCC takes home the top prize in fDi’s Global Free Zones of the Year for a fifth consecutive year. 

The EU is considering a broader mandate for the EBRD, and its president, Sir Suma Chakrabarti, believes its model would work in sub-Saharan Africa.

The chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), shares his views over the perks of free zones in emerging markets. 

Emerging states must re-orientate their investment efforts to increasingly target those with an outsized social impact

Egypt is well on the way to establishing a diversified economy, claims Hala El Saeed, minister of planning and economic development 

Tanzania's economy is booming and its tourism sector is thriving. However, concerns about the president's strong-arm tactics and delays in the completion of key infrastructure projects are threatening this growth.

Kenya’s cabinet secretary for the national treasury and planning, Ukur Yatani, discusses the country’s agenda of fiscal reforms and the importance of constructing an east-west Africa highway.

Combining a strategic location with an investor-friendly environment, Egypt is ensuring its Suez Canal Economic Zone is primed for foreign investment. 

The UK’s prime minister has pledged to rebalance the UK economy away from a dominant London. However, this might require greater incentives for foreign investment in the regions outside of the capital, which are underperforming. 

Authorities in the US, the EU and across the developed world are stepping up efforts to scrutinise foreign investment on the grounds of both national security and tech sovereignty.

Sustainability is gaining traction in the creative industries, with the Italian region of Trentino designing a film production rating protocol that is being considered by the EU.

In spite of the uncertainty caused by Brexit, London retains its position as fDi's European City of the Future for 2020/21, while Paris keeps the regional crown.

London has retained its position as fDi’s European City of the Future, while Paris has climbed to second place, knocking Dublin into the third spot. 

London is crowned best major city in Europe in fDi's FDI Strategy category, with Glasgow, Vilnius, Reykjavik and Galway also winning out.

North Rhine-Westphalia is fDi's top large region for FDI Strategy, with the Basque Country topping the table for mid-sized regions and Ireland South East first among small regions. 

London LEP and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP hold on to their respective first and second places in the Local Enterprise Partnership rankings, while Oxfordshire LEP jumps up eight places to third. 

London event hears how the UK export credit agency is increasing its focus on trade with African countries. Jason Mitchell reports.

From historically underperforming when compared with its peers, the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate is now attracting major investment projects on the back of its auto and electrification expertise.

Foreign investment into Serbia is growing at a healthy pace thanks to its attractive automotive manufacturing industry and highly regarded free zones.

Warsaw already offers a skilled workforce and has improved its infrastructure – now it must focus on climate change and reducing congestion, mayor Rafał Trzaskowski tells fDi.

Serbia’s 15 free zones are driving forward an ongoing flurry of foreign investment in the country’s buoyant manufacturing scene, especially in automotives.

The federal state of Brandenburg is committed to ensuring investors are welcomed into Frankfurt (Oder) through a string of generous incentives.

Stevens Mokgalapa talks about foreign investment opportunities and challenges in South Africa’s administrative capital, and the balancing act of development and environmental needs in the developing world.

Having opened new production facilities in Rwanda and South Africa, Mara Phones is looking to alter Africa's mindset from being a 'consumer' to being a 'manufacturer'. 

Tesla's decision part of broader trend of investment into Germany at UK's expense.

Despite its thriving automotive sector, Gothenburg is vulnerable to global economic pressures. However, local authorities are confident that their strategies will see the city ride out the uncertainties related to Brexit and the US-China trade wars.

Marcus Weldon, chief technology officer of Nokia and president of its research arm Nokia Bell Labs, talks about what guided the decision to set up a new global R&D centre and the company’s strategy for driving innovation

Financial incentives from two different cities persuaded US grocery chain The Fresh Market to stay headquartered in its home state of North Carolina.

The Gulf region is making extensive reforms to its foreign investment landscape in an effort to attract foreign investors to sectors outside oil and gas, according to a recent report by PwC. 

FDI levels have already fallen throughout Iran's main sphere of influence in the region. 

$73.8m mega-project will be the first of its kind in the city.

Escalation in protests across the globe in 2019 are forecast to persist into the new decade, according to Verisk Maplecroft report.

India’s 2020 budget continues the process of opening up to overseas investment.

Investors in France will face greater scrutiny under extended legislation.

Announced greenfield projects into China plummeted in early 2020 with the US and Europe taking the lion's share of global foreign investment. 

Steve Armitage, general manager of destination at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development explains why the New Zealand city’s international profile is growing so fast.

Global free zones may be spurring development in less economically developed countries

Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, has approved a new 2018 to 2028 strategy that will eventually expand its investment activity beyond the domestic market.

Ajmal Ahmady, Afghanistan's minister of industries and commerce, outlines government efforts to make the country more conducive to business.

Sino-European foreign direct investment is converging, according to data from fDi Markets.

The eastern Chinese city of Zibo is recognised as the official birthplace of football. However, its local government is hoping it will soon be known for its excellence in the chemical, medical and manufacturing industries.

Sardar Popalzai, president of the Balochistan Economic Forum, talks about the blue economy and the Pakistani province’s tourism potential.

Uruguay-based Zonamerica has successfully expanded into Colombia and China, and is now looking to export its model to other parts of Asia and Africa.

US News report ranks investable countries, with surprise results at the top.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is to launch a digital currency for the benefit of its dispersed island economies – essential to a region that has been disproportionately affected by climate change-induced disasters, governor Timothy Antoine tells fDi.

While governments grow more protectionist over trade and physical borders, companies such as Microsoft are bridging the gap by funding international collaborative enterprises.

Brazil’s FDI flows were boosted in 2019 by the government’s privatisation programme.

Poland’s Wrocław has turned in a stellar performance in fDi’s Return on Investment study, landing the city the top slot in the Return on Budget and Return on Personnel Investment categories. 

Up to 18 countries across Latin America have joined China’s new Belt and Road Initiative, hoping to boost their infrastructure development and investment.