India’s outsourcing industry is unlikely to be stopped in its tracks by either US legislators or protestors. Only a better and cheaper rival could threaten the country’s success.

As the ‘Rebuild Iraq’ roadshow gained pace in May, companies competing for a stake got a better idea of how the tendering process will work. In London, more than 1,000 hopeful executives heard what the primary contractor chosen by the US government to oversee the reconstruction had to say.

Korean electronics group LG may be the latest company asked to repay job creation grants, following its announcement that it will close a joint-venture computer monitor plant in Newport, Wales.

All oil companies dread the prospect of environmental litigation, but it appears some may go to greater lengths to avoid it than others. In a bizarre twist to a recent case, more than 150 boxes of documents possibly containing sensitive information about environmental damage have been found buried in the New Mexico desert.

The continuing fall in FDI flows in 2001-2002 does not alter the global production integration process. Rather, it draws more attention to the importance of stocks, and the need for governments and IPAs to focus on reinvested earnings in their policy initiatives.

The European Union has been the largest direct investor in Latin America in recent years and in the decade to 2001 Spain accounted for half the EU total of E161.7bn.

fDi reports on the latest regulatory and trade changes that will affect foreign direct investors.

Prime minister Junichiro Koizumi announced earlier this year that the government aims to double foreign direct investment in Japan in five years to stimulate its stagnant economy and create employment. The government’s Japan Investment Council (JIC), which is chaired by Mr Koizumi, announced the programme would focus mainly on the barriers faced by foreign companies in entering the Japanese market.

Vincente Fox, president of Mexico was named as the global fDi personality of the year award at ceremony held in Amsterdam. Since Mr Fox came into power in 2001 FDI into Mexico has increased by 30%. This is particularly impressive as it is set against a global slowdown in investment flows. According to Ma. de Lourdes Dieck Assad, undersecretary of economic relations and international cooperation who collected the award on behalf of Mr Fox, the president has created a business environment conducive to investment by maintaining macro and micro economic stability, increasing access to markets through free trade agreements and reducing regulations and red tape.

The winners of fDi’s first Personality of the Year awards have truly earned their trophies. From Spain’s Basque Country, which has had to convince the world of its merits despite an ongoing terrorist campaign by separatist guerrillas, to Mexico, part of a region that has had more than its fair share of economic troubles this year, FDI promoters have been waging an uphill battle to boost business confidence. It hasn’t been any easier for Namibia, in a continent hit by civil unrest and stagnant economies, or Dubai, in the same region as the Iraqi battlefield. But as Namibia’s former trade and industry minister Hidipo Hamutenya notes, winning those contracts requires sharp investment tools and being able to provide investors with rapid and convincing answers. This is what makes a winner.

British companies seeking staff from overseas need to be aware of the legalities involved – such as work permits, visas, and the different rules that apply for different nationalities.

Peter Alfandary finds a path through the tricky business of bringing foreign staff to the UK.

As more countries join the EU, demands for the repayment of illegal state aid are set to rise. Meanwhile, moves to level the playing field have sparked fears that Europe will lose out to the rest of the world. Charles Piggott reports.

Karen E. Thuermer profiles the aerospace industry, where intense competition and engineering research are the key influences.

An IPA that sees things from a client’s point of view, delivers on its promises and has an aftercare programme in place is top of companies’ location strategy wish list, fDi’s survey found.

The pace of construction in Dubai is ambitious, with supply the catalyst rather than demand. Hugo Miller reports on the buzz of infrastructural expansion across the emirate.

As world events knock the gloss off the world’s important financial centres, Dubai sees an opportunity to realise its aspiration to become a financial hub.

The Dubai International Financial Centre could be the beginning of a new world marketplace and so must be constructed on a solid base.

Prudent policies, coupled with a major investment in technology and professional management, have made the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) one of the soundest and most successful financial institutions in the Middle East. Founded in 1963, NBD is the oldest locally incorporated bank in the southern Gulf. From its imposing new Headquarters, depicting a ship in full sail, it operates 33 branches and pay offices in the UAE plus a fully automated branch in Grand Cineplex, one branch in London and a representative office in Teheran.

When they are finished, the Palm islands will solve the shortage of real estate and mark a change in the Dubai government’s attitude to residency rights for foreigners.

No longer just a stopover location, this buzzing Middle East city is building itself into a tourist magnet.

Dubai’s free zones offer much more than mere tax advantages for foreign investors. Small wonder then that these centres of excellence are proving so popular.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has for nearly four decades helped the Emirate to prosper as an international business hub by removing obstacles to business while fostering regional and global business ties.

Dubai will host this year’s IMF World Bank meeting in its giant conference centre. The business community hopes the benefits will continue rolling in afterwards.

Dubai’s airport is being expanded to cope with growing demand and businesses in the Airport Free Zone are benefiting from the rise in passenger numbers. Hugo Miller reports.

Nakheel is the uniquely focused property development company behind a variety of new landmark developments in Dubai. Its goal is to ultimately implement unique, iconic and genuine solutions that have been created after detailed planning and research.

The extraordinary Palm project involves the creation of the world’s largest two man-made islands known as The Palm, Jumeirah and The Palm, Jebel Ali. Located just off the coast of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the two palm tree shaped islands are expected to contribute to the city’s position as a premier global tourist destination.

Nakheel Corporation last month unveiled the concept plans to construct another offshore island development just off the coast of Dubai. The development is called The World and will consist of a series of 200 islands, positioned strategically to form the shape of the world map.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem is recognised as one of the leading businessmen in Dubai. As executive chairman of Dubai’s Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation (PCFZ); chairman of Tejari.com, a B2B marketplace; and chairman of the recently established property development company Nakheel, he is somewhat occupied one could say.

There’s no overlooking Dubai’s achievements when it come to marine development.

Forty years ago, Dubai was just a modest trading town built on a silted-up creek that spilled into the Persian Gulf. The imminent creation of the Dubai Maritime City (DMC) marks the third milestone shaping the emirate’s marine presence.

Despite a volatile currency, the South African government kept its cool. Public finances are now in good shape, and investor-friendly investment and indutrial policies are beginning to turn heads, says James Eedes.

Efforts to unleash Cape Town’s potential have not been in vain. Opportunity seems to be everywhere and the city has become the year-round business and tourism destination of choice.

Who has not been awed by Cape Town’s majestic beauty and charm? The Irish certainly have been. In May, leading Irish property group Howard Holdings plc led a consortium in securing the famous “Lady of Wale Street”, an historic building in the centre of Cape Town.

Nowadays Cape Town is a big draw for more than just tourists. The city boasts the weather, workforce and exchange rates to attract an array of national and international industries. James Eedes reports.

Cape Town is winning hearts and minds as a premier tourist centre. It has been voted one of the world’s top destinations, as well as Africa’s premier attraction. The phenomenal growth in this sector stems largely from the Cape’s natural beauty, its wide variety of world-renowned tourist attractions and its well-established infrastructure.

After nearly five decades on the drawing board, South Africa’s Industrial Development Zones are coming to fruition and promise to revitalise the Eastern Cape region of the country.

Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has become South Africa's most visited destination.

South Africa is encouraging investment through its National Industrial Participation programme. Stuart Theobald looks at the latest success story involving the supply of fighter jets.

The South African government has taken to a new tactic for attracting FDI: force it through procurement offset programmes. So far it has tied up $14bn-worth of economic activity, including the biggest offset package anywhere: a $8.7bn commitment from aircraft supplier BAE Systems and Saab. BAE is now one of South Africa’s biggest investors, with holdings in a long list of companies, including lumber mills, tyre factories, swimming pools and jewellery manufacturers.

CEOs of companies from across sub-Saharan Africa say that investors face many challenges in setting up business in their countries but improvements are being made and the opportunities available are worth it.

A special report presented to the third World Free Zone Convention held in Brussels in early June shows that free zones, a tool of international economic policy for more than 2000 years, are once again serious players in the global economy.

IDA is turning Ireland’s young people into techies and scientists, reports Hugh O’Shaughnessy.

IDA Ireland, the agency that did more than most to create that formidable animal the Celtic Tiger – a beast which grew by 10% a year in the late 1990s – is tackling a new challenge.

In 2003 it is having to trade up, which could mean setting aside the old strategies that emphasised low tax and cheap labour. Instead it is helping educate Ireland’s young population and to transform the “Isle of Saints” into the “Isle of a Highly Qualified Young People with Diplomas and Degrees” – that is people ready to tackle the newest techniques of the manufacturing and service industries.

For the first time since 1996, FDI outflows from Australia in 2001 exceeded inflows, partly explained by the acquisition of Billiton Plc (United Kingdom) by BHP Ltd for a total value of $11.5bn (see graph 1). Inward stock still exceeds outward stock, although the gap is getting narrower: while inward stock almost tripled since 1988, outward stock increased more than five times (see graph 2).