Chicago comes out top once again in our North American Cities of the Future 2007/08 rankings, but there are also some surprises and interesting newcomers.

Computer chip maker Intel has announced its first integrated wafer plant in Asia will be in its fastest-growing market, China.

Toyota is set to build its eighth North American manufacturing facility in Mississippi. The state beat off southern rivals Arkansas and Tennessee to win the investment.

More and more money is going into the biofuels industry, in the US and worldwide – yet perhaps not necessarily to best effect.

London is on top of the world. It continues to lead over the Big Apple as the number one international financial services centre. The recent Global Financial Centres Index produced by Z/Yen, places London at number one with the other only truly global centre – New York – at number two.

UK business has welcomed the extension of the UK research and development tax regime, unveiled in chancellor Gordon Brown’s budget presentation in March.

Malaysia’s Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) has attracted more than RM400m ($116m) in foreign investments since opening for business in November 2006, PKFZ officials have reported. Another RM91m is expected soon.

Businesses that can provide for the needs of the poor and ageing populations of Asia can help them climb out of poverty and, in return, receive the benefits that access to a gigantic consumer base can bring, says Lawrence Yeo.

Legal challenges from the world of foreign direct investment. By Luke Peterson.

First Ukrainian International Bank proves with its Eurobond issue that locally owned banks with a unique strategy are evoking much interest on the international capital market.

Biopharmaceutical firm Protherics has an established presence in both the US and the UK and has its sights set on American and European markets for its new products. Karen E Thuermer reports.

Sofia’s fiery but popular mayor, Boyko Borissov, is candid about the country’s hopes for reform. Courtney Fingar reports.

Prime minister José Sócrates (right) talks to Brian Caplen and Peter Wise about his determination to “build Portugal into a modern country” fully equipped to compete in the global economy.

Biosciences and healthcare are in excellent shape in France’s Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Tapping into the funds that provide grants for life sciences start-ups, research and development is critical for biotechnology companies to succeed and turn their ideas into products for sale. Karen E Thuermer finds out where the money sources are.

A combination of traditional and new industry sectors makes the southern Spanish province of Andalusía a great place to do business.

Arizona is fast catching up on its more established peers in the bioscience sector through a mix of public-private initiatives, collaborative efforts and determination, say our round table panellists.

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most active in outsourcing to shared service centres, reports Karen E Thuermer.

Research has shown companies that adopt shared services perform better in terms of quality of delivery and cost savings. Joel Roques outlines the crucial elements to bear in mind when considering taking this route.

Chicago, Juarez, Windsor and Zapata are the top cities in fDi’s North American Cities of the Future 2007/08 rankings. Charles Piggott reports on the leading performers among major, large, small and micro cities.

The flourishing City of Mississauga is providing a cost-competitive base for international companies, including many listed in the Fortune 500 and Global 500, and is home to some of the biggest firms in the world.

Greater Moncton is New Brunswick’s economic engine and has all the assets that businesses need to be successful.

Curbing carbon emissions and refocusing immigration policy are top priorities for the governors of the US’s western states, reports Karen E Thuermer.

The US has had no national co-ordinated strategy or federal funding for overseas promotion, leaving states to compete for investment with national entities on a global stage. But the federal government is beginning to take an interest, Erika Morphy reports.

Globalisation pits city against city across the world in the battle for business. Don Holbrook looks at how this has affected once-successful locations in the US and warns that the country’s long-term prosperity is in jeopardy if they do not fight back.

There is a possibility that trade promotion authority, which provides the US administration with a fast-track procedure for trade agreements, could live beyond its shelf date. P Welles Orr argues that the procedure is essential if the US is to keep its leadership role in world trade.

Germany seems to be on the road to economic recovery but it is the strength of that recovery that will rule its ability to attract the FDI it needs to improve its long-term prospects. Jules Stewart reports.

A strategy to promote high-tech industries and new tax breaks make Germany, which enjoyed 2.5% economic growth in 2006, an enticing location for international investors.

When it comes to financial services, major UK cities and regions outside London are attracting the sector’s heavy hitters. Courtney Fingar reports.

Scotland’s financial services sector is steeped in history and cloaked in confidence.

In response to heavy demand for premium space, office, retail and residential projects are under construction in and around Bulgaria’s booming capital city. Courtney Fingar reports from Sofia.

The media industry is growing fast in the Middle East, with numerous new satellite TV and FM stations going on air, big projects for the print industry in the pipeline and film studios courting box office film makers. By Simeon Kerr.

Pakistan has raised its profile as an investment location in the past few years, despite bad press, and the privatisation programme rolls on, reports Jules Stewart.

Western anxieties about Chinese economic strength are overblown. Pervez N Ghauri and Priyan P Khakhar give a reality check.

Although Thailand’s political situation is shaky, the country’s many business advantages are keeping it on track as an alternative investment destination to China.

Two decades of growth and Thailand continues to be a vibrant centre of investment.

Despite recent rioting and coup d’états, paradise has not been lost in the South Pacific islands; rather, it has been suspended while economic, governance and political reforms take their course, writes Jeffrey Robertson.

The international system of property rights must be reformed to give it stability and balance if capitalism is to continue contributing to the development process, according to a new book on the security of foreign investment.

Well-managed multinational corporations have ways of managing potentially disruptive events but how would they cope in a high-risk environment? Stephen Ladek offers some pointers.

Olivia A Jackson assesses the impact of terrorism on US investments in the Middle East and finds no sign of retrenchment.

The City of London Corporation’s Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) shows London and New York as the two leading financial centres globally, with London ahead of New York by 5 rating points.

As Cityscape’s global reach expands, so too does its importance to those wishing to invest in some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, says Rohan Marwaha.

New hot spots for property investment and real estate development projects across Asia and the Middle East are attracting interest.

A fixation on constructing housing exclusively for the nouveau riche could spell disaster for the entire market, writes YY Tang.

The commerical real estate market is highly attractive with prices drawing investors in and more projects on the drawing board. Chris Webb reports.

Singapore’s high-end proposition is attracting global interest and investment, causing a boom in luxury private housing. Y Siva Sankar reports.

With a buoyant economic outlook and new ownership laws, Malaysia’s residential market presents an attractive investment opportunity, write Nadine Marroushi and Jon Marks.

The property boom in Bahrain continues unfettered. A surge in the residential market is expected and brave new commercial projects are coming to fruition.

Jordan is still in its boom phase with construction projects dotting the Amman skyline, but spaces are filling up, writes Nadine Marroushi.

Canny investors and developers are looking beyond the honeypot centres of Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the building boom ripples across the UAE.

Across the United Arab Emirates, as new infrastructure opens up access, waterfront residences are being built and towering cities planned.

Abu Dhabi is busy channelling its abundant energy revenues into a wealth of real estate projects.

From the tallest skyscraper to the Palm islands and all the countless commercial and residential projects in between, the Dubai construction bandwagon powers on.