Though fDi’s new atlas service helps when picking out a location to do business, companies investing in foreign fields still face a multitude of obstacles once the decision is made. From thereon in the solutions to any problems have a more traditional feel, writes Courtney Fingar.

Following an announcement earlier this spring that it would launch an ‘Invest in America’ initiative spearheaded by the US Department of Commerce, the White House issued a policy statement on May 10 that re-enforced the message that the US government would begin a national push to promote inward investment.

In March, the US Department of Commerce announced an Invest in America campaign, and in May the US Treasury and the White House gave FDI into the US an additional endorsement – the first policy statement at this level since 1990. Among other facts, the government is recognising that more than five million people in the US work for ‘foreign’ subsidiaries.

Alongside the BIO 2007 event in Boston, representatives from cities across North America attended an awards reception at the Marriott Copley hotel on May 7 to collect their prizes for fDi magazine’s Cities of the Future rankings.

Is manufacturing in Europe a picture of gloom or glitter, or somewhere in between?

The optimists are winning and the numbers look good: the latest monthly Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index shows almost two years of continued growth, and employment at its highest since 2000.

Turkey is due to hold general elections on July 22, four months ahead of schedule, in the hope of ending a political crisis over who should be the next president of the republic.

The Middle East property development and investment industry turned out in force on May 8 to celebrate excellence in real estate development and investment in the region. Cityscape Abu Dhabi, in association with Financial Times Business, presented the Cityscape Real Estate Awards at a gala dinner at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

South-east Asia may have grabbed the headlines on regional FDI growth, but private firms in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia cannot leave increasingly complex promotion activities to government agencies – they must act themselves, says Lawrence Yeo.

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

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

BP Solar is working on a project to expand cell capacity at its Tres Cantos plant in Spain, where the market potential is attractive. Bertrand Boulin, vice-president for supply and manufacturing, talks to Silvia Pavoni.

When UK-based Xoomworks needed to make cost savings, it found them only a short flight away in Romania, along with a ready supply of IT talent, recruited the ‘local way’ – by means of personal networks. Courtney Fingar explains.

Gérard Collomb, mayor of Lyon, tells Courtney Fingar how the city’s ongoing regeneration is providing businesses with a viable low-cost alternative to Paris and Europe’s other economic centres.

The fate of Europe’s auto industry supplier parks depends on original equipment manufacturers but will also be affected by the auto giants’ production strategies, writes Lillie Guyer.

Having suffered from the decline in the coal and steel industries, the UK county of South Yorkshire is forging ahead with the creation of an industrial park that puts a new spin on its traditional strengths. Courtney Fingar reports.

Discover the benefits of business in Arizona.

The global aerospace giants are enjoying rapid growth, opening development sites all over the world. Meanwhile, emerging market newcomers are angling for a piece of the pie. Karen E Thuermer reports.

Lazio is high on the list of sought-after locations among international corporate investors and Sviluppo Lazio’s efforts are paying off with increased FDI inflows.

BA chief Willie Walsh defends his staff and believes the airline’s investment plans will win over disgruntled customers. He talks to Karina Robinson.

Courtney Fingar interviews Sten Tolgfors, Sweden’s minister for foreign trade, to find out what changes the current government is bringing to trade and investment policy.

Despite the logistical problems of operating in the icy conditions of the Arctic Circle, Norway’s friendly business environment and tax advantages are hot attractions, writes James Hydzik.

Trade growth is slowing at Turkey’s free zones as the government begins removing key tax exemptions. Metin Demirsar reports.

Kaya Tuncer, chairman of the Aegean Free Zone Development and Operating Company (ESBAS), explains how important Turkey’s free zones are to the national economy.

Countries across the Arabian peninsula are establishing airport and industrial zones, exploiting their strategic geographic locations. Jules Stewart reports.

Interview with Dr Khater Massad, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority in the United Arab Emirates and adviser to HH Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, crown prince and deputy ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

Free zones have proliferated in the Middle East for different reasons in different countries with Dubai being the most successful, writes vice-president of FEMOZA Peter Ryan.

Lee Hwan-Kyun, the head of Incheon’s free zone, tells Courtney Fingar how he not only wants to grow trade and investment, but also intends to promote peace on the Korean peninsula and abroad.

Foreign and domestic automakers are rushing out affordable compact cars with local appeal, while turning India into an export hub. N Chandra Mohan reports.

Business confidence is soaring in South Africa ahead of the country’s hosting of the football World Cup in 2010, writes Wendy Atkins.

R1bn in incentives for BPO investors.

South Africa’s prospering sugar industry is the 13th largest in the world but it is a strong land use policy that is the key to the development of biofuels, says Glynn Morris.

Although it has got off to a slow start, South Africa has enormous potential as a biofuels producer. fDi talks to Andrew Makenete, agribusiness general manager at leading South African bank ABSA, about the market’s opportunities.

Governance enforcement, political reform, debt relief and international aid are placing Liberia on a path to economic revival. Karen E Thuermer reports.

As president of the National Agency for Investment Development, Beatriz Nofal’s job is to talk up the country to investors. An auspicious set of circumstances is helping, she tells Jason Mitchell.

Technology put in place to tighten national security at ports of entry is helping the Bahamas monitor and predict tourist numbers and develop visitor programmes, Wendy Atkins reports.

With so many cities and regions angling for a share of the lucrative global arbitration market, what does it take to succeed? Luke Eric Peterson finds out.

The enlargement of the EU eastwards has contributed to the central and eastern European countries’ success in attracting FDI. David Bartlett explains how investors can best exploit their advantages.

Jerome Couturier and Davide Sola explain the role of local market specificities in determining the optimal design for a company’s entry into a foreign market.

Continued investment is a leading factor in wealth creation among European companies, according to the latest value added ranking of the region’s top 750 companies.