Arguments for regulation of SWF investment raise fears that protectionism could hinder capital flows.

The UK, the US and Germany top the list of countries in a study ranking 22 of the world’s leading jurisdictions for intellectual property.

China has been ranked the most attractive destination for FDI, ahead of both eastern and western Europe, according to a study by Ernst & Young that examined the perceptions of top business leaders.

Post-privatisation concerns are arising in some emerging markets.

Stung by a series of high-profile FDI lawsuits, the government of Venezuela has responded with a plan to neutralise one of the more effective weapons in the foreign investor arsenal. In late April, Venezuela notified the Dutch government that it would terminate a 15-year-old investment protection treaty between the two nations.

Vietnam has ousted India from its three-year reign as the most attractive emerging market destination for retail investment, according to a study by AT Kearney.

Nestlé chairman Peter Brabeck tells Karina Robinson why the multinational company, like its customers, is embarking on a wellness and nutrition diet.

Winning the $40bn contract to assemble air tankers for the US air force is big news for Northrop Grumman and EADS, and for Mobile, Alabama. It could signal a change for the US, too. Karen E Thuermer explains why.

E-sourcing can produce astonishing savings and free up time for businesses’ global procurement functions, producing a rapid return on investment, writes Steve Watts.

Outlook for FDI inflows into Brazil significantly improved by Fitch and S&P investment grade ratings.

They are called millennials, those young adults born in the 1980s and 1990s, now in the 19 to 29 age bracket. As well as having a name, they are the subject of much analysis. Numbering almost 100 million, they are both the entry level and rising supervisory workforce, and they appear to be newly engaged in the US presidential campaign.

General Motors (GM) plans to close four sport-utility vehicle and pick-up truck plants in North America as it focuses on the manufacture of more fuel efficient vehicles in its core US market.

The Dominican Republic expects to receive more than $1.5bn in FDI in 2008 as a result of pan-American trade agreements.

Courtney Fingar talks to Dalton McGuinty, premier of Ontario and 2006 fDi Global Personality of the Year winner, during his May visit to London.

Q  fDi will announce its 2008 Personalities of the Year in its next issue. What challenges do you think the winners are facing that might be different from 2006, and what would be your advice?
A  The pace of change has only accelerated. We have moved into an era of globalisation and we are not exactly sure how this global economy works. For example, we are experiencing a US economic slowdown.

While other US procurement service companies compete for business in the saturated domestic market, Industrial Motion has found a profitable niche: supplying offshore. Karen E Thuermer reports.

Put it down to American ingenuity. Just because US manufacturers move manufacturing operations overseas does not mean that they have to lose the support of US distributors who supply them with spare parts to repair their machinery.

Peru is building up its trade relations with countries around the world, boding well for a big boost to its economy. Lara Williams reports.

With the US property market in the dumps, communities such as Ontario, California, look for ways to ride out the downcycle. Karen E Thuermer reports.

US car giant makes plans to expand production in China, Thailand and India as domestic sales slump.

The Indian government is offering its IT outsourcing industry a $1bn tax break to stimulate more foreign investment and job creation in the sector.

Japan’s cabinet has called for policy changes to reverse the county’s protectionist reputation and increase foreign direct investment.

The economic ministers of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) are working to establish the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 to achieve the broader goal of the region becoming a single, integrated, seamless market and serving as an international production base.

UNCTAD’s secretary-general, Supachai Panitchpakdi, speaks to Lara Williams about his efforts to strengthen the organisation’s role in helping to integrate developing countries into the global economy.

Following the turbulence of the 2006 military coup that removed Thaksin Shinawatra from office, Thailand’s new government is working to prove to foreign investors that it provides a stable environment to do business. Courtney Fingar reports.

Last year was record breaking for foreign investment in Vietnam but inflation and an ever-present trade deficit are threatening to bring the good times to an end, writes Nick Freeman.

Malaysia is keeping up the momentum of its drive to bring FDI into every major area of its economy in an effort to stay ahead of the regional competition. Jules Stewart reports.

As Malaysia’s government focuses on achieving the policies already set in motion, Jules Stewart reports on the economic corridors that are expected to deliver future growth for the country.

The country’s economy continues to grow and sustain the momentum of investment inflows.

Dissatisfaction with UK tax administration prompts United Business Media and Shire to move bases to Ireland.

The whole world seems to be falling out of love with bankers and their ilk in the services sector, and in their place we have a new economic hero. Companies that actually make things are now back in favour.

Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia is to pay $314m in compensation to former German employees for moving its manufacturing operations to Romania.

European countries are vying to become the location of choice for a new European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), an EU-funded project to help Europe face increased global competition in innovation.

Finland’s President has guided the country onto the world stage and is now working on maintaining its competitiveness globally, she tells Lara Williams.

Luxembourg’s action man trade minister Jeannot Krecké tells Lara Williams why the tiny country is as big in distribution as it is in financial services.

If first minister Alex Salmond had his way, Scotland would have political autonomy – and an Irish-style tax rate, he tells Courtney Fingar.

Edinburgh is considered a beautiful city but the local council believes there is still room for improvement. Courtney Fingar looks at plans under way.

As Albania moves towards membership of NATO and the EU, it is casting off its isolation and increasing the prospect of investment into some of its promising industries. Tom Blass reports.

Government demands billions from oil giants while borrowing from them to cover funding shortfall.

The first Palestine Investment Conference took place in May, aiming to highlight the investment potential of the politically troubled region.

Tanzania is the latest African country to suffer debilitating power outages, leaving the island of Zanzibar effectively closed for business.

Sir Digby Jones, UK Minister for Trade and Investment, said last April in Abu Dhabi that the world was undergoing a fundamental shift in power.

Hewlett Packard has recognised that Africa’s language skills and dramatic market growth make the continent a great investment target. Lara Williams reports.

There is no slowdown in sight for the United Arab Emirates’ free zone schemes. Courtney Fingar reports on their projects at home and abroad.

With political stability, natural resources and a sea gateway to the Levant, the Jordanian port city of Aqaba has nuggets of potential, but it needs foreign expertise to turn them into gold, Lara Williams reports.

In tough economic times, do companies tighten their belts when it comes to FDI? It seems not: the 10 companies with the highest returns on overseas investments believe now is the right time to expand international operations. Charles Piggott reports.

Almost without exception, the companies at the top of a recent list of the most profitable companies overseas take the view that the current economic conditions are still right for international expansion. Research released last month by Investment Consulting Associates (ICA) examined 20 years of data from 230 Fortune 500 companies’ annual reports and named the 10 companies with the best returns on foreign assets.

Despite slower growth in the air cargo market, new airports and air fleets will be needed in the next 20 years. fDi reports.

The western state of Jalisco is the heart of Mexico’s booming aerospace, technology and engineering industries, well served by its local talent pool.

The fDi inaugural Aerospace Manufacturing Investment Competitiveness Index has found the US to rank high above other well-established locations.

The relationship between host country and foreign subsidiary should go far beyond the initial project – the years which follow are invaluable for exploring further profitability, writes Sergey Filippov.

The M&A market has been hit hard by the subprime crisis but the market for greenfield investment remains strong.

The global FDI market – and financial services sector – has weathered the credit crunch remarkably well. This is mainly due to the key importance of emerging markets for FDI compared to M&A, which is much more dependent on the US and Western Europe for deals.