The EU's decision to award duty-free access to imports from Pakistan's textiles industry has had the added bonus of stoking the interest of Chinese companies when it comes to the south Asian country's garments sector. 

With real estate space at an astronomical premium in the traditional centre of New York City – Manhattan – investors are looking over the river to Brooklyn, which a wave of new developments is transforming into the next big location.

Kenya suffered a setback in the latter half of 2013, when two major incidents in quick succession dealt a blow to its international reputation. But cabinet secretary for transport and infrastructure Michael Kamau tells Barbara Njau that he is confident that the government's effective response to these events, and its commitment to developing the country's infrastructure, will help cement Kenya's position as a leading investment destination in east Africa.

London has retained its position as fDi’s European City of the Future 2014/15, while Germany’s Nordrhein-Westfalen has sailed to the top to rank first among Europe’s regions. 

Hong Kong has been crowned fDi’s Asia-Pacific City of the Future, with Singapore and Beijing taking second and third places.

fDi’s inaugural Innovation Awards recognise the world’s most creative investment promotion agencies.

In a sluggish global economy, government investment promotion agencies should be jockeying for the attention of scarce investors. Instead, almost 80% ignore investor requests for help, according to a World Bank study.

As European economies continue to stagnate, the continent's various investment promotion agencies are upping their efforts to attract investment from the rising BRIC economies. But how BRIC-friendly are their websites? And are they backing up their words by establishing a physical presence in these countries?

Officials across the US have found that their states' quick and efficient responses to major natural disasters serve as an effective promotion tool.