The real estate sector took a pounding in 2013, with record lows forecast for foreign investment on a global scale. But on a regional level, the Asia-Pacific is seeing increased investment in the sector in what is thought to be an emerging trend.  

The central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan barely register in terms of global FDI share, making the presence of the IFC in the region all the more important. The corporation's director of Europe and central Asia tells Michal Kaczmarski how the IFC is helping these former Soviet republics make their voices heard.

The Chinese city of Wuhan may have its economic roots in heavy industry, but it is now looking to new sectors higher up the value chain to improve efficiency and foster growth. 

Kazakhstan is hoping to turn to replicate its successful bid for Expo 2017 in Astana with its application to become host of the 2022 Winter Olympics, bringing investment and stimulating growth.

While the boom times in Australia’s mining industry may have abated, foreign investors are still finding favour in different sectors, not least because of the country’s close ties with other markets in the Asia-Pacific. 

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.