Last year, Turkey’s leading advocate for inward investment, Melek Us, did not even attend the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies’ (WAIPA) annual meeting because her country was not a member. Next year she could be the president.

Thelma Askey’s career has had its ups and downs. “That’s life in a political arena,” said the boss of the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

Call centres in the West have been hit by competition from the internet, clients’ desire for face-to-face contact and firms’ continued outsourcing to low-cost locations. Jules Stewart assesses the industry’s future.

Many foreign firms in China have become caught in the value trap which destroys shareholder value. Lowering operating costs and studying the Chinese consumer could secure long-term profits, say Hubert Hsu and Jim Hemerling.

Randy Campbell, Secretary General of the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ), reveals the scope of the global C-TPAT initiative.

The Italian government may have plans to build a bridge to Sicily but, to fulfil its potential, what the island really needs is a government that is prepared to enforce law and order, says Hugh O’Shaughnessy

After decades of protectionism, it took a financial crisis for South Korea to open its doors to FDI. Mi Hui Kim reports on the country’s efforts to position itself as the hi-tech hub of north east Asia.

US economic development agencies gave firms billions of dollars of grants and tax breaks in the 1990s. Now they want their money back. Charles Olivier reports from Washington.

Peter Nicholl, governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia-Herzegovina, tells Anthony Robinson that he is hoping to boost foreign investment through an international sovereign rating.

The south eastern city of Montpellier has successfully changed from a dependence on agriculture to become one of France’s cutting-edge locations for hi-tech firms. Ashleigh Lezard finds out why the city is attracting so much FDI.

As Argentina prepares for presidential elections, FDI is trickling back into highly selective business sectors such as agriculture and wine-making. But political consensus will be the key to more confidence in the economy, says Jonathan Gregson

To stop a local difficulty turning into a major PR disaster, multinationals would do well to ignore lawyers’ advice and face up to the situation. Charles Piggott reports.

Insecurity on the part of global companies is leading Indian IT firms to set up disaster recovery centres in ‘safe’ locations to where operations can be transferred in the event of a business-busting catastrophe. Karla Rao explains.

The US state of Virginia has a long history of working with foreign companies. Karen Thuermer on how the south eastern state’s governor is attracting FDI from across the globe.

A mere 30% of investing companies in the pharmaceuticals, life sciences and medical technology sector can remember the correct name of the investment promotion agency (IPA) that could help with their deal, according to a survey by Oxford Intelligence. The FDI research and information specialist also revealed that only 20% of investing companies bothered to use an agency when making an investment. These startling facts raise questions about whether companies understand the role of IPAs properly and whether agencies are providing the right kind of service.

The first year of China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation witnessed an increasing level of investment and the use of innovative investment tools, which have raised many questions as to China’s legal framework in relation to foreign investment. On December 30, 2002, China enacted ‘New Regulations Circular on Certain Issues regarding the Strengthening of the Administration of Examination, Approval, Registration, Foreign Exchange and Taxation of Foreign Invested Enterprises’ (‘New Regulations’), representing China’s efforts to fill a legal vacuum and address issues unanswered by the existing foreign investment law.

US firms should make a bigger commitment to invest in Africa’s manufacturing sector, the second US-Sub-Saharan Trade and Economic Co-operation Forum (African Growth and Opportunities Act – AGOA) was told in Mauritius in January.

Drinks can maker Ball Corporation has abandoned plans to build a E75m drinks can factory in Romania, deciding to focus its investment plans on Serbia instead.

Many developing countries need to revise their strategies to attract export-oriented FDI in light of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) rules on subsidies. But the legal situation is complex, calling for careful analysis of the implications for each country.

Michigan-based car maker General Motors looks set to give the green light for a full-scale research and development (R&D) centre in Bangalore.

Conference agendas are often a good indicator of which subjects are exercising corporate concern. Several public and private sector forums in the next few months will be devoted to the environment.

Ford has only just officially opened its first car factory in China at the start of February, but is nonetheless racing to catch up in China.

Volkswagen has decided to make its Bora model for the export market at VW’s Puebla plant in Mexico, taking the German car maker’s investment in the country to about $2bn.

Charles Piggott
Government regulation is creating a negative attitude among US investors in India, according to the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in India.

Multinationals have responded to exposure under the ethical spotlight by doing good works in developing countries. Yet PR disasters show that some have not fully acknowledged the link between public image and profits.