Originally established to protect the interests of foreign investors in host countries, bilateral investment treaties are coming under fire, with many countries arguing that the balance has tipped too far in favour of the investor.

With the hosting of large, international events leading to palpable increases in foreign investment in a handful of cities across Europe, more and more locations are keen to replicate this success and are working on developing their reputations in the trade events space.

Swedish lubricants and bearings giant SKF is planning a substantial US expansion in the next couple of years, but where will it find the workforce for its new, solutions-based model? 

The micro-factory concept – in which a small number of products are designed and built in a space that is often no bigger than a desktop – is taking off in the US, with companies such as GE embracing the opportunities it presents to innovate at a low cost.

PartnerTech's 'industrial partnership' operating model means that the company has nothing to sell and focuses specifically on the products of other companies. Its CEO explains why oil and gas solutions and medical devices are its strongest fields, and how it is targeting China and North America.