India's minister of commerce and industry, the Philippines' secretary for tourism and Thailand's deputy prime minister and minister for finance tell Barbara Njau about the role FDI is playing in their plans to improve their countries' economic performance.

The Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone offers businesses a central location and easy access to the city centre, as well as financial incentives. 

When it comes to attracting crossborder investment, the Pomeranian region of Poland punches above its weight, helped in large part by Tri-City – three separate municipalities that work together to promote investment. fDi talks to the mayors of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot. 

South Korea's economy has flourished in the past few decades, thanks in no small part to the success of global conglomerates such as Kia, Hyundai and Samsung. But does the dominance of these companies stifle competition in the country, and make it vulnerable to a global downturn?

South Korea has the unenviable task of setting itself up as an investment destination that can challenge nearby heavyweights China and Japan. However, the innovative use of free-trade agreements and pro-business policies are helping the country establish itself as a gateway into north-west Asia.

In the US, where tax policies are decided on a local rather than national basis, many states are using this power to attract investment. But how beneficial is this strategy in the long term?

The financial and professional services sector in Wales is growing at pace, buoyed by the relatively low cost of salaries in the country and an abundance of graduates. And, with the economic climate forcing an increasing number of companies to seek cost-cutting solutions, the country's appeal is only set to increase.

With just a handful of 'smart' cities across the world, the concept is still in its infancy. But while there may not be clear a blueprint for success, some cities are already reaping positive economic rewards for their smart thinking.