Governments around the world are realising the benefits of smartcard technology for passports and id cards, creating big opportunities for businesses.

Poland’s ‘aviation valley’ around Rzeszow has 70 years of history in the aerospace industry but is achieving fresh success thanks to its highly skilled workforce, low labour costs and its innovative approach to training, reports Ginanne Brownell.

Karen E Thuermer reports on a string of major aviation and aerospace projects that have taken place in the past 18 months.

The global recession had little effect upon the space and defence industry, with the UK recording particularly impressive figures. 

Supported by astute government initiatives and integrated with local educational institutions, Georgia has become one of the most productive regions for aerospace in the US.

The aerospace cluster in the Mexican region of Nuevo León offers  excellent opportunities to second- and third-tier companies wanting  access to the US market and beyond. Now the state government is trying to attract companies at the first-tier level.

fDi analyses key statistics relating to investment in the aerospace sector between 2005 to 2009.

After making the largest direct investment by a European company into Pakistan five years ago, Norwegian telecoms provider Telenor is sold on the sub-continent.

The 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics will focus the world’s attention on Brazil. The country’s north-east in particular plans to ensure that the infrastructure and tourism legacies left by these events are built to last.