FDI

On the lookout for a new location? Think Sweden. Sweden’s economy improved much earlier from the global recession in comparison to other European countries, so a move to the Nordic region should be top of your business agenda. In 2010, the World Economic Forum identified Sweden as the second most competitive market and economy, out of 133 examined, and the Central Bank estimates there will be a 2.3% increase in GDP for 2012. Read on to find out the reasons why an investment in Sweden would be a smart business move.

Why Albania? This is a question that we at AIDA – the Albanian Investment Development Agency – often get asked by foreign investors. Rather than find enough reasons the challenge in giving an answer is how to be succinct and to the point.

So, why invest in Albania: Well, because of its dynamism, its fast growing, emerging economy that has proven to be the most resilient in the region during the recent financial and economic crisis; because of its lean, business-friendly government with a flat tax rate of 10 percent, and streamlined business procedures that enable you to register a company or get all the permits needed in one day at the cost of one Euro; because of its openness towards foreigners and foreign investment; because of it young, educated, cost-competitive work force; because of the entrepreneurial spirit of its people; because of its strategic position at the gates of more than 65 million consumers of southeastern Europe; and last, but not least, because of the sun, the Mediterranean climate, and the well-attested quality of life.

In a rapidly changing world, with new global challenges and opportunities, geospatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will help companies and organisations to navigate to a better future. GIS is becoming an increasingly important everyday tool for companies to understand their processes, reduce environmental impacts and increase business performance. Gävle and the Gävleborg region, in Sweden, has developed into the GIS capital of Europe over the past 15 years, with a world-leading GIS industry and research competence.

Madrid is an open-minded city where culture, entertainment and business share an attractive, thriving space. Thanks to its modern and cosmopolitan flare and to the friendly character of Madrilenians, the Spanish capital makes everyone feel right at home while providing them with some of the world’s most interesting tourist attractions.

Located at the intersection of the ancient via regia and via imperii trading routes, Leipzig quickly developed into a key market for merchants. The Leipzig Fair is considered the ‘mother of trade fairs’. There has always been an international flair to the city because of its trade and therefore it does not come as a surprise that not only goods, but also ideas were frequently and actively exchanged here among people. The city’s tradition as a centre of academic and research excellence started with the foundation of Leipzig University in 1409, which is today the second oldest university in Germany after Heidelberg.

Welcome to the sexy world of captive insurance, not one of your better known types of insurance. In a nutshell, captive insurance is self-insurance. A captive insurance company is an insurance company that principally insures the risks of businesses that are related to it through common ownership. The insured businesses pay premiums to the captive in exchange for insurance. The captive can be owned by the business owner or by his or her spouse, relatives, a trust, or any of the companies he or she owns.

Trinidad and Tobago, the home of Calypso music, is increasingly making sweet music to the ears of investors. The country is one of the most prosperous, diversified and industrialized countries in the Caribbean. It is the leading producer of oil and gas in the region and is marked by low inflation, steady upward growth, a stable economy, falling unemployment, and a well-organized, locally regulated financial system. The strength of the country’s economy is evidenced by the presence of over 400 multinationals in services, manufacturing, financial and energy sectors. These firms include Fujitsu, Microsoft, IBM, Bank of Baroda, and BHP Billiton.

South Africa is one of the world’s top business destinations and is supported by well-developed infrastructure. The country, is rated by the World Bank among the top 30 countries for ease of doing business and among the top 10 in the world for investor protection and good fiscal governance.

The Free State Province, one of South Africa’s nine provinces, is centrally situated in the heart of South Africa, borders six of the other provinces and shares a border with the Kingdom of Lesotho.