As the global economic balance of power shifts from west to east, international financial centres in Asia are growing in prominence at the expense of their developed world counterparts. But is this shift a permanent one?

An fDiIntelligence evaluation into biotech FDI between 2003 and 2011 shows that although the US is the dominant country in the sector, Asian cities lead in attractiveness for projects, competing on both quality and cost.

Indonesia has achieved significant economic growth in the past three years and now, with the help of a new development plan, its government has set the ambitious target of transforming the country into a major economic power by 2025. Can Indonesia compete on the same stage as Asia's behemoth economies such as India and China, or will the basic issues of infrastructure and inflation continue to hold it back?

As the EU imposes an oil embargo on Iran and the screws tighten on neighbouring Syria, foreign companies doing business with the affected countries are scrambling to stay on the right side of the law while hedging against their losses. 

Olam International – a Singaporean agricultural products and food ingredients company – is reaping the rewards of its global expansion, which has largely focused on Asia and Africa. But while it has recently revised upwards its long-term net profit forecast, food price volatility, poor weather and its large debts are potential hazards in the horizon.