Political upheaval in the Czech Republic is doing little to alleviate the country's economic torpor, but its leaders insist that it remains a central and eastern European powerhouse when it comes to attracting investment.

Cyprus has turned a corner after its recent banking crisis, say observers, with investor confidence gradually returning to the finance sector. And the country’s emerging fund industry and foreign exchange trading are providing a potential draw for foreign investors. 

When it comes to development ambitions, Cyprus is thinking big with plans for a casino resort, a science and technology park, hotels, shopping centres and new office space, plus the redevelopment of terminals at Larnaca and Paphos airports. 

While neighbouring countries descend into turmoil, Cyprus is busy moving on from its downturn, finding alternative markets for its real-estate sector and incentivising investment. 

Cyprus has a global reputation for being a high-quality hub for the shipping industry. And its commitment to training its workforce in this sector and providing a stable and business-friendly tax regime mean that it is unlikely to lose its competitive edge any time soon.

Cyprus, already well known as a tourist destination, is now branching out in terms of the services it can offer travellers, from a casino and golf courses to medical tourism. 

Many of the millions of visitors who flock to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh are doing so because of the country's rich history. Over the past few years, however, the city's academic excellence and collaborative spirit have seen it become a world-class destination for companies working in sectors using cutting-edge technologies.

The sheer number of start-up companies emerging in hi-tech sectors in Edinburgh is a testament to the city's highly educated workforce, its pro-business environment and its proximity to financial services firms offering to fund these new entrepreneurs.

With its deep-water natural gas resources and potential to be a major provider of solar power, Cyprus is positioning itself as an energy hub within the eastern Mediterranean.