Formerly the largest Asian recipient of Japanese FDI, China has fallen out of favour with Japan-based companies in the past year.

In a speech made in February, Roberto Azevedo, director general of World Trade Organisation, stressed that while trade was likely to pick up in 2014, trade restrictions still posed a problem.

According to a report by German lender Commerzbank, sub-Saharan Africa's GDP is set to grow by 6% this year, outpacing average global growth.

Maplecroft report points to a deterioration of the operating environment in a number of countries in Africa and the Middle East.

At a recent conference in London hosted by Business Council Africa, the council's chairman assured investors and potential investors that Zimbabwe was a good place to do business. 

What will be the legacy of the recent Winter Olympic Games in Sochi? 

Three memorandums of understanding have been signed between Brazil and Cuba.

Albania has signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development in a bid to improve the country's business climate.

A survey by Ernst & Young shows that investors and business leaders in Portugal are happy with the country's recent business reforms.

London was the most attractive destination for European FDI in 2013, with more than double the number of projects as second placed Paris.