| As we are nearing the end of the summer, we are writing to update you on fDi Magazine's progress, where we are to date and what's coming up. It has been a frantic first half of the year over at fDi and we are sure this rings true with you. FDI is picking up, but it is still a daunting task to attract it as more and more regions are becoming competitive, especially in emerging markets. China and India in particular are influential both in terms of inward investment and outward investment. Africa is also gaining more of a foothold in attracting investment. Results seem to indicate that Western Europe is facing a tough time in terms of job creation and inward investment, with North America suffering less so. What does this all mean though? What can be done to ensure your region remains competitive? Advertisement fDi Magazine is reaching an average 45,000 high level investors globally and circulating, additionally, at 2-3 major investment events per month. The fDi Cities and Regions of the Future and the fDi Personality of the Year Awards have also been publicized globally, not just by fDi but other international and national medias and by governments worldwide. A reflection of the strong response in general to fDi has been through statements from CEOs globally expressing their support and awareness of fDi. The interest has also been reflected in increased hits on www.fDimagainze.com. We have seen a 30% increase in unique users of the website in the past four months. There are now over one million hits a month and 50,000 users. (63.5% corporate, 27% academical, 5% governmental) What have been the highlights of fDi Magazine's content so far this year? In our February/March edition, we focused on: opportunities in European real estate with bonus distribution at MIPIM (Cannes) and SITL (Paris). Also included: consolidation in the logistics sector (is this a sign of a potential resurgence?); the problems facing the US in terms of advanced manufacturing (and how they must overcome this); the end of the WTO textiles quote system (what will be the impact of this?); transfer pricing in China (why the Chinese government is changing the law); interview with the tourism minister of Sri Lanka explaining what is happening and how they are rebuilding the island's tourism sector post the tragic events of December 26th 2004 and finally we uncovered the Cities in the Middle East which stand out (our congratulations to all the winners and in particular, Dubai). In our April/May edition, we focused on the Biotech Industry and shared service centres, with bonus distribution at BIO 2005 (Philadelphia) and Shared Service Week (Cardiff). Advertisement We also looked at: the changing face of mulitnational investment (spreading their operations in smaller chunks and the challenges this is creating); biotech investment (locations around the world are vying for a share of the growing biotech industry. A few newcomers are offering tempting alternatives, but the established clusters are fighting back); the impact of the Bush's homeland investment act; the increase in consumer spending in Russia (stimulating FDI levels); the ADB president Omar Kabbaj explained how the African continent can attract investment; the Finance Minister of NZ and the Director General of the Thai Board of Investment discuss their economic strategy; the latest developments in Shared Services in Europe; a look at the Pearl River Delta in China (what is driving growth and what does the future hold) and finally we uncovered the first round winners of the US Cities and States of the Future and the Canadian Cities and Provinces of the Future (our congratulations to the winners!). In our June/July edition, fDi published special investment manifestos on both Afghanistan and the Dominican Republic as well as a focus on the US and Canada. The final winners of the North America and Canadian Cities and Regions of the Future 2005 were announced in this issue (Well done Chicago, Texas, Ontario and Toronto). We also unveiled the fDi Personality of the Year (this recognises someone outside the IPA arena who had worked tirelessly in attracting investment to their jurisdiction). We also focused on the aerospace industry; investment incentives under threat; an interview with the PM of Lithuania and also the diamond industry. What's coming up: August/September edition will include: Nanotech; shared services; treaty disputes; African countries of the future; Mexican States of the future; Caribbean and Central American Cities and Countries of the future; telecoms in Russia; HK-Guanghzou. October/November edition will include: ICT; Optics; Asian Cities and Regions of the future - part 1; Indonesia - doors open; Korea and APEC. If you wish to take advantage of the fDi Magazine and fDimagazine.com, please contact a member of the sales team. fDi is perfectly positioned to act as a unique and targeted marketing platform for you, we are very happy to advise on the possibilities. There are opportunities for our journalists to write relevant, cost effective and timely sponsored features. The options are tailor-made. There is the opportunity to have series branding and advertising both in the magazine's different issues and online. We can also discuss producing exclusive supplements for you with fDi Magazine. We wish you continued success for the remainder of the year. Please feel free to contact the fDi team if you have any queries about the publication and how it can assist you in marketing your jurisdiction - stand out and put your area in the spotlight in the publication that delivers the right message to the right people. Kind regards David East Associate Publisher fDi - Foreign Direct Investment Financial Times Business Tel: +44 (0) 207 382 8438 Fax: +44 (0) 207 382 8224 E-mail: david.east@ft.com |
