What is the question most frequently asked of you by potential investors?

Foreign investment committee of Chile, Karen Poniachik, executive vice-president Cross-sector investments, including the automotive industry, in geographically isolated regions of Chile

Their first question is often about Chile’s Foreign Investment Statute. In general, questions focus on Chile’s business and investment environment and cover aspects such as macroeconomic and trade projections, taxation issues, labour and infrastructure costs, and rules and procedures for FDI.

Alberta Economic Development, Susan Henderson, director of investment attraction, Europe Sector targeted: biotechnology

Do we have financial incentives?

Costa Rican Investment Board, Anabel Gonzalez, director-general Sector: information technology

Can all this be true in such a small country? And our response is “yes”. Small has its advantages: flexibility and quick response plus commitment to foreign investors – on the part of the government and society as a whole – are just a few.

CzechInvest, Martin Jahn, chief executive officer, Sector: outsourcing – shared service centres

Investors in outsourcing put a great emphasis on general technology environments. The Czech IT market is highly developed. The Czech Republic is the regional leader in mobile penetration and the number of internet hosts per capita. With its 6.4% of GDP spent on ICT in 1999, the Czech Republic exceeds the EU average.

Estonian Investment Agency, Andrus Viirg, director, Sector: information technology

The answer is that Estonia does not offer any special incentives. The whole business environment, with low taxes, a liberal trade regime and equal treatment of companies, are incentives for starting up businesses.

Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency, Lajos Csősz, marketing director, Sector: automotive

There are questions over government incentives (taxes, allowances, support); customs regulations; laws and decrees concerning FDI; the labour force; education; infrastructure (road networks, railways, airports); licensing, construction work (time, cost); and living conditions for families.

Invest Hong Kong, Mike Rowse, director-general, Sector: telecoms, IT, tourism, technology, financial services, business services, transportation

Most potential investors would ask about the operational procedures of setting up a company in Hong Kong. Invest Hong Kong can assist by providing them with solution-oriented investment promotion, facilitation and aftercare services.

Invest in Iceland, Gardar Ingvarsson, managing director, Sector: energy-intensive industries

The main questions are about energy prices and availability; contract structures; Iceland’s economy; taxes and financial incentives; and labour costs.

IDA Ireland, Brendan Halpin, marketing and services manager, Sector: IT, pharmaceutical/ health care/ financial and international services

Too many and too varied to answer this. However, questions about education and skills development rank highly, as do questions about tax.

Jamaican Export & Investment Facilitation Agency, Julian J Robinson, manager, Sector: IT and international business, IT outsourcing

Investors want to know that we have the labour force to meet their requirements, from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective.

Government of Trinidad & Tobago, Candyce Kelshall, commercial attache, Sector: down stream petrochemicals and chemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, specialty chemicals, paints and cosmetics, perfumes and toiletries

The question most frequently asked by investors is how long does it take for projects to be approved. I have dealt with projects that took two months from first visit to first sale. Not all move that swiftly. Overall the government’s view is to facilitate business. We listen to our investors and aftercare, in particular, is one of our strongpoints. We keep in touch with our investors and feedback is regular and productive.

Western cape Investment and Tarde Promotion Agency, Roland Hein, chief operating officer, Sector: automotive components

What incentives or support schemes are available to attract investment?