Does the size and prestige of the company that you are seeking to attract influence the incentives offered?

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

ness climate. Investment incentives, mostly for remote or otherwise deprived regions and in the technology industry (for more details, see www.foreigninvestment.cl, FDI In Chile section), are available equally to foreign and domestic investors and are totally independent of a company’s size or origin.

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

Alberta offers financial incentives but does not offer grants or loans to business. A balanced and fair playing field for all business enhances and supports business decisions to locate and invest in Alberta. That balanced playing field is delivered through the lowest taxes in Canada and a policy of no financial incentives to individual businesses. Alberta and its businesses have grown through small and medium sized-entities being successful, so the opportunity for all is welcomed.

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

Costa Rica offers a competitive package of incentives that are granted to all companies fulfilling the minimum requirements established by law, providing investors with a clear legal framework in which to operate. Additionally, the government takes a collaborative approach in supporting investors’ particular needs in areas such as infrastructure or training, where the specific characteristics of a company are taken into consideration.

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

It is satisfying to secure projects from world-class companies but it is the actual project parameters, in terms of potential value-added benefits to the Czech economy, that really matter. The incentives granted by the Czech government are mainly given on the basis of the project’s quality.

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

The short answer is “no”.

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

Yes. Corporate tax holidays depend on the size of the investment. Non-refundable governmental and local subsidies also depend on the amount of the investment and the number of created jobs.

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

No. Hong Kong believes in maintaining a level playing field for all investors, whether they are large or small. Incentives such as the technology funding schemes are open to all Hong Kong-incorporated companies.

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

No.

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

There are many factors that influence IDA in its discussions with foreign companies. Size of parent, technology, proposed activity in Ireland, added value and location in Ireland. IDA is actively promoting a balanced regional development programme.

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

No. Incentives are offered on a case-by-case basis determined by the contribution the project will make to economic growth and development. Measures used to make this assessment include the value of capital investment, the value of exports achieved and the number of jobs created.

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

Our competitive business environment and the cheap cost of the various factors of production as well as our sound fiscal management and economic stability are the biggest incentives to our current investors. Our aim is to be the most competitive country in the world. We are confident that our incentives structure, regardless of size and prestige of a company, is equally competitive and attractive.

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

There tends to be a positive correlation, due to the leverage that such investors have.