Private investment in the US rail network is showing that transferring freight movements from road to rail can be both economically and environmentally beneficial in the long term, but applying this logic in Europe, where the rail network has been fragmented by years of state control, is proving more difficult. 

Capable of carrying heavy loads over long distances and requiring relatively little fuel, airships promise an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to existing shipping methods. For the companies working on these aircraft, they represent the future, but some of the prototypes are yet to get off the ground.

With global air traffic forecast to grow in the next few decades, the aerospace industry is gearing up for increased demand, particularly from emerging markets.

Vajira Kulatilaka took over as chairman of the board of directors of the Colombo Stock Exchange in early June. He tells Courtney Fingar why he thinks the stars are now aligned for Sri Lanka to join in the next phase of global growth, and what kind of role his exchange can play in the south Asia region.

The ambitious Basque Y high-speed rail link connecting Spain's Basque Country with the rest of Europe will open up opportunities for investors in the region, improving freight transport and reducing costs. 

The Chinese city of Wuxi is developing fast, plotting an innovative course towards a hi-tech, low-carbon economy. But while business leaders and officials line up to praise the city's rich promise, is it in a position to deliver?

Africa's notoriously inadequate infrastructure is widely considered to have long been holding the region back from realising its economic potential. Hope is on the horizon, however, as national governments increasingly embrace private sector projects and regional developments.