The Black Sea region sits along vital trade routes, connecting Asia and Europe, but its disjointed transport connections and dearth of intraregional trade has held it back. Can a raft of port modernisation projects finally bring a joined-up approach?

Cyprus has turned a corner after its recent banking crisis, say observers, with investor confidence gradually returning to the finance sector. And the country’s emerging fund industry and foreign exchange trading are providing a potential draw for foreign investors. 

When it comes to development ambitions, Cyprus is thinking big with plans for a casino resort, a science and technology park, hotels, shopping centres and new office space, plus the redevelopment of terminals at Larnaca and Paphos airports. 

While neighbouring countries descend into turmoil, Cyprus is busy moving on from its downturn, finding alternative markets for its real-estate sector and incentivising investment. 

Cyprus has a global reputation for being a high-quality hub for the shipping industry. And its commitment to training its workforce in this sector and providing a stable and business-friendly tax regime mean that it is unlikely to lose its competitive edge any time soon.

Cyprus, already well known as a tourist destination, is now branching out in terms of the services it can offer travellers, from a casino and golf courses to medical tourism. 

Investment into the state of New York is naturally dominated by New York City, leaving the likes of Buffalo and Rochester trailing in its wake. However, after years of decline, the two cities look to be on the cusp of a revival, thanks in no small part to the state governor's ambitious investment plans.

The sheer number of start-up companies emerging in hi-tech sectors in Edinburgh is a testament to the city's highly educated workforce, its pro-business environment and its proximity to financial services firms offering to fund these new entrepreneurs.