Thanks to its oil reserves, Angola has gone from an economic basket case to sub-Saharan Africa’s third biggest economy in just 10 years. Production is expected to continue rise steadily until 2020 when, if the most optimistic predictions about the country’s pre-salt reserves prove accurate, its output could skyrocket.

It is often cited that the BRIC economies – Brazil, Russia, India and China – offer the best opportunities for growth. It would therefore follow that outward FDI flows from these countries are also expanding but only one of the so-called 'big four' appears in the top five countries in terms of outward FDI growth.

Economic free zones, political stability and diversification have fuelled development and growth in Sharjah – the emirate now accounts for one-third of the UAE's manufacturing sector – but its government has further plans to maximise its appeal to international investors. 

Sharjah's organic growth strategy has shielded it from the negative repercussions of the global economic downturn, says the Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal, chief executive of Sharjah's investment and development authority. This left its officials free to solve infrastructure problems – such as traffic congestion and power shortages – which were threatening to limit the emirate's growth.

While the airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have focused on long-haul flights for wealthy passengers, Sharjah's smaller international airport has acquired a reputation for speed and efficiency while carving out a niche for short-haul flights aimed at middle-class travellers.

Sharjah is positioning itself as a safe, family-friendly holiday destination and is anticipating increased demand, particularly at the high end of the travel and leisure sector.

Marine and air freight services, waste management and education are just some of the areas in which Sharjah is leading the way not only in the United Arab Emirates, but throughout the whole of the Middle East.