For biopharmaceutical companies entering Europe, the Belgian region of Wallonia is proving particularly popular. One reason for this is the service provided by the region’s export and investment agency, AWEX, finds Wendy Atkins

Widely considered the Holy Grail of inward investment, the biotech industry is perceived as possessing relative immunity to economic woes. With such potentially high rewards at stake, more and more destinations are trying to gain a foothold in the sector.

The Lower Saxony region in Germany is home to the world's largest exhibition hall and an impressive biotech cluster, meaning that the region is becoming a must-visit destination for numerous big names in the industry.

The US state of Delaware is emerging from its post-industrial decline to embrace investment opportunities and make the most of its geographical location, says its governor, Jack Markell.

Seemingly every FDI-hungry location in the world is eyeing the automotive and biotech sectors, but by focusing on the SME supply chain, the east German city of Leipzig is managing to excel in both areas.

The relatively small and quiet Canadian province of Nova Scotia manages to punch above its weight in the investment stakes, thanks in no small part to its economic development agency, which has taken a creative and thorough approach to attracting FDI.