The past few years might have been difficult politically for Egypt, but that has not affected the plans of US technology and consultancy firm IBM, which has steadily been growing its presence in the country, expanding its operations and developing partnerships with local educational institutions and the government. 

By combining traditional FDI attraction methods with big data analytics, investment promotion agencies can be more efficient and effective in attracting new companies to their regions, according to Steven Jast of ROI Research on Investment.

Fashion brand Uniqlo, part of Fast Retailing, the world's fourth largest retail holding company, has expanded rapidly in recent decades, both at home and abroad. It is a success story – with highs as well as lows – that CEO Tadashi Yanai is urging the Japanese government to learn from.  

Vasari Global is seeking to tap into growing consumer demand in Ethiopia with a new $150m biscuit and pasta plant. And as the company's chairman explains, it is looking to become a byword for quality throughout Africa.

Apollo Tyres has extended beyond its traditional India base in recent years, through Europe and with ambitions towards the Middle East, Africa, south-east Asia and Latin America. Natasha Turak talks to the company's chief executive, Neeraj Kanwar.

Over the past 15 years, global food giant Mars has enjoyed phenomenal success in the Egyptian market, not only meeting domestic demand but also using it as a base to export to other countries in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent. 

HSBC has decided to move its ringfenced head office, and 1000 employees, from London to Birmingham, the UK's second city. Michal Kaczmarski looks at the reasoning behind this decision.

From humble beginnings, SoftBank has evolved into Japan’s leading telecommunications and internet corporation. John West looks at how the company’s chairman and CEO, Masayoshi Son, is now looking to make this success global.