Adel Ali, CEO of Air Arabia, explains how the global economic downturn has benefited the low-cost carrier, as the increasing number of passengers opting for a cheaper service has allowed it to increase its fleet and service more destinations, putting it on course for continued international expansion.

The aviation industry was one of the main casualties of the global economic crisis in many regions around the world, but in the Middle East its growth has continued unabated. Central to this growth has been the expansion of Qatar Airways, which, according to its CEO, has no plans to slow down.

The Ohio city of Columbus has been one of the US's investment success stories of the past decade. Its mayor tells fDi how a road-building programme, the development of its central district, and the time-honoured tactic of visiting as many would-be investors as possible are paying dividends.

Oil reserves discovered in Uganda have the potential to transform the economic status of one of the world's least developed countries. But ongoing political friction in the country and indecision over the laws pertaining to the extraction of the oil are causing concerns about just how beneficial the money from these reserves will be to the country as a whole.

As many office-based tasks traditionally carried out on paper move to digital, companies such as Xerox have faced a fresh set of challenges. However, while not stepping back from the hardware technology sector, Xerox is making great strides through its services-led, technology-driven approach, particularly in emerging markets.

The rising price of oil coupled with newfound environmental concerns have left many countries looking to source alternative energy supplies and biofuel – long used in households across Africa – has emerged as one potential source of alternative energy. But as investors look to exploit biofuel's potential, questions are already being raised about the sustainability of the sector.