The competitive nature of investment promotion means that border cities still view their neighbours as rivals when it comes to investment promotion. But a handful of European border cities are bucking this trend.

As European economies continue to stagnate, the continent's various investment promotion agencies are upping their efforts to attract investment from the rising BRIC economies. But how BRIC-friendly are their websites? And are they backing up their words by establishing a physical presence in these countries?

The city of Katowice in southern Poland is reinventing itself, shedding its image as a mining town and diversifying into alternative sectors, according to mayor Piotr Uszok

For all its economic woes, Italy still has one valuable commodity: its reputation as a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-end, high-quality fashion, furniture and accessories. Foreign investors have long had an appetite for the country's illustrious brands, but only now are these companies starting to see the advantages of foreign capital.

There is nothing like the buzz of a major sporting event to spark the feel-good factor in a host location. But is it possible to capitalise on this positive mood and turn it into something more sustainable that can encourage inward investment?