FDI into the UK has dropped in the year since the Brexit referendum. Jacopo Dettoni assesses how foreign and outward-looking domestic businesses are coping with the uncertainty that the vote has created.

Opportunities and challenges brought about by economic growth across Asia, as well as the demographic timebomb the continent faces, dominated the 2017 Asian Development Bank annual meetings in Yokohama on May 4 to May 7. Jacopo Dettoni fleshed out the main topics with some key speakers. 

Simon Galpin, managing director at the Bahrain Economic Development Board, tells Jacopo Dettoni about the ongoing reform process aimed at making the island economy “even more business-friendly”. 

With a possible review of Nafta around the corner and the war of words with US president Donald Trump showing no sign of abating, Mexico’s state officials and the national government are scrambling to strengthen ties with Asian investors, as Jacopo Dettoni reports. 

The West Midlands region has a strong reputation for manufacturing, with the likes of Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce among its satisfied customers. However, this cluster now faces new challenges, such as catering to advanced manufacturing demands and adjusting to a post-Brexit landscape. Jacopo Dettoni surveys the scene.

Numerous countries throughout Asia are embracing the start-up culture and hoping to win themselves the tag of 'Asia's Silicon Valley'. Jacopo Dettoni looks at the contenders and assesses the hurdles they face in emulating the famous Californian cluster.

Mexico will not accept US limitations in the form of tariffs or quantitative managed trade schemes, deputy economy minister Juan Carlos Baker tells Jacopo Dettoni. There might be room to review the rule of origin – but only if this strengthens regional value chains.