fDi looks at leading German cities and regions – Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Mannheim, Halle, Konstanz, Russelsheim and Hamburg Metropolitan Region – that are attracting the attention of foreign investors. 

Often over­shadowed by the likes of Munich and Frankfurt, the German city of Nuremberg is hoping its comparative cost advantages can convince companies to join its automotive and ICT clusters, among others.

Mali's potential in the agribusiness sector is huge, and the country's government is looking to areas such as rice, sugar, cotton, fruit and vegetables, and livestock to boost its economy.

With the hosting of large, international events leading to palpable increases in foreign investment in a handful of cities across Europe, more and more locations are keen to replicate this success and are working on developing their reputations in the trade events space.

Between its EU presidency and Riga's year as European Capital of Culture, Latvia is not letting the festering stand-off between Russia and Ukraine dent its economic confidence. 

A vibrant city at the heart of Europe, awash with strong transport links, a young and educated workforce and world-renowned cultural events, Cologne is an easy sell to outsiders. However, local officials are not resting on their laurels when it comes to ensuring that businesses from a multitude of sectors are aware of the city's many assets.

Cologne's status as a hub for industries across myriad sectors is in no small part down to its excellent road, rail, river and air links, which put the rest of Europe within easy reach.