France tends to conjure up images of industrial unrest and high taxes, but also of a highly educated workforce and an innovative approach to business. Both views are equally valid, but after a sluggish few years the country is hoping to play to its traditional strengths to draw in investment.

Cyprus's finance minister, Harris Georgiades, tells fDi how the country is now over the worst of its recent banking crisis, and will emerge with a better regulated financial sector, a still-competitive tax system and a skilled workforce that provide all the elements needed for a successful investment location.

Located at the heart of Europe and housing one of the world's busiest airports, the German region of Hessen ticks plenty of boxes for would-be foreign investors. Add to that mix a vibrant ICT sector, a world-renowned financial services industry and a workforce that is as skilled as it is large, and it becomes apparent why Hessen has been a star FDI performer over the past few decades.

IT company Ciklum began operations with just four people in an office in Kiev. So, asks Michal Kaczmarski, just how did it get from there to the multimillion dollar, multinational operation it is today?