The start-up culture found in Tel Aviv boasts Barack Obama among its admirers. Indeed, the Israeli city's entrepreneurial spirit and hi-tech expertise has had multinational companies from all over the world sitting up and taking notice, as John West discovers. 

The decision to move molecular diagnostics company Biocartis from Eindhoven to the small Belgian city of Mechelen could be viewed as a nostalgic one by the firm's Belgian founder, Rudi Pauwels. However, the location's tax incentives and grants have gone some way towards helping the firm to prepare for an international expansion. 

Jordan is refining policies and signing international development deals to exploit its excellent conditions for solar energy projects and wind farms and its reputation for stability at the heart of one of the most turbulent parts of the world.

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.

Middle Eastern countries have dominated the ranking with United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia grabbing the top three places.