The Belgian region of Wallonia has set itself a target of becoming Europe's most attractive logistics hub by 2020. While this may appear a little ambitious, large companies are increasingly investing in the area, drawn to its pro-business environment, highly skilled workforce and excellent links to the rest of Europe.

The Wallonia region of Belgium is seeking to lose its heavy industry image of previous decades, and its government is using public-private partnerships to steer it down a more creative and innovative path.

Across central Asia, from China to Kazakhstan, economies are set to benefit from the re-opening of trade routes along the historic Silk Road. Significant investment has already been made to improve the infrastructure along the route, but further investment, more cohesion between the central Asian countries involved and more politically stability in the region as a whole is needed if this great passageway between Asia and Europe is to return to its former glory.
 

The dominant player in Belgium's aerospace sector, Wallonia is out to prove at Le Bourget this year that it has what it takes to remain competitive in the face of increasing demand, despite the value of its exports falling dramatically due to the global financial crisis