There is more to Tuscany than natural beauty and rich history. That is the message from the Italian region's president, Enrico Rossi, who is determined to prove to would-be investors that behind its breathtaking scenery lies an appetite for business.

The Italian region of Tuscany's rich heritage means that its name is still synonymous with great minds such as Galileo Galilei and Leonardo da Vinci. Such a history of innovation is something the region continues to pride itself upon, and this quality is not lost upon the many foreign companies that have set up shop within its boundaries.

The close relationship between industry and research and education institutions in Tuscany gives the region an edge when it comes to R&D and innovation.

From general elections in Western nations to regime changes caused by the Arab Spring, political uncertainty and changes in government legislation are hurdles faced by all companies looking to invest in foreign countries. However, along with the challenges come opportunities. Polly Botsford looks at how businesses cope with such fluctuations.

fDi Magazine tasked a team of investment analysts and experts to assess the performance of the UK's local enterprise partnerships since they replaced the regional development agencies. The results were mixed, with a general feeling that the LEPs still have a lot to learn.