The Panama Papers revelations have seen companies rush to boost their ‘know your client’ credentials in the light of increased reputational and regulatory risk. But can tax havens ride out the storm? Philippa Maister investigates.

As public discontent over multinationals' tax avoidance grows, global organisations and governments are clamping down on the loopholes that allow large corporations to pay disproportionate amounts of tax on their earnings. Tactics range from Australia's name-and-shame policy to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's 15-point action plan. 

There has been a significant shift in R&D spending in recent years, with China accounting for an increasing proportion of this investment. But global perceptions are yet to reflect this new shift in spending, with many outside of the country sceptical regarding China's R&D credentials and concerned about its poor reputation for IP protection.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership involves 12 countries but some look set to benefit more than others from the agreement, with Vietnam and Malaysia singled out as two likely winners.

Building on its impressive FDI record, Ireland has set itself lofty job creation goals to be achieved via a network of 'urban gateways' – and hopes to reverse the brain drain.

As the number of foreigners studying in the US hits a new high, the investment benefits of hosting overseas students are becoming increasingly apparent to universities and local investment promotion bodies alike.

The recent discovery of oil and gas reserves in Ghana presents a huge opportunity for the country and investors. However, as its minister of petroleum, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, describes, the spectre of other resource-rich African countries that have suffered from the 'oil curse' will loom large in its economic strategy.