A combination of responsible fiscal control, economic diversification and social inclusion make for a resilient economy. While Colombia has made significant strides towards achieving such equilibrium there is still headway to be made, with issues such as the country's stubbornly high unemployment rate, social inequality, and the threat from narcotraffickers still to be tackled.

Thanks to shale drilling, the US is brimming with cheap gas and has turned itself into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers. Most analysts now expect it to be all but energy independent within 15 years, shattering mainstream assumptions from as recently as five years ago. The implications for global energy markets and geopolitics are profound. 

Within the IMF, some members are more equal than others. Only when fast-growing development economies such as the BRICS nations are fairly represented in its decision-making processes can it be described as a truly multilateral organisation.

Blessed with a geographical location that sees it link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the trade that comes with it, Panama is keen to show that there is more to the country than its world-famous canal. Mining, tourism and finance are rapidly growing areas in Panama, though, as senior figures in the country discuss, a labour shortage poses a threat to this impressive growth story. 

The National Bank of Greece's acquisition of Turkey's Finansbank in 2006 faced much scepticism but the Turkish bank's chief believes that despite the countries' previous hostile relationship and Greece's recent debt crisis, it was a move that has paid off.

Thailand can no longer rely upon its exports or low labour costs to give it an edge in international markets. Instead, it must rebalance its economy to be more demand driven, and to have a greater domestic focus, something the Bank of Thailand is keen to help the country achieve.

Much has improved in Côte d'Ivoire since president Alassane Ouattara came to power last year, ending months of post-election turmoil. Although some parts of the country remain volatile, most of it is peaceful. And the economy is expanding quickly. The president even thinks its will soon attain double-digit growth. 

The Belarusian banking sector weathered the financial turmoil of 2011 with relative ease. However, increased competition, privatisation and a tricky economic climate means future growth will be tough.

Despite facing crisis conditions in 2011, the Belarusian economy has proven to be remarkably robust, boasting plenty of untapped potential, and there are hopes that its privatisation process will lessen the dominance of large state-owned companies on the country's business landscape.