Simon Galpin has over 25 years experience of economic development and a track record of delivering thousands of foreign direct investment projects. From Scotland to Hong Kong and now in Bahrain. Simon is hoping to replicate the energy and success of the StartmeupHK campaign in Bahrain in order to attract more angel investors, founders and entrepreneurs to the Middle East. On this episode you'll learn: How Bahrain has become a significant fintech player in the MENA region -In Simon's experience in economic development across the world, has he found proximity to encourage collaboration or competition between countries? -How should a city’s economic development organization think about crafting policies for the global expat community? -Is their a single policy change or an initiative Simon has been a part of that he can point to and say this was the single best catalyst in attracting foreign investment capital?