The Isle of Man features in a four page pull-out section in today's Financial Times.

Text (below) from a radio report by Howard Caine: 

Under the banner 'Doing business in the Isle of Man', FT journalists Andrew Bounds and Brian Groom have a series of articles about the Island and its economy.

While not shying away from the current economic crisis faced by the Island, the pieces are broadly positive.

The front page headline for the pull-out reads 'Staying the course as the storm clouds hover'.

The piece refers to the Isle of Man's 'Freedom to Flourish' initiative and states the Island has enjoyed 25 years of unbroken economic growth.

However, it also points out that the Isle of Man is facing tough decisions in the aftermath of the global banking crisis.

In another article the Island's moves to diversify its economy are explored and local businessman Roy Tilleard, the force behind the recent Callow's Yard project in Castletown, is quoted as saying 'if they put my tax up I would go berserk'.

Journalist Brian Groom states that no one could accuse the Island of failing to 'think big', but adds that, for all its success, it's a small Island in a big world.

He says the government website has a disconcerting mix of the parochial and the global, with the UK review of offshore financial centres alongside an announcement of Bryan Adams appearing at the Villa Marina.