Author: Larissa Fernand

Bangalore: Southeast Asia has emerged as a hiding place in a world where economies are tottering and growth is at a premium. One of the ways Indian investors can partake of the growth of this region is via JP Morgan’s feeder fund.

Commodities guru and renowned international investor Jim Rogers knows how to get someone’s attention.

In an interview with Oilprice.com (July 4, 2012), he was questioned about his bullishness on Asia. For those punch-drunk on the India-China propaganda, he threw a surprise when he quoted the best investment opportunity in the world as Myanmar. Yes, you read that right. He sees “enormous opportunities there because they're now opening up”.

You can contest Rogers’ overly optimistic rhetoric, but to do so would be missing the point. What is of prime relevance is that he has zeroed in on an economy in a region that has gone under the radar of most investors.

Chances are if you have read about Southeast Asia in the news recently, it is over the territorial spat in the South China Sea. Brunei, Malaysia, The Philippines and Vietnam, along with China and Taiwan, have long contested ownership of potentially oil- and gas-rich territories. While they spar, few have discovered what a sweet spot this region is in terms of investment.