Middle East

Contagion risk has heightened as a result of rising food price inflation, which could lead to political unrest in the Middle East spreading to other areas, warns veteran investor Jim Rogers.

Mark Mobius is "cautiously" looking to buy oversold quality companies in the Middle East and North Africa, despite increasing volatility in the region.

Current political turmoil in North Africa will accelerate rather than derail a long-term structural change going on in the region, according to Fadi Al Said, head of Mena investment at ING Investment Management.

The disruption and anti-government protests seen in the MENA region stems from the US Federal Reserve printing money, said Aberdeen's head of global equities, who has moved defensive to protect portfolios from further unrest.

Markets and the single currency reacted strongly yesterday after the European Central Bank hinted at raising interest rates as early as April.

Billionaire investor George Soros has urged Western nations to support revolutions in the Middle East to gain allegiance with new-found democracies.

RUSSIA

HOW TO PLAY THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

The price of gold has hit a record high on concerns about unrest in the Middle East and contagion risk from Libya, while oil has topped the $116 a barrel mark.

Emerging markets firm Charlemagne Capital has launched the Magna MENA fund, which will invest up to 90% in Gulf Co-operation Council regions to play higher oil prices.