Investment guru: N.Korea offers good biz opportunity

“North Korea is a truly attractive place to invest. I am trying to find ways (to invest) through various channels.”

Jim Rogers, world-renowned guru of commodities investment and chairman of Jim Rogers Holdings, said North Korea is a country he has keen interest in an interview with Forbes magazine Thursday.

“I have several plans to implement investment,” he said. On why he is eyeing the North, Rogers predicted Korean reunification sooner rather than later, saying, “(A unified Korea) holds enormous potential.”

A unified Korea, with a combined population of 75 million and neighboring China, which has emerged as the economic hub of the 21st century, holds high quality human resources and will also become a nation with massive natural resources in northern regions, he said.

“This is the reason Japan doesn`t want reunification of the Korean Peninsula,” Rogers said, adding, “It doesn`t want too strong a nation as a neighbor.”

The investment guru said, however, that investing in North Korea is not easy due to lack of a properly operating market, adding that though he introduced several investment methods, North Korean authorities have shown no notable interest.

Apart from North Korea, Rogers picked Myanmar and China as countries with good investment opportunities. “Myanmar is difficult to access like North Korea, but I feel like I`m seeing China (before its economic opening),” he said, adding, “Since Myanmar holds ample natural resources and quality labor, the key will be who will invest in the country first.”

As for China, Rogers said, “Irrespective of its political system, China historically and accurately understands business activities and capitalism,” adding, “The reason I`m living in Singapore now is due to consideration to enable my two daughters to master the Chinese language.”

“At present, rather than investing in the Chinese stock market, you need to secure natural resources and trade with Chinese companies,” he said. “This is the surest way to earn a profit while receiving favorable treatment in this country, which has grown into the world`s factory and is highly keen on securing natural resources.”

ray@donga.com