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Message: [QUOTE="Da_Aisijimo_Gou, post: 4059490, member: 264"] For several years+, developed Asian manufacturing nations (JP, HK, KR, TW, SG, and mainland China) have shifted increasing levels of value-add work within Asia. Even in mainland China, rising 1st tier city costs began pushing work west and to the far north even in 2010; 2nd tier for several years. More "cheap(est)" Asia manufacturing's extensively moved/moving within Asia. For example, textiles, widget assembly, etc to Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, less so MY, TH, and VN (Or, to Central America; increasingly see clothing made in Honduras, El Salvador, etc). Vietnam's deep harbors and relatively low labor costs attract(ed) increased manufacturing, yet VN's getting pricey for lowest-value add assembly. Still, the VNM ETF's mentioned months/ a year back's been very good (less so recently due to SARS-2 which is now subsiding despite Nike's recent comments). Kept good chunk of Asian EM ETF allocation yet diversified AND hedged mainland big time. Re-allocated some of mainland ETF holdings, and rest of EM to INDA and SMIN (India), ILF (Latam), CEE, with a tiny bit to AFK (Africa). Given Peru's messy government status, resource nationalization threats, etc, PE's not so enticing IMHO. Post-Nov Chilean election maybe, yet ILF covers both flaky PE and Chile, BR, AG, CO, etc. Panama? No clue on a Panama-specific ETF. Consider BLX mentioned several months/year back. Panama City-based, Latin America trade finance bank. Panamanian grad school colleagues view BLX favorably and reportedly know all of the lead execs well. BLX has been very good for me, is perceived to have decent upside potential, and pays a 6% yield. No plan to sell. Costa Rica? Both such tiny equity markets. Not advice, just some BSing [/QUOTE]

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