The exponential growth of the middle classes in a number of emerging markets around the world makes them the ideal place for foreign property investment, it has been claimed.
Scott Crowe, a global portfolio manager at Cohen and Steers, explained that there are currently 500 million people in emerging markets countries classified as middle class, with that number set to double over the next five years.
"This is one of the most exciting areas to invest in right now,” he told the Investment News website. "And it's the most direct way I can think of to get exposure to the emerging consumer."
The firm's Emerging Markets Real Estate Fund, which is currently exposed to 12 emerging markets countries, has a 30 per cent allocation to Brazil, 15 per cent exposure in China and ten per cent in India.
Elsewhere, the latest Global Commercial Property Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has revealed that while the traditionally strong markets of Latin America and Asia are performing well, emerging markets are continuing to post further improvements.