There is a small danger about buying shares in remote places. This may never happen to you. But theres no harm in raising your awareness about what could happen.

Wars will break out. Droughts are getting more common. Natural disasters have, it seems to me, have been rather rare recently, but thats no reassurance.

Then there are political differences. What would happen say if the Russians decided to cut off gas pipelines in their country. Its unlikely I know, but some governments still lock horns over all sorts of issue.

There are also shares listed on our stock exchange in countries, which are run by dictators, or dictatorial groups. They could get nasty and refuse to deal with foreigners. That wouldnt help your share values if you had an investment there.

Now if a place is really dodgy, then the share price will already reflect that. So it might be worth risking a bit of fun money in the hope that affairs in that country might take a turn for the better after a dictators death, for instance.

I have shares in some countries, which operate in African states. I know of a firm which does some stuff in the Republic of Congo, for example. That seems a turbulent place. But the company I have in mind is seeing its share price pick up and it does more business in African countries, which are peaceful.

I am not saying, gang, that you should or should not invest in places which are remote or trouble-torn or could possibly be so in the future. I think I am reminding you that shares may not repay you manifold if the host country goes up in flames. Perhaps the solution is to try the odd trouble spot, but not in a big way. Maybe your money could do the locals some good by providing jobs, after all.

So there you are gang. Before you invest in a company in an exotic or remote spot, get your atlas out and check latest news about the place on the net. God bless.