Leading global operators are turning their attention further east, eyeing mineral-rich Mongolia’s potential to become the next commodities hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

The natural resources sector has seen a year of massive investment, with a record value of mergers and acquisitions in 2010. Much of this demand has come from power-hungry Asia

Peru's mineral wealth and strategic location as a trading route between Latin America and China have seen its economy enjoy impressive GDP growth over the past few years. However, with elections due next year, the new government's main task will be to diversify its mining-dependent economy

Sierra Leone remains stuck in poverty in the wake of a catastrophic civil war. However, the west African country has great potential for foreign investment, says its trade and industry minister David Carew

Indonesia has achieved significant economic growth in the past three years and now, with the help of a new development plan, its government has set the ambitious target of transforming the country into a major economic power by 2025. Can Indonesia compete on the same stage as Asia's behemoth economies such as India and China, or will the basic issues of infrastructure and inflation continue to hold it back?

The Chilean government is looking to make the country's economy less reliant on its mining sector.

The city of Brisbane, Australia recently unveiled a plan to double  its already lucrative resources sector by 2031, giving investors the  perfect opportunity to invest in the area.

Across central Asia, from China to Kazakhstan, economies are set to benefit from the re-opening of trade routes along the historic Silk Road. Significant investment has already been made to improve the infrastructure along the route, but further investment, more cohesion between the central Asian countries involved and more politically stability in the region as a whole is needed if this great passageway between Asia and Europe is to return to its former glory.
 

Latin America's stellar reputation with investors has been dented of late by a series of protests in the region regarding mining and infrastructure projects, with fears being voiced that a number of the demonstrations are more about political opportunism than they are about the impact of these projects on local communities.