The first draft of Myanmar's new and mostly liberal FDI law was passed recently and the EU and the US are set to ease the economic sanctions put in place while the country was under the previous military regime. But despite these positive steps, Myanmar's infrastructure remains weak and investors there face a number of obstacles.

Faced with a highly nationalistic electorate, particularly where China is concerned, resource-rich Mongolia has introduced a new foreign investment law aimed at protecting its natural assets. However, as its recent dispute with state-owned Chinese firm Chalco shows, the results could damage the country's international reputation.

Why are profit margins among unlisted Chinese and Russian firms so low, particularly when compared with those of fellow BRIC economies India and Brazil? A study from the Institute for Emerging Market Studies highlights the perils of moving from a communist to a market economy.

South Korea has seen its export-focused economy slow in the global economic downturn, leading its government to launch a fiscal stimulus package to encourage growth and leaving investors hoping that the country can regain its momentum in the long term.

The strict rules governing foreign investment in India appear to be thwarting the country's economic potential. However, hopes that the government will send out clear signals that it is committed to reforming its business policies are being thwarted by its opponents, both inside and outside of the government.