Greece more risky for investors than Syria

The BDO Global Risk Index has published the annual risk hot-spots for investors, including two European Union nations amongst the worst ten world hot-spots.

According to the BDO Global Risk Index Greece is a riskier investment prospect than war torn Syria, but still remains a better bet than either Iran or Iraq which claim first and second place in the list of spots to avoid. Spain fares little better, being a poor runner up to Syria, Libya and Nigeria. Amazingly Yemen is deemed a safer risk for investors than either of the two indebted European Union countries. The index is based on the opinions of 1,000 CFOs surveyed by BDO International. The Telegraph reported BDO chief executive Martin Van Roekel said: "CFOs are becoming increasingly wary of Southern Europe, parts of which they now see as risky as the politically unstable countries of the Middle East." The ongoing uncertainty regarding a potential Grexit contributed to levels of unease regarding investment in Greece. According to CNBC the most attractive countries for investors are China, U.S., Brazil, India, Germany, Russia and U.K., due to size and customer potential. The report went on to say "In 2011, red tape and bureaucracy topped the list of CFO concerns but in 2012 the focus is on the threats presented by currency fluctuations and geopolitical risk."