Unstable countries offer greater economic opportunities. Politically unstable countries offer the greatest opportunities for investors. According to the most recent report published by the Controls Risks Group, this phenomenon is increasing. Over the last ten-years, the proportion of global production ensured by medium and high risk countries has doubled and currently accounts for 30% of the total. This increase is not down to greater risk in the most dynamic economies but rather the economic expansion of countries considered politically unstable. Overall, the 2013-balance sheet does not highlight any particular worsening in political or security risks. Multinationals and investors should remain attentive to growth in the middle classes in emerging countries, which currently accounts for 2 billion people and according to estimates in the report, will increase to 3 billion. Unsurprisingly, the highest risk regions in the world are concentrated in the Sahel (Algeria, Mali, northern Niger, Libya and Egypt). Other hot spots include Afghanistan and Pakistan, Syria, countries neighbouring on Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, in addition to the Yemen and Somalia. A settlement on the nuclear question in Iran is likely to reduce risks in the Middle East, providing that the situation does not get any worse there. In Southeast Asia, the situation is improving in Indonesia but China's positions with regard to Japan and Vietnam are worrying, according to the experts. Control Risks particularly highlights the worsening situation in the major maritime routes of South-East Asia, the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. The report also underlines an increase in the kidnapping industry, dominated by Asia, where a third of all these acts are carried out. The most dangerous countries in this context in order are: Mexico, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Venezuela, Lebanon, Philippines, Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq and Syria. Finally, the report points out that terrorist risks have not declined, despite the weakening of Al Qaeda command, due to an expansion in its Yemenite and Sahel branches. (IL/trans.fl)