RECORD sums were put into equity funds focused on emerging markets last year, new research has revealed.

According to research group EPFR Global, emerging equity fund inflows went from $49.5bn in 2008 to $80.3bn in 2009 – the highest rise since the data started to be tracked in 1997.

Mel Carvill (pictured), president and chief financial officer of Guernsey-based PPF Partners, a joint private equity venture by PPF Group and Generali that has made huge investments in Central and Eastern Europe, said the figures came as no surprise to him.

‘We have certainly seen a great deal of interest in emerging markets over the last 12 months.

‘Emerging markets, which tend to have higher growth rates than more-developed economies, are the cornerstone of PPF Partners’ investment strategy.

‘Some emerging economies survived the recent global crisis well. For example, Poland is the only EU member state to avoid recession in the downturn.’

And other emerging economies were staging a strong recovery, added Mr Carvill.

• Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.