Jim Rogers on Debt, Economy, and Investment Opportunities

Are you as downbeat about the rest of the world's economies?

I have not been buying stocks for at least a year and a half. Lying ahead I see more currency turmoil and the world economies' problems have still not been sorted out. I moved to Asia as I see massive opportunities here compared to Europe and the US.

Many Asian economies have been powering ahead while the rest of the world suffered. But Asian economies can't pull the world out of its hardships. Even with China and India booming these can't save the day for the rest of us. As Europe continues to have its problems everybody else is affected.

So if you're not investing in equities where else are you putting your money?

There are lots of alternatives. I own gold and it is reaching an all-time high but that doesn't mean I'm about to sell it. While now might not be the best time to buy gold there are other precious metals that are well off their all-time highs.

For example silver is about 60pc off its all-time high so could be a buying opportunity. Anything that is so far off its all-time high gets me interested. Platinum and palladium are also nowhere near their historic highs.

Are you still bullish about commodities?

Agriculture has been a horrible business to be in for the last 30 years but I see some good opportunities there as the world demands more food. Sugar prices are very depressed. Something like 75 per cent off their all-time high back in 1974. And coffee prices are also depressed. Farming is one of the few areas I am optimistic about.

You might think these sorts of commodities' values were peaking especially something as basic as rice given the demand for them but it takes a while for the markets to catch on.

If you don't feel confident enough buying the individual commodity there will always be an index or an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) that tracks it.