#Global battle for natural #resources heats up

The very public spat between #Anglo American and #Codelco, the state-owned mining conglomerate in Chile, over Anglo American Sur is highlighting the increased global tensions over scarce natural resources. Even Japan’s leading trading houses such as Mitsui and Mitsubishi are getting into the fray and looking to increase their commodities-related investments overseas.

Though the top five trading houses in Japan – Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Itochu and Marubeni – have always been exposed to the natural resources sector, the Japanese government has been long known for its disinterest in their overseas resource investments efforts. This sentiment seems to have changed after the #Fukushima nuclear accident with the new government taking a interest in their activities in the energy and metals sectors.

Read the full story at Financial Times.

While Asian investors may have traditionally bought small stakes in #commodities-linked investments, it appears that they are being swayed by the relative safe haven of #commodities as compared to other asset classes. The changing risk appetite among Asian investors for commodity-linked equities and products, among other issues, will be discussed at Commodities Week Asia 2012. Find out more here.