As a backgrounder, the beginning for emerging market stocks was in 1602 with the formation of the Dutch East Indian Company (Holland) where the first stock market was created in 1606. In 1700's the Mississippi Company (France) and the South Sea Company (England) were sold to investors, also historic emerging market investments that made and lost investor fortunes.

Emerging markets and public investors have been an investment phenomenon for about 400 years and are still a phenomenon today. The last 20 years, from 1987-2007 handily outperformed the world markets, excluding the US and the US markets.

Emerging market is initially applied to fast growing economies in Asia and was used in Eastern Europe after the fall of Berlin Wall. And as global interest in market driven economies grew, investors began to look Latin America for emerging markets and eventually at countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, China, India and Russia.

Today, as noted by Van Agtmael, CEO of Emerging Markets Management in Arlington, VA; emerging markets countries account for 85% of the world's population but generate just 20% of global gross national product. According to him, given that we are now experiencing a huge shift in the global economy, where many emerging markets are starting to become middle class, consumer is becoming increasing important . Infrastructure spending  now exceeds that in the US or Europe, and a steadily larger groups of companies are becoming world-class. He said in the nest 10 years  there will be a one billion consumers in emerging markets. It is known as "the next billion consumers" or the "bottom of the pyramid" (BoP) they have become the new target for design and innovation as rising incomes and growing economies make these aspiring consumers an attractive prospect. In 25 years the economies of these countries will surpass the combined economies of the developed countries.

While the US stock market struggles, US is still viewed as a relatively safe place to invest. US recession will not hinder those economic market stocks. Growth can be achieved without the US being a leader. That's the strength of emerging markets. 

Nick Chamie, chief emerging markets strategist at RBC Capital Markets sees opportunity, a number of interesting entry points will be coming soon to emerge in the so-called BRIC countries-Brazil, Russia, India and China as well as Mexico, Chile and Turkey. Mexico and chile get high market for bringing in sharp financial minds to run their economies. Brazil has maintained strong growth levels while controlling inflation. India is seen as the most sought-after retail market. Russia will be a good investment target of rising oil prices. China the world's most vibrant emerging market nation to invest in developed nations. The two other emerging SE Asian markets are the Philippines and Cambodia. Under-developed state, means the living costs are lower than any other SE Asian country, this makes them attractive to multinational corporations. Cambodia has a very young and energetic work force and throughout the whole population including a vibrancy in educational system is a drive to better themselves both in Cambodia and Philippines.

Play with emerging markets. Just be reminded that  experts advise only those firms that have feet on the ground in the market themselves, rather than on someone  out there who may not have the whims on international markets.