Sputnik - Last week's St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), held annually in Russia's second largest city, saw a record number of 550 agreements signed worth more than $38 billion, according to a Russian presidential adviser.




Sputnik spoke to�veteran US investor and financial commentator Jim Rogers who was at�the forum.

Sputnik: We're seeing new developments with�US-North Korea relations, we see announcements from�politicians, for�you as�a businessman, what kind of�impact does it have? In one of�your interviews you've mentioned that you want to�do business with�North Korea, just how possible is that?

Jim Rogers:�I'd like�to invest in�North Korea but�it's impossible for�Americans or virtually impossible for�Americans, this just means great opportunities are being seized by�Russians, Chinese and other people who can do business in�North Korea.

Sputnik: What kind of�business is it?

Jim Rogers:�Everything you can imagine. They need tablecloths, soap, electricity, they need everything, anything you can do you can make a fortune in�North Korea.

Sputnik: There's a big US delegation at�the St. Petersburg Economic Forum and the organizers are telling us that, unlike�previous US administrations, this time US officials are actually encouraging US CEOs to�take part in�the event. Does that mean that we're going to�see some changes in�US-Russia relations, both business and political?

Jim Rogers:�I hope so, I hope in�every way relations get better with�Russia and the US. This is madness, a madness that Russia and the US aren't friends, they should be, and should be working together.

Sputnik: What are the key global trends that we see in�the markets right now? What are the big things to�look out�for?

Jim Rogers:�Well, unfortunately, I'm an American citizen and I see that America is pushing China and Russia together, America's pushing China and Iran together, pushing China, Iran, Russia altogether and that's pushing America out�of some very major countries in�the world. I don't particularly like�that because I'm an American and I want to�travel, and invest, and play everywhere, and it is getting more and more difficult for�Americans.

Sputnik: But it seems that you spend a lot of�time in�Asia and you're focusing on�Asia is it possible to�do it in�other countries in�Asia?

Jim Rogers:�I live in�Singapore, so sure there are plenty of�opportunities in�Asia, just fewer and fewer because America is getting in�spats with�more and more countries. That's all. It's a big world out�there, there's plenty left, it is just a shame to�be cutting some of�these places out.

Sputnik: Is it mostly because of�the regulations or is there something else in�play?

Jim Rogers:�Regulations, sanctions, prohibitions�� everything you can think of, it's virtually impossible for�an American to�say the word Iran, if you can spell it they'll put you in�jail, likewise in�Russia, it's getting more and more difficult because of�sanctions. China, not yet is it difficult but�it's getting more and more doubtful, I don't see this as�good for�America, I don't see this as�good for�the world.

Sputnik: It's not the first time you're taking part in�the St. Petersburg forum, what are the key things you noticed and what are the things to�look out�for at�this event?

Jim Rogers:�What I noticed this year, maybe because I'm an American, is there is much more talk about�sanctions, trade wars and things like�that, impediments to�the world economy. I did not hear talk like�this in�previous years, maybe because it didn't exist in�previous years, not in�any meaningful way, even last year everybody was opening up�more and more, now America is closing off�more and more.

Sputnik: Doesn't it seem strange that the US is working on�more regulations and more restrictions and other countries are requesting free markets?

Jim Rogers:�It is, of�course, I mean America is "the land of�the free" and we're not so free anymore, I mean, you as�a Russian can do anything you want around�the world, I, as�an American, am closed off�in many, many countries by�the Americans, not by�them, but�by the Americans.

Sputnik: Is there a chance to�have a dialogue with�politicians? Even here there are representatives of�the US government at�this year�s forum?

Jim Rogers:�I certainly hope somebody is talking, trying to�talk some sense. I don't live in�the US anymore, so it's more complicated for�me, but�I hope somebody is talking and somebody is listening. So far it seems that no one�s listening, and I say I'm an American, I don't like�being forced out�of countries by�my own government.