Toronto, Jul 13 (IANS): India and China are now the top choice of Canadian investors, according to a survey by Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

Canadian investors believe India and China are the best investment destinations in the coming decade, says the nationwide survey of the most robust of the G-8 economies.

According to the survey, 38 percent respondents think India and China represent the greatest investment opportunity over the next decade.

At 25 percent, Canada was the second-best choice destination for investors, followed by other developed markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan at six per cent.

Only three percent respondents rated as the US as their favourite investment destination.

Overall, Asia was the first-choice destination of 45 percent investors, with 29 percent picking up East Asia,
including China, and 16 per cent choosing South and South East Asia, including India.

"Franklin Templeton's research indicates Canadian investors are keenly aware of the promise and prosperity of the emerging market economies,'' according to Don Reed, president and CEO of Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

"These fast-growing economies are expected to drive global stock market returns in the years to come,'' he said in a company statement Tuesday.

Since Canadians have invested just $8 billion in emerging market equity funds, compared to more than $199 billion invested in Canadian equity funds by foreign investors, the Franklin Templeton Investments Corp CEO said, "Canadian investors need expert advice when it comes to investing in the emerging markets.''