Franklin Templeton Investments has announced the launch of a global emerging markets fund for Australian investors.

The Templeton Emerging Markets Fund is a unit trust made available in local currency. Heading the fund as lead portfolio manager is Dr Mark Mobius, a pioneer in emerging markets with over 20 years experience.

According to Mobius, the fund’s team employs more than 30 portfolio managers and analysts located in 13 countries.

“We are seeking tremendous opportunities to invest in companies across various sectors in emerging markets from Eastern Europe, the Asia Pacific region, Africa to Central and South America,” said Mobius.

“Many emerging markets have robust gross domestic product growth, trade surpluses, high foreign reserves, low inflation, strong investment and domestic demand – an environment where companies can flourish.”

Mobius said the objective would be to seek long-term capital growth by investing primarily into the securities of companies located in emerging markets across the globe.