BMO Harris Investment Management Inc. has enhanced its international equity platform with the launch of two new funds that enable clients to take advantage of global investing opportunities.

BMO Harris Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, sub-advised by Comgest SA, focuses on the growth opportunities in developing countries.

BMO Harris International Special Equity Portfolio, sub-advised by GlobeFlex Capital, L.P., invests in the equities of small and mid-cap companies around the world.

Both funds were launched on Nov. 1, 2006.

The new funds complement BMO Harris Private Banking’s existing large cap fund, the BMO Harris International Equity Portfolio, sub-advised by The Boston Company Asset Management LLC.

“Although most Canadian investors have a domestic bias when it comes to investing, they should consider crossing borders and going global to enhance the return potential and level of asset class diversification in their investment portfolios” said Paul Taylor, CEO, BMO Harris Private Banking. “Overall, we anticipate decent returns in both bond and equity markets, over the upcoming twelve months. In particular, we expect non-North American equity markets to offer strong potential, based on our view that there is a higher likelihood of economic slowing in North America than in other regions globally.”

“At the end of the day, these three sectors of the international markets have unique characteristics that complement each other, and when combined in an investment portfolio, typically serve to reduce a client’s risk if, for example, a particular market experiences some volatility,” added Taylor.