With the recent launch of the Claymore/BNY Mellon Frontier Markets (FRN), it is now possible to invest in the first U.S.-listed exchange traded fund (ETF) that provides investors access to up to 41 countries considered “frontier markets.”

These markets are very important to consider given that many of the emerging markets, such as China, are now approaching more of a developed market status. One of these frontier markets worth noting is Poland.  When looking at FRN’s holdings by country, Poland sits atop the list at 23.5%.

Since 1990, Poland has pursued policy to liberalize its economy and has prevailed among transition economies. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by roughly 6.5% in 2007 given rising private consumption, a jump in corporate investment, and EU fund inflows.

EU membership and accessibility to EU funds have generated a major boost to the economy since 2004. Although unemployment is falling rapidly, it was estimated at 12.8% in 2007, where it sat well above the EU average.  Important industries in the Polish economy include machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, and textiles. Poland also has several important natural resources including coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber and arable land.

Poland’s economic performance is likely to improve, but in order to do so it must address certain deficiencies in its business environment. An ineffective commercial court system, a rigid labor code, “bureaucratic red tape,” and lower-level corruption keep Poland’s private sector from performing.

The new PO/PSL coalition government has made public its intention to enact business-friendly reforms, reduce the growth of public sector spending, lower taxes, and accelerate privatization.

Down under in Australia, BHP Billiton (BHP) reported that U.S. Antitrust regulators are granting partial approval for its aggressive takeover of Rio Tinto (RTP), a move that might stoke some exchange traded funds (ETFs).

BHP is the world’s largest mining company, and recently the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Federal Trade Commission ended an antitrust waiting period over a proposed deal to buy out Rio Tinto for $170 billion, reports the Associated Press.

The deal would create a megasupplier of iron ore, coal and other natural resources that are in high demand. Clients have expressed some concern that a combined company would have too much control over key resources.

Among the ETFs potentially affected include:

• Market Vectors Steel (SLX): up 20% year-to-date; Rio is 13.7%
• iShares MSCI Australia (EWA): down 11.8% year-to-date; Rio is 4.2%; BHP is 15.4%

Tom Lydon appeared alongside Lisa Dallmer of the NYSE and “ETF 101″ show host Bob Pisani yesterday to discuss the basics of exchange traded funds and future trends we may see.

Besides the gasoline-related stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs), is there any other way to try and benefit from the $4-$5 a gallon prices?

Did you just fill up your tank on the way to work, and realize a good portion of your day’s earnings are burned already?

Gary Gordon for ETF Expert is thinking that higher fuel prices will inspire more consumers to shop online, more investors to seek counsel over the Web, and more of the workforce using online solutions for communicating, meeting and conducting business.

If he’s right, perhaps these ETFs could reap the rewards and give investors another option for hedging those gas prices:

• PowerShares Nasdaq Internet Portfolio (PNQI): Made up of the largest Internet companies such as Google, E Bay, Amazon, Priceline and Yahoo, you may actually use more of these services than you knew. This ETF is equally distributed between growth-oriented companies and manages to represent small, mid, and large-cap stocks. The fund launched on June 23.

• iShares Networking Fund (IGN): A solid investment in the tech internet structure, although it’s had a bad year so far. Volaitlity is 1.5x more risky than the broad market. Includes networking giants such as Cisco, Qualcom, Harris and Juniper. The fund is down 17.4% year-to-date.