From efficiency to resilience: WEF reports global supply chains entering an age of permanent volatility – Firstpost

Global supply chains are entering a period of structural volatility, with resilience—rather than cost efficiency, emerging as the modern driver of economic growth, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The report warns that the era of ultra-efficient, just-in-time supply chains is giving way to a more fragmented and risk-conscious global trade system. Geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, pandemic disruptions, and protectionist policies have collectively exposed vulnerabilities in traditional supply networks, forcing governments and corporations to rethink their strategies.

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WEF notes that companies are now prioritising diversification of suppliers, regionalisation of production, and strategic stockpiling, even if this raises operational costs. While this shift may reduce short-term efficiency, it is expected to strengthen long-term economic stability.

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The report highlights that major economies are actively reshaping trade routes and investment patterns. Near-shoring and friend-shoring—relocating supply chains closer to home or within allied nations—are becoming mainstream business practices.

According to WEF, resilience is no longer just a risk management tool but a core competitiveness strategy. Firms that build flexible, multi-layered supply networks are likely to outperform those that rely on single-source or highly centralised models.

However, the transition also carries challenges, including higher consumer prices, increased logistical complexity, and potential trade fragmentation.

As global uncertainties persist, WEF concludes that businesses, governments, and multilateral institutions must collaborate to create more robust, transparent, and adaptive supply systems, signalling a fundamental transformation in how the world produces and trades goods.

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