A global push for “resilience-first” supply chains is reshaping trade and investment, according to speakers at the 2025 World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) member forum.
Participants said companies are no longer chasing the lowest cost. Instead, they are prioritizing stability, credibility, and strong facilitation in their global partnerships.
New data backs the shift. The OECD’s Resilient Supply Chains Report 2025 found that 72 percent of executives now rank reliability above cost — more than double the share in 2019. Analysts say this marks a long-term move toward de-risking and forming durable cross-border partnerships.
One major factor is the continued decoupling in global trade. WTO economist Michael Blanga-Gubbay noted that U.S.–China trade has grown more than 30 percent slower than U.S. trade with the rest of the world, driving companies to redirect trade toward more dependable partners.
For developing markets, this realignment is opening new doors. Yvonne Botchey, managing director of World Trade Center Accra, said these regions have strong innovation but often lack trusted infrastructure to attract global capital. “Credibility is the new incentive, and facilitation is the new promotion,” she said, noting that investors are making “fewer but deeper bets.”
In ASEAN, rising foreign investment reflects this trend. WTCA Asia Pacific vice president Scott Wang pointed to the ASEAN Investment Report 2025, which recorded US$226 billion in FDI. He said investors now seek assurance and on-the-ground insight, areas where WTC networks can provide support.
This year’s Member Forum brought together 280 participants from 105 WTC businesses in 43 countries. The event included economic updates, cross-generational dialogue, and collaborative sessions. These conversations will continue at the 56th Annual WTCA Global Business Forum, hosted by WTC Greater Philadelphia from April 19–22, 2026.
The 2026 Forum is expected to further explore how the shift from cost-efficiency to reliability is reshaping global competitiveness, offering a neutral space for business, government, and academic leaders to discuss emerging opportunities in trade and investment.
