Infrastructure and supply chains When evaluating the most impactful government interventions, 43% of global participants highlighted infrastructure development as a top priority, emphasizing that investments in resilient infrastructure are critical for reducing costs and improving connectivity.The Pulse Check Survey revealed that 53% of respondents identified regional and/or geopolitical issues and extended lead times as the most pressing challenges currently affecting their supply chain and infrastructure resilience. These challenges could be reduced by strong collaboration between companies, governments and MDBs to strengthen supply-chain resilience. MDBs can catalyse impact by financing resilient infrastructure, logistics and digital trade systems, while deploying blended finance and risk-sharing tools to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) diversify, localize sourcing and invest in sustainable logistics. Alongside financial support, MDBs and governments can enhance capacity through training, technical assistance and data transparency – promoting strong partnerships between anchor firms and local suppliers and embedding ESG and climate-resilience standards in investment programmes. Together, these efforts create an environment in which firms can turn resilience into a driver of competitiveness and growth.Our biggest challenges in supply chain and infrastructure resilience stem from unpredictable customs clearance, inconsistent enforcement of import/export regulations, and delays at key transport hubs, all due to the geopolitical situation. This disrupts delivery timelines and drives up operational costs. Limited local manufacturing capacity for critical components further exacerbates dependency on long lead-time imports. Additionally, inadequate road infrastructure in some regions hampers last-mile distribution, particularly during adverse weather. To maintain reliability, we’ve had to increase inventory buffers and invest more heavily in logistics coordination. Pulse Check Survey respondent, 2025. Carlsberg’s initiative exemplifies how supply-chain resilience can drive growth rather than simply mitigating risk. Over the course of the war in Ukraine, the company safeguarded employees while doubling brewing capacity in Kyiv – one of the largest private-sector investments in the country – showing how resilience enables bold action even in crisis. Its approach rests on three pillars: operational resilience through agile decision-making, capability building and investment in digital and ESG safeguards; cultural resilience through encouraging openness and establishing leadership rotations that build adaptability; and strategic resilience via diversification and scenario planning to prepare for shocks. Carlsberg also strengthens supply-chain resilience through localized sourcing and regenerative agriculture, including rice initiatives in Laos and Fonio in West Africa, which secure raw materials and support farmer livelihoods. This approach highlights the value of long-term investment, stakeholder collaboration and sustainability principles – elements that MDBs and governments can help replicate across smaller companies and markets to transform resilience from a defensive posture into a driver of inclusive growth.CASE STUDY Carlsberg: turning supply chain resilience into growth Resilient Firms and Economies 15

Resilient Firms and Economies 2025