BANGKOK, Thailand / RankWire.AI / – According to the World Trade Organization, multilateral development banks are expected to deliver approximately US$10 billion in supply chain finance to emerging economies during 2026. This sum represents a two- to threefold increase compared to 2024, forming part of the total direct financing of about $65 billion projected for this year. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, annual direct financing was roughly $35 billion. Both low- and middle-income nations are gaining from this support.
The figures were presented during a roundtable in Bangkok on October 16, which coincided with the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund, held from October 12 to 18. The event was co-organized by the WTO and the International Finance Corporation. Attendees reviewed progress in expanding supply chain finance across developing regions and outlined priorities for future cooperation.
Supply chain finance enables small and medium-sized enterprises to access affordable funding tied to their sales to larger buyers, enhancing cash flow and helping smaller suppliers participate in cross-border global trade. The WTO notes that such financing can ease pressures on working capital, yet many firms in low-income and vulnerable economies still face difficulties in obtaining it. Shifts in trade patterns and economic conditions have made access more challenging for some businesses.
Leaders of development banks endorse collaborative efforts
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, along with heads of development banks and international organizations, participated in the discussion. She emphasized that small businesses require financial access to leverage trade and promote growth. She also highlighted that increased coordination among multilateral institutions can help close financing gaps. Makhtar Diop, the IFC’s Managing Director, co-chaired the roundtable. He stated that when capital, legal systems, digital platforms, and market capacity align, supply chain finance can revolutionize emerging markets.
Diop pointed out that development banks should do more than just provide capital; they can attract private investors by bolstering regulation and improving market functioning. Furthermore, he noted that these banks can allocate funds to smaller firms and markets with limited financing opportunities. The discussion focused on strategies to attract private-sector investment into supply chain finance, practical approaches to expanding access to underserved markets, and ways to support smaller firms and exporters in facing supply chain disruptions.
Task force charts a path for future efforts
Discussions included financing in local currencies for product innovation, forming partnerships, and capacity development. Raising awareness of existing financial products was also prioritized. A joint statement in 2024 committed partners to enhancing supply chain trade in emerging markets. Since then, efforts have focused on expanding financing programs, improving legal and regulatory frameworks, developing market infrastructure, strengthening institutions, and diversifying product offerings.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to work through the WTO’s Supply Chain Finance Task Force, which operates under the Multilateral Development Banks Working Group. The group includes the IFC, the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation. The Working Group will continue collaborating with the WTO Secretariat, the International Chamber of Commerce, and FCI, the global association for factoring and receivables finance. The upcoming phase will focus on reaching underserved businesses, fostering private investment, and building more resilient supply chain finance systems.