Bangkok:Multilateral development banks have significantly increased their direct financing, reaching USD 65 billion in 2026, compared to around USD 35 billion annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth aims to benefit low and middle-income countries, with USD 10 billion specifically allocated to supply chain finance in developing economies, marking a two-to-threefold increase since 2024.
According to Emirates News Agency, these developments were discussed at a high-level roundtable during the 2026 World Bank - International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings held in Bangkok, Thailand. The event, organized jointly by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), focused on expanding supply chain finance in developing economies and setting priorities for future cooperation.
The roundtable also addressed strategies to enhance private-sector participation and investment in supply chain finance markets. Discussions included practical measures to improve access to underserved markets and strengthen SMEs' resilience in supply chains. Initiatives considered involved local currency financing for product innovation, as well as partnerships, capacity-building, and increasing awareness of financial products.