SIRC 2020 Re-Mind co-hosted by Swiss Re ― De-risking global supply chain: Strengthening resilience in a time of disruption

The US-China trade war and COVID-19 pandemic are set to trigger major restructuring of global supply chains, including relocation of production to cut concentration risk, shortening of supply chains and/or building of parallel ones. Governments and manufacturers are reassessing future arrangements for production to reduce vulnerabilities. This means that the major driver of supply chain will no longer be cost, but its security and reliability. The influence of governments, infrastructure and technology will therefore be key to de-risking global supply chains.

• According to our own Swiss Re Institute research, 20% of current production capacity in China will move to other parts of Asia. Are Asian governments prepared to support this shift? What is the anticipated economic impact?
• Political and pandemic risks are both uninsurable, how, then, can insurers support the public sector in taking on more risks? Can governments work together to anticipate risks and thereby de-risk supply chains?
• Restructuring supply chain involves major infrastructure movements. What should be taken into consideration? What is the role of insurance?
• Technology (Robotics, 3D printing, automation, Industry 4.0, blockchain) has enabled massive shifts in production and supply chains. Will it hold the key to de-risking the impact of disruption on economies?