Middle East War 2026: SEA Business Leaders on Impact & Solutions

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

The war has created a need for companies to refocus on resilience and long-term risk management explains Titi Susanti, Global Director - Consumer, Retail  and Food, BSI from Malaysia.

Talking about the conflict’s overall impact, Titi says, “Events across the Gulf region have heightened global economic uncertainty, impacting industries and professional  services alike. Rising energy, insurance, and logistics costs, alongside disrupted trade routes, are prompting organisations to refocus on resilience and long-term risk management. As geopolitical volatility continues, demand has increased for risk mapping, compliance, and resilience advisory services.”

Titi goes on to explain how BSI is helping organisations anticipate and manage these challenges, “We’ve expanded our risk mapping and supply chain resilience services, equipping businesses to make informed decisions and safeguard against disruption.”

“Our complimentary supply chain self-assessment tool enables organisations to identify vulnerabilities, benchmark performance, and strengthen risk management, supporting them to stay agile, resilient, and future-ready in an uncertain global landscape,” she explains.

RETAIL

The global retail landscape has been experiencing significant volatility specifically through increased supply-chain uncertainty and rising freight costs says Olivia Saha, Co-Founder & CEO, Shinaraa from Hong Kong.

Speaking in context of her fashion brand, Olivia says, “For a brand like Shinaraa, which operates through cross-border production and sourcing, these conflicts  necessitate much tighter inventory planning to avoid disruptions”

The theme of customers becoming cautious continues in th retail landscape as well. Olivia explains, “We have observed that both customers and retail partners are becoming increasingly cautious regarding delivery timelines and pricing stability. In this environment, the impact is not just logistical but psychological; maintaining consumer confidence requires a transparent and highly resilient operational model. The primary challenge for modern retail leaders today is protecting brand reliability and healthy margins while navigating these unpredictable global shifts.”

Strengthening operational discipline while remaining adaptable has been the mantra for Shinara explains Olivia. “We focus on tighter inventory planning and improved visibility across our sales channels to ensure better stock allocation and responsiveness. At the same time, we are more selective with our partnerships and distribution, prioritizing channels that align with our positioning and offer stability.”

Customers continue to take centerstage. “From a customer perspective, Shinaraa emphasizes on clarity in product value and versatility, helping them make more confident purchasing decisions. Ultimately, our strategy is to protect brand reliability, maintain margins, and ensure confidence in delivery, while staying aligned with Shinaraa's core values of sustainability and thoughtful design,” says Olivia.