The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development issued a report on September 8 warning that energy, logistics, and financing pressure brought about by the blockage of transportation in the Strait of Hormuz may force small and medium-sized enterprises to cut production, delay investment, or even withdraw from the value chain. Even if global trade volume then recovers, some small businesses may not be able to return to the market, and trade recovery is accompanied by higher corporate concentration. The report points out that large enterprises can spread risk among suppliers, sales markets and financing channels, and that small and medium-sized enterprises usually have more limited room for adjustment. Rising energy bills, freight rates, and insurance premiums, combined with financing restrictions, will increase the pressure on its operations. UNCTAD suggests that when evaluating trade resilience, trade flows, sales, and whether small and medium-sized enterprises can maintain business and market ties should be monitored at the same time to prevent total recovery from masking the exit of enterprises.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development issued a report on September 8 warning that energy, logistics, and financing pressure brought about by the blockage of transportation in the Strait of Hormuz may force small and medium-sized enterprises to cut production, delay investment, or even withdraw from the value chain. Even if global trade volume then recovers, some small businesses may not be able to return to the market, and trade recovery is accompanied by higher corporate concentration. The report points out that large enterprises can spread risk among suppliers, sales markets and financing channels, and that small and medium-sized enterprises usually have more limited room for adjustment. Rising energy bills, freight rates, and insurance premiums, combined with financing restrictions, will increase the pressure on its operations. UNCTAD suggests that when evaluating trade resilience, trade flows, sales, and whether small and medium-sized enterprises can maintain business and market ties should be monitored at the same time to prevent total recovery from masking the exit of enterprises.