Business in challenging markets: Viva Ona Bartkus on building businesses in fragile economies

Devex Podcasts

Summary Discover why "business as usual" fails in the world's toughest places. Viva Ona Bartkus sits down with Raj Kumar to reveal the counterintuitive tactics that unlock massive opportunities where others fear to tread. Learn why: The most successful security strategy isn't higher walls – it's community ownership How to turn "middlemen with guns" into business partners Why Chinese companies are winning while Western firms hesitate Plus: The radical partnership model that's transforming dangerous markets from Uganda to Colombia. Bartkus shares explosive insights from 15+ years working with multinationals, Special Forces, and local communities in conflict zones. – Chapters 00:00 Embedding Business in Local Communities 01:53 The Journey to Frontline Markets 07:02 Understanding Market Dynamics 11:18 The Role of Middlemen in Local Economies 12:45 Security Through Community Engagement 16:14 The Next Round of Globalization 20:02 The Competitive Landscape of Global Investment 23:42 Collaboration Between Security and Development 25:28 Bridging the Gap Between Business and Humanitarian Efforts 28:41 The Role of ESG in Business Strategies 31:17 Adapting Business Models for Extractive Industries 36:43 The Future of Development Finance – Want to stay updated on the latest news in global development? Subscribe to Devex’s Newswire: https://www.devex.com/newsletters/newswire