Countries will make at home after Covid-19 is over

Technology services built on a strong localisation model will attract more funding in the post-coronavirus era.

Historians will document the Covid-19 pandemic as a watershed moment after an extended period of human excesses. The list of 'too much' and 'too many' is unending. The swift conversion of a localised disease outbreak into a full-blown pandemic is a fallout of too much globalisation. Yes, there is such a thing as too much globalisation.
In the last few weeks, the developed world and the developing world countries found themselves in the same bilious boat. This globally converging reality will lead to a devolution of the global economy to some degree. The signs are evident in the routes that different countries have taken in response to the pandemic. The UAE opted for a progressive and measured lockdown; the UK twiddled its thumb before a lockdown while India resorted to shock treatment.
Before that when China was battling coronavirus, companies watched helplessly as their supply chain fell apart. The companies had zero control on their business. Today, if China sneezes, the whole world catches a cold. The strings attaching global business networks are far too tight and need to loosen up. Many businesses have learnt a valuable lesson about balancing their global supply chain with local ones. When international logistics froze up, e-commerce services started to rejig their model to have local shipments and inventories.
While anxious countries like Kazakhstan and Vietnam are cancelling export orders to stockpile their food produce, importing countries are being forced to think about risk mitigation. Countries must look at how to be reasonably self-sufficient in essential goods and services. UAE's plan to improve food security becomes even more significant today. Even as I resist the temptation to hoard food, when so much is unknown, I have been inclined to picking up vegetables grown in the UAE.
It just feels safer to go with local. India decided to place its bet on a homegrown Covid-19 testing kit, which becomes interesting as many countries are complaining about China-supplied testing kits. Increasingly, special value will be attached to products and services that truly manifest Made in UAE, Made in USA, or Made in India in these respective countries.
Not surprisingly, local ecosystems are being revived. Dubbing studios have closed down in many regions because of Covid-19 pandemic, forcing Hollywood studios and major streaming services to enlist local actors and directors to complete their projects.
As we have been pushed towards a great big social experiment, social bonding at local levels is becoming stronger. Neighbourhoods are reconnecting, and communities are marshalling resources to protect their locality. As daily wage earners got uprooted following the 21-days lockdown in India, some communities have stepped up to help them. Even street vendors are donating fruits for them.
Global brands have also attained more autonomy to serve the local communities. One company provided care packages to local hospital workers in the UK. Localisation will provide more control in situations over which individual businesses have little control. It will help create new local Indie brands, so common in Australia and South Africa, which will boost the economy in a sustained manner. While all businesses will not make an about turn from global to local, we will see a healthy mix. This overarching localisation will extend to technology services as well.
With large e-commerce services facing challenges with deliveries, neighborhood groceries or kirana stores have become the life blood for Indian homes. WhatsApp messages with the shopping list are sent to the store that has an efficient time-tested home delivery service. The runners are familiar faces, but now wearing a mask. My mother's friendly sabziwala (vegetable vendor) is still beaming a smile as he brings his hand-pulled cart to her doorstop. Runner-based hyper-local app Dunzo that had a terrible 2019, has seen a spike in usage in cities like Bangalore for a fast delivery of groceries, medicines and toiletries.
Technology services built on a strong localisation model will attract more funding in the post-coronavirus era. For example, online food delivery services that deliver from kitchens and restaurants promoting local produce and local entrepreneurs will find favour.
Government agencies that have supported local interests during the lockdown are perceived as more empathetic. Smart Dubai has been encouraging its citizens and residents to use the 116 digital services from 33 government and private-sector entities on mobile devices. The UAE pass allows users to digitally sign documents to complete any legal process remotely. Dubai government's foresight in setting up platforms such as Government Resource Planning System, smoothly transitioned government employees to remote working. In times of crisis, when national borders are sealed, we need to think and act local.
Almost all of humanity has hit the pause button. Some of us have stepped away from a faraway world inside Instagram and Facebook to sense a real world around us. As we slowed down and gazed outside our window, we heard the birds in our backyard. The birds always chirped but we never paused to listen. It's a stark reminder to focus on what matters in our lives. Technologies that help us reconnect with our immediate surrounding will resonate with us over the next few years.  

Shalini Verma is CEO of PIVOT technologies