⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

5 Challenges in Dealing With a War-Torn Country When the destruction is on a large scale and there is nothing left these are the challenges a nation faces

By Dr. Piyush Gupta

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Freedomz | Shutterstock

1. Communication:

One of the major hurdles is that communication is clogged. There are only some ways to connect to these countries and those too are intermittent which is not quite favourable for the trade activities. There are various hurdles such as fake/ sub-standard SIM cards and unsatisfactory internet services. Communication through texting services is also difficult as the messages lack clarity, tone and also the maximum risk of miscommunication. The absence of communication makes the trade activities arduous as there is no clear picture on the demand, the location, and the timeline. The pharma companies then have to make sure that the means of communication used by them assures stable transfer of information with these countries to carry out the further process in a better manner.

2. Fiscal issues:

The key element in dealing with the countries that are affected by war is the financial facet. It is the major and a complex strand that is to be dealt with. Since the country is already suffering from the internal woes, the system lacks organization and monetary backing. The financial transactions are hampered by the internal banking systems. Since medicines are exempt of the various government interventions, it involves a lot of paperwork and hassles pertaining to the banking transactions. The bankers, due to these hurdles, tend to block such transactions. This adds to the difficulties faced by the distributors in providing to these war-torn countries.

3. Logistics:

The facilities, both domestic and international, are usually disrupted due to the war-like conditions. It is difficult to carry out the trade activities without a smooth logistical system. The ports are normally inaccessible and the transport is quite deranged. In this state, exporting medicines and life-saving drugs pose as a big challenge, as it is an urgent need and also, a difficult product to transport. Apart from transporting, the storage of medicines comes with a lot of tedious procedures. From controlling the temperatures to maintaining the efficacy of the drugs, warehousing is another major yet strenuous aspect in the distribution of medicines to these countries.

4. Regulation:

The extensive involvement of government and regulatory authorities in terms of providing clearance and assistance to the distributors, pose as more of a hindrance. Since these countries are so sensitive in nature, the authorities have to make sure that the regulations are well maintained and that too with a stronghold. While the authorities in these countries toughen the trade practices, the rivalry between the superpowers and the war-torn countries emerge as an impediment for the distributors to engage in supplying to these countries. In quite a few cases the countries that engage in trade with the countries that are on a watch list like Iran and Iraq, are blacklisted by the various Western countries that are trading with the United States and the United Kingdom. For e.g. the relationship between the United States and North Korea influences their trade partners. It has been observed that countries like the US also go to an extent of blocking the payment of the countries which deal with the war-torn countries and also blacklist them

5. Uncertainty and Quick Turnaround of Demand:

The demand in these countries occurs on an urgent basis. There arises a need for a particular drug depending on the calamity or the situation faced at that time. The country as it is has meagre resources and is majorly dependent on the supplying countries for the vital requirements. Adding to these difficulties, there is usually an uncertainty in the demand due to the dynamic zone which leads to lack of clarity. A sudden rise in the demand is been observed which gradually leads to a tedious supplying procedure. The distributors have to keep up with such variables and make sure that they have all the resources and systems in place to ensure smooth, efficient and quick supply to these countries.

Dr. Piyush Gupta

Director, GNH India

Leadership

If You Want to be Successful, Become a Better Speaker — Follow This 7-Step Process for Effective Speaking

Discover the transformative power of mastering presentation skills with this 7-step process.

Science & Technology

How Can Marketers Use ChatGPT? Here Are the Top 11 Uses.

With the recent developments in AI and the popularity of ChatGPT, you may want to integrate AI into your marketing practices. Find out how.

Marketing

5 Ways ChatGPT Will Impact Digital Marketing

ChatGPT is creating ripples across the digital landscape right now. Here are five ways it can benefit your ads, campaigns and marketing strategies.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

News and Trends

Rural Commerce Startup Rozana Raises USD 22.5 Mn from Bertelsmann, Fireside Ventures and others

The Delhi-based startup will utilise the fresh funds to fuel its expansion into new districts, upgrade its technology platform, and increase hiring in technology, product, and operations teams.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.