At the MBF 2025 business conference in Rovinj, Natko Vlahović, President of the New Frontier Foundation (NFF), delivered a compelling talk titled “Securing Growth through Geopolitical Opportunities”. In an on-stage conversation moderated by Croatian journalist Frano Riđan, Vlahović argued that geopolitical turbulence should be seen not as an obstacle but as a catalyst for strategic expansion and resilience.

Seizing the Moment in an Uncertain World

Vlahović opened by acknowledging the mounting global uncertainty — from shifting alliances and energy realignments to technological decoupling and regulatory competition. Yet his message to business leaders was clear: geopolitics is not merely a risk to be managed but a domain where competitive advantage can be built.

“Geopolitics is not just the backdrop — it is the playing field,” he said. Companies that passively react to crises, he warned, will fall behind those that anticipate and position themselves strategically within the new order.

Four Pillars of Geopolitical Growth

In discussion with Riđan, Vlahović outlined four pillars companies should adopt to turn geopolitical volatility into growth opportunities:

1. Strategic Diversification & Redundancy
   Build flexibility in supply chains, sourcing, and operations to withstand political shocks or policy changes.
2. Intelligence & Early Warning Systems
   Invest in scenario planning and geopolitical risk analytics. “Seeing the storm before others do,” Vlahović noted, “is the new form of business leadership.”
3. Regulatory & Diplomatic Engagement
   Businesses must move beyond compliance and engage actively with policymakers to shape frameworks that govern trade, investment, and critical infrastructure.
4. Brand & Value Alignment in Global Narratives
   Positioning companies as contributors to stability, sustainability, and regional resilience enhances credibility and long-term access to markets.

Regional Insight, Global Vision

Although Vlahović’s framework was global in outlook, he emphasized its particular relevance for Central and Southeastern Europe. With Croatia and its neighbors sitting at the crossroads of energy, logistics, and digital corridors, regional firms must treat geopolitics as a strategic variable, not a background factor.

He also noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—which form the backbone of regional economies—tend to underestimate geopolitical exposure, missing first-mover advantages in fast-evolving markets.

Reception at MBF 2025

The discussion, part of the session “Geopolitics as an Opportunity for Company Growth”, was one of the highlights of MBF’s 2025 agenda. (mbf.hr)

Attendees praised the exchange between Vlahović and Riđan for blending strategic insight with practical takeaways. Business leaders, investors, and policymakers alike engaged in follow-up discussions about how companies can integrate geopolitical awareness into corporate planning and international expansion.

A Strategic Shift for Business Leadership

In closing, Vlahović underscored that the line between business strategy and foreign policy is rapidly blurring.
“To secure growth today,” he said, “companies must think like diplomats, act like strategists, and adapt like entrepreneurs.”

His remarks captured the essence of MBF 2025 — that in a world of rapid geopolitical realignment, foresight and agility are becoming the new engines of sustainable growth.