AGP Executive Report

Cost-of-living pressure: A war-linked energy squeeze is pushing up U.S. gasoline and broader prices, hitting hiring and investment plans—especially for small businesses. Governance debate (South Africa): A new argument says the real drag is mismanagement and weak leadership, not migrants—urging policymakers to tackle corruption and policy failures. SME capacity building (Kenya): Kabarak University and NCBA launched a four-month program to help local SMEs survive early-stage challenges like planning, cash flow, and market access. Local business support (U.S.): St. Charles Parish named its first Business Engagement Specialist to act like a concierge for permits, sales tax, and other small-business needs. Food systems for jobs (South Asia): India and the World Bank-backed SAPLING initiative convened a policy dialogue on expanding food processing to drive employment and resilient supply chains. Startup funding (WealthTech): HyperNorm AI raised $2.2M to help wealth advisors make faster decisions with an AI platform. AI payments infrastructure: Getnet is rolling out open standards for AI agent-initiated payments, testing with Mastercard Agent Pay in Mexico and Latin America. Small-business win (U.S.): Survival Garden Seeds was named 2026 Pacific Northwest Small Business of the Year for scaling non-GMO heirloom seeds. Drone innovation (India): Rajkot’s Indepro Dynamics was selected for France’s India Innovates 2026 event. Construction contracting (U.S.): NASA awarded a regional construction contract worth up to $450M, including work for multiple small businesses in California.

SMB Tech & Skills: JA Worldwide and IBM are scaling IBM SkillsBuild to deliver practical AI and digital learning to 1 million high-school students across 24+ countries. AI for Operations: DeepHealth launched Reporting Pro, an AI workflow for radiology reporting that aims to cut manual documentation time as imaging demand outpaces staffing. Payments for Small Firms: Epos Now secured up to £90m in HSBC UK facilities to expand across North America and Europe, including investment in its AI-powered business tools. Trade & Compliance: U.S. CBP highlighted how CTPAT helps trusted small businesses with fewer inspections and faster border processing. SME Funding & Hiring: ACCA rolled out an SMP Talent Management Toolkit to help small accounting practices attract, develop, and retain staff. Global Business Travel/Connectivity: Flydubai won permission for daily Dubai–Pokhara flights starting Sept. 23, boosting tourism and decentralizing air access. Defense Supply Chain: Mexico’s HGI Industrial Technologies won two military contracts for tactical belts and ripstop fabric. Energy for Local Resilience: GSL Energy deployed dual battery storage for a Texas sports facility to run near off-grid and reduce grid dependence.

SME Policy Relief (Canary Islands): Spain’s Canary Islands approved a tax-rule change that raises the REPEP eligibility turnover cap from €30,000 to €50,000, letting more freelancers and self-employed workers use a simplified IGIC scheme starting July 1, 2026. AI for Small Business Ops: DeployAIBots says it’s building agentic AI “operating systems” in Miami to automate sales and internal workflows, while YY Group deployed humanoid robots to cut labor costs in facility management. Local Business Impact (Istanbul): Kadıköy venue closures tied to alleged drug trafficking have left hundreds of workers without income, with critics arguing the crackdown is also reshaping the district toward chain, politically connected interests. World Cup Business Timing (New York): Gov. Kathy Hochul extended bar and restaurant alcohol hours to 4 a.m. during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to help small businesses and visitors. Commercial Finance & Growth: Bunzl got an “outperform” upgrade from Exane BNP Paribas; Grocery Outlet named new purchasing and CFO leadership; and Robinhood reported May operating data showing continued customer and asset growth. Energy & Infrastructure: Voltu began delivering heavy-duty electric pickups to Riverside, and Keel Infrastructure closed $458M in convertible notes to fund digital and energy projects.

AI & Cybersecurity: Meta says it’s using an AI support chatbot for account help, but reports claim hackers used it to change email addresses and take over high-profile Instagram accounts—raising alarms for small businesses that rely on social platforms. Local Business & Food Access: AMEN House says it rescued about 17,000 pounds of food in May, routing surplus from major retailers to thousands of families monthly through pantries and meal programs. SME Policy & Fair Competition: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim called for a crackdown on illegal foreign-run businesses, with an economist warning that tax and licensing cheats distort competition and squeeze MSMEs. Digital Payments & Inclusion: Nigeria’s OPay highlights growth in agent and merchant networks as it expands access to basic financial services for millions. SME Tech Adoption: London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced a £12m AI support package to help SMEs adopt AI tools. Tourism as an SME Engine: Syria launched its 2026 summer tourism season in Tartus, pointing to port upgrades and visitor services that can boost local hospitality and small enterprises. Tech Update: WhatsApp will stop working on Apple devices running iOS 15.0–15.4 after Nov. 30, 2026—pushing small users to update.

SMB Funding & Support: Punjab’s 2026-27 provincial budget is expected to include a Rs100 billion special package for small businesses and industrial development, with concessional loans and subsidies aimed at SMEs and export-oriented sectors. Local Business Tools: Milwaukee teamed up with DoorDash and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association for a Local Business Workshop, giving entrepreneurs hands-on training, AI guidance, and ad credits. Fraud Crackdown Hits Borrowers: Ohio and federal partners escalated fraud enforcement, suspending 27,486 Ohio borrowers tied to about $1.1B in suspected PPP and COVID EIDL fraud. Consumer Finance Watchdog Shift: The Trump administration is reshaping the CFPB, now focusing on community and nonprofit lenders while dropping major bank cases—sparking debate over whether smaller players are the new target. Community & Entrepreneurship: St. Maarten’s chamber and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency ran a business support session on grants and export financing; meanwhile, a new HBCU student business platform is designed to connect founders with visibility, resources, and mentorship. Data Breach Alert: Minnesota Epilepsy Group says personal data may have been stolen in a March breach, prompting consumer-rights law firm outreach. Trade Policy Tension: A tariff refund fight is heating up in court as importers brace for what comes next.

SMB Banking Tech: Maybank rolled out Maybank2E, a single-login regional business banking platform for SMEs through large corporates, bundling cash management, trade finance and FX with online account opening in minutes. AI for SMBs: Cegid completed its acquisition of Shine, creating a cloud-native, AI-driven financial hub for Europe’s SMBs and accountants with e-invoicing, accounting, payments, tax and payroll. SME Policy Leadership: South Korea’s President Lee tapped Han Seong-sook, the SME and startups minister, as prime minister to push AI transformation with growth that reaches small firms. Hiring Reality Check: A new survey finds employers distrust resumes yet still use them first, with many reporting hires where candidates misrepresented skills—fueling calls for more objective screening. Cost Pressure: Ireland’s small firms report costs up 44.4% since 2023, led by labor, energy and insurance. Capital for Growth: Zimbabwe’s chamber urged businesses to use diaspora remittances as long-term, investment-style capital. Energy Risk to Business: Malaysia’s crisis task force warned that energy and petrochemical disruptions can ripple into medical supplies, food packaging and fertilizers.

World Cup Boost for SMBs (Houston): Houston-area restaurants, bars, hotels, retailers and entertainment venues are gearing up for weeks of FIFA crowds starting June 14, with operators planning staffing, inventory and longer service windows. Manufacturing Layoffs (Iowa): Whirlpool confirmed another 288 job cuts at its Middle Amana refrigerator plant, adding to 879 layoffs since 2025—raising fresh alarms for rural suppliers and workers. SMB Finance Push (Nigeria): Zedvance’s parent firm says it will put 100% of its active lending portfolio into SMEs and ecosystem enablers to tackle Nigeria’s mid-market financing squeeze. Housing Pressure (D.C.): A new look at D.C.’s economy finds cautious optimism alongside landlord strain as remote work shifts downtown demand and costs keep climbing. Policy Hit for Card Fees (Colorado): Gov. Polis vetoed a swipe-fee bill aimed at excluding sales tax from transaction charges, warning of legal risk to businesses. Inclusive Hiring (Canada): Enabled Talent Canada launched a national campaign urging employers to create at least one opportunity for people with disabilities or underrepresented groups through October. Immigration Crackdown (South Africa): President Ramaphosa announced harsher enforcement steps and penalties tied to illegal immigration, as protests and tensions continue. Digital Commerce Training (Qatar): Qatar Chamber wrapped an e-commerce training program for local businesses, covering online store management and digital marketing. Photo Scanning for Families (U.S.): iMemories promoted mail-in photo scanning to digitize prints, slides and film—aimed at helping small households preserve and access memories.

SME Leadership Shake-Up (South Korea): President Lee Jae Myung nominated Han Seong-sook, the current SMEs minister and former Naver executive, as prime minister—aiming to push AI-led growth if confirmed by the National Assembly. SME Support Funding (Malaysia): Malaysia’s SME Corp Malaysia launched the SINAR programme, adding RM205 million in financing and support for micro, small and medium enterprises through multiple initiatives and partners. Local Retail Pressure (UK): ONS data shows Medway Towns among England and Wales’ weakest high streets, losing 40 shops in a year and leaving just 33 shops per 10,000 residents—amid rent, energy, staffing costs and weaker footfall. Accessibility Lawsuits Debate (US): Disability advocates say website ADA lawsuits may not drive lasting change, even as plaintiffs argue inaccessible sites block real purchasing for people with vision impairments. Last-Mile Logistics Costs (Thailand/APAC): A report flags an 18.9% delivery cost surge and rising demand for predictability; many firms plan to lean on outsourced delivery and AI routing. World Cup Boost for Small Businesses (US): San Diego bars and grills are gearing up for international soccer friendlies at Snapdragon Stadium, expecting major demand from visiting fans. Invasive Species Risk (US): Lake Tahoe inspectors intercepted golden mussels on incoming boats, aiming to stop another spread that could hurt local ecosystems and related businesses.

Energy & Jobs: UMWA Local 7606 and the Estevan Chamber of Commerce held a coffee talk on coal’s long-run role in southeast Saskatchewan, stressing how mining supports families, small businesses, schools, and community groups. Local Business Under Pressure: A UK MP says fuel duty freeze helps outer London shops and traders, while crime and shoplifting keep high streets from feeling safe. Trade & Farm Exports: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos visited Moldova’s cherry producer “Cojucaru,” highlighting new EU export opportunities for local farmers and jobs. Community-Led Recognition: Northmont School’s Roll of Recognition honored local leaders, including a hospitality entrepreneur and major fundraiser. SME Finance & Cost of Money: A Caribbean banking analysis argues the region’s “decade of decision” hinges on expensive lending and coordinated resilience plans. World Cup Boost for SMEs: In Oman, businesses are preparing for matchday spending via fan zones, public viewings, and themed events. Payments for Small Merchants: Ant International points to cashless cross-border mobile payments spreading across Malaysia’s MSMEs. Risk Watch: A US report flags 720 rural hospitals at risk of closure, including 19 in Minnesota, threatening access to emergency care. Green Lending: Egypt’s MSMEDA says it has funded EGP 1.5bn in green economy projects since 2014, including support for dual-fuel vehicle conversion. Security Services: Houston firm Reliable Security Plus launched “Sergeant Houston” to sell crowd management and protection to local businesses ahead of FIFA crowds.

SMB Policy & Taxes: UK Labour mayor Andy Burnham says it’s time to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues by another 20% and pull smaller firms out of the rates system, arguing tax hikes are squeezing hospitality margins and hiring. Local Business & Jobs: Mark Cuban tells college grads to start job searches with small businesses, citing their outsized role in job creation and AI’s ability to help smaller firms compete. SME Finance & Training: St. Kitts’ Ministry of Small Business launches a financial management training programme for entrepreneurs, covering budgeting, cash flow, record-keeping and planning. Credit-Led Growth: Moniepoint CEO backs integrating credit services into Nigeria’s payments rails so transaction data can unlock financing for underserved MSMEs. Manufacturing Recognition: Ohio’s Humtown Products CEO Mark Lamoncha wins SBA Ohio Small Business Person of the Year, spotlighting 3D-printed manufacturing growth. Energy for SMBs: Côte d’Ivoire gets €103.14M from AfDB to expand grid access and connect about 107,000 households—aimed at turning coverage into real connections. Trade & Expansion: Namibia’s president urges firms to use AfCFTA to expand beyond borders, with SME delegates at a major trade expo. Business Costs & Disruption: Southern Water faces backlash over plans to dump untreated sewage at a popular Isle of Wight beach, raising public health and tourism risks.

Local IT Support: Adaptive Information Systems expanded managed IT and cybersecurity support for small businesses across Monterey Bay, pitching faster, on-the-ground help as threats and aging systems strain local teams. SMB Growth & Capital: Southland Development Authority’s Achieve summit in Chicago’s south suburbs aimed to connect buyers and sellers of businesses and real estate, with SomerCor offering down-payment grants for new ventures. Disaster Relief: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asked President Trump for a presidential disaster declaration for 43 counties after April flooding and tornadoes, citing damage to homes, businesses, and roads. SBA Operations: The U.S. SBA announced an agency-wide reorganization to cut duplication and modernize how it serves small businesses and disaster survivors. SME Policy & Inclusion: The UK’s Maple Review calls for micro-loans, better skills pathways, and safer self-employment rules to tackle entrepreneurship inequality. Green Reporting: Sri Lanka launched EU-backed revised green reporting guidelines to help companies align with international sustainability standards. Tech for SMBs: SalesCloser entered hospitality with AI voice agents to automate after-hours room service ordering via POS integration. Jobs Watch: NFIB and other reports point to small-business hiring staying weak, even as broader job data looks stronger.

SME Funding Scrutiny: Bulgaria’s deputy PM ordered an audit of an SME support procedure after over 1,100 firms passed review but still waited on funding, raising concerns about criteria and legality before money is released. Local Revitalization: Jamestown Renaissance Corporation hired a downtown revitalization director to push business development, placemaking, and investment attraction, with a focus on entrepreneurs and small businesses. Retail + Housing Push: Brighton & Hove unveiled plans for a major seafront overhaul, including 1,000 new homes and 53,819 sq ft of waterfront shops, plus upgrades across several key areas. Cross-Border Payments: XTransfer and Societe Generale signed an MoU to streamline cross-border trade payments, aiming for faster, clearer, more automatable flows for businesses. SME Energy Transition: Ireland’s SMEs are leaning into solar and “Solar-as-a-Service,” with cost and ROI still the main blockers. Payments for Growth in Nigeria: Moniepoint CEO urged the CBN to build credit products on top of Nigeria’s payments infrastructure to unlock financing for underserved small businesses. Business Safety + Health: A UK study links home-based peritoneal dialysis to better outcomes and nearly £200M in NHS savings, spotlighting patient-centered care access. Tourism That Feeds Local Shops: Newark is planning World Cup and food-focused events, including Restaurant Week, to drive foot traffic to local restaurants and small businesses. Green Finance Angle: Jordan’s banks association urged Qatari investors toward green economy projects like renewable energy and low-emission infrastructure.

AI Policy Push: Canada unveiled a $2.3B AI strategy aimed at closing the “adoption gap” with free AI training, trusted AI agents for students, and new privacy/online-harms rules to curb chatbot safety and “surveillance pricing” concerns. Fraud Crackdown: The U.S. SBA suspended 27,486 Ohio borrowers tied to about $1.1B in suspected PPP/EIDL fraud, as federal and state partners press charges and recover taxpayer dollars. Local Business Relief Deadline: Americans facing a possible COVID-era IRS refund have until July 10 to file claims after a court ruling raised questions about penalties/interest—guidance is available, but time is tight. Travel Boost for SMBs: American Airlines and Delta added new Madison-to-Boston nonstop service, giving local businesses more direct access to a major market. Small-Business Stress Test: A Zimbabwe report says 40+ Bulawayo SMEs were left idle for months after rental disputes led to closures. Community Impact: In Katikati, a controversial container terminal is relocating to Hamilton, with residents split between noise/appearance complaints and worries about lost local income. SME Skills Funding: Bangladesh launched an ADB-funded entrepreneurship training program at NRBC Bank for 25 aspiring entrepreneurs. Insurance Data Focus: Insurtech Insights USA wrapped up with a clear message: AI in insurance only works when the data foundation and controls are solid. Business Visibility Shift: A guide warns SMBs that Google’s AI-first search changes how customers discover businesses, reducing clicks to websites.

Workforce Training Win: Louisiana’s business lobby scored a rare bipartisan push for expanded workforce training, earlier career programs, and college-to-career links, plus aerospace incentives and local economic development funding. Data Center Pressure: New York is set to pass a one-year statewide data center construction ban, paired with new electricity rate rules, energy-efficiency goals, and host-community benefits. SME Financing Boost (UAE): MBRIF teamed with Numou to widen financing access for innovation-led businesses via a digital marketplace and referrals into guarantee and accelerator schemes. Retail Turnaround Warning: A new 90-day retail turnaround framework targets the pattern where many struggling retailers wait too long to course-correct—often until cash is gone. Local Business & Transit Tensions (SF): San Francisco’s Ocean Avenue red lane rollout is slated to start in 2027 despite Chinese community complaints about being left out of the process. MSME Classification Upgrade (Bahrain): Bahrain approved an updated MSME classification framework, expanding targeted support and financing access for the sector that makes up most registrations. Tariff Shock Ahead: The U.S. is moving toward forced-labor-related tariffs on dozens of trading partners, raising uncertainty for exporters and small suppliers. Retail Crime & Consumer Scams: BBB warns America 250 merchandise scams are targeting patriotic buyers, while retail operators face mounting pressure from slow recovery and crime. Pride Month Spotlight: Pride events across the Inland Northwest keep growing, with Coeur d’Alene’s Pride in the Park marking a decade and drawing local vendors and community support.

SBA Lending Push: The U.S. Small Business Administration approved 19 loans totaling $30M+ in one month via its enhanced 90% Grocery Guarantee, aiming to expand financing for small food producers and help lower grocery costs. Federal Grants Rules: OMB proposed major revisions to the Uniform Guidance for federal awards, shifting requirements from guidance to regulation and potentially reshaping how nonprofits and award recipients manage grants. Consumer Pressure Watch: The Fed’s Beige Book points to a widening “K-shaped” economy, with higher-income households more resilient while middle- and lower-income consumers feel sharper strain—plus mixed ability for firms to pass on higher costs. Small-Business Marketing Toolkits: Queens Chamber of Commerce launched a World Cup toolkit so local shops can quickly customize posters and social posts to attract fans. Local Business Impact: American Airlines temporarily cut select routes in Aug–Sep due to higher jet fuel costs, a reminder of how quickly operating expenses can hit small suppliers and travel-dependent businesses. Energy & Data Center Politics: Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Sen. Kelda Roys unveiled a clean-energy plan that includes guardrails for data centers and AI development. Tech for Operations: Shyld AI will demo action-based AI for infection prevention at APIC 2026, targeting real-time workflow and disinfection in hospitals.

SME Growth & Trade: ONDC is raising Rs 430 crore for its ONDC 2.0 push, with big-name investors like Zoho, Uber, Paytm, SBI and Amul backing AI-driven commerce and digital infrastructure. Cross-Border Finance: ITC and Equity Group signed an MoU to expand trade and finance for East African SMEs, targeting coffee, leather and creative industries. Local Business Costs: South Africa’s fuel-price swings are squeezing cross-border traders’ margins, with knock-on effects for logistics, inventory and cash flow. Policy & Regulation: Indonesia’s private international law bill is aimed at strengthening national legal sovereignty by steering contracts toward Indonesian law when deals are made in Indonesia. UK SME Compliance: A new IR35 2026 guide highlights updated small-company thresholds and what SMEs need to know for contractor tax status. Energy Transition for Business: Malaysia says CCUS needs whole-of-nation coordination and clearer rules so SMEs can participate; Pure DC says Europe’s first large-scale cross-border biomethane deal shows gas-connected data centres can decarbonise at scale. SME Credit Watch: India’s MSME credit growth moderated in April, with early stress showing among micro borrowers and manufacturers. Tech for Solopreneurs: Toozi launches a text-message bookkeeping and tax tool for solo owners, aiming to cut admin time. Community & Branding: A Plymouth pet-sitting business is hosting a “Hometown Hound” festival with local vendors and a charity donation drive.