AGP Executive Report

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.

SME Finance & Credit Data: Kuwait’s National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Development and CINET signed an MoU to expand credit-report coverage to include government financing data, alongside CINET’s new SME Score creditworthiness tool to help lenders assess repayment ability. Tariffs & Small Business Impact: The U.S. Trade Representative says Brazil’s policies on social media misinformation and its Pix digital payments system justify a 25% tariff—Public Citizen calls it a Big Tech-friendly trade move that won’t help U.S. jobs or small firms. Disaster-Driven Lending Priority: Bangladesh Bank told banks to prioritize marginal and landless farmers with “Farmer Smart Cards” and rain-hit borrowers for low-interest loans, aiming to speed credit under its refinancing and digital farmer database. SME Funding Platforms: Ghana’s Ark Group International launched an SME Funding Database to connect businesses to grants, loans, and investors, tackling “information asymmetry” that keeps entrepreneurs from finding opportunities. Local Business Growth Programs: Alexandria, Virginia’s Switch Together offers up to a 15% discount on heat pump installs via local HVAC contractors, as federal incentives shift to state and city programs. Manufacturing Support: SBA’s Manufacturing in America E2G Grant Initiative will fund training and technical help for small manufacturers, with proposals due June 15. World Cup Spend & Small Business Demand: A SoFi analysis estimates Americans may spend about $5,440 per person on average across U.S. host cities for the 2026 World Cup, boosting travel and local spending. NPL Pressure on Credit Supply: Bangladesh’s non-performing loans jumped to about Tk 5.89 trillion by March 2026, pushing banks to tighten credit and raising costs for borrowers. Policy & Compliance Watch: Oceana joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s Gulf endangered-species protections rollback tied to offshore drilling.

SMB Tech & Payments: DBS rolled out “tap-to-phone” card acceptance via its MAX app, letting merchants turn Android smartphones into low-cost point-of-sale options. AI for Service Revenue: NexusCall AI says its 24/7 bilingual receptionist can capture leads, book appointments, and help service businesses recover up to $140,000 a year lost to missed calls. SME Export Support: Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone teamed with DHL Express and its GoTrade program to train export-ready SMEs and expand cross-border reach. Digital Economy Push: Nigeria’s central bank launched Payments System Vision 2028, targeting fraud losses below 0.001% of transactions and faster financial inclusion by 2028. Local Business Resilience: A German “micro currency” (Chiemgauer) is being used not just to keep money circulating locally, but also to cut carbon emissions. Tourism Watch: Jamaica’s tourism is rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa, with room capacity back above 80% of pre-storm levels. Cybersecurity: MazeBolt launched RADAR VectorAI™ to help defenders test DDoS protections against AI-generated attack paths.

Disaster Relief for SMBs: The U.S. SBA opened low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans for South Carolina small businesses and private nonprofits hit by a Feb. 17 drought, with eligible counties including Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion and Williamsburg. Deadline Reminder: Michigan tornado victims have until June 29 to apply for SBA disaster loans, covering business physical damage and economic injury in multiple counties (plus eligible Indiana counties). Tax Pressure on Trusts: Australia’s planned tax shake-up would require trustees of discretionary trusts to pay a minimum 30% tax on taxable income, raising about $4.5B over five years, though many trust types are excluded—still a concern for landholding trusts. Payments Law Delayed: Illinois lawmakers pushed back a credit card interchange-fee limits law from July 1 to July 1, 2027, drawing criticism from retail groups and small business owners. Local Business Boost: A new “Brothers That Just Do Gutters” Tacoma franchise opened to serve Pierce County and South King County. Workforce Perk Trend: HVAC employers are leaning on retirement plans to recruit and retain skilled technicians as labor shortages persist.

SME Energy Shock: Gambia’s NAWEC warns of major electricity disruptions tied to reduced imports and costly backup generation, with outages hitting small businesses, schools and healthcare. Cash vs Cards Cost Shift: A new report shows card fees jumped 70% since 2019, pushing higher prices onto shoppers—especially those paying cash or without rewards. Fuel Levy Relief Ends: South African SMEs face renewed cost pressure as fuel levy relief expires after June, squeezing cashflow and forcing pricing trade-offs. Local Success Story: South Africa’s Khayelitsha baker Mcebisi Gugu Ndlovu turned job loss into a small bakery after winning competitions, now baking for Ramaphosa’s celebrations. SME Formalisation Push: Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo urges MSMEs to regularise, pay taxes and get licences, backed by Swiss-funded market upgrades. Digital Economy Support: Nigeria’s Fidelity Bank launches a Quarterly Business Forum to help SMEs scale trade and distribution. Policy & Trade for SMEs: India’s India-Oman CEPA kicks in with duty-free access expected to boost labour-intensive sectors like textiles and leather. Tech Sovereignty for Procurement: EU-backed cloud providers and lawmakers urge rules to steer sensitive public tenders toward European tech.

Ebola Response in Uganda: Health workers in Bundibugyo trained for Ebola handling, but trainees fled after a “body bag” drill sparked fear and stigma—WHO says the outbreak has reached 223 deaths and 906 suspected cases as of May 27. Workplace Safety Tragedy: Longview, Washington’s Nippon Dynawave Packaging accident ended with the recovery of the 11th victim after a caustic chemical release at a pulp and paper mill; families and local small businesses are organizing fundraisers. SME AI Push (Singapore): Applications opened for Singapore’s inaugural SME AI Impact Awards (up to 30 firms), with categories for proprietary AI and off-the-shelf AI, backed by IMDA and SBF. Main Street Funding (Pennsylvania): Pennsylvania announced $17.2M for 56 downtown revitalization projects via Main Street Matters, aiming to support small businesses and local economies. SME Finance Focus (Nigeria): Fidelity Bank plans a quarterly business forum starting June 3 in Port Harcourt to connect SME leaders with policy and growth guidance. Consumer Data Pricing Fight (US): States are moving to limit “surveillance pricing,” with Maryland already banning it and more bills pending.

ASEAN Digital Deal: ASEAN has wrapped talks on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, with signing expected in November—aimed at boosting a secure, interoperable digital market that could double from $1T to $2T by 2030. Tourism Branding: Southern and Southeast Ohio launched a unified regional tourism brand, “Ohio’s Rolling Hills,” backed by an ARC POWER grant to drive visitor growth and local jobs. Small-Business Cash Support (SA): South Africa’s Spaza Shop Support Fund update says progress is being made on processing, verification, and funding for qualifying spaza owners, after a registration push that flagged compliance gaps. Local Finance Turnaround (SA): South Africa’s finance minister will hand over a revised Financial Recovery Plan to Ditsobotla, with roles for implementation and a chance for local businesses to weigh in. Cross-Border Trade (Botswana): Botswana is pushing stronger SADC trade ties and border ease of doing business through its Northern Trade Fair, focused on cutting non-tariff barriers. SME Export Push (Philippines): DHL Express says it expects double-digit shipment growth and is leaning on SMEs, training hundreds via its GoTrade program to expand exports. Digital Security for MSMEs (Philippines): A new push argues email security should be treated as a core defense as MSMEs adopt digital tools faster than their cyber readiness. Tourism Hit by Rain (Thailand): Pattaya’s rainy season is slowing the night economy, squeezing earnings for tourism-linked small businesses and workers.

SME Financing Boost (Malaysia): Malaysia’s SME Stabilisation Relief Facility is expanding, with 20 banks now set to disburse RM5 billion in low-cost support. Eligible SMEs can borrow up to RM750,000 at 3.75% per annum for up to five years, aiming to help firms handle global economic pressure. Local Power & Internet Fix (Philippines): In Antique and Aklan, Senate leaders convened utilities and telecom providers to diagnose recurring electricity and internet gaps, stressing that reliable power and connectivity directly affect schools, small businesses, and tourism. Anti-Trust Pressure (U.S.): A fresh push to strengthen the Robinson-Patman Act is framed as a “pocketbook” issue, arguing big retailers’ pricing tactics can squeeze small enterprises and that enforcement has been too weak. SMB Risk Alert (U.S.): A Pennsylvania trailer park water system is still operating without a required permit application, leaving residents under long-running drinking water restrictions—an operational compliance headache that can hit small operators hard. Payments Competition (U.S.): PayPal is warning investors it needs “significant changes” as checkout growth stalls and rivals keep taking share, with the stock down sharply over the past year. Community Business Support (U.S.): Anchorage Juneteenth organizers warn vendors about a scam impersonating event reps and collecting fake payments for booths and tickets.

SMB Innovation & Products: Simplay3 is rolling out a limited-edition red, white and blue lineup for America’s Semiquincentennial, spotlighting durable, U.S.-made playthings from ride-ons to racetracks. New Food Startup: Montreal co-founders at Bump are turning cake into a protein snack, selling online and through about 40 local stores while working to expand production capacity. Local Business Protection: Miami-Dade is advancing a “Legacy Business Program” plus streamlined permitting ideas to help long-running small firms survive owner retirements. Energy Transition Pressure: Australia’s “missing middle” of small manufacturers is lagging on electrification despite available tech, citing policy gaps and costly grid connection hurdles. Legal & Compliance Watch: A Delaware court ordered the state to comply with an immigration subpoena for business wage records, a fight that could affect other employers. AI for SMBs: HighLevel is partnering with Neil Patel to push AI and growth tools aimed at small businesses left out of the Fortune 500 AI boom. Community & Hiring: Edmonds, Washington, is launching “Edmonds Serves,” using storefront displays and QR codes to connect residents with local nonprofits and volunteer roles.

Rural housing squeeze: A Mayo councillor says Achill is losing local shops, pubs, post offices and schools as planning refusals block one-off homes, leaving would-be residents told they lack “housing need.” Public safety and small business risk: In Garden Grove, an overheating chemical tank triggered evacuations, but some victims report insurance denials—raising fears of long-tail costs for local businesses. Migration tensions with real livelihoods: Durban residents describe a mixed picture on migrants: some say foreign nationals help keep their informal shops afloat, even as xenophobia fuels protests. Cross-border payments for SMEs: iFAST Global Bank launched SEPA capabilities for its multi-currency business accounts, aiming to simplify euro payments for trading firms. Tourism goes cashless: The Philippines’ DOT and Mastercard are rolling out a more digital, cashless tourism push, citing millions in sales for small operators. Defense procurement gap: A Bruegel analysis warns Europe’s rearmament spending still favors legacy giants over startups, risking slower innovation for drones and next-gen tech. SMB tech tools: AUAU Technology unveiled a global launch of its studio management SaaS for gyms and studios, targeting streamlined bookings and payments. Cyber basics for SMBs: A security piece argues many breaches start with overlooked “blind spots” like unpatched systems and exposed endpoints.