SME Policy & Reform: ADB and LNCCI’s ProFIT report says Lao PDR’s business climate has only modestly improved, with SMEs still hit by costly compliance, weak access to credit, and slow business registration—calling for simpler services and more digital adoption. Energy Transition for Business: Malaysia’s TNB opened ETCon26 with deals and agreements aimed at moving the energy transition from ambition to execution across Malaysia and ASEAN. SME Finance & Credit: India’s MSME credit growth moderated in April, with micro borrowers showing stress, while RBI is also reviewing expected credit loss rules that could affect SME lending costs. Cross-Border Payments: XTransfer and BBVA signed an MOU to make cross-border settlement easier for SMEs trading across Latin America, Europe and Hong Kong, targeting faster FX and smoother compliance. Tech for SMEs: Intermedia and KDDI launched cloud calling for Japan’s UNIVERGE BLUE, designed to help SMEs use multi-location phone numbers without on-prem voice gear. Data Center Power Push: NV Energy says data centers are driving a major jump in electricity demand, reshaping utility investment plans in Northern Nevada. Regional Trade & Investment: Telangana and South Africa agreed to cooperate on pharma, medical tourism and skilled workforce development. SME Capital Markets: India’s Merritronix IPO (BSE SME) closed with strong demand and a reported grey market premium, pointing to investor appetite for small-company listings. Market Access for Growth: WeRide was added to Hong Kong Stock Connect eligible securities, widening mainland investor access to its Hong Kong listing.