SME Policy Push (India): India’s MSME ministry is collecting about 2,000 suggestions from roughly 75 locations to strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem, with possible policy amendments and new interventions on the table. AI for MSMEs (India): A Google report with the India SME Forum says AI and digital tools could unlock $490B+ in value for MSMEs, with AI lifting profitability by 30–35% and nearly 60% of firms already seeing double-digit revenue growth. Cashflow Pressure (India): An opinion piece warns India’s MSMEs are stuck in a “double whammy” as large buyers delay payments for months while GST rules demand tax upfront, turning compliance into a choke point. Platform Fees Squeeze (Thailand): Thai merchants say foreign e-commerce platforms are cutting margins via frequent fee changes, with some paying back over 40% of sales value. Local Business Boost (Malaysia): Malaysia’s LRT3 is expected to lift footfall for SMEs along the Petaling Jaya–Klang corridor, improving sales and labour access. SME Support Facility (Malaysia): Malaysia’s SME association says incoming data-centre and digital investment, plus liquidity help like an RM5B SME Stability Relief Facility and credit guarantees, is shielding SMEs. SME Growth Contest (Hong Kong): Hong Kong SMEs can enrol for the 2026 “Maker in China” contest, aiming to expand into the Mainland market; enrolment closes Aug 20. Disaster-Resilient Retail (Philippines): SM malls are expanding flood-mitigation features like rainwater catchment basins to protect tenants and keep operations running during typhoons. Manufacturing Momentum (New Zealand): New Zealand’s manufacturing PMI jumped to 59.7 in June, the strongest in nearly five years, with orders, production and hiring all expanding. Economic Revitalisation Cut (Honolulu): Honolulu’s City Council voted to downsize the pandemic-era Office of Economic Revitalization despite the mayor’s objections, with 15 of 21 staff set to lose jobs by Sept 30.