AGP Executive Report

Working Holiday Visa Slowdown: Australia’s Home Affairs says working holiday visas are still being processed but “more slowly,” as political pressure mounts to cut net migration—sparking debate over whether backpackers or international students are the real driver. Tourism Seasonality Fix: Kenya’s tourism economy leans hard on peak months; a push is growing to build year-round demand so hotels and tour operators don’t keep swinging between boom and bust. MSME Legal Shock: India’s Supplyco was ordered to pay ₹6.91 lakh (plus steep interest) in a dispute tied to coffee supply under an MSME contract—an SMB reminder that “settlements” can still spiral in court. AI for Small Workflows (Thailand): WorkBuddy launched an AI-native desktop workspace in Thailand, aiming to help professionals and entrepreneurs turn instructions into finished reports, docs and spreadsheets. Digital Payments Push (Bangladesh): Bank Asia led a Bangla QR awareness drive in Bhola to boost cashless adoption among merchants and small businesses. Credit Access Milestone (Philippines): MocaMoca topped 20 million active users, positioning regulated digital lending as a practical alternative to informal credit. SME Skills Pipeline (India): Modi announced plans to train 1 crore youth in AI skills over a year, but details on eligibility and rollout are still unclear. Local Business Climate (Sydney): A Sydney council plan pushing English-only shop signage drew backlash from multicultural shop owners worried about penalties and customer impact. Entrepreneurship Awareness (Nagaland): Patkai Christian College hosted an MSME-backed program urging students to move “from kitchen to brand,” with sessions on finance and government schemes. Banking Infrastructure (PNG): Bank South Pacific is planning a purpose-built HQ in Port Moresby, with space for training, events and small-business support. Tax Rule Clarity (India): An ITAT ruling says bank deposits under Section 44AD can’t be automatically treated as taxable income; authorities must assess the source and nature first.

SME Credit & Inclusion: MocaMoca hit 20 million active users in the Philippines, pushing more borrowers toward regulated digital lending as many still abandon credit applications due to cost and eligibility barriers. MSME Skills Push: India’s PM Modi announced a plan to train 1 crore youth in AI skills over one year, but details on eligibility and rollout are still unclear—watch how this lands for startups and MSMEs. Entrepreneurship on the Ground: India’s Uttar Pradesh launched its “Youth Brigade” scheme (CM-YUVA) to create 1 lakh micro-enterprises annually, with interest-subsidised loans for young founders. Local Business Support: Nigeria’s NIPSS flagged Bauchi’s creative economy as a diversification engine, urging policy and partnerships to turn artisan and trader activity into jobs. Cross-border Trade: Egypt and Libya signed a protocol to stage an annual industrial integration exhibition in Benghazi from April 2027, aiming for B2B deals and joint ventures across priority sectors. Policy Watch: RBI proposed a new three-month moving-average method for MCLR from April 2027, which could shift loan pricing for borrowers. SME Learning & Readiness: i-Hub Gujarat and SanchiConnect backed 30 defence and aerospace deeptech startups through TattvaX, ending with a demo day for investors and industry buyers.

Digital Credit in the Philippines: MocaMoca says it has topped 20 million active users, betting on regulated, simpler lending as many borrowers abandon credit applications due to cost and eligibility hurdles; women make up over 60% of borrowers. Islamic Finance Push: Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines is pitching interest-free, asset-backed Islamic banking as an ethical option for MSMEs and overseas workers—not just a niche faith product. AI for India’s Startups & MSMEs: PM Modi’s pledge to train 1 crore youth on AI is framed as a bigger test of whether small firms can access skills, compute, data and affordable tools. RBI on AI Lending: India’s central bank chief urges banks to use AI trained on alternative data (like GST and utility payments) to expand credit, while keeping accountability with humans. China–Nigeria Trade Boost: China’s zero-tariff policy is credited with lifting imports from Nigeria by about $2.3bn in the first half of 2026, cutting costs for exporters. SME Profit Pressure in China: Southern China’s wet summer is hitting small eateries’ foot traffic and profits, with owners blaming weeks of rain. Connectivity for APAC Finance: Gramercy Networks plans an ultra-low-latency backbone linking New York, London, Dubai, Delhi and Singapore, targeting financial firms. SME Tech in Hong Kong: Airwallex and Air Corporate launch a one-step setup aimed at helping Hong Kong startups be transaction-ready from day one.

Drone Trade War: Trump’s administration imposed sweeping tariffs on imported drones, with 100% duties on sensitive drones over 25kg or with thermal imaging, and 25% on smaller commercial models; components follow later and onshoring incentives offer exemptions for U.S. production by 2029. SME Resilience & Flooding: In Elmhurst, Council Member Shekar Krishnan and Small Business Services officials toured small firms hit by severe flooding, pushing for more frequent catch basin maintenance and expanded cloudburst infrastructure. Banking Growth: Pan Asia Bank said assets crossed Rs. 350b for the first time, with 1H PAT up 16% to Rs. 2.5b, driven by higher net interest income and fees. India Jobs Push: India’s youth employment indicators improved, with youth WPR rising and unemployment falling, alongside expansion of formal enterprises, startups, skilling and manufacturing-linked jobs. SBA 8(a) Rule Change: The U.S. SBA ended the race-based presumption of social disadvantage for 8(a), replacing it with a group-discrimination-plus-self-certification test from Sept 10, 2026. China Credit to Micro Firms: China’s inclusive loans to small and micro enterprises rose 8% YoY to 38.9tn yuan in Q2, with agriculture-linked loans also up. E-commerce Logistics IPO Buzz: Shiprocket’s IPO closed with a reported 32% grey market premium as it targets growth in India’s digital merchant ecosystem. Apple Payments Pressure: Apple asked a federal judge to allow up to a 15% commission on external-link purchases in iOS apps, continuing its long-running payments dispute. Markets Watch: Global shares mostly rose, but Australia’s market fell ~1.7% amid mixed earnings and housing-related worries.

SME Finance & Banking: BNK Banking Corporation removed “interim” tags for CEO Steve Kinsella and CFO Judith Newman, as its commercial loan book surged past $210m. Lending Outlook: RBI’s proposed limits on NBFC flexi/revolving credit could push lenders toward gold loans and term lending, with small-business borrowers feeling the squeeze. Trade & Payments: XTransfer says it processed $60.5bn in payments in 2025 and now serves 1m+ enterprise clients, with its Summit 26 focused on how SMEs can keep export cashflow steady amid global uncertainty. Policy for Small Firms: Thailand is revising its Digital Platform Economy Act draft after judging the EU model too strict, with officials warning merchants to look at total take rates, not just headline commissions. Export Support: The US SBA and World Trade Center Utah announced $743,000 in STEP grants to help Utah exporters fund training, travel and market entry. SME Growth & Skills: India’s CII urged export diversification, MSME scaling and future-ready skills as input costs and US tariff uncertainty weigh on industry. Insurance Consumer Protection: Three California bills advanced to curb homeowners’ insurance nonrenewals and speed up fair claim payouts. Startup & Market Access: Sri Lanka’s ProFood ProPack and AgBiz returns Aug 21-23 with an SME pavilion, while Hong Kong’s Airwallex and Air Corporate launched a one-application setup for company registration plus a payment account. Business Climate: Rising input costs are expected to make Q2 tougher for industry.

Women in VC: A former PayPal exec is spotlighting a stubborn funding gap for women founders, arguing many are forced to add male co-founders just to get VC meetings, despite data showing women-led firms can outperform. SME policy push (India): India’s Parliament cleared the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill 2026, aiming to tackle delayed payments and improve ease of doing business for small firms. Digital growth for SMEs (Kenya): A policy-focused take says Kenya’s e-commerce can lift SME incomes and formalise markets—but only if rules don’t unintentionally choke growth. SME listing reform (India): SEBI is considering a sweeping SME listing overhaul to boost investor participation, while India also weighs easier rules for micro-cap listings. Cross-border trade for SMEs: DHL-led GoTrade is rolling out a partnership platform aimed at boosting SME cross-border trade. Payments & inclusion (India): Coverage highlights how UPI became India’s biggest digital payments system—and the next policy question is who should pay merchant costs. Regulatory compliance (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s SI 59 of 2026 tightens import/export licensing, warning traders to check rules before buying goods. Food labelling (India): India’s Supreme Court pressed FSSAI to introduce front-of-pack warning labels for high sugar, salt and saturated fat foods. Tech for small businesses (Bangladesh): Meta and LightCastle launch a Small Business Growth Academy to train SMEs digitally.

SME Capital Markets (India): SEBI is considering a major SME listing overhaul, including letting firms with market value up to ₹4,000 crore use SME IPO platforms, plus possible higher paid-up capital thresholds—aimed at boosting investor participation after crackdowns on micro-IPO abuses. MSME Trade & Exports (India): The India Trade Festival is positioning itself as a global launchpad for micro, small and medium enterprises, with ambassadors from 45 countries attending and rural, youth, women, farmers and people with disabilities given priority access. EV Fleet for Small Logistics (India): BLive signed an MoU with Tata Motors to deploy up to 1,000 electric mini trucks via its BLive PRIME franchise model, where entrepreneurs can invest around ₹45 lakh and earn rentals while BLive handles fleet lifecycle, tech and operations. Payments & Retail Tech (Australia): Verifone rolled out biometric-capable payment devices in Australia, enabling “pay with a smile” face and palm-vein verification for merchants looking to cut checkout friction. Insurance Claims (Australia): Australia’s National Insurance Brokers Association formed an eight-broker Claims Committee to push for better claims outcomes and stronger broker influence with regulators and insurers. Local Business Inclusion (New Zealand): Auckland’s Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel is urging better access to council grants and procurement, plus more support for Pacific businesses and participation in local democracy.

SME Finance Boost (China): China’s central bank says it will strengthen financial support for expanding domestic demand, tech innovation and small/micro enterprises, with faster loan growth in areas like inclusive finance and the digital economy. Digital Payments Policy (India): India’s Payments Council backs keeping UPI free for consumers and small merchants, arguing any MDR charges should not hit the smallest businesses as the MDR debate continues. SME Cross-Border Trade (Africa): DHL Express and partners launch GoTrade to cut logistics, finance and regulatory barriers for SMEs aiming to export across Africa. AI Governance for Banks (India): BCG warns AI in banking must come with stronger governance and shared cybersecurity infrastructure, not just automation. Government Contracting (Hawaii, US): NAVFAC Hawaii’s procurement forum brings 200+ contractors together to help small businesses understand Navy contracting and bid processes. Startup Market Shift (Armenia): Armenia’s tech sector is diversifying beyond the US, with active high-tech firms and turnover rising in 2025. Health Tech Expansion (Canada/US): Ventripoint expands subscription access and demos for its FDA-cleared AI cardiac imaging platform to help more hospitals adopt advanced ultrasound measurements. Robotics for Small Shops (China): Pudu Robotics launches the compact ET1 scrubber-dryer robot aimed at cleaning 100–800 sqm spaces like convenience stores and chain restaurants.

SME Digital Push (Pakistan): Pakistan’s IT ministry and Meta launched the Small Business Growth Academy, training 1,000+ SMEs across nine cities with AI and digital tools, with extra focus on women-led firms in textiles, handicrafts and IT services. Payments Policy (India): India’s UPI fee debate is heating up after a law change that enables charges on some transactions—yet officials say consumers won’t be charged for UPI for now, leaving merchants and the future MDR model in limbo. Women-Led Finance (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka released the first annual report on its Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code, tracking early progress after adopting the code nationally in March 2025 with ADB support. Hospitality Funding (New Zealand): New Zealand’s hotel industry renewed calls for a 2.5% accommodation levy and a clearer short-term rental register, as PM Christopher Luxon signaled openness to exploring it after the election. Auto Manufacturing Shift (Africa): Chery’s purchase of Nissan’s South Africa plant signals Chinese automakers moving from exporting to local production, aiming to build EV and hybrid supply chains despite infrastructure and policy uncertainty. Banking Stress (Bangladesh): Bangladesh Bank data shows classified loans rising sharply in industry lending, pushing banks to lean harder into retail and SME lending. Compliance Pressure (China): Small businesses in multiple provinces reportedly shut temporarily to avoid inspections tied to product certification and workplace safety drives. Leadership Turmoil (New Zealand): Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survived a second National Party leadership challenge with less than three months to election day.

SME Finance & Inclusion: India’s RBI and SBI leadership are pushing AI-enabled banking to reach rural areas and small businesses, while Pakistan’s MoITT and Meta roll out a “Small Business Growth Academy” to speed up SME digital transformation. Payments Policy: India’s government and Payments Council say UPI will stay free for consumers and small merchants even if MDR is introduced later, with any future charges limited to a narrow set of merchant transactions. MSME Procurement & Cashflow: India’s MSME Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 clears Parliament, aiming to tackle delayed payments and strengthen dispute resolution for smaller suppliers. Tourism Pressure on Small Vendors: Siem Reap vendors say foreign tourist arrivals are down sharply, forcing heavy reliance on domestic tourism to keep businesses afloat. Startup/SME Growth Signals: India’s Porter reports FY26 profit up 4x to ₹229 crore on revenue growth, highlighting improving unit economics as logistics scales. Local Business Spotlight: A pharmacy in Fort Plain, New York, is named Montgomery County Small Business of the Month for community-focused care and delivery.

Digital Procurement Push (India): India’s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) lays out a next-decade plan focused on AI-enabled pricing checks, more district-level facilitation, and tighter links between state systems and the marketplace—aimed at making public buying easier for MSMEs. SME Trade & Market Access (Bangladesh–Korea): Bangladesh and South Korea sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as Bangladesh nears LDC graduation, with hopes of turning new tariff access into real exports, investment, and supply-chain links. UPI Fees Debate (India): India’s Payments Council signals UPI should stay free for consumers and small merchants, even as MDR rules for larger players remain in the spotlight. Local Business Support (Hawaii): Hawaii’s Agribusiness Development Corporation reshuffles board leadership and adds governance roles to close oversight gaps and speed up statewide ag investment. Women in Business (UK): Cumbria’s She Leads mentorship programme expands its female business support model, pairing mentors with small-business and career growth goals. Infrastructure for Connectivity (Syria–Cyprus): UNIFI, STE and CYTA execute the UGARIT 2 submarine cable deal to boost Syria’s digital links and capacity.

Public Procurement Boost: India’s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) says GMV has surged to over ₹1.55 lakh crore from ₹422 crore a decade ago, with 12.28 lakh micro and small enterprises registered (including 2.25 lakh led by women), aiming to cut procurement delays and widen access for MSMEs and startups. UPI Charges Row: India’s Lok Sabha passed the MSME-relevant Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, setting up a framework that could allow charges on some UPI transactions—while officials stress consumers won’t be charged and most merchants should stay exempt. SME Finance & Payments in Nigeria: eTranzact and SMEDAN held a town hall on fintech-led financial literacy and inclusion, tackling SME pain points like cash-only operations, weak reporting, and reconciliation issues. Africa Investment Gateway: Mauritius’ minister says family offices using GIFT City can route investments through Mauritius to reach Africa via COMESA and SADC, supported by double-tax treaties. Asia-Pacific Market Pulse: Circana reports toy sales up 9.5% globally (12 months to June 2026) with different top licenses and supercategories across North America, Europe, China and APAC. AI Equity Debate: A new piece warns AI’s benefits may widen inequality unless access and outcomes are shared more fairly.

MSME Payments Reform (India): India’s Parliament has cleared the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill 2026, aiming to tackle delayed payments with online dispute resolution, time-bound mediation, and stronger enforcement—while keeping Udyam registration as a free, voluntary digital platform. Public Procurement Boost (India): Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has surged from Rs 422 crore GMV a decade ago to over Rs 1.55 lakh crore, crossing Rs 20 lakh crore cumulative GMV, with millions of orders and large participation from micro and small enterprises. UPI Fee Debate (India): Multiple reports highlight the push-pull around UPI charges and MDR—while officials and industry bodies reiterate that consumers and small merchants should remain exempt, the policy fight is still shaping SME cashflow planning. SME Funding Scrutiny (Papua New Guinea): PNG has ordered an audit into K200 million SME funding, with KPMG tasked to review distribution, reconciliation and performance after concerns over transparency and irregularities. SME Crisis Call (Thailand): Thai SME leaders argue the sector needs national action beyond cash injections, stressing skills, data connectivity and formalisation to help businesses adapt. SME Growth in Bangladesh (Digital Loyalty): meed is set to expand into Bangladesh via Digibox, bringing an Apple/Google Wallet loyalty model for small retailers and service businesses. APAC Business Costs (South Korea): Household loan rates in South Korea rose despite a rate freeze, adding pressure on small-business and owner-buyer borrowing as global yields climb. SME Hiring Playbook (APAC): A new guide argues founders and small firms can hire across Asia-Pacific faster using EOR platforms, but warns that choosing the wrong setup can trigger compliance and payroll risks.

Bangladesh SME Skills Push: Meta and LightCastle Partners launched the Meta Small Business Growth Academy in Bangladesh, training SMEs on digital platforms, AI tools, online marketing and customer engagement to help them reach local and international markets. India Procurement in Numbers: India’s GeM marks its 11th year, connecting 1.37 lakh government buyer organisations with about 25 lakh sellers and service providers, with cumulative procurement topping ₹20 lakh crore, and plans to deepen AI and DPI integrations. UPI Cost Clarity: India’s Payments Council of India reiterated that UPI stays free for consumers and small merchants, while any merchant charges would be separate commercial arrangements. Philippines Tax Worry: Analysts warn proposed higher excise taxes on sugary drinks, e-cigarettes and alcohol could further stall already subdued consumer spending. Telangana Farmers + AI: A World Bank report says AI weather forecasts helped Telangana smallholders adjust decisions and save up to USD 560 per farmer. India IPO Watch: A busy week ahead with nine IPOs targeting about ₹7,681 crore across mainboard and SME segments.

Digital Payments & SME Costs: India’s Payments Council of India says UPI will stay free for consumers and small merchants, even as the government debates merchant discount rate (MDR) for select larger transactions—PhonePe and Razorpay back a “sustainable” model that protects small businesses. MSME Cashflow Reform: India’s Lok Sabha passed the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aiming to cut delayed payments with set timelines for mediation and arbitration and stronger enforcement tools. Public Procurement Trust: GeM marks its 11th year, now linking 1.37 lakh government buyers with nearly 25 lakh sellers and pushing AI and wider participation to make procurement more transparent. IPO Watch (SME/SMB): India’s mainboard and SME IPO calendar is set for a busy week with nine issues targeting Rs 7,681 crore, including Shiprocket’s upcoming listing. BRICS Trade & SME Support: BRICS trade ministers meet in Jaipur to strengthen trade links and back SME financing and resilience as global trade faces new disruptions. AI in Everyday Business: New Zealand reporting highlights how AI-generated music is spreading into cafes and retail, raising questions about costs and licensing for creators.

MSME Payments Reform: India’s Lok Sabha passed the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aiming to cut delayed payments by setting timelines for mediation (90 days), arbitration (30 days), and awards (90 days), plus a rule pushing buyers to deposit at least 50% of awarded amounts if appeals drag beyond six months. UPI Cost Clarity: The Payments Council of India says UPI will stay free for consumers and small merchants won’t face MDR charges, even as a new bill enables MDR for select business UPI transactions above ₹2,000. Digital Banking for Cooperatives: India’s Ministry of Cooperation launched tech and cyber support for nearly 1,400 urban cooperative banks via NUCFDC, including a Security Operations Centre and “Bank in a Box” platform. SME Procurement Boost: GeM crossed Rs 20 lakh crore in cumulative GMV with 3.78 crore orders, with MSEs and women-led firms driving a big share of transactions. AI Jobs Pressure: Philippines expert Kai-Fu Lee warns AI could displace many digital roles faster than it creates new ones, making retraining urgent for the BPO-heavy economy. Startup/SME Growth Watch: Shiprocket’s emerging businesses grew 65% YoY as it prepares for a ₹1,618-crore IPO, betting on tech beyond shipping for India’s SMEs.