SME Energy Costs & Regulation: Philippines lawmakers urged a broader, more inclusive review of President Marcos Jr.’s push to remove “system loss” charges from electricity bills, warning the impact hits families, public facilities, and small businesses nationwide—not just Meralco. AI Workforce Coordination: The Philippines’ Private Sector Advisory Council backed a National AI Implementation Taskforce to move from planning to execution, aligning government, industry, and skills for AI’s job and business impact. SME Finance & Lending: UK insurer Royal London said life insurance demand is rising as Labour’s inheritance tax changes near, with small-business owners potentially forced to sell businesses to cover tax bills. SME Supply Chain Compliance: India’s MSMEs face a second wave of pressure as global buyers demand compliance with sustainability and digital rules (including CBAM and data protection), turning AI into both a compliance tool and a way to tackle issues like delayed payments. Funding for Entrepreneurs: Fiji’s SIYB training program equipped 20 micro and small business owners with practical planning and financial literacy skills. SMB Growth Capital (LatAm): Mexico’s Rintin raised $6.2M to help micro and small entrepreneurs buy from manufacturers and wholesalers directly, reducing fragmented, expensive supply. Enterprise Tech for Retail: Instaleap (now part of Instacart) partnered with SPAR Slovenia to scale e-grocery fulfillment and last-mile delivery. Crypto Industry Signal: Singapore’s TOKEN2049 returns with 25,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors, underscoring continued investment interest in digital assets.