SME Lending Push: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz directs a strategy with the State Bank and commercial banks to expand SME loan access, including special products and help preparing feasibility studies. SME Finance Boost: The Asian Development Bank backs a $40m loan to Bank Respublika to expand MSME financing across Azerbaijan’s regions. AI for Solopreneurs: Reliance Jio-backed Jio Haptik launches “SOLO” to give 2M+ solopreneurs and small businesses an AI marketing, sales, and support team. Fintech Acceleration: Emirates NBD partners with Techstars to move AI and fintech startups into enterprise deployment across SME banking and compliance. Digital Sovereignty: South Africa’s Ramaphosa frames digital investment and cloud/AI spending as a sovereignty issue, citing major tech commitments. Energy Costs for AI Data Centers: Australia’s Firmus pledges to fund its own transmission and firming capacity to ease grid strain from data centre demand. Local Business Wins: World Cup demand is helping LA small businesses, while a US contract shows how one supplier’s FIFA uniform deal can scale revenue. Policy Pressure on Small Firms: Australia’s COSBOA warns trust tax reforms could force “mum-and-dad” businesses into costly restructures. Small Business Support Events: Louisiana’s SBDC and chamber run no-cost training and counseling; Launch Loudoun hosts a free small-business law workshop.