SME Lending Push: Pakistan’s LogiServe (SLGTrax) signed a lending facility with Mobilink Microfinance Bank to boost digital working-capital access for merchants in its ecosystem, including up to PKR 250,000 financing plus added health and protection benefits. Local Market Finance: Malaysia’s Agrobank says it has received RM8M+ in financing applications from hawkers and micro-entrepreneurs after engagement sessions at Sabah’s Api-Api Night Market and Papar Tamu Farmers’ Market. Digital Banking for SMEs: Bangladesh’s Dhaka Bank is repositioning toward tech-enabled SME and retail lending, using its e-Rin platform for fast credit decisions and exploring AI/alternative data. AI + Small Business Growth: A Reuters report highlights how non-tech founders are using AI as a “startup adviser” to build and scale businesses faster, while policymakers debate job and productivity impacts. Tourism Spend Shift: US tourist-destination small businesses report more Americans staying closer to home, keeping vacation budgets local. Home Business Compliance: A UK home-based beauty salon seeks permission after an enforcement investigation, underscoring how local rules can make or break micro-operations. AI Infrastructure Costs: US lawmakers advance a plan to push data-center grid upgrade costs onto tech firms, aiming to stop households and small businesses from footing the bill. E-invoicing Compliance: UAE provider Advintek won FTA “ASP” approval to help businesses prepare for mandatory e-invoicing from Jan 2027. SEO Pressure on SMBs: New analysis says small businesses spend heavily on SEO, but AI Overviews are cutting clicks—forcing a rethink of customer acquisition.