AGP Executive Report

Business Costs: More than half of UK business leaders expect the Autumn Budget to leave firms worse off; concern is higher among SMEs, with 56% pessimistic. Tax Reform: A Canadian coalition representing 700,000 businesses and professionals wants the Nov. 5 budget to launch a broad tax review focused on growth, simpler rules and small-business competitiveness. Export Opportunities: India’s US trade portal has attracted about 3,500 registrations, aiming to connect MSMEs and first-time exporters with buyers and partners. Practical AI: A Wisconsin workshop will show small-business owners how to use ChatGPT for marketing and everyday tasks. SME Growth: South Africa’s automotive aftermarket—more than 23,000 businesses, mostly small and midsized—could gain from greater local production of replacement parts, the trade deputy minister says.

Indigenous Business: New Mexico lawmakers heard that entrepreneurs face a financing barrier because homes on federally held tribal land can’t be used as collateral for startup loans. Advocates proposed tribal liaisons to connect owners with funding and support. Youth Innovation: At Cayman’s small-business expo, student Damoya Fearon won CI$2,500 for SargaPower, a plan to turn beach sargassum into biogas and fertilizer. Costs and Growth: Rising costs are forcing half of UK small businesses to raise prices ahead of the Budget, while Pakistani business groups warn higher interest rates are squeezing borrowing and investment. Practical AI: Goldman Sachs committed $500 million to AI training for small-business owners, as research finds adoption is widespread but deeper integration remains limited.

Small-Business Growth: Greensboro’s Nussbaum Center expects its supported businesses to generate $67.1 million in revenue this year, based on first-half results. The firms reported $33.6 million in revenue and 216 full-time employees at midyear. Export Readiness: Nearly 70 Pahang entrepreneurs and companies took part in Malaysia’s Export Day, where trade officials highlighted product development, digitalisation and help meeting international standards. Rural Support: A $95,000 federal grant will fund training, advice and flexible financing for small businesses across 13 northern Wisconsin counties. It is part of more than $1 million awarded to 11 state organizations. Regional Investment: A Sarawak entrepreneur urged planners to include an SME industrial park focused on robotics in the proposed Sibu Economic Zone, alongside advanced digital infrastructure and technology-enabled agriculture.

Startup Funding: Nigeria’s NSIA and partners awarded $277,000 to seven startups, with eligible winners able to seek up to $1.5 million in further growth capital. SME Support: Pakistan says it is revitalizing SMEDA and expanding support for small firms, while business groups warn higher interest rates could deepen pressure on companies and jobs. Entrepreneur Finance: Sabah has channelled RM950.78 million to more than 44,000 entrepreneurs; Nigeria’s development bank says its MSME lending has reached ₦1.4 trillion and supported 1.6 million jobs. AI for Small Business: AI use among U.S. small businesses has reached 86%, but full integration remains limited; Google’s new Gemini tools aim to help owners manage marketing and finances.

Agri-food Innovation: Pakistan’s farmers are urging interest-free loans for small processing plants to cut post-harvest waste and earn more from crops. Cambodia is also prioritising technology-led food processing to move beyond low-value raw exports. Funding and Growth: Sabah says it has disbursed RM950.78 million to 44,059 entrepreneurs and cooperatives, while stressing that firms also need training, technology and market access. In Nigeria, seven startups received $277,000 in awards, with the finance minister urging small firms to scale. Small-business Tech: Iowa entrepreneur Blaze Smith is building point-of-sale systems that link sales and inventory for local shops, restaurants and other small businesses. Business Outlook: UK mid-market activity grew at its fastest pace in nearly two years in September, but the small-business index remained just below the growth threshold as fuel and wage costs weigh. Owner Lessons: A Nairobi salon owner says staff diverted customer payments while she was away, a discovery that contributed to closing the business and underscored the need for reliable controls.

Public Procurement: Pennsylvania spent nearly $1.5 billion with small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses in FY 2025–26, up 24%. The state also raised its small-business eligibility cap and introduced faster certification and prompt-payment rules. AI and Cybersecurity: Goldman Sachs says 86% of U.S. small businesses now use AI, though full integration remains limited. A separate attack used an AI agent to automate attempts against Microsoft 365 accounts, underscoring the need to secure business logins. Rural Tourism: Outdoor recreation generated $2.2 billion for Vermont in 2024—nearly 5% of state GDP—with spending supporting outfitters, inns, restaurants and other rural businesses. Startup Support: RPI showcased 24 ventures from its incubator and accelerator, with six selected for a pitch competition. Goldman Sachs also committed $500 million to AI training for small-business owners.

Digital Reach: Malaysia’s parcel deliveries are on track to hit five million a day this year, creating more opportunities for small businesses to reach customers through online platforms. Export Support: India says it will cover the full cost of required export certifications for micro and small firms, including compliance with EU rules, under its Export Promotion Mission. Sustainable Goods: Indonesia sees global potential for eco-friendly products from small businesses, while stressing that export growth depends on quality and fresh design. AI Skills: Goldman Sachs has pledged $500 million for AI training for small-business owners, aiming to help them make practical use of the technology.

AI for Main Street: Goldman Sachs pledged $500 million for AI training for small-business owners, while Google introduced new Gemini tools aimed at helping small firms save time. Going Global: Malaysia’s prime minister says Budget 2027 will prioritize SME financing, research funding and incentives to help local firms grow and reach international markets. Capital and Capability: Belize’s BEEP program wrapped up after providing $788,000 to 95 small businesses, alongside coaching and export-readiness support. Nigeria’s development bank says it has disbursed N1.4 trillion to MSMEs, supporting 1.6 million jobs, and is targeting higher lending by 2027. Tax Pressure: Washington’s NFIB director says 98% of surveyed members opposed the state’s new income tax, and some are considering moving their businesses elsewhere.

Legal Readiness: Small-business owners are being urged to plan for legal risks before a crisis hits, as delayed advice can leave costly problems harder to fix. Funding Access: Nigeria’s Development Bank says it disbursed ₦1.4 trillion to MSMEs, supporting 1.6 million jobs, while Lagos allocated ₦5 billion for grants and equipment to help 100 businesses. Lower Burdens: The UK government says it will cut paperwork to save businesses £800 million, aiming to give firms more room to grow. Practical AI: The ILO launched a WhatsApp AI adviser offering entrepreneurs instant business support, as experts warn small firms need a clear strategy—not hype—when adopting AI. Growth Pressures: A new report says cash-flow strain is holding back SMEs despite their willingness to invest.

Small-Business Spotlight: South Korea’s national small-business expo opened in Busan, drawing about 3,000 owners and featuring 153 companies seeking new customers and sales channels. Funding & Resilience: Peru’s 2027 fiscal package includes tax deferrals and loan support for micro and small firms facing El Niño impacts. Malaysia’s new SCALE plan targets delayed payments, easier financing and AI adoption for small businesses. Practical Support: Harford County will offer a free cybersecurity workshop for small businesses on Nov. 5. The U.S. Small Business Administration also announced $7 million for nine regional innovation clusters. Market Access: Jamaica’s Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival returns Nov. 6–8 with an artisan village designed to help local businesses reach customers. Digital Tools: Google’s new Gemini features aim to help small firms manage marketing and finances, while a new study suggests AI is creating jobs at small businesses rather than simply eliminating them.

Industrial Growth: Malaysia’s RM700 million Kerian Industrial City is expected to create nearly 12,000 jobs and new opportunities for SMEs, vendors and suppliers. SME Support: Cambodia launched a five-year strategy to improve support for small businesses, which account for about 63% of GDP and more than 70% of jobs. Oman’s new digital-economy program also aims to help SMEs adopt digital tools. Finance and Trade: An EU-backed guarantee will open €143 million in loans for Ukrainian small businesses, while EU plans to simplify packaging rules could ease cross-border trade for smaller firms. Digital Tools: Google’s new Gemini features target small-business marketing and finance tasks. Mastercard is expanding a program that lets merchants share transaction details to help resolve disputed purchases.

Small-Business Finance: Oregon’s Community Bank Week spotlights lenders that provide more than $1 billion in local small-business loans. New SBA acquisition-loan rules, in effect since Oct. 1, raise debt-service requirements and remove the “small loan path.” AI Tools: Google has rolled out Gemini features to help small businesses with marketing and finances and save time. Succession Planning: A new survey finds two-thirds of small-business owners plan to exit within 10 years, underscoring the importance of planning for a sale or leadership handoff.

Small-Business Finance: Moniepoint won SME Microfinance Bank of the Year for the third straight year, reporting more than ₦1 trillion in small-business loans in 2025. AI Tools: Google rolled out new Gemini features to help small businesses save time and manage operations. Digital Access: The World Bank’s first digital strategy targets lower internet and device costs, stronger digital services and practical AI, with job creation among its goals. Export Growth: India plans outreach with state governments to help small businesses and MSMEs use free-trade agreements to reach overseas markets. Women Entrepreneurs: The US Small Business Administration is investing $5.3 million to expand support for women-owned firms. Regulation: Belu’s CEO says UK packaging rules are too simplistic, warning that producer-responsibility costs can burden purpose-led food and drink businesses. Tax Climate: Washington’s initiative to repeal income tax on earnings above $1 million is being promoted as relief for job creators, amid concerns about the burden of taxes and regulation.

Compliance: The European Parliament backed a temporary exemption for EU-based micro and small firms from appointing waste-law representatives in every country where they sell, easing a cross-border burden as negotiations continue. Markets and funding: Guyana’s National Small Business Week will connect entrepreneurs with financing, business advice and market access, with an expo for up to 100 firms. Canada also announced $1.5 billion for tariff-hit businesses and $500 million in expanded BDC liquidity support. Digital sales: Social commerce is giving Indian small businesses another route to customers, using social platforms, chats and recommendations to turn discovery into purchases. AI tools: Huntington Bank has rolled out a Google AI platform to assist small businesses, as owners also face rising inventory and labor costs. Disaster recovery: Flood-affected businesses in western New York can apply for SBA loans of up to $2 million for physical losses or working capital.

Small-Business Costs: Inventory and labor costs have climbed more than 20% in five years, squeezing smaller firms as many report flat or falling revenue. SME Finance: Uganda’s dfcu Bank says it is working with businesses on financing, asset purchases and risk management to support expansion and job creation. Tax Compliance: As Uganda widens its tax net, businesses need practical guidance and support to meet new requirements, an analysis argues. Business Rates: Scottish firms face a confusing patchwork of reliefs; a campaign is calling for simpler rules and protection against sharp bill increases. Insurance: Simply Business has appointed new UK commercial and managing directors, with growth and stronger insurance offerings for small businesses among their priorities. AI and Entrepreneurship: Academics at a South Korean forum said AI is lowering the cost of building products, making customer learning and the entrepreneurial process more important sources of advantage.

Small-Business Savings: Hawaiʻi’s new Climate Rebate Finder gathers rebates, tax incentives and financial assistance to help local businesses cut the cost of upgrades. Cybersecurity: BizCover’s new campaign spotlights phishing scams; its survey found 43% of Australian small-business owners had encountered a suspicious cyber incident or scam attempt, while many were unsure whether they had cyber coverage. Startup Growth: Nigeria’s NITDA and NACCIMA are connecting technology startups with investors and corporate buyers through a new public-private partnership. Faster Openings: Delaware launched a coordinated inspection pathway to help new small businesses navigate permits and pre-opening checks with fewer delays. Local Commerce: Kakao is testing a district-revival program in Gongju that promotes local shops through merchant stories and walking routes. Access to Finance: Sterling Bank and Cascador announced a $200 million credit backstop fund aimed at expanding financing for Nigerian small and medium-sized businesses.