SME Growth & Data: A Vietnam business forum says trusted data is becoming the key input for smarter lending, risk checks, and capital decisions as the economy shifts toward higher-value supply chains. Green Energy for Small Industry: In Kenya’s Machakos, SMEs are being pushed toward rooftop solar and mini-grids to cut power costs and keep production steady when the grid can’t. SME Policy Leadership: South Korea named lawmaker Lee So-young to lead the SME ministry, aiming to speed up startup support and protect small firms. Customer-Facing Retail Incubation: Portsmouth’s Bloom Market is launching a retail incubator that gives four small entrepreneurs their own space, subsidized rent, and coaching to boost customer interaction. Tourism Tax Funding: In Tampa, hotel “bed tax” revenue is helping pay for the Tampa Bay Rays’ new stadium, showing how local visitors can indirectly support business investment. Energy Cost Pressure: New Zealand’s Genesis says a new LNG terminal could raise bills under a user-pays model, with costs flowing through to households and small businesses. Local Business Relief: Augusta’s Market is cutting vendor fees by 50% for businesses hit by downtown construction to keep them open and visible. SME Compliance & Licensing: Kuwait is studying changes to freelance and micro-business licensing to make it easier to start up while reducing licenses issued in names of people who aren’t the real owners. Disaster & Resilience: Zimbabwe is preparing for another possible El Niño by expanding solar-powered irrigation and conservation steps to protect food production. Customer Retention Playbook: A new guide for small businesses focuses on fixing “leaky” customer journey gaps that quietly drive customers away.