AGP Executive Report

Community Markets & Local Growth: Atlanta Municipal Market keeps momentum with new Black women-owned and Caribbean-leaning openings, including a Jamaican-Puerto Rican fusion spot and a tropical juice-and-shake bar, as officials push more opportunities for small vendors. Digital Payments for SMEs: Barbados’ BiMPay launch gets a boost from credit union leaders, who say instant payments can help inclusion—while warning that micro and small enterprises still struggle with thin margins and limited salary deposits. SME Liberalization in Cuba: Cuba’s president says more sectors will open to private businesses and approvals will be streamlined, aiming to broaden what non-state operators can do and speed up pending applications. Fintech Scaling for Micro Merchants: Pakistan’s Karandaaz and the UN-backed Better Than Cash Alliance team up to expand digital merchant payments via a new working group focused on onboarding and women/small merchant adoption. SME Finance Policy Scrutiny: Guyana’s proposed Development Bank faces calls for extra legislative review after critics argue the bill’s “zero-interest/no-collateral” model isn’t clearly guaranteed in law. World Cup Spillover for Small Business: FIFA World Cup planning is raising both hopes and headaches for local economies and neighborhoods, with host-city disruption concerns alongside expectations of tourism-driven demand for small firms. Credit & Governance Watch: A French court conviction over payments to armed groups highlights tougher corporate governance expectations—directors can’t hide behind “keeping operations running.” Business Legal Deadlines: Investor alerts tied to Globant and PicS securities class actions keep deadlines in focus for affected shareholders.

World Cup Local Impact: As FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., host-city residents and small businesses are bracing for crowd pressure, traffic disruption, noise, and safety concerns—especially in neighborhood streets where foot traffic and deliveries can swing fast. Community & Small Business Support: In New York/New Jersey, Resorts World New York City is backing a free Queens fan zone and concert, including donated VIP tickets to local community groups—an example of how event spending can translate into local visibility for small vendors. Cuba Private Sector Push: Cuba’s president says more sectors will open to private businesses and approvals will be streamlined, aiming to expand room for small operators as the economy faces ongoing constraints. SME Finance Policy: St. Kitts and Nevis passed a Banking (Amendment) Bill to harmonize rules with ECCB standards, focusing on consumer protection and banking access—key for small borrowers. Fintech for Micro & Small Firms: Egypt’s MNT-Halan hit a $1.4B valuation after new investment, expanding digital lending and payments aimed at micro and small businesses. Tech Lab for Regional Growth (El Salvador): TH3Labs is positioning itself as a tech and regulatory-focused AI/blockchain lab under El Salvador’s innovation incentives, targeting enterprise and regional demand. SME Lending Debate (Guyana): Opposition lawmakers and economists are pushing for more scrutiny of the proposed Guyana Development Bank bill, arguing the “zero-interest, no-collateral” model isn’t clearly guaranteed in the text. Local Infrastructure for Business (Mexico): Tijuana approved over 519M pesos for public works in high-need neighborhoods, targeting roads, sidewalks, drainage, and lighting that directly affect daily commerce.

Cuba’s Private-Sector Push: President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced Cuba will open more sectors to private business, narrow prohibited activities, and speed up approvals—aimed at easing pressure from the US blockade and expanding room for small firms (including allowing private businesses to invest on equal terms with foreign investors). Guyana MSME Financing Under Scrutiny: The proposed Guyana Development Bank bill is drawing pushback from economists and opposition lawmakers, who say the “zero-interest, no-collateral” approach isn’t clearly guaranteed in the text—raising uncertainty for small-business lending plans. Local Infrastructure for Small Businesses: Tijuana approved over 519 million pesos for public works in neighborhoods with higher social lag, targeting roads, sidewalks, drainage, lighting and other basics that directly affect daily commerce. World Cup Boost for SMEs (and the fine print): Canada’s small-business and tourism ministry framed FIFA World Cup 2026 as a major opportunity for hotels, restaurants and local shops, while local coverage highlights how match-day security and mobility rules can shape who benefits. Regional Entrepreneur Support: The US State Department convened Young Leaders of the Americas entrepreneurs in Belize to share strategies for scaling small businesses.

MSME Procurement Push: Jamaica’s Industry, Investment and Commerce ministry is running roadshows with the Public Procurement Commission to help micro, small and medium firms tap reserved government contracts, including training on registration and applications. Development Finance for Small Firms: Guyana President Irfaan Ali says the planned Guyana Development Bank is meant to back entrepreneurship and “generational wealth” through mentorship and technical support, not just loans. Tax Pressure on Micro Businesses: The Dominican Republic is moving an anti-crisis plan that would raise taxes to offset higher oil costs, while carving out exemptions for micro-enterprises and low earners. World Cup Spillover for Local Shops: Dallas is rolling out FIFA navigation kiosks and a portal with free directory listings for small businesses, while San Jose is pushing neighborhood watch parties to drive foot traffic to local districts. Cash Still Dominates: Guyana’s economy remains largely cash-based, with many businesses still unable or unwilling to accept electronic payments.

SME Financing Crunch: A new report highlights a massive financing gap for Latin America and the Caribbean, with 87% of SME funding needs going unmet and the regional gap estimated at $210B–$250B. Caribbean Business Support: Trinidad and Tobago’s labor minister says AI policy should be rights-based, aiming to protect workers while boosting decent work and development. World Cup Demand for Local Shops: A SumUp survey finds many fans prefer independent bars and restaurants over chains on match days, and promotions matter—especially for Hispanic and Black audiences. Tourism Route for Local Traders (Colombia): Bogotá launched “Vive San Victorino” to turn a wholesale market district into a guided tourism stop, pushing visitors to spend locally. Payments for SMB Growth (Brazil): EBANX data says 64% of Pix Automático users on subscription platforms are new, helping credit-card–excluded consumers access recurring services. Fintech Deal Watch: Nuvei’s reported advanced talks to buy Payoneer could expand cross-border payments for SMBs across emerging markets, including Latin America. Local Business Deals (NYC): NYC’s “$26 for 2026” dining specials roll out across nearly 600 businesses to drive World Cup-era foot traffic. Policy for Micro/SMEs (Dominican Republic): The Dominican government’s anti-crisis plan includes tax simplification and tax amnesty-style measures while explicitly excluding micro and small enterprises from new tax burdens. Business Tech for Operations: Pipefy launched an AI capability that lets assistants trigger and complete end-to-end business processes with built-in approvals and audit trails.

AI Sales Push for SMBs: Meta Business Agent is now available globally, embedding an AI that can recommend products and help close sales inside WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram—after trials in markets including India and Mexico. Halal Compliance for Micro Firms: Indonesia’s Mandatory Halal policy (starting Oct. 2026) expands certification requirements, with micro and small enterprises getting support via SEHATI and a 1.35M-certificate quota for 2026. Local Food Investment: Alaska’s Exit Glacier Greenhouses won Royal Caribbean’s Port Partners Small Business Accelerator Award ($20,000), aiming to build solar-powered greenhouses to boost year-round local produce. World Cup Commerce in Mexico City: With an estimated $3.7B in event revenue, tourist-heavy areas like El Zócalo are seeing sales lift for restaurants and vendors—while some businesses may miss out as crowds concentrate. Refugee-Led Micro Sales: A Global Artisan Marketplace at NAFSA 2026 let Venezuelan and Cuban entrepreneurs sell handcrafted goods, with proceeds going directly to the small businesses. Labor/Platform Tension: A New York delivery driver says Amazon fired her after TikTok posts supporting a city council bill, raising questions about free speech and contractor influence.

World Cup Boost for Small Retail & Services: Soccer fever is driving a big jump in toy sales, with global soccer-related toy sales up 160% in value through April, and World Soccer becoming a top-growing toy property—good news for Latin America brands that sell into the same fan-driven channels. Peru Credit for MSEs: Peru’s MEF says the financial system is well-capitalized (global capital ratio 16.4%) and private-sector credit is accelerating; financing for micro and small enterprises grew 10% year-on-year, alongside stronger liquidity and deposits. Brazil Digital Banking Under Legal Pressure: Brazil’s PicS N.V. is facing securities class actions tied to its IPO and credit evaluation disclosures, with investors urged to file lead-plaintiff motions by August 4—watch this for spillover risk to fintech funding confidence. Cybersecurity Costs Rising: A Norton Rose Fulbright survey finds cybersecurity and data privacy dispute exposure has deepened across energy, finance, healthcare and tech, with AI-related litigation risk also climbing—relevant for SMBs handling customer data. Cuba Fuel Deal Signals Private-Sector Demand: A U.S. firm is in advanced talks to ship up to 250,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel to Cuba, aimed at the private sector, which could help local businesses keep operations running. Caribbean Vendor Market Moment: St. Kitts and Nevis’ FRO Fest 2026 returns June 20 with a marketplace for hair, skincare, crafts and wellness vendors—another direct sales push for regional small businesses.

Digital Payments Push in Mexico: Clip launched Mi Clip, a new digital wallet ecosystem aimed at Mexico’s unbanked, with partners Ant International, Mastercard, and TelevisaUnivision supporting payments, savings, and AI-driven credit building for small businesses and consumers. Cross-Border Selling Playbook: A study says cross-border e-commerce platforms help SMEs learn from “shared buyers,” turning platform networks into market signals to compete in both developed and emerging markets. Small-Business Visibility Online: A business-focused piece argues your website is the real infrastructure behind discoverability and conversions, especially as AI summaries increasingly pull from structured online content. World Cup Ticket Access for Local Businesses (US): New Jersey announced 770 free World Cup tickets for MetLife Stadium, including allocations for youth, frontline workers, and customers of small businesses in a local rewards program. AI Automation for Growth: DeployAIBots set up Miami HQ to expand agentic AI tools that automate lead follow-up, customer messaging, and appointment setting for growing companies. Climate Resilience as Business Policy: A policy brief frames adaptation as essential for jobs and private investment, not just disaster response.

SME Growth Watch: Avolta/Hudson secured an eight-year extension at Phoenix Sky Harbor Terminal 4, keeping room for small retail partners and adding store redevelopments from 2029. Cross-Border Trade Tools: SURTE Global launched an import operations platform (Dallas; operations in China and Mexico) to help retailers and ecommerce brands coordinate suppliers, purchasing, and shipping in one place. Local Business Boost (World Cup): Queens’ QEDC rolled out a World Cup events guide with neighborhood watch-party tips, while New Jersey’s host committee set aside 770 free tickets for locals via a “Welcome World Rewards” program tied to supporting small businesses. Payments for Small Firms: Stripe and Lloyds debuted “Lloyds Accept,” using Stripe tech to let UK small businesses accept payments quickly via terminals, tap-to-pay, or links. Latin America Business Risk: Investor alerts and class actions target Globant over claims about its “Latin American pivot” and regional performance, with deadlines looming June 23. Mining/Jobs Angle (Peru): Cerro de Pasco Resources updated metallurgical tests for its Quiulacocha tailings reprocessing project, pointing toward a two-concentrate flowsheet with silver recovery.

SME Finance & Support: St. Maarten’s Chamber of Commerce (COCI) teamed with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to run a business support session on grants and financing tools, including export coaching and market-entry support for local entrepreneurs. Digital Banking & Risk: Brazil-focused digital bank PicS N.V. (PICS) is facing a securities class action tied to its IPO and credit-evaluation disclosures, a reminder for SMBs and investors to watch governance in fast-growing fintech. Trade Policy Watch: CARICOM trade ministers are being urged to think carefully before adding a 15% tariff on glass bottles, warning it could raise packaging costs for beverage makers and micro/small enterprises across the region. Local Business Pressure: A Salsarita’s location in Evansville permanently closed, citing inflated utilities, rent, taxes, labor, food and insurance—an all-too-common squeeze for restaurants. Disaster Recovery Finance: The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions highlighted disaster relief work in Jamaica, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, including restoring branches and connectivity to help members and local livelihoods bounce back.

Nasdaq Push (Mexico/Fintech): FEMSA says QED Investors will take a strategic equity stake in its lending unit, aiming to scale credit for underserved consumers in Mexico by pairing FEMSA’s customer reach and data with QED’s fintech lending know-how. Cross-Border Banking (Brazil/US): Inter opened a U.S. branch in Miami, positioning it as a regulated hub for cross-border services and helping international clients with U.S.-linked financial needs. SME Funding Access (Peru/Politics): Peru’s presidential race remains too close to call, with Fujimori edging Sánchez as ballots are counted—an outcome that could prolong uncertainty for business planning while disputes move toward mid-July adjudication. Local Business Pressure (Caribbean/Travel): Dominica reported strong 2025 tourism gains and early 2026 momentum, with visitor spending supporting local agriculture, construction, and small businesses. SME Growth via Community Capital (US/Immigration): CouCou Bakehouse’s Kickstarter success highlights how immigrant founders can hit brick-and-mortar goals when traditional loans are blocked.

Peru Election & Small Business Security: Peru’s presidential runoff is tightening as insecurity hits daily operations, with bus-company extortion and attacks reported across Lima—voters cite crime as a top concern, and exit polls show Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sánchez neck-and-neck. World Cup Demand for Local SMEs: Houston-area restaurants, bars, hotels, retailers and entertainment venues are gearing up for World Cup crowds starting June 14, expecting weeks of visitor traffic and a rare sales boost for small operators. Caribbean Payments Friction: A Havana resident says many Mipyme shops in Playa won’t accept bank transfers, forcing customers to carry cash—an access problem that’s sparking complaints across neighborhoods. SME Finance via Embedded Lending: Yango Ventures backs Dubai fintech Comfi AI in a pre-Series A, aiming to plug working-capital gaps for SMEs in MENA with embedded financing tied to invoices and procurement. Inclusion as a Hiring Strategy: A Canadian campaign urges employers to create at least one opportunity for people with disabilities or underrepresented groups during 2026, framing inclusive hiring as smart talent strategy. Caribbean Housing Funding Debate: Jamaica’s Senate debates continued drawdowns from the National Housing Trust, with a senator warning withdrawals shouldn’t become permanent. Local Business Growth via Diversity: A Chilean-founded cleaning service in the U.S. credits diverse hiring and multilingual teams for scaling into a larger East Coast operation.

SME Credit Push (Guyana): The government tabled the Guyana Development Bank Bill 2026 to expand financing for small and medium enterprises, including up to $3 million in zero-interest micro-credit loans paired with mentorship and training. Payments & Cash Access (Cuba): A Playa resident says many small businesses (Mipymes) stopped accepting bank transfers, leaving shoppers unable to buy essentials without cash—sparking similar complaints across other Havana areas. Travel Connectivity (Airlines): Air Canada and Abra Group (Avianca/GOL brands) signed an MoU to build a long-term partnership, aiming to deepen codeshare and expand connectivity across North, Central and South America. Tourism Business Reality Check (Caribbean): Saint Lucia’s UWP criticized the tourism ministry’s “booming” narrative, pointing to 2025 declines and urging a more cautious read on recovery. Local Commerce During Big Events (World Cup): Coverage highlights how World Cup planning and fan spending can make or break local small businesses, from access and checkout frictions to neighborhood food demand. Innovation for Entrepreneurs (Yango): Yango Group’s Innovation Day 2026 in Côte d’Ivoire showcased tech for mobility and logistics and launched a fellowship cohort, framing digital tools as new work and entrepreneurship opportunities.

SME Credit Crunch: Banks may be flush with capital, but private-sector lending is still scarce—an AfDB-linked analysis flags Nigeria’s credit-to-GDP at just 9.4% and warns SMEs can’t get affordable financing to expand. Public Financing for SMEs: Guyana tabled the Guyana Development Bank Bill 2026 to create zero-interest micro-credit (up to $3M) for SMEs, paired with mentorship and training. Cross-Border Payments Push: Bank of America plans real-time cross-border payments for corporate and commercial clients, aiming to cut costs and support remittances and marketplace payouts. Local Payments Friction (Cuba): A Havana resident says many small shops in Playa won’t accept bank transfers, forcing customers to shop with cash—sparking wider complaints across neighborhoods. Caribbean Lending Costs: A Caribbean banking series argues the “cost of money” in the ECCU is high and slows growth, urging a strategic shift toward cheaper, more effective credit. Tourism & Small Business Pressure: In Saint Lucia, UWP questions “booming” tourism claims, warning stakeholders may be facing a slower recovery than officials suggest. Fashion as Enterprise: Guyana’s Origins fashion festival returns July 3–5 with runway slots and $250,000 cash grants for designers, positioning local fashion as a growth engine. Community Partnerships: Royal Caribbean’s Bahamas “Royal Beach Club” community day highlights collaboration with a chamber and small business development center.

SME Finance Push (Guyana): Guyana tabled the Guyana Development Bank Bill 2026 to create a state-backed bank for SMEs, offering up to $3M in micro-credit loans at zero interest, paired with mentorship and training to help entrepreneurs scale. Cross-Border Payments (Banking): Bank of America announced plans for cross-border real-time payments for corporate and commercial clients, aiming to cut costs and speed transfers for remittances, gig payouts, and e-commerce vendor payments. Tourism Reality Check (Saint Lucia): The UWP questioned Saint Lucia’s “booming” tourism narrative, citing declines in 2025 arrivals and cruise performance, warning the sector needs more than arrival headlines. Visa for Trade (Grenada): Grenada approved visa-free entry for Nigerian passport holders starting July, positioning the move to boost investment, tourism, and small-business links, with talks on direct air links. Local Business Support (Caribbean lending): A new analysis argues Caribbean borrowing costs remain high, slowing growth, and points to credit unions as a cheaper alternative. Entrepreneurship Funding (Barbados): Barbados opened the Marcus Garvey Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition with $30K in prizes, seeking more applicants in the cultural industries. Payments/Fintech (Latin America): dLocal said it will release Q2 2026 results on Aug. 13, underscoring its role in connecting merchants to local payment systems across Latin America.

SME Finance Push (Guyana): Guyana tabled the Guyana Development Bank Bill 2026 to expand SME access to up to $3M in zero-interest micro-credit, paired with mentorship and training to help entrepreneurs scale. Cross-Border Payments (Banking): Bank of America announced plans for cross-border real-time payments for corporate and commercial clients via Swift or CashPro, targeting faster remittances and gig/e-commerce payouts. SME Credit & Policy (Caribbean): Grenada approved visa-free entry for Nigerian passport holders starting July, aiming to boost trade, tourism, and investment for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Local Business Support (Central Brooklyn): Assembly candidate Michael Bailey unveiled a Neighborhood Business Preservation Plan focused on keeping Black, Caribbean, and immigrant-owned businesses in Central Brooklyn amid rising costs. World Cup Commerce (Local Retail): Mansfield leaders say World Cup preparations are on schedule, with local restaurants and retailers expecting visitor-driven demand. Inclusive Youth Employment (Community Business Model): An “inclusive” snack cart/restaurant concept is being built to give teens and young adults with disabilities a community and job-skill pathway.