Local Business Support & Policy: Quezon City (Philippines) approved a Cooperative Code that locks in long-term city support for cooperatives, covering everything from registration to financing, training, and market expansion. Budget Input From the Ground Up: Malaysia’s KUSKOP is holding nationwide stakeholder consultations to shape the 2027 budget, using an “ABCD” focus on productivity, simpler rules, capital access, and market reach for MSMEs and cooperatives. Trade & Licensing Access: The U.S. Virgin Islands’ Department of Trade opened a Virgin Gorda satellite office to cut travel burdens for trade licensing and consumer services. Power Reliability Risk: A Nigerian civil rights group is demanding urgent restoration of electricity in Aba after a blackout tied to gas-supply disruption, warning how monopoly-style power systems can cripple local businesses. Community Saves a Business: Kansas City’s Lilly’s Cantina nearly closed after road construction hurt parking and regular traffic—then a local social media post helped turn things around. Housing Pressure Meets Local Assets: A North Carolina nonprofit is helping churches use underused property to support affordable housing, aiming to turn community space into economic opportunity. Food Prices & Competition Fight: New York’s city-owned grocery plan is drawing backlash from independent store owners worried they can’t compete with lower prices. SME Market Boosts: Malaysia expects F1 Bahrain Grand Prix demand to lift retail and F&B SME sales, pushing firms to sharpen digital marketing and service. Women-Led Growth: India’s GeM marks a decade of procurement inclusion, highlighting Womaniya’s push to expand women entrepreneurs’ access to public contracts.