Semiconductor push: Penang’s draft plan targets a shift from assembly/testing to higher-value chip design, system architecture and prototypes, with stronger R&D and MSME tech commercialization. SMB funding & jobs: Nigeria’s BOI says 35% of funding will go to MSMEs, while large-enterprise money is steered to priority sectors like power, manufacturing and digital infrastructure. Women-led growth: Egypt reports EGP 1.3B in 2025 financing for women-led projects via MSMEDA, supporting about 25,900 initiatives. AI for work, not just chat: WorkBuddy brings an AI-native desktop workspace to Thailand, aiming to help professionals and entrepreneurs turn goals into finished documents and outputs. E-commerce exports: Đà Nẵng and Amazon Global Selling launch a program to help local SMEs build brands and sell internationally. Local entrepreneurship in action: A Penn State Smeal pilot pairs students with downtown businesses for hands-on learning that also supports local operators. Community commerce: Indonesia’s Independence Day “Pesta Rakyat” brings 1,200 mentored MSMEs to Jakarta’s Monas with free food packages to drive demand. Small-business reality check: China says small and micro enterprise lending rose 8% year-on-year, signaling continued credit support as authorities try to keep liquidity flowing.