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.