AGP Executive Report

Caribbean Cruise Boost: St. Thomas is projecting 1.25M cruise passengers and 359 ship calls for FY2027, with five first-time vessels—good news for local taxi, tour, restaurant, and retail operators. AI Infrastructure for SMEs: RT-One selected RAVEL to build a federated, sovereign AI infrastructure model across Brazil and the U.S., aiming to simplify hybrid data-center operations as AI demand grows. Latin America Fintech & Credit Access: A new piece highlights how fintech is expanding credit beyond traditional banks across Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Chile—using mobile tech and alternative scoring to reach underserved borrowers and small businesses. Digital Payments Policy: Banco de México introduced simplified account rules to speed up digital payments adoption and raise deposit limits for small businesses. Business Risk Watch: Multiple class actions target Globant investors over alleged Latin America strategy failures, including wage freezes in Mexico and Argentina—worth noting for regional tech-sector stakeholders. Local Growth & Retail: Pipefy added new global partner leadership to push AI-driven business orchestration growth, especially in Brazil and North America.

AI for SMB retail: Sea and OpenAI are expanding their Shopee partnership by adding a native Shopee ChatGPT integration across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and Brazil—letting shoppers find products via conversation and giving eligible sellers access to “ChatGPT for Business” trials for listings, marketing and customer service. Digital payments push: Mexico’s central bank introduced simplified account rules aimed at accelerating digital payments adoption for businesses. SME-friendly fintech in the region: A phone number is increasingly treated as a digital asset, highlighting how emerging markets are monetizing identity and connectivity for commerce. Local business boost via tourism: Aruba opened an airport food truck plaza at Queen Beatrix International Airport, turning arrivals into a new local spending spot for small vendors. Policy and jobs pressure: A global jobs-gap warning argues that reducing bureaucratic friction (licensing and paper processes) is key to unlocking private investment and employment. Colombia politics with business stakes: Abelardo de la Espriella appears headed for a razor-thin win in Colombia’s presidential runoff, with investors and small shopkeepers watching for stability and security.

Cross-Border Advocacy for SMBs: Harlingen’s Orlando Campos says a Rio Grande Valley delegation to Washington pushed a unified agenda with federal support priorities including U.S.-Mexico relations, tariffs, and help for small businesses. Digital Payments Push: Mexico’s central bank introduced simplified account rules aimed at speeding up digital payments adoption—potentially easing cashflow for smaller merchants. SMB Staffing Crunch: Door County restaurants report summer short staffing after delays in H-2B visa processing left fewer seasonal workers arriving than expected. Local Sales Boost: Yucatán small shops saw a spike from Father’s Day plus World Cup match days, with convenience stores and beer sales benefiting most. AI for Commerce in LatAm: Sea and OpenAI expanded their partnership so the Shopee app is now accessible inside ChatGPT across Brazil and parts of Southeast Asia, targeting small businesses and shoppers. B2B Payments & Fraud: XTransfer says emerging markets need stronger payment infrastructure and regulator coordination to cut fraud and speed cross-border B2B transfers. SMB Financing Trend: A new report highlights rapid growth in revenue-based financing as SMEs seek funding without equity dilution.

Digital Payments Push (Mexico): Banco de México rolled out simplified account rules, including a new “Cuenta Nivel 3 Bis” for micro, small and medium businesses, raising cash deposit and transfer limits to pull millions of cash-reliant merchants into electronic payments. SME Finance Boost (Jamaica): First Union launched a $1B side-hustle and micro-loan revolving fund to help working Jamaicans start, expand, or scale income ventures, tackling access to capital as a key barrier. SME Development Bank Prep (Guyana): Finance Minister Ashni Singh urged entrepreneurs to do real market research before investing as Guyana finalizes outreach and infrastructure for a state-backed SME development bank. World Cup Commerce Link (New York): The Bronx Chamber of Commerce launched a digital directory to help small businesses tap World Cup foot traffic via promotions and watch-party connections. Climate-Health Funding (Americas & Africa): Nexa, a new initiative backed by partner investment targets, opened its first funding call to support locally led climate-health innovations in Africa and the Americas. Local Business Spotlight (Caribbean tourism debate): St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ tourism push is drawing backlash from experts warning mass tourism could overwhelm weak infrastructure and harm local livelihoods. AI for SMBs (Sea/OpenAI): Sea Ltd. expanded its OpenAI partnership to deepen AI adoption across e-commerce and software development, with a focus on small businesses and a builder community.

SME Finance Boost (Jamaica): First Union launched a $1 billion side-hustle and micro-loan fund to help Jamaicans start, expand, or scale income ventures, with training and coaching aimed at older entrepreneurs and working people. SME Growth Prep (Guyana): Guyana’s planned SME Development Bank is moving forward, and finance officials urged entrepreneurs to do real market research before investing, warning against chasing “trendy” sectors. Digital Market Access (U.S.-based, Latin America tie-in): The Bronx Chamber of Commerce rolled out a World Cup digital directory to help small businesses reach fans and tourists through a borough-wide hub. Climate-Health Innovation Funding (Americas & Africa): Grand Challenges Canada and partners launched Nexa, a new initiative aiming to mobilize $50M+ for locally led climate-health innovations, with a first funding call opening June 22. Policy Shock (Cuba): Cuba’s lawmakers adopted 176 free-market reforms to attract investment and expand private activity, including new options for overseas Cubans—raising hopes for business openings but leaving uncertainty over implementation. Trade & Exports Push (Trinidad & Tobago): The manufacturers’ association set a target to double non-energy exports by 2030, calling for better foreign-exchange access and trade facilitation. Tourism Pressure (St. Vincent & the Grenadines): A debate is heating up over mass tourism, with critics warning local infrastructure can’t handle large crowds—an issue that directly affects small tourism operators.

SME Finance in Guyana: Guyana’s finance minister Dr. Ashni Singh urged entrepreneurs to do real market research before investing as the Guyana Development Bank for SMEs nears launch, warning against chasing “trendy” sectors without matching skills to demand. Cuba’s Business Shake-Up: Cuba’s National Assembly approved nearly 200 free-market reforms, including letting foreign investors operate without state joint ventures and allowing private firms to buy stakes in state companies—aimed at attracting investment and easing the economic squeeze. Local Growth & Community Markets: San Diego’s Kinfolk Fest highlighted nearly 100 Black-owned businesses, while Rapid City’s West Boulevard Summer Festival showcased dozens of vendors and steady support for small sellers. Juneteenth Recognition for Small Business: Burlington honored a small business owner with an innovator award, and local murals and community events turned Church Street into a business-and-culture hub. Payments & Work Security: A new U.S. debit card program from Redemption Bank targets single mothers in government housing, and DACA renewal delays are raising job and work-permit risks for employers and families.

SME Finance Push in Guyana: Finance Minister Ashni Singh urged entrepreneurs at the Georgetown Chamber breakfast to do real market research before investing, as the Guyana Development Bank for SMEs moves toward launch and aims to fund “bankable” projects. Free-Market Overhaul in Cuba: Cuban lawmakers approved nearly 200 reforms to cut the state’s economic role, allow foreign investors to operate without state joint ventures, and let private firms buy stakes in state companies—an effort to stabilize the economy amid the US oil blockade. Caribbean Tourism & Local Business Angle (Jamaica): A travel feature highlights Treasure Beach as a slower, community-tourism alternative to all-inclusives, spotlighting locally owned small businesses and culture. Car-Free Community Trend (US, for business lessons): A Tempe, Arizona neighborhood marketed as “walkable” and car-free spotlights how design can support local shops and services—useful context for Latin America’s urban retail planning. Tech for SMBs (AI in spreadsheets): Google expanded Gemini in Google Sheets to support 35+ more languages, making AI-driven analysis and automation more accessible for multilingual SMB teams. Refugee Funding Warning: World Vision and WFP report humanitarian funding fell 40% in 2025, leaving displaced children at higher risk of hunger, child labor, and early marriage—raising pressure on local aid-linked small suppliers and services.

Cuba’s Free-Market Overhaul: Cuba’s National Assembly approved 176 reforms aimed at cutting the state’s grip on the economy, including allowing foreigners to open companies, buy stakes in state firms, and easing rules that previously pushed joint ventures—though many Cubans abroad are watching closely to see if it’s real and workable for entrepreneurs. SME Finance & Inclusion: India used the BRICS MSME Forum to push cooperation on financing, tech adoption, sustainability, and market access, citing 8.5 crore MSME units and their jobs impact. Digital Tools for Small Teams: A new “dashboard in minutes” pitch highlights how AI can turn exported sales spreadsheets into interactive, filterable management views—targeting the common SMB pain of slow reporting and spreadsheet chaos. Local Growth via Tech Partnerships: Guyana’s Dragonfly Solutions launched a joint venture with Canada’s Altomaxx Offshore to expand drone-enabled surveying and mapping, with a strong focus on skills transfer and local content. Payments Expansion in the Caribbean: Visa reorganized its Greater Caribbean operations under Jorge Salum to drive digital payments growth across 22 markets. SMB Skills Pipeline: Virtual Latinos opened a second AI Performance Lab cohort, training Latin American virtual assistants to build practical AI workflows for work and proof-of-skill projects.

SME Talent & Skills: Virtual Latinos opened a second cohort of its AI Performance Lab, training virtual assistants from 19 countries with live sessions July 6–10 and graduation July 17. Local Business Recognition: Queens’ small businesses celebrated at FourLeaf Best of the Boro 2026, spotlighting family-run shops from food to services. Payments & Expansion: Visa reshuffled leadership across the Greater Caribbean, naming Jorge Salum to oversee 22 markets as the region shifts further from cash to digital commerce. Cuba Business Climate: Cuba’s National Assembly approved nearly 200 free-market reforms, including bigger room for private firms and allowing foreign investors to buy stakes in state companies—aimed at easing a deep economic squeeze. Public Policy for Consumers: Chile’s coordinated food labeling and marketing restrictions are linked to modest reductions in childhood obesity, offering a model for other countries. SMB Finance Access: Jamaica’s National Commercial Bank opened a relocated Falmouth branch after investing over US$1M to improve customer service and operations. Tech for Creators: XPPen launched Amazon Prime Day deals with up to 35% off drawing tablets and tools.

Cuba’s Free-Market Push: Cuban lawmakers approved nearly 200 reforms to expand private enterprise and open the door for foreign investors, including allowing foreign firms to buy stakes in state companies and easing the need for state joint ventures—moves framed as urgent amid a worsening US oil blockade. SMB Cost Pressure: A sewer rate hike in Chico is set to raise fees 162.5% over five years, with small restaurants warning the costs will flow to customers and squeeze already-stressed margins. Digital Payments & Competition: Apple is changing iOS rules in Brazil after a CADE deal, letting developers use alternative app marketplaces and payment methods—an SMB-friendly shift, but one that also raises new privacy and fraud-management demands. Tech Sector Jobs: USW says Permanent Software Group workers in Winnipeg face job-security risks tied to restructuring and remote role changes, highlighting how AI and remote work can reshape SMB-adjacent tech services. Youth Entrepreneurship: The Sandals Foundation backed Antigua and Barbuda’s Entrepreneurship Edge program with EC$38,000 to train young owners in finance, AI, and funding.

SME Finance Boost (Mexico): Swell, a Mexican non-bank lender focused on SMEs, saw its HR Ratings BBB- reaffirmed with a Stable Outlook for a second straight year, citing stronger capitalization, profitability, and funding diversification. Digital Payments Rules (Mexico): Banco de México issued new rules aimed at simplifying digital payments and raising deposit limits for small businesses. Embedded Finance Trend: A new wave of embedded finance is pushing payments and lending into everyday apps, with platforms using it to cut churn and drive growth. Trade Compliance for Small Producers (Fairtrade): Fairtrade International launched Plot Insights to help coffee and cocoa cooperatives manage geolocation data for EU deforestation due diligence—important for micro and small enterprises facing 2026/2027 compliance deadlines. Connectivity for SMBs (Guyana): ENet launched the My ENet App with unified onboarding, self-service, payments, and eSIM provisioning—reducing fragmented customer journeys. Security for Business (Cyber): ESET detailed how the ransomware-as-a-service gang Gentlemen uses EDR-killing tools, with targets including Brazil and South America. Local Business Pulse (Caribbean/NYC): NYC’s latest immigrant profile highlights sustained Caribbean communities—Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti, and Trinidad & Tobago—supporting a steady base of workers and entrepreneurs.

Digital Payments Boost for SMBs (Mexico): Banco de México created a new simplified deposit account tier, Cuenta Nivel 3 Bis, aimed at bringing about 4 million micro, small and medium merchants into digital payments, with higher cash and transfer limits to reduce cash-only bottlenecks. SME Lending Policy Pressure (US): Massachusetts lawmakers urged the federal SBA to rescind restrictions that bar many non-citizen lawful residents (including some immigrant statuses) from SBA-backed lending, arguing it cuts off capital for businesses that hire and grow. Caribbean SME Finance (Guyana): The Guyana Youth Entrepreneurship Chamber welcomed the planned Guyana Development Bank, highlighting zero-interest, zero-collateral loans up to GYD 3 million for micro and small businesses. Business Disruption & Safety (Texas): A NetJets business jet crash on a Texas highway killed one and injured five, with the NTSB leading the investigation—another reminder of operational risk for smaller aviation-linked operators. Tech Infrastructure Demand: New reports point to fast growth in cloud services, cloud storage, and data center colocation, signaling continued investment momentum that can benefit SMB tech adoption across the region. Local Business Reality Check (Cuba): A Havana neighborhood report describes worsening garbage and outages hitting daily life and small businesses, underscoring how infrastructure strain can directly squeeze commerce.

World Cup Footfall for SMEs: Independence Square in Kansas City is rolling out a Messi-themed story trail, with 23 local shops putting pages from a Lionel Messi biography in windows to pull soccer fans into downtown businesses. Local Economic Push in Guyana: President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced a 50-acre Enmore industrial hub aimed at agro-processing and dedicated space for small and medium-sized enterprises, tied to a new four-lane highway. Puerto Rico Power Services Deal: Integrated Power Services (IPS) is buying Puerto Rico’s Star Electrical Services to expand electrical testing and high-voltage acceptance work across the Caribbean and Latin America. Contracting & Safety Systems: McEwen Inc. selected ISNetworld to centralize contractor qualification, improve jobsite safety, and track sustainability performance across its contractor network. Cross-Border Travel Credit: Karta raised $140M to expand a premium credit card for global travelers entering the U.S., targeting credit-invisible customers with zero FX fees and an AI concierge. Brazil Potash Engineering Progress: Brazil Potash secured FEED coverage for mine shafts and underground development for its Autazes project, completing full engineering design for construction financing talks. SME Finance Gap Spotlight: A new report highlights a “hidden financing crisis” across Latin America and the Caribbean, pointing to unmet needs that stall business growth.

A Big-Deal for SMEs in the Caribbean: Barbados can now help private firms borrow directly from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) after full membership cleared the way—opening funding and export-market access beyond government-only borrowing. SME Finance Access: The same CAF shift is framed as a move to make growth more export- and private-sector led, not just public spending. Local Business Pressure in Cuba: A report from Cuba shows small private shops getting squeezed as the dollar keeps surging, forcing daily price changes that make customers hesitate and vendors struggle to quote stable costs. Women in Fisheries, Blue Economy: Belize hosted a women-in-fisheries forum and marketplace highlighting small-scale operators—seaweed farmers, cooperative managers, and value-added businesses—pushing for better access to blue-economy opportunities. Payments for Growth in the Dominican Republic: Banco Popular, AZUL, and Mastercard brought 350+ business and SME clients together to discuss digitization and AI-driven tools for B2B payment management. Tech Pitching in the Caribbean: Barbados selected 16 tech ventures for the Caribbean STEM Startup Challenge, aiming to turn regional innovation into scalable companies.

SME Cloud Push (Brazil): Elevata signed a strategic collaboration with AWS under the AWS Small Business Acceleration Initiative to help Brazilian SMBs modernize workloads, strengthen cloud governance, and deploy secure production-ready cloud and generative AI. Caribbean Banking & Local Ownership: Antigua and Barbuda signaled support for Butterfield Bank’s planned acquisition of CIBC Caribbean, while urging local participation/ownership structures as the deal targets completion in H1 2027. Agriculture MSMEs (Dominica): IICA used its annual accountability seminar to spotlight support for farmers and agribusiness MSMEs, linking local production to regional markets to strengthen food security. Caribbean Startup Funding Pipeline: Barbados will host the Caribbean STEM Startup Challenge (June 25–27) with 16 tech ventures selected to pitch for investment and scale. SME Financing Gap (Latin America & Caribbean): A new report flags a “hidden financing crisis,” saying 87% of businesses lack needed funding to grow. Energy Reliability (Caribbean): Jamaica’s energy minister said future electricity licences will include mandatory compensation after a June 5 islandwide outage hurt small businesses, not just apologies.

Caribbean Startup Push: Sixteen tech ventures will pitch at the Caribbean STEM Startup Challenge in Barbados (June 25–27), aiming to move founders from “what if” to scalable businesses and shift the region from tech consumer to producer. Jamaica Smart-City Plan: The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean unveiled EcoVista, a 283-acre “university smart city” in Trelawny that needs an initial US$15M capital raise and targets education, innovation, renewable energy, and housing. Local Business Support in the Region: San Diego lawmakers asked the U.S. Small Business Administration for continued help for small firms hit by Tijuana River Valley pollution and summer beach closures. SME Community Spotlight: A Filipino Independence Day jam in San José’s flea market gave small vendors and performers a platform to sell and showcase culture. SME Pain Point (Lease Disputes): A Chico restaurant owner raised unresolved air-conditioning issues and lease-related concerns to the Downtown Chico PBID board, highlighting how property problems can derail small operators. Energy for Small Users (Cuba): Holguín inaugurated a solar photovoltaic charging station with free charging for low-consumption devices, built in 40 days and set to expand capacity.