SME Sustainability Tool in ASEAN: The East Asia Business Council will pilot the “Circular Business Check” with Philippines MSMEs (alongside Indonesia and Thailand), using an EU SWITCH-Asia-supported self-assessment to turn sustainability pledges into measurable ESG action, with a wider ASEAN rollout planned for September. EU vs Corporate Rules: US lawmakers have written to the EU ambassador opposing the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, warning it could raise compliance costs and create legal uncertainty for American firms. UK Energy Costs for Small Firms: UK home battery demand is rising fast, with plug-in storage now expanding access for households and small businesses as regulators raise energy price caps. Payments Regulation Pressure: A US congressional hearing debated whether payments rules built for deposit-taking banks still fit a world of platforms, digital assets and AI-driven money movement. EU Digital Euro Push: EU lawmakers advanced a digital euro framework aimed at reducing US payment dominance, with committee approval moving the plan forward. SME Finance Boost in Africa: Kenya’s Green Mini-grid programme (EU and French support) switched on Phase 2 in Turkana, adding solar and storage for about 100,000 households. SME Export/Investment Focus: Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Chamber of Commerce outlined a three-year plan to deepen SME support, strengthen exports and attract investment after incorporating 18 recommendations into the 2026 budget.