SME Finance Push: Scotiabank says it will commit more than $100bn to finance Canadian company expansion, with a new Scotia Growth Institute aimed at boosting long-term competitiveness—potentially opening more work for SMEs in areas like clean energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, tech and defence. Digital Skills for SMEs: Ireland launched “ENTIRE 2.0” at UCC, part of the EU’s EDIH network, offering discounted one-stop support to help SMEs and public bodies adopt AI, data, cybersecurity and cloud, with services including experimentation, training and AI Act readiness. High Street Pressure (UK): A new Enterprise Nation report says one in four nearby high street shops are empty, and many small firms are delaying growth or cutting staff due to business rates, energy bills, VAT and other costs. AI Adoption Gap (Spain): Spain’s INE survey finds generative AI use is mostly personal rather than work-focused, and a union warns this “digital divide” is widening inequality for workers. EU Rules on Inspections: Spain’s labour ministry is challenging a Supreme Court ruling that requires prior judicial authorization for inspectors to enter company premises without consent, a decision that could reshape enforcement for SMEs. Trade & Business Climate: Bangladesh’s budget plans deregulation and fully digital, one-stop investment services via BanglaBiz and BIDA-OSS, targeting faster approvals and export growth. SME Opportunities in Data Centres (Malaysia): MIDA argues Malaysia must turn data-centre investment into real spillovers for local SMEs via facilities management, systems integration and cloud supply chains. Local Enterprise Support (Ireland): Ireland’s Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships spotlights small business ecosystems supported by Local Enterprise Offices. Creative Sector Note: A TIFF documentary on Canadian film culture includes criticism of how tax breaks can miss small business owners—an indirect reminder of how policy choices affect creative SMEs.