China releases a five-year strategy to support the growth of SMEs.
China has released a plan that outlines goals for business growth, innovation, and the development environment in order to support the high-quality development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) between 2026 and 2030. According to the plan, whic...
Southern Italy: Soaring Diesel Costs Halt Small Haulage Businesses, Putting the SME Supply Chain at Risk
Since mid-October, southern Italy has seen one of the largest protests in the transport sector in years. The protest began in Puglia and then spread to Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata and Campania, eventually reaching the region around the capital, Lazio. At...
IUE Opens a New Chapter: Celebrating Life Credentials and Entrepreneurial Leadership
The International University of Entreprenology held its 2026 Graduation Ceremony in Las Vegas, honoring the wisdom of lived experience and welcoming its first female President, Dr. Pauline Crawford, who is also WUSME Chair On September 23, 2026, the Int...
Smaller firms, greater risks
“Smaller firms greater risks- How Strait of Hormuz disruptions could trigger an exclusion effect for small and medium-sized enterprises” was published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on September 8, 2026, a...
ICSB Releases Top 10 Global Trends Shaping MSMEs in 2026
The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) has published its annual Top 10 Trends for MSMEs in 2026, authored by ICSB President & CEO Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy. The report offers a global outlook on the forces reshaping micro, small and medium e...
The European Commission’s Annual Report on European SMEs
The European Commission has published its Annual Report on European SMEs (2025/2026) and a new report on women entrepreneurs in Europe, providing updated data to guide future policies and funding for small and medium businesses. Europe’s 34 million SMEs...
Alibaba Steps Up Global Outreach to SMEs
Alibaba Group has recently intensified efforts to bring AI tools and training to SMEs across several countries, a pattern worth noting for WUSME’s network. In Pakistan, MoUs signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Alibaba’...
The Impact of the Iran Conflict on SMEs: Rising Costs, Disrupted Trade, and Tighter Finance
Geopolitical shocks are reaching small and medium-sized enterprises faster than ever. According to a recent analysis by Trade Finance Global, the conflict in Iran has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed up global energy price...
U.S. Small Businesses Pull Back on Hiring at Fastest Pace in Six Years
A cluster of fresh data released this week paints a cautious picture for small businesses in the United States: hiring ambitions are fading, foot traffic is declining, and owners are growing more hesitant about the months ahead. The share of U.S. small bu...
OECD SME Financing Scoreboard 2026 – Key Takeaways
On 31st May the OECD SME Financing Scoreboard 2026 was released. This report was produced by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE), as part of the programme of work of the Committee on SMEs and Entrepreneurship. An OECD Sc...
