Middle East Small Business Observer

AGP Executive Report

Last update: 2 hours ago

Gulf SME Tech: UAE SMEs make up 94% of businesses, but AI adoption depends less on big strategies than on owners having the time and trust to use practical tools. Shipping Costs: Kerala footwear makers plan a 10% price rise from November as Middle East-related shipping disruptions push up materials costs, a warning of how regional instability can squeeze small manufacturers and jobs. Access to Finance: Morocco urged the World Bank to expand guarantees and ease financing for smaller firms, while Egypt approved six fintech providers, including two focused on SME lending. Oman’s Women Entrepreneurs: Omantel and Sohar International brought businesswomen together to share advice and build networks for women-led firms. UAE Lending: Network International and Commercial Bank of Dubai expanded options for SME financing.

Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.

Oct. 13, 2026

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3 hours ago

₹500 footwear to cost at least ₹550 in Kerala from November 1; manufacturers cite Middle East crisis

Mathrubhumi |

Owner: Kumar Family info about owner

Mathrubhumi

Neutral

Owned By	Kumar Family through The Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd.
Year Founded	1923
Website	https://english.mathrubhumi.com/
Domain Registration Year	1997
Access Type	open
Publication Location	India, Kozhikode
Owner Country	India

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6 hours ago

Introducing Crikey’s Dagwood Dog scale: Just how credible are pollies’ small business claims?

Crikey |

Owner: Eric Beecher info about owner

Crikey

Left-wing

Owned By	Eric Beecher through Private Media Partners
Year Founded	1999
Website	https://www.crikey.com.au/
Domain Registration Year
Access Type	paid
Publication Location	Australia, Melbourne
Owner Country	Australia

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4 hours ago

War Is Crushing Iranian Women’s Tourism Dreams. These Two Refuse to Give Up

eTurboNews |

Owner: Juergen Thomas Steinmetz info about owner

eTurboNews

Neutral

Owned By	Juergen Thomas Steinmetz
Year Founded	1999
Website	eturbonews.com
Domain Registration Year	2001
Access Type	hybrid
Publication Location	United States, Hawaii, Honolulu
Owner Country	United States

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18 hours ago

Egypt Approves Six Fintech Firms to Expand Access to Financial Services

Egyptian Streets |

Owner: ES Media Network FZ LLC info about owner

Egyptian Streets

Center-left

Owned By	Mohamed Khairat, Mostafa Amin & Assem Emam through ES Media Network FZ LLC
Year Founded	2013
Website	https://egyptianstreets.com/
Domain Registration Year	2012
Access Type	open
Publication Location	Egypt,
Owner Country	Egypt

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13 hours ago

This Michigan group hopes to strengthen US business ties to Israel

Jewish Post and News |

Owner: Bernie Bellan info about owner

Jewish Post & News

Neutral

Owned By	Bernie Bellan
Year Founded	2010
Website	www.jewishpostandnews.ca
Domain Registration Year	2012
Access Type	open
Publication Location	Canada, Winnipeg
Owner Country	Canada

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Oct. 17, 2026

Egypt's PM Opens Turathna Handicrafts Exhibition With Over 1,000 Exhibitors

Sada Elbalad |

Owner: Mohammed Abu Al Enein info about owner

Sada El-Balad

Gov't Propaganda

Owned By	Mohammed Abu Al Enein through Cleopatra Group
Year Founded	2011
Website	https://see.news/
Domain Registration Year	2018
Access Type	open
Publication Location	Egypt, Mohandessin
Owner Country	Egypt

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Oct. 16, 2026

Election 2026: Whanganui leaders want action on poverty, small business and regional growth

The New Zealand Herald |

Owner: New Zealand Media & Entertainment (NZME) info about owner

The New Zealand Herald

Neutral

Owned By	New Zealand Media & Entertainment (Spheria Asset Management, James Grenon & Pinnacle Investment Management Group, Largest Shareholders)
Year Founded	1863
Website	www.nzherald.co.nz
Domain Registration Year	1997
Access Type	paid
Publication Location	New Zealand, Auckland
Owner Country	New Zealand

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Oct. 16, 2026

Ernst names Sorensen Studios as Small Business of the Week in Adair County

Hawkeye Reporter - Iowa |

Owner: Brian Timpone & Bradley Cameron info about owner

Hawkeye Reporter - Iowa

Right-wing

Caution	Pseudo-journalism: Pink-slime
Owned By	Brian Timpone & Bradley Cameron through Metric Media LLC
Year Founded	2019
Website	https://hawkeyereporter.com/
Domain Registration Year	2019
Access Type	open
Publication Location	United States, Iowa, Hawkeye
Owner Country	United States

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