AGP Executive Report

Illinois Investment Push: Gov. JB Pritzker highlighted major new projects in Peoria and beyond, including a $250m soybean processing and solar plant in Gilman aimed at scaling biofuel and farm feed while creating jobs. Iran Inflation Shock: Iran’s official inflation rate jumped to 88.6% year-on-year in June, with food prices surging—bread and grains up 138.8% and red meat/poultry up 178.2%. AI Bubble Debate: U.S. tech stock swings are reigniting fears of an AI bubble, as big firms fund AI buildouts with debt and investors question payoff. Trade Facilitation: Türkiye and Saudi Arabia signed a joint action plan to ease customs and speed mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator programs. Food Supply Innovation: Istanbul’s soilless farming sector is expanding, with 29 enterprises producing nearly 951,000 kg of crops annually. Student Loan Limits: The U.S. moves to cap graduate federal borrowing at $20,500 a year and $100,000 overall from July 1, with economists debating whether it will curb tuition. UK Corporate Compliance: UK Companies House reminders focus on keeping Person with Significant Control (PSC) records accurate, with enforcement risks for lapses. Tesla Safety Probe Closed: NHTSA ended its power steering investigation into Tesla Model 3 and Y after a prior recall addressed the issue. Pakistan Cotton Exchange Disruption: Karachi business groups warn the historic Cotton Exchange building’s sealing/occupation is disrupting cotton trade and hurting exporters. Microsoft “AI Tax” Concern: Businesses brace for Microsoft 365 price increases from July 1, with analysts calling it an “AI tax” that could hit frontline-heavy firms hardest. Nonprofit Crackdown: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned tax-exempt groups abusing their status could face criminal liability and asset forfeiture. World Cup Consumer Boost: Malaysia’s World Cup viewing is expected to lift food and beverage spending by up to RM2.1bn, mainly around match-day consumption.

Green Tech & Skills: Sarawak is reshaping its economy toward a low-carbon, tech-led model, betting on carbon trading, AI for public services, and a green-energy hub anchored by hydro and gas, alongside 64 education and training programmes. Islamic Finance Push: Bank Muamalat Malaysia rolled out a women-focused takaful product and a Digital Faraid Calculator to boost Shariah-compliant financial literacy. Middle East Growth Outlook: Dubai’s business lobby expects Expo 2020 to lift growth further, with tourism, trade and aviation seen as key drivers. China Macro Update: China reported 6.9% growth in 2017, beating targets as pollution controls and industrial restructuring continue. Capital Markets in Oman: Local funds increased buying on the Muscat Stock Exchange even as prices fell, tied to liquidity ahead of an IPO. Bangladesh Investment Drive: Chinese firms proposed $9.21bn for projects ranging from waste-to-energy and gas development to a Mongla port economic zone and smart meters. AI for Local Business: A Talbot County summit urged firms to adopt AI with practical frameworks while planning for power and infrastructure strain. M&A Watch: Persistent Systems agreed a takeover of Nagarro to build an AI-led digital engineering and enterprise modernization group. Regulatory/Investor Alerts: Singapore flagged Hyperliquid on its investor alert list for operating without authorization; Nigeria’s FCCPC fully approved 48 loan apps, bringing the total to 505. Securities Deadlines: Investor notices highlighted upcoming lead-plaintiff deadlines in class actions involving Calix, Verra Mobility, and Commvault. Local Economy & Jobs: Ohio lawmakers announced $14m+ for district projects via the capital budget, while Alabama’s SBA opened disaster loans for drought-hit small businesses.

US Trade & Food Exports: Jordanian exporters are set to take part in the Fancy Food Show in the US, with the Jordanian Exporters Association saying the Free Trade Agreement is key to boosting foreign-currency inflows and jobs. Banking & M&A: Citizens Community Bank CEO says the parent’s acquisition of Bank of Idaho will consolidate operations, with systems conversion targeted for later this year. Higher Ed Funding: Idaho State University’s College of Business received a $3M anonymous gift to expand its MBA program. Airline Policy: Ryanair will “reluctantly” let parents sit with children for free after a UK regulator probe, aligning with European standards. Industrial Profit Momentum (China): China’s industrial profits rose 18.8% in Jan–May 2026, led by AI-driven electronics and new-energy materials. Energy & Investment: Adani Green’s executive calls for faster electrification paired with storage to support reliable growth. Hospitality Restructuring (Indonesia): Danantara begins consolidating 45 state-owned hotels under InJourney. Consumer Intelligence (Nigeria): Marketing groups urge firms to invest in consumer and social intelligence as costs reshape spending. Local Business Support: Pennsylvania expands child-care worker recruitment and retention funding with a $25M boost and more in the proposed budget. Corporate & Family Business Risk: India’s Vadilal brand dispute highlights how family splits can turn into costly trademark and quality-control battles.

EU Investment Screening: The EU has published updated rules making foreign investment screening mandatory across the bloc for strategic sectors, while keeping final deal calls with member states. Payments Infrastructure: Australia’s PayID is hitting mass adoption, with investors watching which listed fintechs can monetize New Payments Platform rails as legacy systems face a sunset. Corporate Deals & Growth: H.B. Fuller agreed to buy Britain’s Advanced Medical Solutions for about $827M, while Canadian testing firm CSA is exploring a sale with Jefferies advising. Local Economic Policy: Sarnia is drafting incentives to speed up development approvals and reduce charges to stay competitive for new businesses. Business Expansion Watch: Panattoni is reportedly taking over a Beloit data center project, and Power Systems International is buying MTL Manufacturing to deepen its role in the hyperscale power supply chain. Community & Small Business: Talbot County businesses can apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans after frost and freeze losses. Regulatory/Compliance Pressure: New Zealand’s proposed business levies face scrutiny as banks debate whether costs will be absorbed or passed on to borrowers. Security & Sanctions: Moldova says a company illegally exported fighter-jet parts to sanctioned Russian defense firms using false customs declarations.

Energy & Infrastructure: Morocco converted ONHYM into a joint-stock company to gain flexibility as it backs the Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline, while Sarawak Energy pushes cross-border power links under the ASEAN Power Grid, including talks on Brunei and a possible Sarawak–Singapore subsea cable. AI & Investment: HCLTech completed a ₹1,427.25 crore minority stake in Sarvam AI, and Amazon pledged $48B in India investment as Asia’s energy spending boom tied to AI could reach US$5.5T. Policy & Markets: Michigan advanced a bill to curb large institutional investors buying single-family homes, and Hong Kong reported a 36% jump in FDI inflows with InvestHK expecting major job creation. Fraud & Regulation: AIB warned of a surge in fraudulent investment sites, and the EU’s retail investment rules are set to reshape broker business models. Business Growth & Local Economy: Nigeria’s First Lady urged low-capital small businesses, while Keystone Bank launched an EcoCycle Account for circular-economy firms. Corporate Governance: South Africa’s PIC faced scrutiny after billions in Isibaya Fund investments reportedly produced total losses in multiple companies.

Energy Security: Malaysia’s Petronas fuel network is expected to stay stable and sufficient until August, with a crisis task force monitoring supplies, prices, and smuggling risks. Labor & Business Climate: Qatar’s 2026 labour law amendments expand part-time and freelance work under future rules, tighten recruitment oversight, and clarify non-compete boundaries to balance employer and worker interests. Corporate Governance & Strategy: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation is updating its law to boost flexibility, modernize contracting, expand board authority, and bring renewables into its remit. Space & Defense Tech: A Colorado Springs startup, Citra Space, is building “flight awareness” for space objects to help close a U.S. identification gap as China launches more satellites. AI & Data Infrastructure: Amazon pledges another $13bn for AI and cloud in India, lifting total investment to $48bn by 2030; EVOCS also invests ₹100cr for sovereign data centers. Retail Crime Crackdown: Canada’s Halifax business groups back federal bail and sentencing reforms targeting retail theft and violence against transit workers. Markets & Legal Risk: Multiple U.S. securities class actions were filed or deadlines set for investors in ADMA, FS KKR, Graphic Packaging, SES AI, Zoetis, and others. Local Economy & Jobs: Kentucky Gov. Beshear touts Space Tango’s $7.4m Lexington expansion and 25 jobs; Ohio business leaders push for faster growth.

Energy & Markets: Oil prices slid to pre–Iran war levels as Hormuz traffic rose and traders flagged a mild oversupply, with demand softness from China adding pressure. Corporate Strategy: Signify laid out a Capital Markets Day 2026 plan to refocus the business, lift performance, and improve profitability. Renewables Policy: Malaysia reported 11 developers registered under CRESS, including data centers and manufacturers, targeting direct green power supply via the grid. M&A/Investing: SK Hynix is set to start trading Nasdaq ADRs with a record-sized $29.6B raise, reshaping AI-memory investment competition. Regulation & Compliance: Sri Lanka’s beneficial ownership rules are drawing pushback over duplication and added burdens on firms using the eROC system. Business Restructuring: UK casual chain Turtle Bay proposed a CVA that would close three sites amid cost and spending headwinds. Investor Legal Alerts: Class actions were filed involving Verra Mobility, PicS, and ADMA Biologics, with lead-plaintiff deadlines in early August. Trade & Development: Armenia highlighted EDB-backed growth in EAEU trade and plans for five industrial zones to move toward high-value-added output.

Islamic Finance Push: Malaysia’s finance ministry, with the Securities Commission Malaysia, is planning cross-border steps to build an Islamic finance ecosystem aimed at attracting Russian investors, including an exploratory Central Asia visit in 2026/27 and expanded shariah expertise services. FDI Momentum: Economists point to Malaysia’s net FDI jump to RM65.9bn in 2025 (+41.2%) alongside moderated overseas outflows, signaling a stronger external position. AI & Capital Markets: US investment-grade bond issuance hit a June record as Nvidia and SpaceX drove heavy tech borrowing to fund AI infrastructure. Robotics IPO Plan: Agility Robotics agreed to go public via a $2.5bn SPAC merger with Churchill Capital, targeting a major market for humanoid robots. Corporate Governance & ESG: A new look at governance shows ESG ratings are shifting toward governance indicators tied to long-term value and investor confidence. M&A Deal Mechanics: A fresh analysis argues “locked box” pricing mainly reallocates risk between signing and closing, not just “certainty.” Local Business & Jobs: Michigan’s EGLE approved a $200k Brownfield grant to redevelop a contaminated dry-cleaner site into a floral shop, aiming for new jobs and higher tax revenue. Energy Bills Pressure: Texas utilities again top lists for customer power shutoffs, highlighting ongoing affordability strain.

Energy & Policy: Malaysia will not expand its fuel subsidy programme further, instead consolidating subsidised diesel under the BUDI MADANI framework via MyKad, with the nationwide diesel rate set to fall to RM2.10 per litre from July 1. Corporate Restructuring: Kraft Heinz is merging procurement and supply chain operations under one leadership role, effective July 1, as it continues broader operational changes. Investing & Growth Outlook: Investec CEO Fani Titi says South Africa’s growth could nearly triple by 2030 as reforms ease bottlenecks in electricity, logistics and other infrastructure. Real Assets Deal: Arcapita and Hines will explore an institutional-grade GCC industrial and logistics real estate platform, aiming to originate and execute both development and stabilized assets. Tech for Business: Revolut is pushing into New Zealand SMEs with a $120m investment and a banking licence application under review, while HTB expands cyber training with AI-assisted learning and SOC simulations. Trade & Women’s Entrepreneurship: WomenBizPH and India’s I-WE formalised a partnership to boost women-led trade across India, the Philippines and ASEAN, including an Indian Pavilion at the ASEAN Trade Expo. Climate & Risk: Global Witness says fossil-fuel lobbyists at COP summits contributed to emissions linked to 17 million heat deaths, renewing pressure to keep industry out of climate policymaking.

Cross-Border Energy Trade: Malaysia says the UAE remains a key partner for petroleum and petrochemical supply chains, with crude imports still the biggest bilateral flow even as the overall trade balance in the sector is negative. Foreign Investment Sentiment: Malaysia’s MITI pushes back on election-driven fears, saying investment decisions hinge more on fundamentals, and cites RM1.7tn in approved investments (2021-2025) expected to create 825,502 jobs. Port City Deal Momentum: Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port City SEZ approved 71 Businesses of Strategic Importance in 1H2026, unlocking over $600m in new investment and signing lease agreements tied to flagship developments. Corporate Finance & Leadership: Wendy’s appoints Steve Cirulis as CFO and Chief Strategy Officer, signaling a push on financial discipline and growth. Biotech Pipeline Move: FDA clears Pheno Therapeutics’ IND for PTD802, aiming to support remyelination in multiple sclerosis. Market & Governance Watch: Canada’s CIRO halts trading in Harrys Manufacturing pending news; and a wave of investor alerts highlights ongoing securities class-action activity across multiple public companies. Banking Risk Shift: Bangladesh reports banks boosted government securities holdings by 35.5% in 2025 as defaults and liquidity stress reduced appetite for lending.

Foreign Investment Push (China): China rolled out a new action plan to stabilize and improve foreign investment, aiming to expand market access and ease services for foreign-funded firms. Corporate & Market Signals (Fed/Inflation): Investors are bracing for a possible Fed rate hike as inflation worries dominate, with markets debating what a September move could mean for stocks and bonds. Tech, Privacy & AI Risk (Meta): Meta paused its AI “Model Capability” initiative after employee keystroke and screen-related data was reportedly accessible more broadly than intended. US Tech Scrutiny (OpenAI): US lawmakers opened a conflict-of-interest probe into Sam Altman’s investment ties as OpenAI prepares for an IPO. Auto Safety (Tesla): NHTSA launched a special investigation after a Tesla Model 3 crash in Texas killed a 76-year-old, with Tesla disputing how the system was used. Energy & Trade (Malaysia): Malaysia’s transport minister backed long-term oil, gas and diesel supply deals to stabilize logistics, citing diplomacy and sanctions relief effects on prices. Business Stress (Australia): Insolvencies rose while credit demand diverged, pointing to pressure building in smaller businesses. Regional Growth (Egypt): Norway’s Scatec plans up to $5bn in new Egypt investments for renewables, storage and green infrastructure. India Economy (PMI): HSBC’s flash PMI showed India’s activity slowing in June as costs and demand softened. Space & Industry (India): IN-SPACe began an expression-of-interest process to transfer PSLV rocket technology to eligible private firms. M&A/Investing (EasyJet): EasyJet investors urged a higher price from US bidder Castlelake, holding out for at least £7 per share. Corporate Governance (Vedanta): Vedanta shares slid after reports of a promoter stake sale plan via a block deal. AI in Mobility (Mobileye/Innoviz): Mobileye’s robotaxi push highlights LiDAR demand as Innoviz positions its sensors for the vertically integrated service. Labor & Safety (Mining): Australia fined a mining contractor after a worker death at a Queensland mine. Consumer & Compliance (US): A supplement “no-questions-asked” refund dispute is drawing regulator attention. Creative Economy (Bangladesh): Bangladesh launched “Created in Bangladesh” to boost the creative sector’s jobs and global branding.

Foreign Investment Push: China rolled out a new action plan to stabilize and optimize foreign investment, including easier cross-border M&A, better services access, and stronger “Invest China” support. Bilateral Deals: Japan is lining up a big business delegation for an India summit in Assam, with semiconductors, supply-chain diversification, and infrastructure high on the agenda. Middle East Capital Watch: Abu Dhabi’s Investment Affairs Council reviewed Q1 performance across major sovereign funds (ADIA, Mubadala, L’IMAD) and ADNOC, as it maps investment plans amid global volatility. South Asia Investment Drive: Bangladesh business groups urged faster visas, work permits, and clearer rules to attract Japanese and Malaysian investment, while a Bangladesh-Italy chamber was formally launched to deepen trade and investment ties. AI Infrastructure & Finance: TECfusions’ founder highlighted data-center buildout needs for the AI economy at Nasdaq, while MoonPay acquired Entendre to add AI agents into stablecoin finance and accounting workflows. Corporate Restructuring: Lucid announced layoffs of about 18% of its U.S. workforce and is ending a production shift as it cuts costs. Labor & Business Climate: Furnmart and Home Corporation workers launched a nationwide strike over pay and allowances, and a survey found legacy warehouse investments are limiting manufacturers’ agility. Energy & Trade Logistics: Iraq and Turkey discussed oil export flows via the Kirkuk–Ceyhan pipeline and potential new economic agreements, including around the Development Road corridor.

US–China Trade Tensions: China’s Ministry of Finance barred government buyers from purchasing products made by 46 designated US firms, while Beijing also imposed fresh export restrictions on 56 US companies, including defense-linked and rare-earth players, escalating retaliation in the tech and security standoff. China Foreign Investment Push: China rolled out a 15-measure action plan to stabilize and optimize foreign investment, including faster approvals for cross-border deals and expanded access for foreign-funded institutions. India Capital Markets: Reliance shares jumped after Jio filed for an IPO, while Aurobindo Pharma won FTC clearance for a $250m Lannett buyout to expand US manufacturing capacity. Corporate Deals & Orders: Kirloskar Oil Engines surged on a 196 MW power order tied to AI data centres; RVNL and Texmaco rose on new rail contracts. Government & Business Climate: Bangladesh aims to cut business start-up licensing to 14 days, and India’s markets take a Muharram holiday on June 26. Regional Investment & Connectivity: Malaysia and Bangladesh agreed to pursue a fast-track FTA and cooperation in energy, halal, semiconductors and AI; AirAsia X said it’s open to routes to Turkmenistan and Russia if demand and visas align. Middle East Jobs from Tourism: Kurdistan’s tourism push has created 20,000+ jobs, with most roles filled locally.

AI & Markets: Investors are watching Micron’s June 24 earnings as a “pulse check” on whether the AI-driven chip boom still has momentum, with the rally near record highs despite recent volatility. Semiconductors & Industry: Japan’s Toto plans to invest $495m over five years to expand semiconductor materials for 1-nm chipmaking. Corporate Tech Moves: Amazon unveiled a next-gen AI warehouse robot for Europe, part of a €10bn fulfillment push, while Meta faces a Thai consumer watchdog lawsuit over alleged scam ads. Policy & Regulation: Nigeria’s telecom regulators tightened rules, requiring prior approval for major ownership changes; Bangladesh is rolling out a centralized online one-stop investment service to speed licensing. Tax & Inequality: New Zealand’s Green Party tax proposals drew support from the Better Taxes campaign, arguing wealth and big corporates aren’t paying fairly. Finance & Pensions: Japan’s national business corporate pension fund plans a 1% crypto allocation, signaling cautious institutional interest in digital assets. Regional Business Climate: Sri Lanka’s ease-of-doing-business debate resurfaced as officials cite persistent red tape and added procedural burdens. Humanitarian Investing: Boursa Kuwait backed World Refugee Day with a solidarity initiative tied to corporate responsibility and SDGs.

Energy Finance: Malaysia’s Tenaga Nasional (TNB) pulled in five-times demand for RM2.5bn in 2026 sukuk for solar (RM1bn) and hydro (RM1.5bn), underscoring investor appetite for bankable renewables as the country targets long-run net-zero funding needs. Geopolitical Trade & Energy: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim’s Russia-to-Turkmenistan diplomacy is framed as a bid to shore up energy security and diversify economic ties across major blocs. Middle East Risk: Even with a US-Iran peace push, businesses expect Strait of Hormuz disruption to linger into 2027, keeping shipping and energy-cost uncertainty front and center. Corporate Deals & Capital: Private equity is reviving dividend recapitalisations, using debt to fund payouts as exits get harder. Business Growth & Banking: Ghana’s central bank urged banks to act as partners for business expansion, not just lenders. Regional Infrastructure: India’s RVNL won a Rs 2,977 crore NMDC logistics project in Vizag, while Power Mech landed a Rs 1,008.9 crore JSW Thermal civil/structural contract. Cybersecurity: Malwarebytes flagged a ransomware operation (Prinz Eugen) that silently encrypts active business files without ransom notes. Agriculture Jobs: Young women in South Africa’s Limpopo are building tomato supply businesses that create rural jobs and feed major buyers.

M&A & Regulation: Three U.S. Democratic senators urged the FCC to pause the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, citing foreign ownership and possible national-security concerns that could reshape U.S. media consolidation. Capital Markets & Governance: SpaceX’s record $75B IPO spotlights a “public” company with founder control—Musk holds ~40% equity but ~80% voting power via dual-class shares, leaving investors with exposure more than oversight. Tech & Manufacturing: Malaysia is pushing a high-tech, semiconductor and AI-driven growth phase, while MKS opened a RM400M Penang supercenter factory to expand wafer-fab equipment supply chains. Trade & Investment: Bangladesh’s PM begins a China-and-Malaysia trip to secure deals and jobs, as Guyana warns proposed U.S. tariff hikes tied to forced-labour probes could hit emerging exports. Business Climate: Nepal’s private-sector credit growth is lagging despite liquidity and lower rates, blamed on weak confidence. Fraud & Consumer Risk: Lebanese authorities warn investors about fraudulent trading firms that vanish after taking deposits, urging checks against regulator license lists. Local Economy & Jobs: Iowa approved incentives for expansions in Independence and Newton, targeting 65 jobs and $51.5M in new investment. Infrastructure & Logistics: Ghana’s “24-hour economy” faces a visibility gap in late-night logistics, leaving SMEs without real-time tracking tools. Corporate & Community: Gulf airlines are rebounding toward pre-war flight levels after interim U.S.–Iran steps, improving regional connectivity.