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Serbia had an estimated 267,560 active unincorporated enterprises, including sole proprietorships and partnerships, and 253,723 employees in them in 2025, the Statistical Office reported in a working paper using revised national-accounts methods.
Jordan’s 21-carat gold was quoted at JOD 84.2 per gram for retail sale on the morning of 20 October, Petra reported from the jewellers’ association. The jewellers’ buying quote for the same purity and weight was JOD 80.3.
Jordan’s Greater Irbid Municipality signed a contract worth approximately JOD 1 million with Osman Al-Washahi company for stormwater drainage lines. Petra reported on 20 October that the works cover streets affected by water accumulation last winter and collector lines at valley outlets.
Jordan’s Social Security Corporation added electronic payments to its SSC Jordan app for individuals. Announced through Petra on 20 October, the service lets users settle amounts and obligations due without visiting a branch.
Bank Negara Malaysia launched SSDS+ on 20 October as a platform for issuing, depositing and safekeeping tokenised bonds and sukuk. The system builds on the central bank’s existing scripless securities depository for the wholesale financial market.
Micron announced strategic funding on 20 October to enable Indium Corporation to expand refining and manufacturing operations in Rome, New York. The amount was not disclosed. The companies plan a long-term supply agreement giving Micron access to high-purity materials.
Microsoft said on 20 October it was expanding Sovereign Cloud capabilities so organisations can select controls according to workload needs. The announcement spans Sovereign Public Cloud, customer-operated private environments and partner-operated services.
New Zealand’s government announced on 20 October that it had appointed a chief commissioner and five freshwater commissioners to complete planning work during the transition to a new planning system. Retired Environment Court judge Brian Dwyer was appointed chief commissioner.
The two governments agreed a new mechanism to discuss their trading relationship.
The agreement removes tariffs on sheep meat, wool and coal from 20 October.
New Zealand’s government reported Kāinga Ora’s 2025/26 results on 20 October. The social-housing agency delivered NZD 191 million in operating cost reductions and recorded a net deficit before tax of NZD 140 million.
JX Metals Circular Solutions said on 19 October it would invest ¥350 million in Renet Japan through a third-party share allotment, acquiring a 2.4% stake. The companies formed a capital and business alliance to connect collection of small electronic waste with recovery of the materials it contains.
