SEC roadshow to pitch capital market as MSME funding source

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is launching a nationwide roadshow that aims to highlight easy and accessible funding options for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the capital market this week.

The commission will kick off the SEC Roadshow on Capital Market Formation for MSMEs and Start-ups at the Pinnacle Hotel in Davao City on Feb. 15. The roadshow will emphasize how MSMEs can tap the capital market, including crowdfunding platforms, to raise funds for business expansion.

Crowdfunding is a fundraising activity typically conducted by start-ups and SMEs, where the public can support or fund a business idea through an online platform.

The SEC regulates crowdfunding activities in the country, with the Rules and Regulations Governing Crowdfunding provided under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 14, Series of 2019.

Under the crowdfunding rules, SMEs no longer have to register securities with or secure approval directly from the SEC before they can solicit investments from the public. SMEs need only conduct their fundraising activity with a crowdfunding intermediary, funding portal or crowdfunding platform registered with the SEC.

Within a 12-month period, an SME may raise as much as

Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT

P10 million when its securities are offered and sold to any investor, and up to P50 million when offered and sold to qualified investors.

There are currently three crowdfunding intermediaries registered with the SEC, namely Investree Philippines, SeedIn Technology, Inc. and the Eastern Securities Development Corporation (Round One).

“The Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has caused many financial problems for a lot of MSMEs around the country. We at the SEC hope to stem their financial woes by providing possible solutions to these enterprises, particularly

SEC/PAGE 7 growth of 42.1 percent recorded in January, coming from a year-on-year robust growth performance in 2022, is a good development momentum for the auto industry as we start the year," CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said in a statement.

Sales of car passengers and commercial vehicles both registered double-digit growths in January.

Passenger car segment sold 7,506 units last month

-- 29.8 percent higher than the 5,784 units sold in January 2022.

Commercial vehicle sales also accelerated by 46.8 percent year-on-year to 21,993 units from 14,981 units.

Light commercial vehicles led the sales with 16,757 units sold last month followed by Asian utility vehicles with 4,587 unit sales.

Light trucks sold 370 units in the previous month, while trucks and buses categories IV and V sold 235 and 44 units, respectively.

"The auto industry is optimistic of its continued expansion from the demandside standpoint driven by the growing domestic consumer market. On the other hand, the supplyside challenge(s) are also an important factor that the industry is mindful of as this may hamper the industry growth," Gutierrez said. (PNA)