PETALING JAYA: Sustainable investments, boosting alternative financing for small businesses and investors’ education are the key focus areas of the Securities Commission’s (SC) three-day series of events in Sarawak, which kicked off on Saturday.
In a statement, SC said the centre-stage was the investor education fair, “Bersama InvestSmart Sarawak 2022”, which is targeted at retail investors with financial knowledge to assist them in making informed investing decisions.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the two-day education fair, which was also attended by senior state leaders and captains of the financial industry.
With the theme “Silap Labur Duit Lebur”, the event featured 28 exhibitors including Bank Negara, Bursa Malaysia, Securities Industry Dispute Resolution Centre, Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia, Private Pension Administrator Malaysia, SME Corp Malaysia and SME Bank.
Since its inception in 2014, InvestSmart has engaged almost two million people via various platforms through seminars, roadshows and community engagements as well as digital channels, said SC.
According to SC chairman Datuk Seri Awang Adek Hussin, resource-rich Sarawak is in a strong position to help drive the sustainability agenda.
“Sarawak is a land of great abundance and it holds immense promise,” he said at the launch of Bersama InvestSmart Sarawak.
“Well-endowed naturally, Sarawak has significant comparative advantage to be in this space, including in renewable energy and carbon market,” he added.
Today, the SC is also organising a forum to promote sustainable and responsible investment and financing. The forum will discuss how state agencies and businesses in Sarawak can tap into the sustainability sukuk and bond markets to address environmental, social and governance aspects.
The forum is part of the “NaviGate Capital Market Green Financing Series”, the SC’s flagship programme established to create awareness on connectivity between the capital market and companies seeking funding avenues for their sustainability initiatives.
A special panel session on “Alternative Financing for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)” will also be held to educate MSMEs on the various options of alternative and sustainable financing.
The options include equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer financing to help fund and grow their businesses.
