New Zealand Business Forum 2009: Building Bridges Through Creativity

Singapore, April 22 - Some of New Zealand’s most noted creative companies today presented their views on some of the thriving partnerships already in existence with Singapore and future opportunities for collaboration during a series of presentations and a panel discussion at this year’s New Zealand Business Forum at the Matrix building in Biopolis.

Illustrating the theme of collaboration for this year’s forum, the panel discussion coincided with the announcement that several New Zealand companies today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore’s Exploit Technologies, thus becoming one of the first partners for the newly launched International Incubation Initiative or Icube. The initiative will serve to enhance and accelerate the opportunities for startups that need international business linkages between New Zealand and Singapore.

The presentation and subsequent panel discussion featured Patrick McAteer, Managing Director of Oktobor, a leading New Zealand digital effects company and Robert Skinner, Chief Market Development Office for eBUS in Asia, which provides web based content management and delivery solutions for the advertising and media industries.

“Creativity knows no barriers and the strong collaboration we are witnessing between New Zealand and Singapore is proof of that,” High Commissioner Martin Harvey said. “New Zealand boasts a dramatic landscape; this, coupled with our unique blend of culture and history, serves a catalyst for creativity and inspiration. Singapore indeed shares this tradition and it is no surprise that our two nations have been collaborating on various creative projects for years, one example being the co-production agreement we signed back in 2004 to increase creative exchange in film, television and other media. Today’s forum highlights how this long running relationship is still a vibrant one and we look forward to future projects and the creativity to come.”

Adding to the High Commissioner’s comments today on the strengthened partnership between New Zealand and Singapore’s creative sector, Mr Benny Goodman, Investment manager SSEA, cited Icube’s implications for both countries, “Investment New Zealand was very pleased to have the opportunity to host A*STAR, Exploit Technologies, on a recent visit to New Zealand. The trip allowed numerous New Zealand companies to demonstrate the excellence they have achieved in their respective field of science and technology while helping to advance opportunities for collaboration in the process of commercialising this technology into the global marketplace. We look forward to a strong relationship with the A*STAR Group, which we believe will provide significant opportunities to New Zealand companies in developing this important industry sector.”

About Oktobor

Oktobor is a world-class visual effects and animation studio, which has provided creative and innovative content for film, television commercials and digital media since 1999. The company offers a full range of visual effects production services from animation to final colour grade and digital media.

For more information, please visit http://www.oktobor.com/#/home/

About eBUS

eBUS provides a dependable and efficient broadcast-quality solution to manage TVC distribution, online approvals, and archiving, already in use by agencies, clients, broadcasters and postproduction houses in Australasia. Delivery through eBUS is proven to increase reliability, reduce delivery and approval times, and improve control and transparency over the process for all parties involved.

For more information, please visit http://www.ebus.tv/

About New Zealand Trade & Enterprise

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is the New Zealand government’s primary agency for stimulating economic and export related growth. The New Zealand Health IT Cluster engages directly with NZTE who has a representative on the Cluster’s Executive Management Board.

NZTE assisted the Cluster with infrastructure funding through its Growth Services – Technology Collaboration Fund. NZTE has contributed funding towards The Microsoft Collaborative Health Showcase Cluster project, which has showcased New Zealand Health IT talent around the world.

Contact:

Claire Benson
Marketing and Communications Manager, South/South East Asia
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

391A Orchard Road
#15-02 Ngee Ann City, Tower A
Singapore 238873
Ph: +65 6733 6889
H/P: +65 9721 5336

New Zealand in South East Asia press centre - http://www.newzealandinsoutheastasia.com/category/creative/

PRESS CONTACT Claire Benson
Ph: +65 6733 6889
H/P: +65 9721 5336