Bangkok--9 May--SET
President of Market for Alternative Investment (mai) Mr. Chanitr Charnchainarong disclosed that today (May 4, 2006) mai had co-signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Software Industry Promotion Agency (Public Organization) or SIPA, Thailand Animation and Computer Graphics Association (TACGA), and Bangkok ACM SIGGRAPH Association (BASA). The collaboration is aimed at driving Thailand’s animation and multimedia, or “digital-content” business, so that the country will become the “Hollywood of Asia” by 2009.
“We hope that our efforts will encourage young business people in vibrant and creative businesses like animation and multimedia to utilize the capital market more, as the industry is one of mai’s targets. We will support their capitalization and competitiveness enhancement”, the mai President said.
SIPA chair Ms. Kruawan Samana said that, “Through SIPA, the government has been supporting the industry for more than three years. We see a great deal of potential in the Thai digital-content industry, with one distinct advantage being our artistic talent. Therefore, aiming to become the Hollywood of Asia by 2009 should not be far from reality. Signing the MOU will be a good start for more materialized collaboration in the future.”
SIPA President Mr. Manoo Ordeedolchest added that, “The international market recognizes the potential of our local industry. SIPA has already signed agreements with our Hong Kong, Malaysian, and Korean counterparts to help us penetrate overseas markets. The signing of the MOU today is an important step in helping us to achieve that goal.”
TACGA President Mr. Lak Taechawanchai noted, “TACGA is founded on the readiness and hopes of the Thai digital-content industry. Our main goal is to rigorously drive the industry to grow, while eliminating obstacles for entrepreneurs. That’s why this MOU signing is taking place.”
BASA chair Mr. Santi Laohaburanakit said that, “Development needs collaboration from all parties. Most importantly, entrepreneurs have to realize that it is important to participate in activities. Today is the first step in our collective efforts to develop the industry. In addition, BASA will be pleased to provide academic support and liaise with overseas networking.”
The MOU signed by the four related organizations concerns the development of human resources in the Thai digital-content industry, distribution, exchange of information pertinent to the industry’s development, and financial support in the form of venture capital, co-production funding, or budgeting for local and overseas marketing. The MOU will last for three years from today through to 2009.
The four organizations will start their activities with a workshop to formulate development plans for the Thai digital-content industry on Wednesday May 10, 2006, from 8:30 — 17:00 hours, at Sofitel Central Plaza Hotel, Bangkok.
For more information, please contact the Corporate Communication Dept.:
Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Kulvida Jintakawong Tel: 0-2229-2037
Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797