Singapore, France in Audiovisual Alliance

SINGAPORE, November 29:
Singapore has added to its long list of countries with which it has media
alliances, with the Media Development Authority (MDA) announcing a tie-up with
Canal France International (CFI).

The Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) serves to facilitate bilateral digital broadcasting
training collaborations and co-production projects. Proposed events to launch
the MOU next year include a digital broadcasting workshop to support the
collective effort of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries
to adopt a common digital TV broadcasting standard. In addition, the two groups
are looking to launch a co-production networking session to bring together TV,
film and animation producers from Singapore and France.

Dr. Christopher Chia, the
CEO of the MDA, said: “In the last couple of years, Singapore’s media industry
has made inroads into the global market, with a slate of co-productions with
notable partners. The MOU will spur greater industry collaborations between
Singapore and France, which will help both countries to develop their
international networks, and create more growth opportunities for Singapore
media enterprises. In addition, CFI has immense expertise in digital
broadcasting, which is an area that Singapore is championing. It will be
exciting to see how we can partner with CFI to advance developments in digital
broadcasting.”

Jean Mino, the managing
director of CFI, added: “I’m certain this agreement will bring more
understanding between Europe and Asia.
This MOU will help the development of both Asian and European television
industries that are facing the same kind of challenges in this new digital
world.”

—By Mansha Daswani