Malaysia Sees Buoyant Growth In Content Industry, Says Finas

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's content industry sees buoyant growth with more Malaysian companies participating at the Asia Television Forum 2011 (ATF 2011) here. In stating this, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairman Md Afendi Hamdan said: "Now we have 63 companies participating in this event compared to only 23 previously. "So there is a jump of over 100 per cent. It is a very good sign of our growth in our content industry. I think we received very good response from local partners and producers as they see this (ATF) as an oportunity," he told Bernama on the sidelines of ATF 2011 here Wednesday. The Malaysian companies are among the 3,500 participants from 53 countries taking part in the three-day forum beginning Wednesday at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands (MBS) here. ATF is dubbed as the region's leading entertainment content market for the TV industry. The companies will showcase the latest programmes as they network, sign deals and establish collaborations that will stimulate industry growth in the region. The event was graced by Singapore Senior Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts & Environment and Water Resorces, Grace Fu. Md Afendi said although Malaysian companies have participated in ATF six times before, this was his first attendance as Finas chairman. He said the participating companies include those in animation, documentaries and feature films as well as TV stations like Media Prima and Astro. A special feature of the Malaysian participation at ATF is the Spotlight on Malaysia, held in collaboration with Finas. On the way forward for the local content industry, Md Afendi said the government is very serious about giving more funding and grants to good producers who can produce good quality content. "This is a good effort by the government because the Malaysian government sees how the Koreans benefit from this. "I was told by one of the Koreans just now the export of content from Korea now exceeds Hyundai, the motor industry, so we believe in that," he said, adding that Korean contents (including drama) have got good response from Malaysian viewers. -- BERNAMA