SINGAPORE--(Marketwired - Sep 2, 2016) - Upon the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Singapore, a delegation of Singapore's leading companies from the creative and entertainment industry, including representatives of Aurora Media Holdings, Southeast Asian Audio-Visual Association (SAAVA), Silver Media Group, Kong's International Pte Ltd and That's Pte Ltd visited Almaty, the largest city of Kazakhstan, last week.
Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, sharing borders with Russia, China, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, political stability and the country's wealth of oil and mineral deposits have spurred the largest economy in Central Asia to achieve rapid growth. Looking beyond an economy dominated by fossil fuels, mining and agriculture, the nation invests heavily in infrastructural development, and growing new industry sectors.
The purpose of the business mission was to establish contacts between the creative industries of both countries. The Singapore delegation held a series of productive meetings with Kazakh filmmakers, and creative and entertainment business representatives. The delegation also visited some scenic locations around Almaty and possible venues to organize music and entertainment events.
The Kazakh film industry had its origins in the production of documentaries in the 1930s for Soviet propaganda. Over the last few decades, it has grown new generations of filmmakers that have received accolades from prestigious festivals worldwide. The Singapore delegation is excited about the incredible opportunities for collaboration between Kazakhstan and Southeast Asia. Not only does Kazakhstan have amazing filming locales and talents, the country can also be the gateway to film industries of Central Asia and Russia.
SAAVA has initiated the development of film and television co-productions, as well as opening up multi-lateral distribution channels for media content. SAAVA and Aurora Media will be providing expertise to help develop the film and media investment industry in Kazakhstan, including establishing a new private global media fund in Kazakhstan and the management of media investment portfolios.
JSC "Kazakhfilm" Studio, a state owned enterprise and the leading production company in Kazakhstan, expressed its willingness and readiness to deploy its resources to create mutually beneficial co-productions with the Singapore partners, while Aurora Media Holdings has initiated plans to co-produce and co-finance a slate of feature films with partners in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstani representatives underlined that they are excited to create mutually beneficial co-productions with Singapore partners. This collaboration gives an opportunity to leverage Singapore's strength as a trade and media hub to bring the best of Kazakh content into the world market. Kazakh filmmakers look forward to the exchange of skills that can be gained, and creation of a platform that can propel her new generation of creative professionals to greater heights.