http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/414815/1/.html
MDA to spend $250m to create 2,000 jobs
By Timothy Ouyang, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 12 March 2009 1621 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) is spending S$250 million to create and support some 2,000 jobs in the media industry this year.
The bulk of the spending will be used to stimulate a strong pipeline of high-value and exportable projects.
To this end, the MDA is calling for proposals for public service programmes and original TV concepts that can be distributed not just on television but via mobile and the Web as well.
It aims to support 2,380 hours of broadcast content this year - 200 hours more than last year.
MDA is also calling for proposals to help transform Singapore into a digital music hub.
MDA's chief information officer, Yeo Chun Cheng, said: "What we wanted to show to the industry is that the government will actually renew its effort. And in fact, we actually increased the amount of funding that we have traditionally made for media."
At its annual Media Business Forum on Thursday, MDA launched a "Future of Media" initiative that aims to establish strategic partner networks amongst local and international new media companies. This is to help grow the niche and emerging sector of the industry.
MDA will also continue to help media companies by matching their projects to S$1.3 billion worth of private media funds.
Mr Yeo said: "What MDA will try to do if you have a good proposal, (is that) we will act like a one-stop shop... If you have (the) right proposal, we will find you the right schemes that actually will help you support it. So, the money is there - they've just got to have the right projects."
MDA is also setting aside S$6 million to fund programmes to train and upgrade the skills of 6,000 media talents this year. This works out to S$10,000 per talent on average.
In addition, a new Media Training and Attachment programme will be set up to give local talents and media professionals global exposure and work opportunities. Some 150 talents are expected to benefit from attachments to local and overseas companies, which will be co-funded by MDA.
- CNA/ir
MDA to spend $250m to create 2,000 jobs
By Timothy Ouyang, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 12 March 2009 1621 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) is spending S$250 million to create and support some 2,000 jobs in the media industry this year.
The bulk of the spending will be used to stimulate a strong pipeline of high-value and exportable projects.
To this end, the MDA is calling for proposals for public service programmes and original TV concepts that can be distributed not just on television but via mobile and the Web as well.
It aims to support 2,380 hours of broadcast content this year - 200 hours more than last year.
MDA is also calling for proposals to help transform Singapore into a digital music hub.
MDA's chief information officer, Yeo Chun Cheng, said: "What we wanted to show to the industry is that the government will actually renew its effort. And in fact, we actually increased the amount of funding that we have traditionally made for media."
At its annual Media Business Forum on Thursday, MDA launched a "Future of Media" initiative that aims to establish strategic partner networks amongst local and international new media companies. This is to help grow the niche and emerging sector of the industry.
MDA will also continue to help media companies by matching their projects to S$1.3 billion worth of private media funds.
Mr Yeo said: "What MDA will try to do if you have a good proposal, (is that) we will act like a one-stop shop... If you have (the) right proposal, we will find you the right schemes that actually will help you support it. So, the money is there - they've just got to have the right projects."
MDA is also setting aside S$6 million to fund programmes to train and upgrade the skills of 6,000 media talents this year. This works out to S$10,000 per talent on average.
In addition, a new Media Training and Attachment programme will be set up to give local talents and media professionals global exposure and work opportunities. Some 150 talents are expected to benefit from attachments to local and overseas companies, which will be co-funded by MDA.
- CNA/ir
