Oktobor means business in Singapore
Award winning visual effects and animation studio Oktobor today gave details of the recent New Zealand Business Forum held in Singapore to promote trade between the two countries.
The Business Forum showcased seven of New Zealand’s leading companies working in biotechnology, the creative sector, and ‘green’ technologies. Oktobor General Manager Patrick McAteer was chosen to represent New Zealand’s creative, IT and innovation industries. Hand picked for the forum by the New Zealand government after a rigorous selection process he said, “The forum was a great success. Presenting to over 300 top Singaporean business leaders, the potential between our creative and IT sectors was immediately evident. There is a very clear fit between the two.”
Held at Singapore’s landmark biomedical science research anddevelopment hub Biopolis, according to McAteer the event exceeded allexpectations. He added, “There was a real unifying of businessopportunities between New Zealand and Singaporean companies. I meanreal business opportunities rather than just lip service. As a resultNew Zealand creative and IT Innovation companies will see an escalationin solid business opportunities and that’s just the beginning.”
At the forum McAteer spoke of the trends that are shaping the creativeand IT industries in New Zealand including the challenged economy;connected, in-control consumers; a drive for lower costs; thedisruption of traditional media channels and the expansion of globalcompetition.
He continued, “New Zealand and Singapore share many common ideas andideals. It’s a fact that the internet will overtake television as themain communication medium by 2010. This was a fact recognized by theattendees and one highlighted by the Australian government’s recentdecision to spend over AUD$52 billion on a national broadband network.This knowledge brings great opportunities. Creative and brandcontinuity will be even more critical in the near future and beyond.The traditional position of post production is being challenged drivingdeeper collaboration and greater creative convergence. These were keymessages communicated and debated at what was a truly first classevent. The outcome of which looks extremely promising for the businessside of the strong NZ/Singapore bilateral relationship. I’m delightedto have been able to take part in such a prestigious and worthwhileevent.”
NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully gave the keynote speech at the forumand met with senior Singaporean Ministers. “Singapore is an importantbilateral and regional partner for New Zealand,” McCully said.
“There are excellent opportunities for partnerships between New Zealandbusiness innovation and Singaporean capital, and while Singapore hasfelt the effects of the financial crisis like everyone else, it hassound economic fundamentals, and is well positioned to quickly recover.”
Patrick McAteer’s NZ Business Forum presentation is available by request from Lucy Pearce