Once upon a time in Singapore…

Digital Media Industry in Singapore…

The Media Development Authority (MDA) has been created to focus on and develop the media industry, putting Singapore at the forefront of the media age.

The raison d’etre of the MDA is to develop Singapore into a vibrant global city so as to foster a creative economy and connected society.

The MDA’s vision is captured in the Media 21 blueprint to develop Singapore into a global media city.

The five strategic thrusts of MDA are to:

1. develop a state-of-the-art media city
2. position Singapore as a media exchange
3. export made-by-Singapore content
4. augment the media talent pool
5. foster a conducive regulatory environment and culture

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Once upon a time in Singapore…

Digital storytelling is adding character to the city’s exports

by Chan Sue Ling, International Herald Tribune published on Thursday, 2 March 2006

SINGAPORE: The government of Singapore plans to spend 1 billion Singapore dollars, or $618 million, in the next decade to build a digital media industry. The spending will include tax incentives and grants to attract companies to invest, according to the government’s Economic Development Board.

Lucasfilm, the production company owned by George Lucas, chose Singapore for its first overseas animation studio, which opened in October.

The city of 4.3 million people is pouring money into industries like media, biotechnology and casinos to create new sources of growth. Some electronics companies, like National Semiconductor, which have led Singapore’s 5 percent annual growth in the past decade, are moving jobs to China.

Singapore hopes that by 2018, the digital media industry will generate 10 billion dollars a year, or 5.2 percent of last year’s gross domestic product, a government minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said at the December opening of the Electronic Arts studio. Digital media includes video game and cartoon animation as well as special effects…

Romancing Singapore

Romance is alive in the heartlands. Some time ago, posted all over my housing estate was this notice:

Hi, I’m looking frantically 4 U. U were wearing jeans and grey top at Elva Concert, sitting in block 106 row S seat 9. I am smitten by your sunshine smile. I passed U something tat day, remember? Hope to make friends with you, who left a deep impression on me tat nite.

I wonder if the romantic won his damsel?