Oktobor Means Business In Singapore

Oktobor Means Business In Singapore
GM Patrick McAteer presents to industry leaders at NZ Business Forum

AUCKLAND, 19 May 2009 – 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.

NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully gave the keynote speech at the forum and met with senior Singaporean Ministers. “Singapore is an important bilateral and regional partner for New Zealand,” Mr McCully said.

“There are excellent opportunities for partnerships between New Zealand business innovation and Singaporean capital, and while Singapore has felt the effects of the financial crisis like everyone else, it has sound economic fundamentals, and is well positioned to quickly recover.”

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 and development hub Biopolis, according to McAteer the event exceeded all expectations. He added, “There was a real unifying of business opportunities between New Zealand and Singaporean companies. I mean real business opportunities rather than just lip service. As a result New Zealand creative and IT Innovation companies will see an escalation in solid business opportunities and that’s just the beginning.”

At the forum McAteer spoke of the trends that are shaping the creative and IT industries in New Zealand including the challenged economy; connected, in-control consumers; a drive for lower costs; the disruption of traditional media channels and the expansion of global competition.

He continued, “New Zealand and Singapore share many common ideas and ideals. It’s a fact that the internet will overtake television as the main communication medium by 2010. This was a fact recognized by the attendees and one highlighted by the Australian government’s recent decision to spend over AUD$52 billion on a national broadband network. This knowledge brings great opportunities. Creative and brand continuity will be even more critical in the near future and beyond. The traditional position of post production is being challenged driving deeper collaboration and greater creative convergence. These were key messages communicated and debated at what was a truly first class event. The outcome of which looks extremely promising for the business side of the strong NZ/Singapore bilateral relationship. I’m delighted to have been able to take part in such a prestigious and worthwhile event.”

Patrick McAteer’s NZ Business Forum presentation is available by request from Lucy Pearce at lpearce@oktobor.com

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