Saladin is our gift to the people of the Middle East and Muslims
MSC Malaysia's Creative Multimedia Content Initiative (CMCI) sets to tap into a market worth an estimated US$644 billion and covering digital content for the education, entertainment, business, and health industries
Riyadh - Signaling its intentions to develop world class skills and competencies in the technology sector, Malaysia's Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) unveiled the latest developments in MSC Malaysia's Creative Multimedia Content Initiative (CMCI).
With a number of successes to its name, including the launching of the Saladin 3D animated television series and the building of the Malaysian Animation Creative Content Centre (MAC3) in Cyberjaya, MDeC, the driver of Malaysia's ICT development, is confident that the country can cater to a region which is looking for content which fits with its culture and history.
"We know that the Middle East, a region with a population of over 200 million people, has a hunger for Islamic digital content which has not been met by content producers from other parts of the world. What Malaysia can offer is multimedia solutions which are on a part with anything else from around the world, whilst also being in tune with the culture here and its traditions," said MDeC General Manager for Middle East Fairuzzudin Nasron.
MSC Malaysia has recently increased its efforts to help develop the local creative content industry through such initiatives as a new business matching programme to develop and promote local content. Begun last month, the business matching initiative saw 20 international buyers from the United States, China, South Korea and Belgium under the new MSC Malaysia Buyer Fly-in programme.
"Through this Buyer Fly-in programme we sold 400 million Dirhams in creative content sales," added Ghazali. "MDeC believes that Malaysia will be a hub for the creation of world class digital content, and that belief is shared by our international partners too."
A sign of Malaysia's progress in the digital content industry, Al Jazeera Children's Channel (JCC) and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) recently formalized their partnership in content development and distribution through an exchange of document during the 10th International Advisory Panel (IAP) Meeting in May.
The collaboration consists of a co-production and global marketing of the 26 episodes of Saladin 3D Animated Television Series, which is planned for broadcast on Al Jazeera Children's Channel in the last quarter of 2008.
"A key initiative to introduce Malaysia to the world of animation is the unveiling of the first world-class animation series produced by MDeC. The series, Saladin, is based on the epic story of the 12th century Kurdish warrior who united the Muslims during a turbulent era and conquered Jerusalem," added Ghazali.
To develop the industry's local talent, MDeC also plans to build a number of centres based in its Malaysian Animation Creative Content Centre (MAC3) across the country. Four new centres are planned for the first phase of the CMCI which will be linked to the main MAC3 centre in Cyberjaya via the country's KnowledgeGRID, enabling animators across the country to work on projects without having to be based in Cyberjaya.
"One of the key objectives of the CMCI is display the best that Malaysia has to offer, which is on a par with anything else in the world. Can we help develop the industry in this region as well? I certainly hope so, as this region is one which is looking to grow its own digital content industry over the coming years. As shown by Al Jazeera Children's Channel, it's a win-win partnership for Malaysia and for the Middle East," concluded Fairuzzudin.
The MSC Malaysia Saladin Project made waves internationally when it recently won the Tokyo Big Sight Award at the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2007 recently.
Saladin won the award for its excellence in 3-Dimensional Computer Generated Imagery (3D CGI), special visual effects and animation. The recognition as well as other accolade that Saladin has achieved the past year cement Malaysia's standing in the global creative industry - these successes prove that Malaysia can churn world-class animation productions as well as meet global demand for creative talents and competitively-priced animation facilities and human capital.
The judges found Saladin a worthy contender when they impressed that "The visual image is splendidly beautiful such as the underwater scene and depiction of the flame. It is a very impressive piece with mysterious charm that entices the audience. The degree of perfection is high and people of all generation can enjoy it."
Fairuzzudin said the award was testimony that the Saladin project and local talents had the capability and technical know-how to produce animation that could compete with the world's best.
"Malaysia certainly has the knowledge, creativity and technology to produce high quality animation to cater for global market. It shows that we possess world class animators who have the ability to undertake high-quality work, on par with that of international players," he said.
The Tokyo win was the second of such accolades for Saladin. Last year, it won the award for best technology pitch at the Seoul International Cartoon and Animation festival (SICAF).
MSC Malaysia creative content companies have been involved in the production of several Disney channel animation series and Canadian co-productions. In MIPCOM Junior 2006, a Malaysian trailer was the only Asian entry listed on the top 30 most requested titles.
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About MSC Malaysia (www.msc.com.my)
MSC Malaysia is a national initiative spearheaded by the Malaysian Government to promote both the national ICT industry and provide a test-bed for the global ICT industry. MSC Malaysia provides a conducive enabling environment designed to facilitate companies to harness the full potential of ICT and multimedia technologies. With its ideal business environment coupled with the availability of talent resources, the MSC Malaysia has attracted participation from major global ICT companies to develop and host their leading-edge technologies in the designated MSC Malaysia Cybercities. MSC Malaysia also provides the ideal growth environment for Malaysian ICT SMEs to transform themselves into world-class companies.
Come explore the unlimited opportunities of the ICT world by locating in MSC Malaysia and be part of our global network of businesses and connected communities.
About Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) is a unique high powered government-owned corporation, established to facilitate the development and promotion of MSC Malaysia, the premier Malaysian ICT initiative. MDeC is tasked to advise the Malaysian Government on ICT legislation and policies, develop MSC Malaysia as a key growth driver of the economy and set breakthrough standards for ICT and multimedia operations. MDeC also promotes MSC Malaysia locally and globally, as well as supports companies which are located within the MSC Malaysia designated areas.
MDeC works closely with various parties and government agencies to ensure that MSC Malaysia offers a conducive enabling environment for companies to harness the full potential of ICT and multimedia technologies.
For more information, please contact:
Abdurrahman Al- Robie
Protocol - Saudi Arabia
Mob: + 966 55 9164081
Office : + 966 1 460 96 66 Ext. 225
Fax : + 966 1 460 29 26
EMail : arh@protocol-sa.com
Website: www.protocol-sa.com
© Press Release 2007
