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Skipton International freshens up interest rates for offshore savings accounts

Both Easy Access and Variable products see rate increases for minimum GBP25,000 deposit

GUERNSEY, UK – Media OutReach – 19 October 2022 – Skipton International, the award-winning Guernsey-licensed bank with customers in over 100 countries worldwide, has announced an interest rate increase for its Personal Access and Variable product offshore savings accounts. A minimum opening balance of GBP25,000 is required for new customers. Skipton International (Skipton) Personal Access accounts allow funds to be withdrawn without notice, whereas Variable means interest rates may change. The current Fixed Notice accounts remain, with the highest paying a competitive rate of 4.00% annual equivalent rate (maturing in 31 October 2024).

Available immediately, the new rates are:

SKIPTON INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTS

INTEREST RATE %

WITHDRAWAL NOTICE

Fixed Rate Bond, Maturing 31 October 2024

4.00%

Not Applicable

Fixed Rate Bond, Maturing 15 March 2024

3.50%

Not Applicable

Fixed Rate Bond, Maturing 15 September 2023 – Issue 2

3.25%

Not Applicable

Personal Saver Account 200

2.60%

200 days’ notice

Personal Saver Account 120

2.30%

120 days’ notice

Personal Saver Account 40

2.00%

40 days’ notice

Personal Access Account

1.75%

None

Full details can be found here.

Commenting on the increased rates, Aaron Walden, Senior Commercial Manager at Skipton International, said:

“These increased savings interest rates give new and existing Skipton customers a competitive return on their savings during market and currency rate volatility. A sterling offshore account enables customers to diversify their investment portfolios, leverage opportunities in the UK market, and access opportunities not available through their domestic bank accounts.”

Offshore banking has become increasingly popular over the years because it offers protection from currency exchange volatility, economic uncertainty, and taxation.

“There are many practical reasons for opening an offshore bank account. For example, UK universities attract international students and tuition, accommodation and any living expenses incurred have to be made in pounds sterling. An offshore bank account means that payments can be made in sterling rather than having to convert funds and risk exchange rate fluctuations and fees,” added Walden.

For over 20 years, Skipton International has served both British expatriates and non-UK citizens worldwide. Apart from offering offshore savings accounts, Skipton is a market leader in buy-to-let mortgages, giving investors the opportunity to own and rent out a UK property, gaining an additional revenue stream. In this case, an offshore bank account can fund the repayments, legal, management and other fees.

According to Skipton’s 2021 Buy-To-Let mortgage charts, London’s Canary Wharf, Poplar and Limehouse region were the most popular for rental, followed by SW11 (Wandsworth) and W3 (Acton). Please see here for popular postcodes in London for rental properties.

Skipton International is licensed under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, as amended, and a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme offering protection for ‘qualifying deposits’ up to GBP50,000, subject to certain limitations.

More Information and Account Opening

For more information about opening a Skipton International offshore bank account or buy-to-let mortgages, please visit www.skiptoninternational.com

Hashtag: #SkiptonInternational

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Skipton International

Headquartered in Guernsey, Skipton International is a bank wholly owned by Skipton Building Society, the fourth largest building society in the UK. We are a leading offshore bank and winner of multiple awards, including the Moneyfacts best mortgage provider and named as Guernsey Business Of The Year at the Guernsey Awards for Achievement.

Our aim is to help customers achieve their property owning and savings goals, by offering quality products and excellent customer service.

De Beers’ New Survey Reveals Latest Wedding Dreams of Hong Kong Bride Wannabes

Engagement Rings Remain the Most Valued Wedding Detail Despite Post-Pandemic Attitude Changes

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 19 October 2022 – At a time when many aspects of life have been reshaped by the aftermath of COVID-19, women in Hong Kong are also reconsidering their wishes and priorities for the biggest day of their lives. However, despite new ideas about how to plan and structure their weddings, they continue to consider a true “proposal” to be paramount, including a sparkling diamond engagement ring, according to the latest online pre-bridal survey conducted by Nielsen.

Caption

Engagement rings remain the most valued wedding detail.

With close to 900 female respondents, the survey reveals the latest engagement and wedding expectations among younger generations in Hong Kong. The findings show that given the social distancing measures in place, weddings have been scaled down in size to become more intimate events. More than half (55%) of the women surveyed prefer a simple and casual wedding, up 24% from the pre-pandemic period. This is followed by a “witness to witness” wedding (27%) and a travel wedding (25%). Fairytale weddings (14%) and traditional Chinese-style weddings (10%) have become far less popular choices.

The Proposal Remains Precious

While the form of a dream wedding may have changed, almost all (88%) respondents agree that staging a proposal is of critical importance to them, and here again, the concept of intimacy is highlighted. Three in four respondents would like the proposal to take place privately, and over half (53%) enjoy a moment of “just the two of us.” A grand showcase in an open environment is no longer the way to win the heart.

An Engagement Ring Remains a “Must-Have”

The survey indicates that the vast majority (81%) of respondents see engagement rings as the most important detail of all, a statistic that remains unchanged from the pre-pandemic level. This ritual is followed in importance by pre-wedding photos (70%) and wedding dresses (54%). On the other hand, pre-wedding bridal showers, wedding banquets and honeymoons have become less important.

When it comes to the selection of the engagement ring, nearly all (94%) women express a strong desire to be involved in handpicking the right ring. Top considerations when selecting the engagement ring include the conventional 4Cs (colour, clarity, carat and cut) (75%), and natural diamonds are preferred by most respondents (62%). Nearly half of modern brides-to-be (47%) are also thinking about the origin or certificate of their diamonds, wishing to be confident that their precious diamonds come from ethical sources. As we have seen across different surveys globally, it is the youngest respondents (18-24) leading the charge in prioritizing the origin of their diamonds.

Methodology

Commissioned by De Beers Group, the pre-bridal Survey was conducted by Nielsen in July 2022 through a number of selected social media channels, with a total of 888 female respondents, age 18-44. Most of the participants (72%) were either engaged or in a serious relationship. The design and data analysis of the survey were engineered by Nielsen.

Hashtag: #DeBeers #diamondengagementrings #diamondweddingrings #naturaldiamonds #debeersforevermark

About De Beers

Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers strategy as it develops its portfolio of brands, including De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as recently launched diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers employees are committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – one that is fairer, safer, cleaner and healthier; where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; and where communities thrive and the environment is protected. De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit .

About Nielsen

Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global measurement and data analytics company that provides the most complete and trusted view available of consumers and markets worldwide. Nielsen is divided into two business units. Nielsen Global Media, the arbiter of truth for media markets, provides media and advertising industries with unbiased and reliable metrics that create a shared understanding of the industry required for markets to function. Nielsen Global Connect provides consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers with accurate, actionable information and insights and a complete picture of the complex and changing marketplace that companies need to innovate and grow.

Our approach marries proprietary Nielsen data with other data sources to help clients around the world understand what’s happening now, what’s happening next, and how to best act on this knowledge.

An S&P 500 company, Nielsen has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world’s population. For more information, visit .

Winning Malaysian Loyalty on E-Commerce

Brands on Shopee Mall Drive Loyalty with 100% Authenticity; Marketplace Sellers Retain Shoppers with Personalisation

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 19 October 2022 – Shopee reveals what drives Malaysian consumer loyalty to their favourite brands online in its October 2022 study ‘Winning Malaysian Loyalty on E-Commerce’*. For official brands with storefronts on Shopee Mall, repeat purchases are driven by value-added services and guarantees. 87% of Malaysians surveyed prefer Shopee Mall official brands due to 100% guaranteed authentic products, hassle-free returns, and free shipping. The remaining 13% feel rewarded by exclusive product launches and Shopee Brand Memberships.

Caption

For all other sellers across the platform, 5 in 10 shoppers repeatedly return to their favourite stores for more than 4 years due to in-app personalization and engaging recommendations. These respondents equated personalised engagements with: 25% loved product recommendations and bundles that fit their needs, 14% trusted in safe and secure packaging, 8% timely chat responses, and 4% personal gift surprises. On the other hand, 49% preferred being rewarded with vouchers and discounts over personalisation.

Kenneth Soh, Head of Marketing Campaigns at Shopee Malaysia said, “It’s encouraging for brands to know that Malaysian consumers are very discerning online and will be loyal to brands that can be trusted. When faced with two similar sellers, 6 in 10 customers still choose official Shopee Mall brands because Shopee ensures users receive twice their money back if the products purchased on Shopee Mall are not authentic. Shopee Mall is trusted by over 4,500 partner brands in Malaysia and many of whom are integrating their offerings and campaigns with us to better serve their customers.”

“We are pleased to see many sellers driving more engagement with higher levels of customer service, winning customer loyalty as a result. We aim to innovate new in-app features that will provide extra added value for all users and a better buying-and-selling experience on Shopee,” Soh added.

When not shopping online, survey respondents indicate that the primary driver of continued in-app engagement is discovering new interests on the platform; 42% surveyed enjoy exploring new products and trends. 36% play games, 14% participate in lucky draws. The remainder watch Shopee Live for entertainment or make donations to their favourite NGOs.

According to the study, Malaysian shoppers do not only purchase the things they need and love from brands they are loyal to, they want to be entertained, connect with others, be inspired, and do so with an ease of mind. It is no surprise therefore that 60% of long-time sellers on the platform (over 5 years) build positive relationships with customers on Shopee through a combination of timely seller support features, market-researched offerings and affiliate networks. For example, 14% use Shopee Chat to cultivate and nurture deeper, more trusting relationships. Since 2019, Shopee Live has also seen sellers launch streams to demonstrate products, answer buyer questions, and get real-time feedback from shoppers.

‘Winning Malaysian Loyalty on E-Commerce’ is part of Shopee’s thought leadership series of year-end consumer and seller trends during big e-commerce campaigns. These data-driven insights allow business owners and brands to retain and reward loyal shoppers online.

Notes to Editor

  1. Survey Methodology*
    The 2022 “Winning Malaysian Loyalty on E-Commerce” survey was conducted by Shopee Marketplace, between 19 July to 17 August 2022. The biggest marketplace study to date obtained voluntary feedback from over 5,000 Malaysian buyers and sellers.

Hashtag: #Shopee

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalise and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services, and uplifting local communities.

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena and SeaMoney.

Having obtained a Singapore asset management license, Victory Securities is actively expanding its global wealth management business

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 19 October 2022 – On 10 October 2022, Victory Nest Asset Management Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Victory Securities, obtained the asset management license issued by MAS, the financial regulatory body of the Singapore Government. It is a new chapter of Victory Securities’ expansion in global wealth management.

Victory Global Asset Management Services can now provide customized wealth inheritance and asset management solutions for middle and high net worth individuals and families through its Singapore company. Victory Securities has years of experience in wealth management, trust services, real estate investment and corporate services. With the competitive advantages brought by its Singapore company and cooperation with local banks, it enabled Victory Securities to discover regional investment opportunities and provide professional wealth management services tailored to a wide range of customer needs.

Adam Zhou, a spokesperson for Victory Nest Asset Management Pte. Ltd., said, “To help customers manage family wealth inheritance, integrate assets and transfer risks, we provide them with highly customizable services, including global asset allocation, real estate investment, high-end insurance, family trust arrangements and tax planning, all for a brighter future for customers.

Data show that Victory Securities’ Asset Under Management (AUM) has grown every year, with a growth rate of over 41% in a period of four years. On the growth trend, Zhou commented, “Under the premise of controlling risks and rate of return, our investment and research team keeps abreast of market trends and dynamically adjusts clients’ investment portfolio to take advantage of market opportunities.

Recently, “The Deloitte International Wealth Management Centre Ranking 2018” listed the competitive advantages and disadvantages of the asset management and wealth management industries in major financial centers around the world. There are four competitiveness indicators, namely the business environment (hardware facilities, the attractiveness of tourist destination, capital markets, the center of the fintech industry ), operational capability (human capital, quality of wealth management services, efficiency of wealth management institutions, maturity of digital capabilities), stability (stability of monetary policy, stability of the financial system, political stability), and taxation and regulation (protection of clients’ capital rights). Based on the four indicators above, Victory Securities compares wealth management services in Singapore and Hong Kong for investors’ reference.

Under the development blueprint of “The Belt and Road Initiative” by the mainland China, Hong Kong will continue to function as a financial center, capital management platform, risk management center and service provider for the offshore renminbi market. Major medium to large financial institutions have a branch in Hong Kong. Adam Zhou, the spokesperson for Victory Singapore Asset Management Company, said: “Thanks to the rapid economic development, there are lots of high-net-worth individuals in the mainland China. After the completion of the Greater Bay Area bridge, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau are well connected, with a total population of 70 million and a total GDP of 1.5 trillion US dollars. Boasting an excellent environment and infrastructure for the development of new fintech companies, attractive financial platform, green finance and other investment projects, Hong Kong plays an important role in the global IPO market.

On the other hand, Singapore ranks third in the world in foreign exchange trading volume. The Singapore government is encouraging financial institutions to make use of Application Programming Interface (API) so as to increase connectivity and financial technology innovation. Adam Zhou explained with a few more examples, “To work with financial institutions in the development of general tools, such as electronic payment, digital ID cards and electronic KYC (know-your-client) authentication. Singapore is also investing in R&D on developing new solutions, including providing solutions based on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) or blockchain technology for cross-bank payments and accounts receivable financing.

Tax rates and foreign exchange systems in Hong Kong and Singapore

Hong Kong Singapore
Tax rate A low-tax environment: business income tax rate at 16.5%. Imputation tax system: dividends paid to shareholders are not taxable, and capital tax and business tax are not levied. A low-tax environment: business income tax rate at 17%. Imputation tax system: dividends paid to shareholders are not taxable, capital tax is not levied, and GST (goods and service tax) is at 7%.
Foreign exchange No foreign exchange controls. Total freedom of inward and outward remittance of funds. No strict controls over inward and outward remittance of funds.
Exchange rate A linked exchange rate system: the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar at an exchange rate between 7.75 and 7.85 Hong Kong dollars to 1 US dollar. A floating exchange rate system: no strict controls over foreign exchange and capital influx or outflux

For more information about the investment opportunities in global stock markets, please visit Victory Securities’ website at www.victorysec.com.hk.

Disclaimer

This content should not be regarded as a basis for an offer, solicitation, an invitation, recommendation to buy or sell any investment product or investment decision, nor should it be construed as professional advice. Investment involves risks. Before making any investment decisions, investors should fully understand the risks and the characteristics and consequences of relevant laws, taxation and accounting, and decide whether it is suitable for their personal financial situation and investment objectives based on their personal position, and whether they can bear the relevant risks. Professional advice should be sought if necessary.

Hashtag: #VictorySecurities

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

BIB Meta NFT star card auction launches, and the Web3 ecology of the world’s first centralized exchange is opening

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 19 October 2022 – BIB Meta’s ecological development is extremely swift. With the end of the test network activity, BIB Meta NFT star card auction will open at 14:00 (UTC+8) on October 24th. The auction target is 10 three-star S-class star cards, which are divided into three rounds.

BIMETA Star Card NFT is an NFT issued by BIMETA, the world’s first exchange Web3 Ecology, in combination with 160 selected stars of the 2022 World Cup. It issues public chain BSC with the agreement type ERC721A, and the royalty is set at 7.5%. Stars are divided into four grades: S, A, B and C, which contain 10, 30, 50 and 70 players respectively. Each star will issue 150 1-star star cards. The total number of cards is 24,010 (including 10 S-class star cards for auction). The card is cast in the form of destroying BIB Token, and its platform income such as transaction royalties will be made public on the chain and given back to community users. NFT has different stars and rarity, which is both artistic and collectible.

Taking platform currency BIB as value support, leading global NFT value innovation

BIB Meta Star Card NFT is the first NFT in the world to use exchange platform tokens as value support. Users can use BIB Mint NFT to participate in various games within BIB Meta ecosystem. The combination of BIB and BIB Meta Web3 ecology gives NFT more value than itself and provides liquidity for NFT. Therefore, the BIB token can be regarded as the second-class token of the star card NFT. In addition, the innovation of BIB Meta NFT is mainly reflected in the following three points:

1. Synthetic Rising Star: Five NFT cards with the same star and rating can be synthesized into a rising star. The higher the star and rating, the higher the value.

2. Pledge NFT, mining BIB: As one of the innovative values of NFT, the higher the star level and rating, the higher the weight of pledged mining income;

3. Community nodes: The most comprehensive and important core function of BIB Meta. Users can pledge Samsung or four-star NFT star cards, and entrust a certain amount of BIB Token as the node start-up fund to create community nodes and enhance the mining weight. The top 30 BIB nodes entrusted by users and other community nodes automatically become super nodes, and super nodes are the biggest beneficiaries in the BIB Meta ecosystem.

It is worth mentioning that BIB Meta NFT, as a node voucher, can establish an innovative model of community nodes. It is a set of tools established by BIB Meta for KOL and community influencers to maintain fans and traffic. Through the platform token BIB mining, the interests of KOL and fans are closely combined through platform tokens.

The auction of ecological NFT, which will open on October 24th, is the first opportunity for users to take advantage of the BIB Meta ecology. Seizing the NFT star card auctioned means that users can get the first mover advantage in this ecology. Users can pledge NFT first, synthesize higher-star NFT, get the proceeds from pledge mining, and become a node to get dividends.

Participate in NFT auction, seize the deposit, and create community nodes in advance

In the upcoming NFT auction, the official will launch 10 3-star S-level star cards. Users who obtain NFT star card through auction can directly sell or pledge NFT to seize the advantage of the first mine.

As the income of pledge mining depends on the weight of NFT in the total pledge NFT, at the beginning of the auction, the pre-sale and public sale have not yet started, and the income of the first mine is considerable.

Meanwhile, three-star S-level NFT holders can create community nodes in advance and absorb BIB entrustment from users and other community nodes. Because it is difficult to synthesize high-star and high-rarity NFT in the early stage, the probability of auction holders becoming super nodes is relatively high.

More ecological layout

In addition to the above ecological functions, BIB Meta also designed a series of GameFi around NFT. For example, the decentralized tournament quiz in conjunction with the World Cup, the “penalty contest” game, and the team competition based on different nodes composed of NFT.

In the future, BIB Meta will derive BIB Meta Dao system, and cooperate with BIB exchange to vote for money and build community ecology; Moreover, NFT MetaFi system will be introduced to make NFT and NFT community nodes produce ecological effects in NFT lending, GameFi and other fields through BIB Token.

Hashtag: #BIBMeta

Singapore content celebrated at MIPCOM 2022 with first look at highly-anticipated upcoming regional co-productions

CANNES, FRANCE – Media OutReach – 19 October 2022 – International commissioners and producers were treated to a first look of an exciting slate of upcoming regional co-productions from Singapore. Responding to a global demand for Asian content, the successful outing co-led by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Association of Independent Producers (AIPRO) marks Singapore’s 22nd expedition to MIPCOM.

The delegation of 17 Singapore media companies showcased uniquely Asian perspectives to a global audience through upcoming regional co-productions. Presenting over 460 hours of compelling stories from Singapore and Asia across more than 60 titles, the outing also highlighted the city state’s strength in supporting quality Singapore content that can stand proudly on the world stage, and the power of Asian storytelling.

Of the content offered, The Moving Visuals Co.’s “We Don’t Play Dolly”, which explores how India’s blind women fight to find a place in the male-dominated world of cricket, has been nominated at the MIPCOM Cannes Diversify TV Awards, which spotlights positive programming and diversity onscreen.

Other stellar upcoming titles unveiled at the Singapore Party at MIPCOM 2022 include:

SCRAWL ANIMATION X CYBER GROUP STUDIOS PRESENTS ALEX PLAYER, A REAL-TIME ANIMATED SERIES CREATED USING UNREAL ENGINE

Scrawl Animation Pte Ltd’s “Alex Player” is an exciting, animated action-adventure tween series starring Alex, a brilliant 12-year-old video gamer who has to toggle between life in school and trying to win the national e-sports interschool championship. The series utilises hybrid, 2D digital production with CGI animation, and will be Singapore’s first long-term animation series produced with the real-time pipeline using Unreal Engine. The co-production between Scrawl Animation Pte Ltd (Singapore), Cyber Group Studios (France) and Graphilm S.r.l (Italy) sees pre-production taking place in France and Italy, with asset pre-builds and Unreal pipeline production happening in Singapore.

MOCHA CHAI LABORATORIES X CJ ENM HK PRESENTS VENUS ON MARS

Mocha Chai Laboratories Pte Ltd’s Venus on Mars” is a romantic comedy about an undergraduate who is accidentally transported to a parallel universe called “M-Earth”, where only men live. As she struggles to find her way back to earth, she navigates issues regarding gender equality, feminism, relationships with friends and family, and falling in love. Starring Taiwanese actors Ivy Shao and Tsao Yu Ning, with special appearance by former Boyband SpeXial member Wes Lo, veteran actor Renzo Liu and Taiwan-based Singapore actors Gina Lim and Wong Jing Lun, the series is produced by media veteran Michelle Chang, and directed by one of Singapore’s award-winning filmmakers, Chai Yee Wei, with support from CJ ENM Korea as script consultants.

INFINITE STUDIOS X CATCHPLAY PRESENTS LOSMEN MELATI

Infinite Studios and CATCHPLAY have partnered to produce “Losmen Melati”, a limited, supernatural horror series about a secluded and enigmatic Dutch colonial plantation turned guest house, run by its mystifying owner, Melati, who lures in unsuspecting travellers. Here, they are confronted by their worst nightmares, never to be seen again. In the run up to the premiere of the limited series, a 60-second teaser was aired exclusively at MIPCOM 2022; the original IP will be distributed by CATCHPLAY in Taiwan and Indonesia, while Clover Films will be undertaking distribution for the rest of Southeast Asia.

SINGAPORE MEDIA FESTIVAL 2022

IMDA also announced the ninth edition of its flagship annual event, the Singapore Media Festival (SMF), by unveiling a teaser video created for the festival at the Singapore Party event at MIPCOM 2022. This year, SMF will return as a physical event with an expected turnout of over 30,000 and will be held from 24 November to 11 December 2022 in Singapore, with the theme “Celebrating Asia’s Stories with the World”. As Asia’s leading international media event, the festival will see programmes, workshops and initiatives across film, television, and digital and immersive media, offered by SMF partners Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), Screen Singapore, Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) and CreatorWorld.

The festival has established itself as a must-attend event in this part of the world, and this year, the industry can expect fresh offerings that showcase and recognise the best of Asian storytelling, as well as a coming together of influential, promising and prominent industry talent, showrunners and companies from around the region to network, connect and collaborate. Attendees can also discover new, original concepts and ideas from over 60 pitches, including two new ATF pitches hosted by Vidio and Warner Bros. Discovery targeting the Indonesia and Thailand markets respectively. A diverse offering of content will also be presented to thousands of commissioners, distributors, filmmakers, financiers, producers, and showrunners from over 60 countries to connect, network, and foster new collaborations and co-productions.

In 2021, the festival welcomed the attendance of over 18,000 delegates and festival attendees from over 60 countries. Over the past eight editions of the festival, more than US$1.89 billion worth of deals and partnerships have been made.

IMDA AND AIPRO: TELLING ASIA’S STORIES TOGETHER AT MIPCOM 2022

Mr Lew Chuen Hong, Chief Executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, said, “MIPCOM 2022 has been an incredible showcase for Singapore’s media companies and creative talent. There are immense possibilities for our vibrant media industry as we continue to pave the way for local producers to expand their horizons beyond our shores. We are pleased to announce that the ninth Singapore Media Festival (SMF) will be returning to full physical format this year. With the commissioning and acquisition of quality made-with Singapore content by global partners, Singapore is well-poised to be at the centre of deal-making for the region.”

Ms Khim Loh, President of AIPRO, said, “The milestone event has been a stronghold in connecting international players with Singaporean talents and MIPCOM 2022 has once again demonstrated its strengths in creating additional opportunities and partnerships for media companies and creators in Singapore.”

Resources

  • Annex A: Quotes from Partners
  • Annex B: Information on the Singapore Media Festival and Partner Events

Annex A Quotes from Partners

Scrawl Animation x Cyber Group Studios

Alex Player blurs the lines between the real and game worlds, as our young heroes juggle school life with dreams of becoming e-sports champions. We’re thrilled to partner with Cyber Group Studio’s creative and technical teams in re-imagining the age-old coming-of-age tale while bringing the world of video games to life with animation produced using the Unreal game engine. The support from IMDA enables us to leverage this strategic partnership to create a unique real-time production ecosystem in Singapore,” says Seng Choon Meng, CEO of Scrawl Animation.

“Cyber Group Studios is a forerunner in animation production using the Unreal engine, having launched the 100% real-time animation series Giganto Club which is a digital spin-off from the hit series Gigantosarus. The Alex Player co-production supports Cyber Group Studios and Scrawl Animation’s strategy to develop a global real-time pipeline, exchange storytelling techniques using the Unreal pipeline, and extend creative boundaries in efficient ways,“ says Dominique Bourse, Chief Operating Officer of Cyber Group Studios.

Mocha Chai Laboratories

“Story always comes first and I am clear about why I want to tell a story. Venus on Mars was made because I feel that there is a lack of stories told from the female perspective, especially one where our heroine navigates a world of only men. The show’s themes – Curiousity and Courage – are values I embrace as a showrunner and values that underpin our brand of content. Mocha Chai Laboratories is fortunate to have partners that are looking to us for original content. We are glad to have the support of CJ ENM HK and IMDA, and streaming platforms we are developing new content with for Asia, all of whom appreciate our creative vision and work. Ultimately, making stories requires many complicated conversations and the willingness and openness to embrace cross-cultural, diverse viewpoints. It is a delicate balance, but with the right collaborators, the challenges make every project and endeavour worthwhile.”

Michelle Chang, Co-Founder, Mocha Chai Laboratories

Infinite Studios x CATCHPLAY

“Infinite Studios and CATCHPLAY have partnered together to produce the supernatural horror series titled Losmen Melati. This limited series will be shown on the OTT streaming platform CATCHPLAY+. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has been instrumental in supporting the production between Infinite Studios and CATCHPLAY through the Capability Partnership Programme (CPP). With the support of the IMDA through the CPP, Infinite Studios has not only been able to grow as a company but has also been able to bring more Asian content to international audiences. This has also provided more opportunities to fuel the passion of Singaporean creatives, such as writers, producers, post producers, editors and many more. The CPP has allowed us to connect local content creators with regional and global digital platforms, effectively building bridges for Singapore to the infinite opportunities in the vast media ecosystem.”

Infinite Studios

“CATCHPLAY is thrilled to bring Losmen Melati, the exciting collaboration with Infinite Studios, to audiences on CATCHPLAY+ in the first quarter of 2023. This project is made possible with the support of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), which brings CATCHPLAY together with Infinite Studios for the production. IMDA has been very supportive about promoting co-productions and to bridge creatives across the region, enabling us to contribute to the content industry in Southeast Asia with greater depth and width. CATCHPLAY looks forward to joining forces with IMDA and embarking on more international co-productions in the future with the goal of creating high quality content that appeals to both local and international audiences alike.”

CATCHPLAY

Annex B Information on the Singapore Media Festival and Partner Events

SINGAPORE MEDIA FESTIVAL 2022
24 November to 11 December 2022
#sgmediafest

The Singapore Media Festival, hosted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority, is one of Asia’s leading international media events, where the industry meets to discover the latest trends, talents and content in Asia. Themed “Celebrating Asia’s Stories with the World”, the ninth edition will take place from 24 November to 11 December 2022. The Singapore Media Festival brings together the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF), Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) and CreatorWorld. For more information, please visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/news-and-events/our-signature-events/Singapore-Media-Festival.

Partner Events

Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) 2022
7 – 9 December 2022

Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) is the region’s leading entertainment content market and conference, and the proven industry platform to acquire knowledge, network, buy, sell, finance, distribute, and co-produce across all platforms. It is the premier stage in Asia to engage with the entertainment industry’s top players from around the world where the best minds meet and the future of Asia’s content is shaped.

The 2022 edition will feature talent and content from 60 countries and regions, 2 new pitches in partnership with Vidio and Warner Bros. Discovery, and discussions featuring decision makers and commissioners from leading platforms and studios.

For more information, please visit https://www.asiatvforum.com.

Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF)
24 November – 4 December 2022

Founded in 1987, the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is the largest and longest-running film event in Singapore. It has become an iconic event in the local arts calendar that is widely attended by key figures in the regional and international film community, and is known for its dynamic programming and focus on ground-breaking Asian cinema for Singapore and the region. Committed to nurturing and championing local and regional talent, its competition component, the Silver Screen Awards, brings together emerging filmmakers from Asia and Southeast Asia while recognising cinema excellence of independent filmmakers whose works have generated international festival buzz. The Festival also serves as a catalyst for igniting public interest, artistic dialogue, and cultural exchanges in the art of filmmaking through an ecosystem of mentorship programmes, masterclasses and dialogues with filmmakers. SGIFF is organised by the Singapore International Film Festival Ltd., a non-profit organisation with Institution of Public Character (IPC) status.

This year’s SGIFF will continue its storied legacy advocating for change through a robust line-up of films, talks, programmes, and events that challenge convention and provoke conversation.

The festival’s competition component, the Silver Screen Awards, will also continue to uncover new filmmaking talents as part of its Asian Feature Film Competition and Southeast Asian Short Film Competition.

For more information, please visit www.sgiff.com.

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC)
10 – 11 December 2022

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC), previously known as Singapore Toy, Game & Convention, is Southeast Asia’s ultimate celebration of the best Western and Asian pop culture.

This year, SGCC’s Work In Progress (W.I.P.) Programme that brings content creators, publishers, media companies, and consumers together will be expanded with the addition of new programmes such as the Comic Submission, where creators can get feedback on their works from publishers and media companies. Partners for The W.I.P. Programme 2022 include Asiapac Books, Difference Engine, Epigram Books and G.H.Y Culture & Media.

SGCC 2022 will return in physical format for the first time since 2019. Held at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, fans can look forward to a variety of content and exclusives from new and familiar exhibitors, gaming tournaments, and a gallery of the best submissions by budding creators. SGCC 2022 will also feature 350 exhibitors and 420 brands, including Bandai Namco Singapore, Mighty Jaxx and Games Haven.

Tickets to SGCC can be purchased on the Klook website https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/75556-sgcc-2022/.

For more information, please visit https://www.singaporecomiccon.com/.

CreatorWorld
24 – 27 November 2022

CreatorWorld is the place to connect, learn and celebrate everything & everyone in the Online Creator Ecosystem by bringing Creators together with key executives from the global online media industry including platforms, brands and the wider fan community.

For more information, please visit www.creatorworld.live.

Hashtag: #IMDA #AIPRO

About Infocomm Media Development Authority

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.

For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook (IMDAsg) and Twitter (@IMDAsg).

About the Association of Independent Producers
AIPRO, the Association of Independent Producers, is an accredited professional body representing the interests of all organisations from Singapore’s independent media production industry. Among our 70 members are a wide variety of companies, consisting of both fresh new talent and established players. Our member companies continue to raise the profile of the industry by garnering both local and international awards. Content produced by AIPRO members have screened to audiences not just in Singapore but to over 100 countries worldwide expanding the global footprint of Made-by-Singapore productions. The Association’s mandate includes providing a platform for its members and industry stakeholders to network and dialogue, promoting industry best practices, upgrading manpower skills; and maintaining a crucial link between various institutions and industry needs.

For more information, visit or connect with us on Facebook (aiprosingapore) and Instagram (@aiprosg).

Two Buddy Robbers Arrested in Xaythany After Attempting to Steal a Motorbike

Two teenagers were arrested for using a firearm to steal a motorbike.

Vientiane’s Xaythany district police have recently arrested two men in possession of handguns and two stolen motorbikes after being notified by one of their victims.

President of the National Assembly Invites Russian Tourists to Laos

The President of the National Assembly invited tourists from Russia to visit Laos on the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of Lao-Russian diplomatic relations earlier this month.