************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited:
Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) signed a Knowledge Sharing and Transfer Agreement today (November 5) in Wellington, New Zealand, with the Wellington City Council (WCC) and New Zealand Institute for Screen Innovation Limited (NZISI) to share Cyberport's knowledge, know-how, processes and services to accelerate the development of New Zealand's first Digital Innovation Hub (DIH).
The DIH will be located in a purpose-built building in downtown Wellington, New Zealand's capital. It will house a scoring studio and be home to the NZISI internship programme and finishing school. In this way the DIH will focus on enterprise and professional development, and help commercialise creative ideas and incubate start-ups.
Wellington Mayor Ms Kerry Prendergast said that creating a digital community will enhance Wellington's reputation for innovation and creativity.
"Cyberport has already done it. They have achieved what we want to achieve on a large scale - namely a unique Creative Digital Community," said Mr Nigel Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of Grow Wellington that established the NZISI. "By engaging with Cyberport we are gaining invaluable knowledge and expertise. We are learning at a practical and operational level how best to move ahead with the project."
The Chair of the NZISI, Mr Michael Stephens, said, "We hope to continue this relationship with Hong Kong by offering the Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, Nicholas Yang, a position as an international advisor on the governance group for DIH."
The Chief Executive Officer of the Cyberport, Mr Nicholas Yang, said, "We are honoured and delighted to be invited to provide consultancy to WCC and NZISI to enhance the development of the digital entertainment and creative industries of New Zealand.
"Cyberport has helped neighbouring countries and cities to build successful digital communities based on Cyberport's execution and experience, but this is the first formal agreement Cyberport has signed to export its intellectual property and expertise to another country. This agreement is not only a big step forward for Cyberport towards our closer collaboration with international counterparts, but also confirms the international recognition and acceptance of Cyberport's business model."
In addition to the Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Entertainment Creative Business Collaboration signed in March this year, Cyberport, WCC and NZISI agreed to engage in a project that aims to facilitate the establishment of Wellington's DIH. Cyberport will provide consultancy to WCC and NZISI in facilities management for DIH tenants as well as in enterprise and professional development, i.e. commercialisation of creative ideas and incubation of start-ups.
All signing parties will also enable and facilitate business-to-business contacts among Cyberport and DIH tenants, and encourage their respective governments, wherever possible, to engage in policy sharing for the advancement of their respective digital entertainment and creative industries. It is also expected that this collaboration will encourage co-investments in screen and digital entertainment companies or content including film, television, digital or computer games and other digital media that may arise among DIH tenants.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the Hong Kong delegation to Wellington, New Zealand, including the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Duncan Pescod, officials from CreateHK, industry practitioners, academics and Cyberport's incubatees.
About Cyberport:
Cyberport is a US$2 billion (HK$15.8 billion) landmark project managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, and wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. Cyberport specialises in enterprise and professional development, commercialises creative ideas and incubates start-ups. We have an energetic cluster of creative ICT and digital content tenants who enjoy synergies from co-locating with each other, and we are Hong Kong's unique Creative Digital Community. Interconnected by a state-of-the-art Broadband network, the Cyberport community is home to four grade-A intelligent office buildings, a five-star design hotel, a retail and entertainment complex and about 2,800 residences.
About Wellington City Council:
Wellington City Council is the local government authority covering Wellington City, the capital of New Zealand and the most southerly capital city in the world. Wellington is renowned for being a vibrant city that combines the ease of a compact, walkable city centre with all that bigger cities offer. It is known for its affordability, its talented people and its stunning natural beauty. It is the arts and events capital of New Zealand, and provides world-class recreation and leisure opportunities.
About New Zealand Institute of Screen Innovation:
The Institute was formed by representatives of leading New Zealand digital entertainment businesses to be a representative body that engages in local and international relationships for the advancement of the digital content sector specifically related to entertainment and edutainment screen delivery.
Ends/Thursday, November 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:57
NNNN
