Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be present at the launch of Digital Cinema by Eng Wah Organization.

Four months ago, the MDA launched Media 21, a blueprint to develop Singapore into a global media city. The objective of Media 21 is to increase the depth and breath, vibrancy and long-term viability of the media industry. Digital media, in particular Digital Cinema is one of the growth areas, which we have identified in our blueprint.

MDA, together with IDA, is pleased to support the move by Eng Wah Organization to bring digital cinema to movie goers in Singapore. The initiative will encourage the development of new digital media products and services as well as the adoption of new enabling technologies.

The MDA is actively nurturing the growth and development of digital content. We have been in touch with the Digital Cinema Initiative Consortium, formed by the seven major Hollywood studios, to understand the development of the common specification for the digital cinema industry and its impact on our film industry.

Digital Cinema will change the cinema distribution market. The physical distribution of celluloid film prints will be replaced by electronic media delivery. This in turn will generate further investments in digital post production and distribution capabilities here. For cinema goers, they can enjoy movies with sharper images, clearer sound quality and enhanced spectacular special effects.

But this is not the only reason we are so excited about Digital Cinema. This is actually a technology that will create new business opportunities by offering another medium. There are also cost savings. For example, advertisers no longer need to convert commercials and advertisements into celluloid films for cinema advertising. Digital Cinemas can also find more versatile uses, such as venues for the screening of 'live' concerts and 'live' sports events. Additionally, Cinema halls can also be used to host events, functions and parties involving 'live' videocasting and 'live' large-scale video conferencing.

While "non-film" content can be offered at Digital Cinemas, the MDA will continue to work with the industry to develop and produce more digital movies. Over the past year, the industry has shown keen interest in developing digital movies and TV series. For example, the movies Destiny and After School are digital movies by Gateway Entertainment and the TV series Front Line was shot digitally on high definition cameras.

Eng Wah's launch today of 21 digital screens over the next 12 months signifies an important milestone for the film and cinema industry in Singapore. The MDA will continue to work closely with our partners such as Eng Wah to bring Digital Cinema to the public and to help filmmakers develop and produce more digital movies. On this note, I wish Eng Wah's digital Cinema launch a success. We are sure movie goers are in for a treat!

Thank you.

- Press Release: IDA and The MDA Jointly Develop Singapore's Digital Cinema Industry (19 November 2003)
- Speech by Ms Goh Min Yen, Managing Director, Eng Wah Organization Ltd
- Speech by Mrs Tan Ching Yee, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore