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Tag: Ficci Frames 2002

  • “The Indian film industry will create its own force to deal with the menace of piracy ” : Q&A with Ficci entertainment committee chairman Yash Chopra

    “The Indian film industry will create its own force to deal with the menace of piracy ” : Q&A with Ficci entertainment committee chairman Yash Chopra

    Chairman of the entertainment committee of Ficci, Yash Chopra says the film industry will shortly unveil a task force to combat piracy, on the lines of the one set up by the music industry.
    One of the leading producer directors the country has seen, Chopra has also been a staunch champion of the industry’s cause. He believes that although Ficci Frames 2002 may not move the government into offering better facilities for the sector, it will at least pave the way for a more organised entertainment industry.

    How will a forum like Ficci Frames 2002 help the industry to find solutions to the problems facing the industry?
    Ficci Frames per se is not meant to solve any problems facing the industry, but to act as a forum where the diverse sectors related to the entertainment industry can meet on a common platform and share knowledge and know how. Till three years ago, the industry was being run on the personal whims and fancies of the people involved. Corporatising the industry basically means putting our own house in order. Ficci Frames, now into its second edition, is an attempt to interact and share knowledge about the legal, financial and copyright aspects related to the entertainment sector.

    It will help address issues like piracy and film finance which have been dogging us so far. While the laws regarding these are in our favour, the implementation is not. Piracy is a global problem, and hopefully speakers from other countries will be able to help the Indian industry in this regard. The Indian film industry is also now planning to create our own force to deal with the menace of piracy, on the lines of the one set up by the music industry. This should take concrete shape in about a month’s time.

    What in your opinion is the status of the entertainment industry in India?
    The entertainment industry is the most happening sector in the country today. Unfortunately, the fortunes of this industry are linked directly to that of the products it throws up from time to time. So, while a spate of films doing well at one point may augur well for the industry at that time, one major flop may also spell temporary doom for the industry.

    Also, this industry is always the first casualty of unforeseen circumstances like wars and riots. However, I feel both cinema and television are poised for a big spurt in the coming days. TV in fact will be a big help to the entertainment industry in every department.

    How has the industry been affected by the global recession?
    We have been hit as much as anybody else due to the global recession. Of course, 11/9 set off apprehensions that overseas business may not do as well. But luckily for us Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, which was released overseas in early December, turned out to be the biggest grosser in the last few years, netting over Rs 500 million on foreign territories.

    TV in fact will be a big help to the entertainment industry in every department.

    Do you feel creativity in cinema and television is being stifled in the interests of commercialisation?
    That is true in the case of cinema. There are very few films like Lagaan, which the entire country can be proud of. Otherwise, in most films, you feel the soul is missing from the end product.

    Television, on the contrary, is getting better by the day. There are better faces on TV, better scripts, better production values than before. There is a vast talent that is emerging on Indian television, and creative people like Ekta Kapoor are making a big success of it, by tapping the right resources. TV has definitely come of age in India and there are no limits to the creativity one can go to in the medium. The future, I feel, belongs to the entire entertainment sector, which is going to greatly benefit from television, too.

    How have technlogical advances helped the industry to grow in the last decade?
    Except in the field of special effects, the Indian entertainment industry is now almost on par with the best in the West. However, certain government laws, customs duties and the like hinder technological development as fast as one would like it.

    There are better faces on TV, better scripts, better production values than before.

    Are there any possibilities for global cooperation among entertainment industries among countries to combat piracy, ensure stable sources of finance and address other common issues?
    Several entertainment companies in India are now going in for insurance and institutional financing. The trend is slowly towards a more organised sector, something that will receive a boost with cooperation from entertainment industry associations from other countries, who are attending Ficci Frames 2002.

    More than that, however, what the industry needs is original ideas, on which films will succeed. All other regularisations and technological advances will be of no avail till we get good subjects and scripts on which to build.
  • ‘Quote-Unquote’ What the top brass supporting Ficci Frames have to say…

    ‘Quote-Unquote’ What the top brass supporting Ficci Frames have to say…

    Into its second year, Ficci Frames 2002, Global Convention on the Business of Entertainment, is much bigger this time round in terms of scale and scope. A look at what some of those who will be attending this high-powered media event have to say.

    “Ficci has immense pleasure in bringing to you Frames 2002 which will be in: its third edition this year. In Ficci we have given special attention to the entertainment industry as a part of our ongoing thrust on knowledge based industry. It shall be our endeavour to continue with our hard work for the development of the entertainment industry. Frames is a culmination of our efforts made throughout the year and we trust that Frames 2002 will be biggest event held in the subcontinent on the business of entertainment.”  

    RS Lodha
    President FICCI


    Sushma Swaraj
    Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting     		“Ficci Global Convention on the Business of Entertainment has now been institutionalised and the entire industry looks forward to this annual event. For the government, this event is equally significant as we receive authentic first hand feedback and important inputs for our policy formulation. I am delighted to inaugurate this event for the second year.”

    “I am glad to learn that Ficci is organising Frames 2002 on March 15-16 2002 that brings together experts from the entertainment industry and financial sector. The Indian entertainment industry is one of the largest in the world and has tremendous potential for growth as also for generating export earnings. I do hope that the deliberations at the conference would generate valuable feedback from the industry on the recent initiative taken by FI’s in this field and help us in evolving an efficient framework for financing this high growth industry in a viable manner”
    PP Vohra
    Chairman and MD IDBI


    Dr Patrick Cross
    MC BBC World

    		 “Innovation in broadcasting is vital if a channel is to survive and prosper. In my four years at BBC World, I’ve witnessed many changes from the early in India to our current total of over 200 million household across the word. In India, the broadcasting landscape has changed beyond all recognition last year switched our signal across south Asia from analogue to digital, as part of our ongoing technological development and innovation, enabling us to deliver the highest quality signal to cable operators in India. In programming terms, we continue to pioneer new formats -such as introducing India viewers to the genre of reality programming -and deliver ground breaking television. I look forward to bring part of the distinguished Ficci programme and to discussing these important issues further.”

    “From the development of the Asian region in the 21st century, the possibility of television media is infinite. In particular, role of the public space offered by public broadcasters is pivotal to the development of information- and-entertainment-based society. I wish you the best of success with the Frames.”


    Yoshinori Imai
    DG International Policy and Broadcasting Department NKH Japan


    Yash Chopra
    Chairman FICCI Entertainment Committee

    		 ” Ficci is happy to once again present Frames the global convention on the business of entertainment. Over the years Frames has become a well recognised forum for the entertainment industry in which the best minds from the national international arena participate, discuss and deliberate on critical issues of the entertainment industry.”

    “Frames symbolises the buoyant growth of the Indian Entertainment Industry. In three years not only has it become the most important gathering of entertainment professionals in India, Frames has also become synonymous with major policy initiatives both from the Industry and the Government. Frames 2002 will provide a forum for exchange of ideas and visions of the new and fast changing world of entertainment and the business opportunities it offers.”


    Amit Khanna
    Chairman FICCI Convergence Committee

    Michael Connors
    Senior VP (Asia Pacific) Motion Pictures Association of America Michael Connors     		“The world entertainment community including the Motion Picture Association of America has been following with great interest the economic and commercial scene in lndia. We are seeing an increasingly vibrant Indian film industry moving clearly to a greater leadership role in the world entertainment scene. Certainly a top priority will be to discuss how best to protect our entertainment form piracy; whether that be film, home video or television. The new digital technologies bring new opportunities as well as new challenges, and the time could not be more appropriate. We have every confidence that Frames 2002 will be a major event in this year’s world calendar.”

    “We are delighted to support Frames 2002 through our participation in the Broadcast session and participate in its efforts to shape the global vision for this dynamic industry. This is in line with our mission to provide a comprehensive environment and cutting-edge infrastructure to catalyse the growth of the media industry.”

     

    Saeed Al Muntafiq
    CEO Dubai Media City

    Andre Chaubeau DG International federation of Film Producers Association “New technologies raise difficulties and concerns but can also create major opportunities for the distribution of filmed entertainment. The Indian Film Industry will have to face, like all film industries in the world, these new developments. With its long standing tradition in motion pictures making, India can be a major contributor to find the appropriate answer. FlAPF is therefore particularly delighted to support the initiatives of Frames 2002, and thanks the Film Federation of India, one of FIAPF major members, and Ficci, for their initiative in bringing together this event which is to become a major event not only for India, but also for the world wide motion pictures industry.”
  • ‘Quote-Unquote’ What the top brass supporting Ficci Frames have to say…

    ‘Quote-Unquote’ What the top brass supporting Ficci Frames have to say…

    Into its second year, Ficci Frames 2002, Global Convention on the Business of Entertainment, is much bigger this time round in terms of scale and scope. A look at what some of those who will be attending this high-powered media event have to say.

    “Ficci has immense pleasure in bringing to you Frames 2002 which will be in: its third edition this year. In Ficci we have given special attention to the entertainment industry as a part of our ongoing thrust on knowledge based industry. It shall be our endeavour to continue with our hard work for the development of the entertainment industry. Frames is a culmination of our efforts made throughout the year and we trust that Frames 2002 will be biggest event held in the subcontinent on the business of entertainment.”  

    RS Lodha
    President FICCI


    Sushma Swaraj
    Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting     		“Ficci Global Convention on the Business of Entertainment has now been institutionalised and the entire industry looks forward to this annual event. For the government, this event is equally significant as we receive authentic first hand feedback and important inputs for our policy formulation. I am delighted to inaugurate this event for the second year.”

    “I am glad to learn that Ficci is organising Frames 2002 on March 15-16 2002 that brings together experts from the entertainment industry and financial sector. The Indian entertainment industry is one of the largest in the world and has tremendous potential for growth as also for generating export earnings. I do hope that the deliberations at the conference would generate valuable feedback from the industry on the recent initiative taken by FI’s in this field and help us in evolving an efficient framework for financing this high growth industry in a viable manner”
    PP Vohra
    Chairman and MD IDBI


    Dr Patrick Cross
    MC BBC World

    		 “Innovation in broadcasting is vital if a channel is to survive and prosper. In my four years at BBC World, I’ve witnessed many changes from the early in India to our current total of over 200 million household across the word. In India, the broadcasting landscape has changed beyond all recognition last year switched our signal across south Asia from analogue to digital, as part of our ongoing technological development and innovation, enabling us to deliver the highest quality signal to cable operators in India. In programming terms, we continue to pioneer new formats -such as introducing India viewers to the genre of reality programming -and deliver ground breaking television. I look forward to bring part of the distinguished Ficci programme and to discussing these important issues further.”

    “From the development of the Asian region in the 21st century, the possibility of television media is infinite. In particular, role of the public space offered by public broadcasters is pivotal to the development of information- and-entertainment-based society. I wish you the best of success with the Frames.”


    Yoshinori Imai
    DG International Policy and Broadcasting Department NKH Japan


    Yash Chopra
    Chairman FICCI Entertainment Committee

    		 ” Ficci is happy to once again present Frames the global convention on the business of entertainment. Over the years Frames has become a well recognised forum for the entertainment industry in which the best minds from the national international arena participate, discuss and deliberate on critical issues of the entertainment industry.”

    “Frames symbolises the buoyant growth of the Indian Entertainment Industry. In three years not only has it become the most important gathering of entertainment professionals in India, Frames has also become synonymous with major policy initiatives both from the Industry and the Government. Frames 2002 will provide a forum for exchange of ideas and visions of the new and fast changing world of entertainment and the business opportunities it offers.”


    Amit Khanna
    Chairman FICCI Convergence Committee

    Michael Connors
    Senior VP (Asia Pacific) Motion Pictures Association of America Michael Connors     		“The world entertainment community including the Motion Picture Association of America has been following with great interest the economic and commercial scene in lndia. We are seeing an increasingly vibrant Indian film industry moving clearly to a greater leadership role in the world entertainment scene. Certainly a top priority will be to discuss how best to protect our entertainment form piracy; whether that be film, home video or television. The new digital technologies bring new opportunities as well as new challenges, and the time could not be more appropriate. We have every confidence that Frames 2002 will be a major event in this year’s world calendar.”

    “We are delighted to support Frames 2002 through our participation in the Broadcast session and participate in its efforts to shape the global vision for this dynamic industry. This is in line with our mission to provide a comprehensive environment and cutting-edge infrastructure to catalyse the growth of the media industry.”

     

    Saeed Al Muntafiq
    CEO Dubai Media City

    Andre Chaubeau DG International federation of Film Producers Association “New technologies raise difficulties and concerns but can also create major opportunities for the distribution of filmed entertainment. The Indian Film Industry will have to face, like all film industries in the world, these new developments. With its long standing tradition in motion pictures making, India can be a major contributor to find the appropriate answer. FlAPF is therefore particularly delighted to support the initiatives of Frames 2002, and thanks the Film Federation of India, one of FIAPF major members, and Ficci, for their initiative in bringing together this event which is to become a major event not only for India, but also for the world wide motion pictures industry.”

  • Q&A with Reliance Entertainment Limited chairman Amit Khanna

    Q&A with Reliance Entertainment Limited chairman Amit Khanna

    Ficci convergence committee chairman Amit Khanna believes the Indian entertainment industry is following a healthy growth curve and that piracy in the industry can be countered with better enforcement of existing laws. One of the key coordinators of Frames 2002, the national executive committee member puts forth his point his view on various matters central to the entertainment industry in the country.

    What, in your opinion, is the current state of the Indian entertainment industry?
    The Indian entertainment industry is growing at a healthy 30 per cent CAGR (compounded annual growth rate).Yet, there are endemic problems that are hindering it from realising its full potential: high taxes (entertainment tax, excise duties, etc), piracy and the inorganic nature of the trade.

    How has it been affected by the recession?
    Entertainment is usually a recession proof industry.

    Is creativity being stifled in the interests of commercialisation?
    No, creative people are becoming market savvy.

    How have technological advances helped it grow in the last decade?
    Technology, specially in broadcasting and post-production as well as audio recording has changed dramatically with the advent of digital devices. If customs duty is brought down, it will help the industry further. Also, the next few years will see convergence actually happen as bandwidth and better compression technology becomes available.

    How will a forum like Ficci Frames 2002 help the industry find solutions to the problems facing the industry?
    The industry has benefitted a lot from earlier editions of Frames. Besides policy changes which are triggered at Frames, the forum also provides an excellent platform for networking.

    It is estimated that the industry as a whole loses Rs 150 crores a day on account of piracy

    What do you think are the solutions to piracy in the entertainment industry?
    There is nothing wrong as far as the laws are concerned. What is required is better enforcement of these laws. And for this to happen, there has to be increased cooperation between industry and the government.

    How big a problem is piracy in our country?
    It is estimated that the industry as a whole loses Rs 150 crore (Rs 1500 million) a day on account of piracy.

    Are there any possibilities for global co-operation among entertainment industries in different countries to combat piracy, ensure stable sources of finance and address other common issues?
    Yes WIPO (World Intellectual Properties Organization) is an important forum for this. Also, we are in touch with other trade bodies like the MPA (Motion Pictures Association) and the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) to combat piracy jointly.

    What are the other objectives Frames 2002 hopes to achieve by providing a meeting ground for professionals from the entertainment industry?
    Frames today is the only forum where the entire Indian entertainment industry gets together annually and does a reality check and a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats) analysis.

  • Q&A with MPAA senior vice president (Asia Pacific) Michael Connors

    Q&A with MPAA senior vice president (Asia Pacific) Michael Connors

    Michael Connors, Sr. Vice President (Asia Pacific), Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA), believes Frames 2002 could not be better timed to discuss the new issues facing the entertainment industry.

    One of the speakers at the two-day event, Connors spoke to indiantelevision.com about his expectations from the forum.

    What in your opinion is the current state of the Asian entertainment industry vis a vis the global scenario? How have technological advances helped the industry grow in the last decade?
    The new digital technologies, especially Internet, bring unique opportunities to bring to people all over the world motion picture entertainment in all its formats – film, home video and television. However, these new technologies pose new challenges in protecting that entertainment from theft.

    We must work together to find ways to protect the new delivery systems from thieves.

    What do you think are the solutions to piracy in the entertainment industry? How big a problem is it in the US?
    Piracy is now a leading threat to our industry. We cannot expect the creative artists who make films to continue doing so if what they produce is going to be stolen. We must work together to find ways to protect the new delivery systems from thieves.

    How will a forum like Ficci Frames 2002 help the industry find solutions to the problems facing the industry?
    India is showing strong leadership in addressing these issues. The Frames 2002 conference is clear demonstration of that. I am honored and delighted to participate in the event.

  • Q&A With Ficci deputy secretary Siddhartha Dasgupta

    Q&A With Ficci deputy secretary Siddhartha Dasgupta

     The clock is ticking for Ficci Frames 2002. The third edition of the two-day global convention on entertainment conducted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), promises to be bigger and better than ever before. And indiantelevision.com is proud to be a part of it.

    Two-years-old and counting is what indiantelevision is now and it is perhaps fitting that Ficci has chosen it as its online media partner.

    The event, to be held on 15 and 16 March 2002, is expected to attract the top names in the entertainment industry. Several issues related to the industry are likely to be thrashed out at the mega event, to be held at the Renaissance Convention Centre, Powai, Mumbai.

    The site will provide regular updates on the various highlights of the convention which include broadcasting, films, marketing, music, new media and cable and network. Ficci, which was set up to further the interests of the Indian business community, is now moving ahead to integrate the Indian economy with the global mainstream.

    indiantelevision.com, the only online media service that has the privilege of being associated with Frames 2002, provides links to the Ficci site, to enable online registration for Frames 2002.

    In this the first of the Ficci Frames 2002 Q&A series, Siddhartha Dasgupta, deputy secretary Ficci, gives his views on what the convention hopes to achieve.

    What does Frames 2002 hope to achieve?
    We have three main planks upon which we have broadly divided our focus. These are – corporatisation of the industry, technology issues and marketing of entertainment products.

    Corporatisation will cover the entire gamut of financing, valuations, insurance and legal framework governing the entertainment industry and will have eminent experts both from India and abroad speaking.

    It is to help in the corporatisation process that this year solicitors Amarchand Mangaldas will be presenting a report on legal issues affecting all segments of the entertainment industry. This report proposes to deal with four key issues:

    i) Rationalization of entertainment tax – legal issues and way forward.
    ii) Corporatisation models for the film industry and other television and radio content producers.
    iii) Model guidelines for banks/financial institutions for facilitating lending to this sector.
    iv) Model guidelines for executive orders for protection of IPR & structured anti-piracy campaign by the government.

    On the technology side, a Digital Cinema screening of a feature film will be made on the sidelines of Frames 2002. The importance we are giving to the technology session of Frames 2002 can be garnered by the number of distinguished speakers that will be present.

    As far as marketing of entertainment products is concerned, the entire gamut of the industry will be covered.

    The international speakers will provide an international perspective as well as provide fresh ideas as far as the international experience is concerned.

    Which are the different segments the convention has been broken down into?
    Frames 2002 will be covering films, radio, audiovisual, music, events and shows.

    What are the prominent aspects of the television industry that will be touched upon?
    The biggest names in the industry will be touching upon a whole range of issues that concern broadcasters. The sessions specific to the TV industry are “Broadcasting, The Importance of Change”, “Cable & The network: Broadbanding India”, “Niche Broadcasting”, “Programming for Success” and “TV News Gathering”.

    Is Frames 2002 likely to have an influence on the government’s agenda for the entertainment industry?
    Frames is one of the more important fora through which we try to influence thinking as well as policy decisions. After that we cull out the key issues while preparing our reports and this is pitched to the relevant government departments and bodies.

    The third edition of the Arthur Andersen report on the entertainment industry is a significant part of that effort. The report will rank the states in terms of their investor friendliness and also focus on convergence.

    How many participants are expected to be involved?
    For most of the sessions we have brought in international speakers. This is so as to provide an international perspective as well as provide fresh ideas as far as the international experience is concerned.

    More than 25 overseas speakers from countries such as US, UK, France Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, UAE having confirmed their participation. Some prominent names are James Murdoch, chairman & CEO, Star Group; Dr Patrick Cross, MD, BBC Worldwide; Yoshinori Imai, director-general, NHK, Japan; William Sinrich, president & COO, IMG; Jon Kirchner, president & COO, DTS, USA; Michael Connors, Sr. V-P (Asia Pacific), Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA).

    Frames is one of the more important fora through which we try to influence thinking as well as policy decisions.

    How will Frames 2002 differ from similar conventions held in the past by Ficci?
    The big difference this time, aside from the sheer size and scale of this year’s event, is that there will be a digital screening of a film.

    Is Frames 2002 likely to throw up solutions to long pending problems plaguing the Indian entertainment industry?
    Well we are trying to set in motion a process of highlighting key issues and we will take it from there.

    What is the Trading Hub at Frames 2002 all about?
    This is essentially to facilitate the inflow of information and exchange of ideas. The trading hub is seen as a networking opportunity where several professionals would be able establish contacts, gather information concerning new technologies and development of markets, establish international co-production and possibly lay the foundation for new partnerships.

  • Ficci Frames 2002 sets forth ambitious agenda

    Ficci Frames 2002 sets forth ambitious agenda

    Big. Very big. That is what the third edition of the annual global convention on the business of entertainment, Ficci Frames 2002, promises to be.

    The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) convention, which has been growing in stature every year since its inception in 2000, will be held on 15 and 16 March, 2002 at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Centre, Powai, in Mumbai.

    According to the organisers, Frames 2002 will witness the largest ever gathering in India of some of the best national and international minds in the business – media and entertainment barons, movie moguls, stars, producers, directors, broadcasters, musicians, studio bosses and other global leaders in the business of film finance and insurance, a well media gathering was informed today.

    There are 24 sessions scheduled with more than 25 overseas speakers from countries such as US, UK, France Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, UAE having confirmed their participation. Some prominent names are James Murdoch, chairman & CEO, Star Group; Dr Patrick Cross, MD, BBC Worldwide; Yoshinori Imai, director-general, NHK, Japan; William Sinrich, president & COO, IMG; Jon Kirchner, president & COO, DTS, USA; Michael Connors, Sr. V-P (Asia Pacific), Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA).

    Ficci’s “knowledge partner” -Arthur Andersen will be presenting the third edition of its report on the entertainment industry. The report will rank the states in terms of their investor friendliness and also focus on convergence. The other knowledge partner, solicitors Amarchand Mangaldas, will present a report on legal issues affecting all segments of the entertainment industry. This report proposes to deal with four key issues:

    i) Rationalization of entertainment tax – legal issues and way forward.
    ii) Corporatisation models for the film industry and other television and radio content producers.
    iii) Model guidelines for banks/financial institutions for facilitating lending to this sector.
    iv) Model guidelines for executive orders for protection of IPR & structured anti-piracy campaign by the government.

    For the first time in India, in conjunction with Frames 2002, Ficci is also organizing a Digital Cinema screening of a feature film.

    The session on marketing will have some very eminent speakers from India and abroad including William Sinrich, president & COO, IMG, Jane Gorard, director, marketing, BBC Worldwide, Sanjiv Gupta from Coca Cola, Sameer Nair from Star and Brian Tellis from Fountainhead. The session will be chaired by Sunil Alagh, MD, Britannia Industries Ltd. The session will focus on the key marketing trends in the entertainment sector and how entertainment products can be leveraged for value creation.

    Finance and legal issues once again assume significance in view of the focus of Ficci and Frames on corporatisation of the Indian entertainment industry. The entire gamut of financing, valuations, insurance, legal framework, governing entertainment industry will be discussed by eminent experts both from India and abroad.

    The Technology session of Frames 2002 includes many distinguished speakers such as John Kirchner of Digital Theater Systems, USA who will discuss the advances in the technology of multichannel sound for film and television and how this enhances the audience’s involvement in a program.

    James Butler of Ideal Broadcasting will discuss the design aspects of television studios and Avinash Fotedar of SGI India will discuss some of the advancements in the tools available to film-makers today including powerful 3D modelling, editing, compositing and special effects hardware and software that allows the creation of virtually any environment that one can imagine.

    Stephane Jauroyou of SeaChange International will make a presentation on the technology of video and audio servers that can open new markets in video on demand, selective advertising, broadcast playout and internet streaming. Other speakers will discuss the latest developments in the film, video and audio technology and the coming advances of the digital future. The Technology session will be chaired by AK Das of Snell and Wilcox; a manufacturer of high quality digital video processing equipment.

    Frames 2002 will have a trading hub at the convention venue on 15 & 16 March 2002. The trading hub is seen as a networking opportunity where several professionals would be able establish contacts, gather information concerning new technologies and development of markets, establish international co-production and possibly lay the foundation for new partnerships.