14th Mar 2008 08:00
DQ Entertainment PLC14 March 2008 14 March 2008 DQ Entertainment plc ("DQE" or "the Company") Announcement of MoU between DQE and the Government of West Bengal DQ Entertainment plc, a leading animation and gaming content production company,announces that it has been invited by the Department of Information Technology,Government of West Bengal ("GoWB") to develop production facilities in the cityof Kolkata. A memorandum of understanding to this effect has been signed betweenthe parties. This is in line with DQE's strategy to develop and train a qualityworkforce to international standards and meet the manpower requirements for itscurrent and future projects. The IT Department of GoWB, through WEBEL (the West Bengal Government Agencyresponsible for promoting the software and electronics industry in the state),has already provided rental premises for such production facilities and hi-endin-house training to DQE. The animation training scheme will be run and managedjointly by WEBEL and DQE. DQE currently provides quality training to its employees in traditional anddigital animation & gaming but also has a large requirement for hi-end trainedmanpower to work in Kolkata and its other production facilities in India. It isexpected that the state-of-the-art production facility, which will houseproduction & training staff, will go live by April 2008. An Animation Academywithin the facility will provide on-the-job training to the local talent andoffer employment contracts within DQE for the successful candidates. DQE hasagreed to continue to enhance the international-standard education & training tothe existing students in the Academy. DQE also intends to explore thepossibility of starting hi-end staff training facilities in other parts of WestBengal. Tapaas Chakravarti, Chairman & CEO of DQ Entertainment said: "We have beenwatching tremendous growth in IT&ES industry in West Bengal and the extremelypro-active role played by political and Governmental leadership for this growth.We have joined hands with IT Department, GoWB, through WEBEL to start hi-endanimation and gaming productions at Kolkata. We knew of the availability ofquality talent in the Eastern region and will be able to hone them into worldclass quality work force quickly, as part of our ongoing expansion." Dr Debesh Das, IT Minister of Govt. of West Bengal said, " DQE is probably thelargest animation company in the world and also associated with global leadersin the animation industry. Consequently, DQE's entry in Kolkata is a majorbreak-through - not only in boosting the growth of IT industry but also bringinga high quality training facility in animation in this part of the country. DQE'sentry in Kolkata will open a new chapter and help to create a state-of-the-artAnimation Park in the city, very shortly." Enquires: Bell Pottinger 020 7861 3232Nick Lambert / Chris Hamilton DQ Entertainment +91 40 23553726Niranjan Prasad, VP Corporate Affairs Evolution Securities Limited 0207 071 4300Tom Price / Jeremy Ellis Notes to Editors • DQ Entertainment plc is a leading animation production company engaged in the production of traditional / digital animation and game art development with a substantial workforce and a global client base • DQ Entertainment plc currently produces animation for films, television series and console based games for a number of international production houses • DQ Entertainment plc has approximately 80 clients including Walt Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios Inc., Electronic Arts, Marvel, American Greetings, NBC-Universal, BBC, Method Films and Take 2 Interactive • DQ Entertainment plc has very large international quality production facilities in Hyderabad, India. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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