StarTimes held a ground breaking ceremony for the Group’s Africa Headquarters and Dubbing Center for Film and Broadcast Television in Kenya.
The premise will cover 20,000 ㎡ in Karen, Nairobi and is expected to cost Ksh 6.9 Billion. The Base will see the setup of six units including StarTimes African Headquarter, StarTimes Kenya offices, a Film and Television Dubbing Center, StarTimes Broadcast Station, Digital TV research and development centre as well as a Training Center. Upon completion, this will equally become a complete production centre of clip selecting, dubbing, broadcasting and copyright trading. Its completion date is expected at the end of 2015.
“I wish to commend StarTimes for this bold step, it is trend setting seeing that the headquarters will not only house your Africa operations, but also include a production centre that will see the growth of local productions and talents. The Government will continue to initiate efforts geared towards ensuring businesses flourish in their operations through such efforts as policy and infrastructure development.†Observed Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Arts and Culture Dr. Hassan Wario.
According to the Group’s President Mr Pang Xinxing, the decision to set up the Africa base in the country was advised by the sound investment environment in the country, a strong economy and the Government’s commitment towards attracting increased foreign direct investment. Mr. Pang equally noted the company’s role in promoting economic and social transformation in the country as StarTimes seeks to stamp its commitment to the Kenyan and Africa subscribers at large.
The ground breaking ceremony at Karen in Nairobi took place alongside the official launch of the Beijing Television Series Exhibition a series of programmes meant to expose top Chinese films and documentaries to African media and audience with the aim of promoting film and increased understanding of Chinese culture in Africa.