Peter Parnham reports from Busan.

The Secretary General of the Busan Foundation for International Activities (BIFA), Mr David Kim, believes Busan's sister city relationship with Auckland city leads to direct economic and cultural benefits to both cities.
"The best way to continue the relationship is to make good friendships in the private sector," says Mr Kim, "for example the Busan film industry can form good relationships with Auckland's film industry."
Mr Kim was speaking during a visit to Busan this week by Michael Brook, Executive Manager of Film Auckland. It is Michael Brook's second visit to the city representing Film Auckland and is timed to overlap with BIFCOM (Busan International Film Commission), the pan-Asia location expo run in conjunction with Busan's prestigious International Film Festival.
This familiarisation tour, hosted by BIFA, is designed to help Michael Brook and Film Auckland see what the city has to offer outside of the BIFCOM event.
Michael Brook says Film Auckland sees opportunities because Busan is a recognised film industry hub in Korea, in part thanks to the profile generated by the Busan International Film Festival and the BIFCOM event.
He explains that New Zealand and Korea signed a film co-production treaty in September 2008, and interest is expected to increase thanks to the soon to be released Warrior's Way a Korean movie shot in Auckland.
Insiders say there are another five Korean-New Zealand co-productions in development.
"My visit last year and my visit again this year is about making business contacts, and finding like minded companies from Auckland and Busan who want to work together," he says, "The sister city relationship has been very helpful in this way."
"It's incredibly useful to have local assistance when you some to another city and you are trying to work with fellow professionals, BFIA understands who are the best contacts."
Meanwhile Claire Kim, Assistant Manager of BFIA says it take time to build business relationships but they often start with cultural, sporting, and educational exchanges. She remembers fondly her own time as a student learning English in Auckland and says it made her realise that contacts and friendships made at times like that are never forgotten.
Article by: Peter Parnham 7/9/09. peter.parnham@paraphrase.co.nz


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