Local cinemas fail to submit requirements for digital upgrade

Local cinemas have failed to submit requirements for becoming fully digitalised before a July 7 deadline, according to an official from the state-owned Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise.

"Even though it's past the deadline, only a few cinemas have submitted [their requirements]. As most of them didn't send them, we have to contact each cinema and request them to send them," said Thein Tun Aung, director of Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise.

The Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise earlier met with entrepreneurs operating state-owned cinemas and private cinemas and requested them to submit a detailed report on the costs for upgrading to digital projectors and improving their facilities.

"There will be many costs in changing to the digital system. There are sectors where investments have to be made. We asked them [the requirements] so that we will know how we can help out, give our supports, and negotiate," said Thein Tun Aung.

The government plans to have all 27 state-owned cinemas with long-term rentals to be digitally upgraded by the end of 2013. The government will then try to have digital systems in 87 cinemas that have been sold to private entrepreneurs. Thirty-nine private-owned cinemas will be upgraded with digital system in the third stage, according to the director.

Small and Medium Scale Industrial Development Bank will provide loans for cinemas that need finance. After they become digitalised, entrepreneurs will be allowed to rent state-owned cinemas on a five-year contract and which can be upgraded for another two years if they provide good services.