Asia TV Forum, Singapore – Malaysia had significant success at the 2009 Asia Television Forum (ATF) with current deals totaling RM1.5 million signed by the end of day two. Coming under one umbrella at ATF, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) are expecting deals totaling RM2-3 million to be signed at the end of the conference. Datuk Wira Kamaruddin bin Siaraf, Secretary General for Ministry of Information and Communication and Culture Malaysia said co-productions with international producers like BBC Worldwide, Sony Pictures Television and FremantleMedia will be good for Malaysia. “These co productions will create technology transfer. In the case of BBC, this will help revamp the way we produce news,” he said. Co-production of telenovelas Persona Kasih and Bola Cinta are also being formalized, and will be distributed by Latin Media. Malaysia’s commitment to become a major player in the creative content industry has increased two-fold as the Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) announced a US$55 million fund to accelerate growth. This is part of the government’s plan to make the industry a major contributor to the country’s GDP over the next five years. Funding will be available to local companies and joint ventures that have at least 51 percent local ownership.