ABAI, the non-profit association representing animation and visual effects (VFX) sector in the country, wants to assist the government in realising its Budget initiative of setting up of a centre for film production, gaming and animation in Arunachal Pradesh.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday announced the setting up of the centre with an aim to enhance development in the North-east. The animation industry sees this as not only an opportunity to grow the sector, but also to develop the region. “Animation needs talent technology and infrastructure.

technician can inspire and be inspired by the environs. I welcome the announcement and we will do everything we can to help the government realise this,” ABAI President Biren Ghose told Deccan Herald.

“ABAI is uniquely placed to help any initiative in the development of the animation sector. We have invested a lot in building knowledge, awareness, a team and an industry-academia fraternity in the CG (computer graphics) sector. We will present our thoughts to the government and see how to make this available to them in a mutually beneficially alliance,” Ghose said.

Talking about establishing a centre for animation in the North-east, Ghose said, “The North-east is rich in its arts and cultural tradition, supported by basic education and English speaking proficiency. Leveraging these skills can be a very good idea. Even in Bengaluru, we already have artists and technicians from the North-east. A home base can scale that enthusiasm and create local opportunity.”

The animation, VFX and post-production industry in India has grown from Rs 4,200 crore in 2013 to Rs 5,080 crore today. The CG sector is likely to grow substantially at a CAGR of about 30 per cent and animation by about 15-18 per cent.