MUMBAI: Toonz Animation India seems to be on a Gulf trotting spree. In an endeavour to expand its global operations, the company which is essentially a well established animation studio delivering content for Film, Television, DVD, Internet and other interactive platforms has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai based Seagull TV Productions. With technical support from Toonz, Seagull aims to seek out business opportunities and secure project sales in the Middle East-UAE region according to the Toonz CEO P. Jayakumar.

Seagull TV Productions, led by its Chairperson Hessa Al Ossaily, is a filmmaker, distributor and program provider for the television industry in the Middle East.

"I believe we have set the foundation for a strong business relationship," says Jayakumar, "Seagull has an excellent track record in project sales and this partnership will help us break into a relatively untapped market. This deal will also be a shot-in-the-arm for our strategy of identifying new markets and creating business hubs for animation in all parts of the world," Jayakumar adds.

For the duration of this MOU, Seagull will have exclusive rights to represent both parties in United Arab Emirates (including the Free Zones in UAE). Seagull will also have the priority for business representation in GCC ( Gulf Cooperative Council) and African markets, until Toonz Animation has exclusive business representatives in these regions.

"The increasing number of local Arabic channels will open more opportunities for shows focusing on our regional culture and heritage," says Hessa, "I foresee a bright future for this venture, which will open a new market for animation films specifically made for Middle East region"