Animation producer BKN International (BKNI), which has been listed on Frankfurt's Neuer Markt since March 2000, has won approval from its shareholders to buy back up to 10% of the issued share capital by mid-September 2002 as part of a programme of expansion.

In an official statement, the Cologne-based company, producer and distributor of children's animation series: Roswell Conspiracies, Pocket Dragon Adventures and Kong The Animated Adventures, noted that it intended "to exercise this authority [for the share buy-back programme] whenever it is appropriate, to take full advantage of any investment opportunities occurring".

BKNI, whose catalogue consists of 94 titles and 1,573 episodes, announced that it intends to establish an animation centre in Japan as well as in Cologne.