United International Pictures (UIP) has closed its Hong Kong office in a downsizing move after more than 10 years of operation.

For the last five years, Louisa Chan has been the general manager and sole representative of the Hong Kong office.

Golden Harvest will assume UIP's operations, with head of film distribution Teerachai Triwongwaranat stepping into the role vacated by Chan.

UIP had an exclusive relationship with Golden Harvest and its distribution arm, Panasia, and was based in the larger company's offices. Chan handled matters such as marketing strategies, release dates and policy, while Golden Harvest acted as the sub-distributor by booking cinemas and handling P&A.

Triwongwaranat will be in close contact with UIP's regional office in Singapore and believes the new arrangement will be more efficient.

He says centralising operations would give Golden Harvest better quality control, product support and forecasting.