.ASIA TLD fulfils a market need and a dream: market needs in a dynamically growing community, and a dream to have a unified front that improves international recognition and regional competitiveness to balance the global forces.
With over 60% of the worlds population (and over 90 languages), Asia is a region that is experiencing tremendous economic, cultural and technical growth. Asia has begun to emerge from its financial and economic problems of the 1990s; at this critical juncture of rejuvenation, a special, dedicated domain can help players in the region to realize their global citizenship as well as the potential for regionally targeted efforts.
Although our cultures and languages are diverse, the Asia community has common interest with the word "Asia" and has a very good sense of belonging of being part of Asia. This is evidenced by the cooperative atmosphere and successful operations of APNIC, APNG, APTLD, APRICOT, etc.
Leveraging the successful experience of existing Asia community initiatives, DotAsia Organization aspires to bring together the Pan-Asia and Asia-Pacific region. A regionally-dedicated domain can help cement a common regional identity that will be reinforced by the reinvestment of registry proceeds into further development for the region. While a single domain registry cannot solve all of the macro issues in the region, this initiative nevertheless seeks to contribute to the realization that regional collaboration will lead to stronger global competitiveness among Pan-Asia and Asia-Pacific corporations, economies and people.
The Internet is playing an increasingly important role in the resurgent economies in the Pan-Asia and Asia-Pacific region. As corporations and entities look beyond their local markets, an online identity is key and a regional domain is a logical next growth step. Similarly, when multi-nationals establish presence in the region, they need a regional identity instead of simply a local one. For example, if a company establishes an Asia headquarters in Shanghai, a .CN address may be best for communicating with prospective clients in China. However, when this company visits Japan, a .ASIA address reinforces the broader scope of their market. A regional address may also help local companies to overcome biases when they expand outside their home market. A new domain will satisfy demand for a virtual central market with a neutral regional identity.
As in most areas, the SME segment (small/medium enterprises) comprises the largest and fastest growing segment of the market. We believe this is precisely the segment that will benefit most from the market-expanding potential of a regional .ASIA domain.
As Prof. Kilnam Chon, a renowned Internet pioneer in Asia, points out, just as there is a place for international magazines, regional magazines and local magazines, there needs to be a place for international TLDs, regional TLDs and local TLDs. From the point of view of DNS operations, a .ASIA TLD provides specific services for a specialized community that has unique needs not otherwise served by a generic or a country code TLD.