SINGAPORE organisations will soon be able to register Chinese language web addresses for their local websites.

The Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), the national registry for local web addresses, will accept registrations for Chinese character address from Nov 23.

Sgnic general manager Lim Choon Sai said the move will "give users greater choices and also add to the range of domain names available here,' adding: 'We believe this is timely given the growing interest, especially among businesses here, to reach the Chinese markets, which may feel more comfortable using their own language."

Sgnic will accept registrations from Government agencies later this month, to be followed by other organisations from January.

Law firm Rodyk & Davidson's IT partner Gilbert Leong said he 'sees no reason why we won't register' a Chinese web name for company's local website.

Rodyk, one of Singapore's biggest law firms, already has a Chinese language website for its China office. Its international website, rodyk.com, also has a Chinese equivalent.