The creation of a top level domain for the Azores is not a matter of priority, given the investment required to carry out this project.

The assessment was made by the Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures, José Contente, at the Azorean Parliament on Wednesday, during the discussion of a draft Resolution, submitted by PPM, proposing the creation of top level domain on the Internet for the Azores.

According to José Contente, the operationalisation of this proposal would have an initial cost estimated at 250,000 Euros as well as an annual cost of 30,000 Euros for human resources expenses.

On the other hand, the government official stressed that the expected return of the investment would be only of 30 Euros per each registration of the companies or entities that would accept to join the new top level domain.

For José Contente, the creation of a Top Level Domain for the Azores does not guarantee that the region will stop using the other domains already available, namely the PT.

"There is also no certainty that such a project could result in the focus of the Region under the name AZORES or AZO" added the Regional Secretary.

He also considered that this project will not distinguish the Azores and the autonomy at a national and international level as the Region has already developed major projects in the field of new information technologies and space technology.

These are, indeed, initiatives that "focus on a more tangible projection of the Azores in the Atlantic", José Contente assured, adding that "it is not a site that will raise the prominence of the Azores and the autonomy."