Company category in an inaugural award scheme for players in the Asian Internet industry.

The global provider of electronic payment processing is amongst 57 finalists in the Internet World Asia Industry Awards who were chosen from some 500 nominations submitted by public and corporate Internet users.

These nominees included Internet companies and individuals that have excelled in creating and developing products and services for the Asian Internet industry, the Bermuda Stock Exchange reported yesterday.

First Ecom.com President and CEO Gregory Pek said: "To be nominated for this industry award is recognition in itself from the Asian Internet community and a great honour for First Ecom.com.

"It demonstrates that we have contributed a great deal of value to the market through our payment processing solutions and believe this nomination acknowledges the importance of the First Ecom.com solution, and we look forward to the awards ceremony.'' Nominations took place online between January 13 and February 4 with a panel of 20 judges consisting of Asia's leading Internet journalists, analysts and academics narrowing the field to five nominees in each of the 12 award categories.

These categories include: Internet Company of the Year; Internet Visionary of the Year; Internet Start-Up of the Year; Best B2B Internet Site; Best B2C Internet Site; Killer Application of the Year; Hottest Internet Hardware Product of the Year; Best design Shop/Designer; Best E-commerce Company; Investor/VC of the Year; ISP of the Year; and the Impact Award for Charitable Contribution to the Net community.

The award ceremony will be held in Singapore on March 2 and is being organised by Penton Media Asia Pacific.

Its managing director Michael Westcott said: "The Internet World Asia industry Awards are set to be one of the most exciting social events ever held in Asia for the dot.com community.

"It coincides with Internet World Asia Singapore, March 1 to 3, and we expect the black tie awards ceremony at the Pan Pacific to attract more than 450 Asian Internet leaders.'' BUSINESS BUC