Bermuda Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new logo and strategy yesterday designed to bring the organisation up to date.

The new emblem has Bermuda Chamber of Commerce written around a yellow button with the word ?Yes?.

Chamber president Charles Gosling told the annual general meeting at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess that he hoped the new logo and revamped organisation would energise businesses.

He said with the plethora of bodies such as Bermuda International Business Association, Bermuda Employers? Council and the Association of Bermuda International Companies, there was confusion about who spoke for business.

He said the Chamber was seen by the man in the street as well known and well regarded but had the image of being the voice of Front Street, lacking diversity, and protective of the old ways of doing business.

Business was faced with challenges of international business becoming more influential and its effects on the economy; the need to continue focussing on tourism; and the necessity of strong input on Government decisions on immigration, tax and employment decisions.

?Given all these challenges, we have been going through a very long strategic planning exercise and have found it challenging to pull together the various teams and present a finalised, all complete, ?new? Chamber,? said Mr. Gosling.

?This remains a work in progress due to be completed this year.

?Somehow the (old) image of two non-native dolphins circling each other does not carry across these themes of purpose, business or values.

?I sort of see them as a symbol of the old Bermuda way of doing business ? two albeit aquatic puppy dogs sniffing each other out, not sure whether to fight over their territory, foster a new family line, or go out together and raid the neighbour?s fish farm.

?Too often is much easier to say no. While this logo does not commit us to saying yes all the time, we need to be careful in representing, providing, acting, creating or facilitating that we are able to respond in a manner which acts as a conduit, in a manner to aid today?s business and not as a speed bump or barrier. This is a challenge and for many of us also one of discovery, but one which ultimately will help lead us to better accomplishments.

?We hope that this revitalisation will have a motivating effect on staff, volunteers, committee and board members and encourage further participation.?

In his annual report, Mr. Gosling said the Chamber is planning to produce a handbook for businesses on how to respond to major storms after finding most had no set procedures in the run-up to Hurricane Fabian.

He said it was unfortunate the Progressive Labour Party turned down an invitation to present its economic policies at a power breakfast before the last election, although the United Bermuda Party did.

?The dilemma became: ?How can we encourage debate if only one side turns up?? he wrote.

?Can we allow this part of the electoral process, sadly lacking in Bermuda, to be dominated by those who say no?

?It was felt that while one had the right to choose not to participate, this decision could not be allowed to de facto stop the other side from the right of making their own choice.

?We hope that with the next General Election, or major event of Island interest, we can succeed in getting representation from all the major participants, encouraging informed discussions, and ultimately to enable our members to make informed decisions.?

Mr. Gosling welcomed the new flexibility over work permit term limits shown when Alex Scott became Premier and Randy Horton took over as Labour and Home Affairs Minister.

There were fears that nine-year term limits would be strictly applied to all, but the Chamber was happy with Government?s commitments that it would do nothing to drive away international business and it would grant exemptions to key employees.

?This certainly improved the comfort level of many businesses and employees throughout the Island,? he wrote, although there were still other ?serious issues?.

The Chamber, which has been running the financially-draining Visitor Service Bureau for 70 years, is reviewing at the end of the summer whether to continue doing this.

?We haven?t formed an opinion one way or the other, and we will wait to hear from our members prior to reaching a final decision.?