The Government is set to promote Bermuda as an e-commerce hub in a seminar in London next month.

According to a release from the Ministry for Tourism, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, Bermuda is set to host a seminar about offshore e-business on February 4.

?With almost three-quarters of Fortune 500 companies having some form of presence in Bermuda, the country has already proven a natural choice for offshore e-business projects with businesses such as Cable & Wireless and AT&T Wireless,? said the release. ?The seminar will offer advice to those considering e-business projects and highlight the reasons why so many of the world?s leading companies already have a presence in Bermuda.

The speakers include Renee Webb, Minister for Tourism, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, Jonathan Koshar, general manager of AT&T Wireless in Bermuda and an as yet unnamed Bank of Bermuda spokesperson.

Mr. Koshar is expected to give a newly-arrived business?s view of establishing a business and e-commerce solution while Bank of Bermuda will talk about creating e-commerce solutions in the banking sector.

?AT&T Wireless has been able to establish itself and make great progress in a relatively short space of time thanks to the supportive government and business environment in Bermuda,? said Mr. Koshar. ?We are among the first three countries in the world to have EDGE data technology, giving the Bermudian business community access to state of the art wireless communications products and services.?

Ms Webb said that Bermuda offered a politically stable and financially favourable environment that attracts global businesses.

According to the World Economic Forum report, Bermuda ranks tenth in the world in personal computer penetration and first in television receivers and main telephone lines.

Bermuda also tops the Latin American/Caribbean region in individual internet use at 49 percent. It is also soon to introduce a comprehensive E-Government portal, which the Ms Webb will also touch on during her speech.

The event will take place at Barber-Surgeons Hall in London from midday to 2.30 pm.