talk -- to be held amid fears over the future of the international sector in Bermuda.

Top business people from the offshore sector and the Island's banks will have a face-to-face with Premier Jennifer Smith, Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister and Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox who is responsible for immigration and work permits.

Business leaders set to attend include American International president Joseph Johnson, XL Capital chief executive Brian O'Hara, Ernst & Young partner Anthony Joaquin, Bank of Bermuda president Henry Smith and Bermuda Hotel Association executive director John Harvey.

Mr. Lister sparked a storm of protest in the business community after he announced new rules on race reporting in the workplace for employers, employees and job applicants -- a move condemned by the business sector as too bureaucratic and intrusive.

Ms Cox's plans to introduce six-year time limits on most work permits led to predictions that international business would find it hard to attract top quality candidates.

A spokesman said: "The discussion, expected to be the first in a series, was initiated by the Bermuda Government to continue dialogue with the private sector following growing concerns within the business community.'' The programme starts at 9 p.m. on ZBM.