More than $1 million has been put aside to develop a new Internet portal that will allow Bermudians to pay taxes and register vehicles online, as well as accessing Government information.

The money was announced in yesterday's budget on the day the deadline expired for companies to submit applications to build the system.

Government E-Commerce advisor Nigel Hickson said yesterday that 15 companies from overseas and Bermuda had submitted proposals for the project.

The project will also bring together all of the 38 government websites and allow members of the public to carry out tasks such as registrations online.

"This is a big project that is going to be very exciting for Bermuda," he said.

"It will allow citizens and businesses to access government information. There are currently around 38 Government websites that should be on the site by summer, then people can begin services like paying taxes, licensing vehicles, and registering companies.

"It is going to take some time, but the first phase is to get all the government information online. We've been working on this for the last year to 18 months and it is going to be very good for Bermuda."

The Telecommunications and E-Commerce budget includes $400,000 for the internet portal, and $560,000 for government intranet facilities which will allow the system to work.

Tourism and Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said yesterday that eventually, the system will be linked up to hotels and activities on the Island, allowing potential tourists to book their holidays through the site.

Meanwhile, revenue to Telecommunications in 2002-03 is estimated to jump by $1 million from $6.5 million to $7.5 million due to increased income from wireless fees.

The e-commerce budget is estimate to rise by 16 percent in 2003-04 to $989,000, which Telecommunications will jump by seven percent from $1,301,000 to $1,381,000.

The information technology office budget will go up by 19 percent from $4,574,000 to $5,428,000 mainly as a result of promoting Bermuda as an e-commerce destination, said Ms Webb.