The PLP will be sticking to the same principles on the economy which served it so well over its first nine years in office.

That is according to Finance Minister Paula Cox and top of her hit list of things to do if she is returned to power is tackling inflation, maintaining Bermuda's status as a top place to do business and to roll out the Economic Empowerment Zone (EEZ) throughout the Island.

Also, planned for a third term, are the use of tax incentives to promote environmentally friendly policies, tax concessions to provide greater incentives to local business and support for the expansion of the vendor market as a boost to entrepreneurs, as set out in the PLP platform.

In terms of inflation, Ms. Cox reckons the PLP government has been consistent in its approach to inflation since 2001, but will be forced to become more energy savvy and introduce more environmentally friendly policies in a bid to try and reduce the impact of external influences to the economy in the future.

"From a policy point of view, in terms of changing behaviours, what will happen, I hope, is that we will be forced to become more energy savvy, because, I think, clearly, certain things are external influences and they are outside of our control, particularly when we look at fuel prices," she said.

"But, the bottom line is that the underlying trend rate is about 3.6 percent, despite the headline rate, which is up to about 4.4 percent, and though there is monthly volatility, at the same time we have been relatively consistent from 2001 and a little higher in 2006 and 2007, actuated and motivated by the fuel prices, but there is certainly no shortage of the supply of necessary goods and services in Bermuda."

She also believes it would be a case of more of the same from the PLP when it comes to making sure the Island remains the number one business destination for re/insurance start-ups in the face of growing competition from other jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands and the Isle of Man.

"I think a new PLP government is going to be consistent with its outreach to date and we believe very much in having an appropriate, effective and efficient regulatory environment," she said.

"If you talk to some of those who are participants in the Bermuda and international business environment and even those who are coming and have been reasonably new entrants, they will tell you that what they are motivated by is the fact that we have some innovative partnership structures, some innovative business vehicles, a regulatory and flexible climate and world class service providers, and they like the speed of execution by the Ministry and the Bermuda Monetary Authority and they find it helpful to do business in terms of the fact that they can meet key players that are here on the ground."

Ms Cox pointed to the recently signed Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the UK as evidence that the PLP was striving to enhance Bermuda's international business stature, allied to the granted designation of the Bermuda Stock Exchange as a recognised stock exchange earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Ms Cox claims the PLP will be aiming to continue its policy of controlled growth to prevent the economy from overheating.

"What we have set in motion is encouraging people to renew their faith in the sustainability and success of our tourism industry and international business sector," she said.

"The government has a role to play as a control lever and, from a finance perspective, we use the capital expenditure process so that although we approve certain things, we time it and phase it out so that it isn't going to be instantaneous, a burden and also a challenge, and we use those tools which are within our remit to try and make sure there is a phased and orderly development.

"We have more control where they are government capital projects, while we can use the rubric of the environment and planning rules to suggest to people that they need to have certain things done which can slow down and retard the progress of some of their building requirements."

She is also keen to extend the EEZ to the east and west of the Island, but added that it is important to get things right in the North West Hamilton area first, before pressing ahead with the two ends of the country.

In contrast to the UBP's proposal to scrap payroll tax for anyone who earns less than $42,000 a year, Ms. Cox is in favour of using the tax to help people through offering concessions, such as reducing the rate to 4.75 percent for businesses in the EEZ.

"Let us just get a sense of context in that the payroll tax is clearly a key economic tool, however, an y responsible and fiscally prudent government also would have to recognise and acknowledge that payroll tax is the largest contributor to revenue for the government, something in the region of 27 percent, and, if you are going to provide across the board giveaways, you have got to look at how you are going to fund it and how you are going to replace it, but, equally, I think our view is that you have got to make sure you target and help those persons who need help most."