A Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) survey has disclosed that many black males still can't picture themselves with a career related to international business.

Some of the survey's results were made public yesterday by BIBA chairman Glenn Titterton while addressing Hamilton Rotarians at Pier 6.

A key element of BIBA's local marketing effort is to help Bermudians understand the critical role they play in the industry's success.

BIBA tests the local campaign's effectiveness against base line data established in an initial survey in 1994.

Mr. Titterton said, "There is a perception among some groups that the jobs created are being taken by non-Bermudians and that such growth (in international business) is having a negative impact on housing.

"When we break down the results by race and gender we find that black male Bermudians are uncertain about the future impact of international business growth on them personally, from a career point of view.

"Some things have not changed in the intervening three years. Almost two out of ten Bermudians do not even believe that Bermuda has to compete for international business.

"Further, our efforts to raise service standards in order to compete globally are not helped by the fact that eight out of ten Bermudians already believe that Bermuda offers good, very good or excellent service.

"More worrying, there is a polarisation of perceptions regarding job opportunities on the basis of racial background, and in some cases the opinions of Bermudians are split on the basis of gender.

"It will come as no surprise that the majority of white male Bermudians continue to believe that there is equal opportunity, but this view is not always shared by other groups.

"There are also mixed beliefs regarding future equal sharing in the prosperity which will flow from the growth of international business.'' Mr.

Titterton advised that while broader efforts in the community must be maintained, BIBA must partner with international companies to determine if these are real issues or merely based on perception. They must also employ different strategies and re-focus the campaign to get more commitment from all segments of the community.

In a speech that covered BIBA's beginnings 27 years ago to its influential stature in today's business world, Mr. Titterton concluded that many of BIBA's initiatives will not succeed unless the private sector and government lead a strong partnership that includes all interested parties.

He encouraged Rotarians to lend personal assistance in the rebuilding of the tourism industry and the supporting of international business.

BIBA begins a three city Briefing Tour on Monday in the US, continuing to build upon "Bermuda's brand and reputation in core markets.'' The core markets include the UK and Hong Kong.

About 50 government and private sector representatives led by Premier Pamela Gordon will make the trip, organised by BIBA and funded by the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Tourism and the private sector.

Additional briefing tours are planned for Frankfurt and Paris in January and budget permitting, consideration will be given to events in the Pacific Rim region.

SURVEY SUR