Bermuda's unstaffed Washington DC office will have its activities strengthened this year at a cost to taxpayers of $320,000.

Finance Minister Paula Cox told the House of Assembly during her Budget presentation on Friday: "The September 2009 opening of the Government of Bermuda office in Washington DC was hailed as a landmark event in the Bermuda story. During this fiscal year we will strengthen the activities of the Washington office.

"The importance of having a definitive presence in the capital of our most influential neighbour is proven almost daily as we monitor progress in the United States Congress of legislation and policies that potentially affect the principal pillar of our economy."

The Royal Gazette revealed last month that the office close to Capitol Hill — which required $58,000 to set up and renovate and costs taxpayers almost $180,000-a-year to lease — had no one working in it.

It was intended that three staff would be based there and would work with Congressional staffers to further Bermuda's interests in the States, particularly in relation to tax issues.

But is understood that the money to pay for salaries was not available in the 2009/10 Budget. Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque said external advertising for the jobs would be considered after looking at the possibility of secondment or transfers within the public service.