`Rendez-vous de Septembre'' conference in Monte Carlo, according the conference's daily newsletter.

The Rendez-vous Reporter in its lead story headlined "Bermuda stands firm'', said yesterday Bermuda market was the most talked about topic "at the conference tables''.

The story featured Partner Re chairman and CEO Mr. Herbert Haag while another front-page story quoted Mid Ocean Re's president and CEO Mr. Michael Butt.

The story came as international business officials spread the word that it is "business as usual'' in Bermuda following last month's referendum and the appointment of a new Premier.

More than 50 Bermuda representatives from approximately 30 companies are taking part in the annual reinsurance conference, where 1,500 delegates from around the world are gathered.

"The Rendez-vous de Septembre, which is one of the world's largest annual reinsurance gatherings, marks the first opportunity Bermuda's international business leaders have had to market the Island `en masse' since the referendum,'' a Bermuda Commercial Bank spokesman said.

She added that members of the Bermuda delegation had been fielding questions about the referendum and what impact it has had on the Island's international business sector.

"Their message has been that business has not only returned to normal but the decisive `No' vote has reinforced Bermuda's position as the world's leading reinsurance domicile,'' the spokesperson said.

She added that the Bermuda Commercial Bank has distributed its news bulletin announcing the outcome of the referendum and the appointment of former Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul as the new Premier to every delegate at the conference.

More than 1,500 delegates representing 82 countries around the world are attending the conference and it offers "a unique opportunity for the world's leading reinsurers to get together and discuss business in an informal setting''.

Day two of the Rendez-vous opened with a panel discussion on who will cover the costs of cleaning up the planet.

Speakers included Swiss industrial magnate and chairman of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Mr. Stephen Schmidheiny and American International Group chairman Mr. Maurice Greenberg.

The discussion centred on the role business, and particularly the insurance business, should play in the next century in handling environmental concerns.

"Bermuda is uniquely placed to understand the importance of the interface between business and environmental concerns,'' said Bermuda Commercial Bank managing director Ms Audette Exel.

"Increasingly, business is becoming aware of the cost benefit of eco-efficiencies,'' she said. "Bermuda, more than perhaps any other jurisdiction, is committed to the growth of business on the Island while at the same time working to ensure that its environment is maintained for future generations.''