Who says Government is not willing to listen to international business? When local law firm Conyers Dill & Pearman put on the first of a series of "hard-core learning sessions'' on business issues recently, it attracted a standing room only crowd, including several represenatives from different Government departments.

Entitled "Mutual Funds: Current Issues'', the hour-long seminar, given at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel, caught the attention of "banks, investment houses, accounting firms, fund managers, traders and even insurance companies and Government,'' said Deborah Middleton, the firm's business development manager.

"Part of our corporate philosophy is our client focus. The idea of holding this seminar and the ones that follow is to add value for our clients,'' she said.

Several members of the staff of the Registrar of Companies were among the audience, as were other Government officials in various capacities.

Attendees heard a series of short presentations on prospectuses, anti-money laundering rules, marketing mutual funds in Bermuda and on the Internet, and the implications of the recent Investment Business Act. A question-and-answer session completed the seminar and guests were invited to stay for cocktails and networking.

"Mutual funds are a substantial industry in Bermuda,'' said John Collis, a partner with the firm. "In 1999, the statistics tell us that there were about 1,300 funds in Bermuda, with assets of approximately $32 billion. That excludes the many non-Bermuda funds managed or administered by service providers in Bermuda.'' The size of the Bermuda market and its fast pace, Mr. Collis said, made keeping up to date on industry issues of paramount importance.

Ms Middleton said that many senior executives who attended the course brought their "entire teams'' with them. The choice of subjects for the seminar appears to have been justified by the "great appeal to our clients'' Ms Middleton said.

Subsequent seminars will cover a range of other issues.

BUSINESS BUC