finishing their probe into how to boost Bermuda's economy.

The tourism section of the Commission, headed by banker Mr. James Masters, completed its report last September.

Now the other two sections -- international business and "future opportunities'' -- are close to completing their reports.

The Commission was set up by the Premier to study how the Island could improve its two main industries and possibly add a third string to its bow.

Hundreds of Bermudians have contributed to the study, and about 57 "task forces'' have been examining specialist areas.

The commission's head, Mr. Mansfield (Jim) Brock, hopes to deliver the final report to Sir John Swan by March.

Yesterday Mr. Masters regretted the election had delayed the process. "They should have got it out a long time ago,'' he said. "The major slow-down was the politicians being not ready to look at recommendations with the election coming up.

"Otherwise this would have been done and complete in October or November, I would have said.'' His section had its task speeded up by a professional consultant, he said.

Other sections had relied totally on volunteer work.

"The Premier has asked for it by March and we have set ourselves the target of having it largely completed by the end of this month.'' Mr. Richard Butterfield, who headed the international business section, said a final summary of its recommendations would be finished in a week or two.

"It's been a pretty big job, when you consider the amount of voluntary work that has been put into it. I think we've done damn well.'' The future opportunities section, headed by Mr. John Collis, has been looking at possible new sources of business for Bermuda.

Its report was mainly finished, he said. Only one or maybe two meetings remained, and then in a week or two Mr. Brock would get it.

Volunteers had carried out a lot of research, he said, because ideas for alternative industries had to be examined from scratch.

The tourism and international business sections of the commission had carried out "mammoth'' tasks, examining whole industries in detail.

To get the views of hundreds of Bermudians had taken time, he said. "It wouldn't be so valuable if it was just the views of five or six people around a table.'' COMMISSION ON COMPETITIVENESS REPORT