A senior member of the Chamber of Commerce has stated publicly that policies on immigration and the economy that are "autocratic and inflexible'' will sound the death knell to a high standard of living in Bermuda.

And the president of the Chamber has thrown down the gauntlet to members of the Government to set up meaningful discourse with the business community, saying: "Minister, you know where to reach us.'' The Chamber of Commerce's Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, J.

C. (Kit) Astwood, and President Cris Valdes Dapena have had their comments published in the 1999 Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Annual Report which was issued yesterday at the organisation's annual general meeting.

Mr. Astwood said: "Our Bermuda is fully catapulted into the global economy.

"Autocratic, inflexible and doctrinaire economic, and immigration, policies, designed for whatever form of protectionism they may achieve, will be the death knell to a Bermuda enjoying a high standard of living.'' Mrs Valdes Dapena, called for a closer relationship and understanding between businesses and the Government.

She said of building this relationship: "The assertions of `consultation with the business community' so often heard ringing hollowly on the floor of the House would themselves become meaningful. Minister, you know where to reach us.'' Chairman David Ezekiel said in the report that the issues of work permits, immigration, payroll tax, land tax and CURE were all problems needing to be resolved.

"But he said that progress was being made in communicating with the Government.

"There are a number of issues which need to be resolved affecting how we live and work on the Island and perhaps most important among these relate to work permits and immigration, payroll and land taxes and the recently introduced CURE legislation.

"I believe that we are making progress in establishing and maintaining lines of communication with the various Ministries and I am hopeful that we can make some progress towards maintaining the business and social environment which attracted most of our members to Bermuda.'' Mrs. Valdes Dapena also referred to Minister of the Environment Arthur Hodgson talks on limits to growth on the Island.

She said: "It has been referred to as `ex-pat bashing' and worse, but I confess, I do not see the topic, itself in that light.'' Mrs Valdes Dapena continued: "It is my personal view that very few, if any, people in Bermuda believe either that we should try to revert to a population of 10,000 or that unlimited growth is acceptable.

"I do believe, however, that a media-based debate, with one speaker at a time espousing his views, is a dangerous and counterproductive means to go about evaluating the issue.'' She urged ministers, economists, environmentalists, advocacy groups and others concerned with the issue to meet with representatives of the business community to devise a policy and plan "for containing population growth while retaining or even enhancing the lustre of Bermuda as an offshore domicile.

"Bermudians grew the international business industry here with the help of offshore businesses.

"Surely, it is only with their help that we can refashion it to harmonise the Island's need to limit access with its need for foreign-sourced income.'' In conclusion she cited effective collaborations between business and Government such as the tourism sector with the Ministry of Tourism in the initiative.

"Bermuda would be a far more admirable place, an example, potentially, to the rest of the world,if we could make a partnership between Government and business a full-time reality rather than just a dream.

"Our size permits this: it is only our will that has been lacking.'' Chamber President Cris Valdes Dapena: `Minister, you know where to reach us.' Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson: Setting a dangerous precedent.

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