leg of their market briefing tour a success.

Eight Hong Kong sessions which promoted the Island's international business sector attracted 180 delegates, a BIBA statement revealed yesterday.

There was a feeling of partnership among Government and private sector representatives that participated in the briefing, BIBA chairman Mr. Cummings Zuill said.

"The briefing demonstrated the real teamwork that exists within industry and Government,'' Mr. Zuill said.

Premier David Saul called the briefing an investment in Bermuda's future relationship with the growing Asian market.

Dr. Saul and Mr. Zuill said that the briefing should be repeated in Hong Kong with additional cities added to the tour schedule if the budget permitted.

The premier addressed delegates during the briefing's opening session while Finance Minister Grant Gibbons delivered a keynote address during a luncheon.

The briefing has generated widespread news coverage for Bermuda with articles appearing in English and Chinese language newspapers including the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Standard, United Daily News, Hong Kong Daily News and Hong Kong Commercial Daily as well as interviews with Mr. Zuill by CNBC TV and Bloomberg Business News service, BIBA said.

The Hong Kong briefing is the first promotional effort of its kind by Bermuda's international business sector.

The next briefing's stops are in London and Zurich on January 30 and 31 respectively.

The Zurich trip will be just prior to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Earlier this year organisers set up the briefing tour to promote Bermuda and inform other jurisdictions that it is "business as usual'' in the Island's post-referendum environment.