Premier Alex Scott and Finance Minister Paula Cox said Bermuda?s commitment to maintaining its stature as a leading insurance market has much to do with creating opportunities for future generations.

?This is how we are really planting the seeds of the future,? Ms Cox said in an interview from Honolulu, where she and Mr. Scott were this week attending the Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. conference that draws thousands of North American risk managers, many of whom do business in the Bermuda market.

?This business trickles down in many ways to the kitchen table,? Mr. Scott added, signalling the importance the market now plays in the Bermuda economy. In total about 4,000 of the Island?s jobs are with Bermuda-based insurers and reinsurers. Of those, more than half the spots are held by Bermudians.

Government has been sending a delegation to RIMS since the 1980s.

?It is not a junket,? said Mr. Scott. ?It is very serious work: We didn?t become number one by accident and we won?t stay number one by accident.?

At least a dozen other offshore domiciles competing for a piece of the global insurance market have a presence at RIMS. Bermuda is the most high-profile with the tallest booth, the largest delegation (around 100 this year and some years up to 200), and the annual tradition of the Premier and Finance Minister walking the exhibit hall and hosting a gala reception for those interested in the Bermuda market.

And next year Bermuda will be unveiling a new booth when RIMS returns to New Orleans for the second time in six years.

?All of our clients have choices; no slice of the business is guaranteed,? Mr. Scott said.

Mr. Scott said even something as cosmetic as coming up with a new booth concept (the booth being retired this year was a hallmark with its replica of Hamilton?s City Hall tower), is an example of how Bermuda is constantly working to better itself. And he said it was paramount that the public and private sectors continue to work together to ensure the market continues to thrive.

?If we were to become separate entities we would lose our edge.?

Bermuda?s delegation included other Finance Ministry and Cabinet officials, as well as regulatory officials.

The group, most of whom were accompanied by spouses, rounded out their official Hawaii visit on Wednesday night at a special reception hosted by Hawaii?s Governor Linda Lingle, held at her official residence.