A post-referendum briefing tour by the Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) could start in November, the organisation said yesterday.

BIBA, with Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, the firm retained by BIBA to promote the Island's international business sector overseas, announced the proposed briefing tour at a presentation yesterday at the Hamilton Princess.

Independence is foremost among the issues demanding effective management and mishandling of the issue could be detrimental to Bermuda, said Edelman.

The tour tentatively includes stops in San Francisco, Hong Kong, London, Geneva, New York, Chicago and Boston. The London and Geneva stops would coincide with the annual Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland early next year while the latter three stops would be in the spring of 1996.

Funding for the tour, part of BIBA's continuing efforts to market Bermuda as a premier international off-shore jurisdiction, would come from the international business community, said BIBA deputy chairman Mr. Glenn Titterton.

BIBA would manage organisation and media relations components of the tour.

There is a consensus that after the period of uncertainty resulting from the Independence referendum situation, regardless of the result, we need to be proactive in getting a unified message out to the international business community, he said.

"The message would be that it is international business as usual,'' he said.

BIBA recently promoted Bermuda in London through the Bermuda Market Briefing.

"We are now in a very competitive market, Bermuda has to be far more proactive in presenting itself as other jurisdictions have become very aggressive in soliciting business,'' said Mr. Titterton. "We certainly cannot rest on our laurels.'' The organisation feels such a series of briefings in these locations will be needed after the August referendum vote, said BIBA marketing manager Mrs.

Wendy Davis Johnson.

"The briefing is in the planning stages and would be an industry-shared initiative,'' she said.

BIBA uses it $500,000 Government-funded budget for marketing, said Mrs. Davis Johnson.

In its second year, 1995/96, BIBA's budget will increase to $550,000. In the past year, the financial community is better informed about Bermuda as a result of the programme, said Edelman.

BIBA's first year of overseas marketing programme has resulted in a doubling of media coverage abroad, said Edelman.

The key messages promoted abroad; Business and Government work in partnership; The Island is leading international business centre; Bermuda has a stable political system; The Island has effective investor protection and a sophisticated infrastructure as well as quality services; As well as responding to the Independence issue, BIBA's programme addresses sensational media reports about offshore jurisdictions, baselands utilisation and Washington tax legislation.

BIBA also has commitments to the Society of International Business Fellows, shipping and mutual funds conferences as well as RIMS.

BIBA will also conduct a New York media round table, Independence referendum background and industry related interviews as part of their marketing programme.