danger of the Millennium Bug.

The Government and the Bermuda International Business Association have got together to form a national committee, with the specific aim of minimising the effect of the dawn of the new century on computer systems.

The committee will include members of leading businesses in Bermuda and organisations.

Headed by Bank of Bermuda executive Barry Shailer, the committee will also be involved in international bodies as they tussle with the issue of ensuring there is no interruption of worldwide communication.

In addition, the group will help local businesses to boost their and their customers confidence that the year 2000 will not bring a difficulty with their communications.

In a joint statement, the Minister of Finance, Grant Gibbons, and the president of the Bermuda International Business Association, Glenn Titterton, said it was important that any "Y2K'' problems in the Island's infrastructure were properly addressed.

"We must also be active in ensuring that the rest of the world knows we are efficiently tackling the problem. We will be judged by the outside world according to how well we deal with these issues.''