Britain is set to boost e-commerce through partnership deals involving Bermuda and the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories, UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said yesterday.

And the UK will also team up with Bermuda, its Caribbean Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries to tackle drugs and money laundering.

Mr. Cook -- speaking at the London UK/Caribbean Forum -- added: "We had a very stimulating discussion on the potential of the new e-commerce revolution in assisting the economies of the Caribbean and the extent to which the new developments in communications will enable small island communities to take advantage of the global economy in a way that overcomes any problems of geographic access.

"We are exploring how we can take forward the themes of that discussion in a practical way by Britain helping to build developments in e-commerce and in the communications revolution within the Caribbean,'' he continued, "carrying on work with our partners in the Caribbean in the same way that we launched work with our European partners at Lisbon.'' Telecommunications and E-Commerce Minister Renee Webb last night welcomed any help Britain could provide in smoothing Bermuda's path down the information superhighway.

She said Bermuda was ahead of the UK in terms of legislation to promote and regulate e-commerce but noted Britain could still be useful. Ms Webb said: "Britain has access to expertise with respect to the European Union and what's happening in the offshore jurisdictions closer to the UK like Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

"Britain also has a lot closer relationships with its European partners than we do so with respect to developments in that region. I'm sure Britain could assist us.

"And Britain could help in perhaps finding qualified information technology people in particular areas and exchanging information.'' Ms Webb added: "If there is any opportunity for Bermuda to take advantage of this, clearly we will.'' Mr. Cook also pledged support to its remaining small island colonies in protecting the environment.

He said Bermuda and the Caribbean were "a treasure house of marine diversity and of importance to the global environment''.

Mr. Cook said small islands were particularly vulnerable to climate change and global warming and noted Britain was behind international efforts to stabilise the rising world temperature. The Royal Gazette reported on Thursday that Mr.

Cook had promised more than $640,000 to help Police training in the Caribbean region, which includes Bermuda. The extra cash will be used to train officers in Britain and to send training teams from the UK overseas to coach Police.