Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting electronic commerce and telecommunications in the Throne speech.

Friday's Throne Speech said the Government would concentrate on marketing Bermuda as world centre for the flourishing new businesses.

The Speech also gave the Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce more clout by announcing an interdepartmental reshuffle which will give it more staff and better access to information technology and computer facilities.

And the speech, read by Governor Thorold Masefield, added that the technological advances brought by e-trade are to be brought into the running of Government offices and used to improve the efficiency of the civil service.

"The Ministry's newly created Department of E-Commerce will concentrate on marketing and business development with the aim of making Bermuda an e-commerce hub,'' the speech said.

The speech reaffirmed Government's commitment to forming legislation to control the growing industries.

"With the passage of the Electronic Transaction Act, the E-Commerce Advisory Board has now been established and it will assist in the drafting of a code of conduct for e-service providers and intermediaries,'' it said.

It went on to say that the computer services department was now to be moved from the finance department over to Renee Webb's Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce.

The speech said:"To further the Government's ability to lead the Island's e-commerce potential, the Computer Systems and Services Department has been moved from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce.'' Government also reaffirmed its commitment to new legislation for both the growing telecommunications industry and electronic commerce.

"Recent innovations and technological changes in this fast-paced industry have resulted in the need for a new Act.

"Accordingly, a position paper on a new Telecommunications Act is being produced and, after consultation with all interested parties, will be laid before the Legislature.

"Government is also keen to ensure that the best use is made of information technology to improve the efficiency of the civil service.''