By Mairi Mallon Bermuda has to ensure that conditions for conducting e-commerce and the supporting infrastructure must continue more reliably, seamlessly and cost-efficiently to compete in a global market, according to a leading Island businessman.

Raymond Medeiros, chairman of Bermuda International Business Association, was speaking about a large Bermudian delegation which will attend an upcoming international e-commerce fair in Miami.

BIBA has arranged for a large delegation from the Island to attend the two-day `Off-shore E-commerce Conference' which begins on February 22.

"Bermuda has to ensure that conditions for conducting e-commerce and supporting infrastructure become ever more reliable, seamless and definitely cost-efficient,'' Mr. Medeiros said.

"This requires further on-going collaboration between the private sector and Government to determine quickly how any obstacles to attracting and, most importantly, keeping e-commerce companies can be eliminated.'' Mr. Medeiros acknowledged concerns that have recently been expressed about the direction on e-commerce development in Bermuda, and said that conferences like the one in Miami helped establish the Island as a leading off-shore centre for e-commerce.

"We have to be seen as a major player in this market, and we now really want to stress business-to-business opportunities as well as our sensible regulatory environment. Promoting Bermuda's ground-breaking legislation, the Electronic Transaction Act 1999, in conjunction with business-to-business activities has yielded acknowledgement in the market and third-party quotes in the media that we are among the leaders in the fields.'' The Miami delegation includes leading many professional figures from BIBA who are either speaking, exhibiting or simply attending.

Those invited to speak include senior representatives from Cable & Wireless, Appleby Spurling & Kempe and First Atlantic Commerce.

"The Bermuda delegation at this conference includes progressive and innovative local industry professionals,'' said Mr. Medeiros.

"Building on the extensive groundwork performed over the last year, BIBA will continue to be at the forefront of promoting Bermuda as the premier offshore e-commerce location highlighting our business opportunities as well as our responsible regulatory framework in this context.'' BIBA is also sponsoring a cocktail party at the conference and at this, organisers plan that the benefits offered by Bermuda as a centre for e-commerce will be discussed.

Minister of Telecommunications and E-commerce, Renee Webb, will not be attending the conference as she will be speaking at another e-commerce conference being held at the same time in London.

Mr. Medeiros said he was pleased with the delegation which would be attending the Miami conference.

"This provides us with an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about Bermuda via our public and private sector partnership, to a very targeted audience,'' he said.

"The objective is to gather the right calibre of senior executives and influencers together at these events in order to channel the Bermuda message effectively. Also we will only be inviting key reporters from select trade publications to the media briefing following the same principle.''