Women are taking advantage of the Internet to make their lives easier, according to Minister of E-commerce and Telecommunications Renee Webb.

The Minister was speaking yesterday at a Women in International Trade luncheon and highlighted the important place women in Bermuda have in this growing sector.

She told the organisation: "A growing number of technology companies have women in senior management roles -- in Bermuda we see examples of Andrea Wilson, CEO of First Atlantic Commerce and Gayle Gorman, the head of e-Venture Centre.'' Ms Webb said a report released by the National Foundation for Women Business Owners showed that six in ten US businesswomen use the Internet frequently.

Banking and bill paying services were used by more than one third of businesswomen and 57 percent of businesswomen had bought products or services on-line, versus the 41 percent national average.

She said: "E-commerce is playing a greater role in women's lives.'' Ms Webb also referred to the most recent Bermuda Omnibus quarterly survey from Total Marketing and Communications and Corporate Research Associates which stated that 64 percent of Bermudians surveyed in March, 2001, had Internet access from home, as opposed to 30.8 percent in the UK and 56.5 percent in the US.

"Women comprise 51.6 percent of the Internet population in Bermuda versus 35 percent in the UK and 51.1 percent in the US,'' she added.

"It is very apparent that women are taking advantage of the Internet to make their lives easier.'' To date Bermuda has attracted 100 companies with e-commerce activities, and she said that the Ministry of Telecommunications was currently gathering statistics in conjunction with BIBA on what sectors these companies represent.

She said: "Not all have been successful -- that is normal in any line of business -- but Bermuda does have her success stories such as E*Trace, HedgeWorld, First Atlantic Commerce, eVenture Centre, Global e-biz and Quo Vadis Ltd.'' Ms Webb was invited to speak to the women who meet regularly to network and listen to businessmen and women at their luncheons.

Ms Webb said; "I am encouraged that an association dedicated to fostering free trade and the advancement of women in business is so active within Bermuda. I am equally impressed with your monthly lecture format, which allows for two important components of business -- networking and education.'' Telecommunications and E-Commerce Minsiter Renee Webb