pay to Government after two amendments were passed in Parliament Wednesday night.

The Exempted Partnerships Amendment and the Overseas Partnerships Amendment were passed in the House of Assembly by Government.

The amendments push up the late fine amount and increase other fees for such services as the annual registration fee, basic registration fee and copying a document by a public officer.

Finance Minister Eugene Cox said the fees were normally increased in line with inflation every two years, a schedule which had now fallen due.

The five percent increase is really just over two percent per year since the last time there was a change in 1998.

"We're only moving with inflation,'' he said. "That's the way we do business. Whether the Caymans do it or anybody else doesn't matter. We lead the Caymans they don't lead us.'' Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons questioned the change, saying: "Even though it goes up to five percent, it does seem like a lot. We may be pushing our luck a bit. This is not quite pro forma.'' Dr. Gibbons had said he was disappointed Mr. Cox had not presented information from countries like the Cayman Islands to compare with Bermuda's rates and fees.

He also asked if Government had consulted international businesses, to which Mr. Cox responded: "That's an overwhelming yes. We did consult with them.

That's what this government does.'' The basic fine for a Exempted Partnership or Overseas Partnership company which does not pay its annual fee is now $315.

The annual fee for both types of company is now $2,100 while the costs for Ministerial consent to start a partnership is now $265.

BUSINESS BUC