The Chamber of Commerce is urging Government to make a decision on Independence quickly because the uncertainty is bad for business.

And the organisation also believes that a referendum is the preferred route to decide the issue.

An open forum on the Bermuda Independence Commission (BIC) report was held at the Chamber in May to provide its members a chance to ask questions of the BIC and let their opinions be heard, it said.

?Uncertainty is harmful to all businesses, therefore the sooner this matter is resolved the better it will be for Bermuda and its people,? the Chamber said in a newsletter.

?Referendum is the preferred route as it is unambiguous and provides each individual with the right to vote on this issue in isolation from all other considerations.?

In addition, it said Government should tell business what framework it could be working under post-Independence.

?Government should confer with the international business sector. However, we would expect the Chamber of Commerce to be included in this process,? it said. ?Race relations are more important than Independence and should receive priority from the Government of the day.?

Regarding the ability of Bermudians to live and work in the EU, the Chamber said Independence could have an impact on younger members of the workforce.

?Employers within the EU will be put off hiring Bermudians if they need to obtain work permits, especially for short term or temporary jobs,? it said. ?We are in a global economy and our young people need exposure to the best training opportunities in the world in order to compete successfully.?

Bermuda?s international relations, for example with the World Trade Organisation, were not dependent on Independence it said, and should be considered as a separate issue.