The head of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce said it is concerning that a report into the economic perils Bermuda could be facing has yet to be made public.

Stephen Todd, who has headed the Chamber since April, said the organisation had hoped the Bermuda First report would help chart the course for the coming winter season, which he believes will be worse than previous years.

The Bermuda First report was launched with great fanfare in April.

The report's team planned to suggest strategies to stave off looming economic threats such as the decline in the construction industry, high housing costs as well as international hostility towards tax havens.

The report was due to be made public by the end of May. Since then top business officials as well as politicians involved in Bermuda First have remained mum, failing to answer numerous requests over the past three months for information about the whereabouts and findings of the report.

Yesterday Mr. Todd, who was not involved in the report, said: "It is concerning that the report has not been made public yet.

"We are looking forward to seeing what the report would entail. We are going into a difficult winter season and the information, I would like to believe, will help us chart the way forward. We represent 700 members, who are employers, and anything that would assist in improving the economy is useful.

"We do not know how long this recession will last. I was hoping this report would help us identify things to change and what to keep doing in the coming months.

"I am keen to see what is forthcoming and we are keen to assist in moving it forward in any way we can."

The Bermuda First report was led by ArielRe founder and CEO Don Kramer. Premier Ewart Brown and Opposition leader Kim Swan were co-chairs of the 80-person strong group which included scores of industry leaders.

The report was expected to include a risk and an opportunity study was expected to be completed by McKinsey & Company. The company is described as the world's oldest and largest management and consulting firm.

However, The Royal Gazette understands that the study was not completed due to a lack of funds available.

When it was announced Dr. Brown said: "It is our fundamental duty to ensure we leave the Bermudian economy stronger and more robust than we found it.

"That will be a true test in these nearly unprecedented testing times. But with the brain power now focused on putting Bermuda First I have great faith. My confidence in our economic future is strong."

He said Bermuda First was a non-partisan economic effort to show the Bermudian public that "we are not only minding the store, but working to do whatever is necessary to ensure the store is successful for a long time to come".

Do you want to see the Bermuda First report? E-mail roklynch@royalgazette.bm.