A leading business figure is renewing a call on Government to move forward with a referendum on Independence because of concerns that ?lingering discussion? on the controversial topic is scaring away prospective business.

Chairman of the Bermuda International Business Association, Greg Haycock, made the call on the one-year anniversary of a letter sent by BIBA last October to Premier Alex Scott.

The letter raised several areas of concern, including the negative effect Bermuda going independent could have on international business.

The concerns followed BIBA hiring its overseas public relations agencies to conduct a confidential audit of opinion with firms that do business in Bermuda, or promote it as a financial centre to other businesses.

Mr. Haycock, in a BIBA-issued statement yesterday, said that the letter from October 2004 ?clearly articulated? to Government BIBA?s concerns. BIBA?s 2004 letter is available on the Bermuda Independence Commission website.

BIBA, which receives an annual grant from Government, sought the opinion of its clients after the Finance Ministry asked it to provide feedback on the issue of Independence.

BIBA is a member organisation that includes accounting firms, law firms and other businesses providing services to the Island?s international businesses. It works with both Bermuda and overseas entities marketing the Island as a leading international business centre.

?The message back from our sources of business has been unequivocal ? a lingering discussion of Independence breeds uncertainty and is encouraging existing and potential clients to look to other jurisdictions for their business,? the statement yesterday said.

Now that the Bermuda Independence Commission report is public, Bermudians should be allowed to decide the question of sovereignty ?at the earliest opportunity? and that it should be through a referendum.

Mr. Haycock told the timing of a referendum could only be decided by Government. He said BIBA would like to see it ?sooner rather than later?.

Mr. Scott has said previously that Bermudians should vote on Independence in a general election. The next election is due to be called by 2008.

Strong opposition by Bermuda voters has been formally lodged with Government, through a petition calling for a referendum to be called.

The interviews conducted on BIBA?s behalf more than a year ago found that most of the users and promoters of Bermuda would be very concerned to promote Bermuda if it went Independent, and some would be ?totally unwilling? to do so.

BIBA said feedback indicated there could be a ?steady attrition of international business, subsequent loss of jobs, and a major downturn in our economy that could take decades, if ever, to rebuild?.

And Bermuda?s wealth management companies could be the first to suffer a loss of business, with some high-net worth European families who have established trusts and other related businesses on the Island questioning Bermuda?s ?long term viability and, in the event of Independence, will potentially take their business elsewhere?.

BIBA said rival offshore jurisdiction the Cayman Islands was ?promoting the fact it has no intention of going independent? which was being used ?to gain a competitive edge over Bermuda?.

BIBA?s letter included four case studies of islands who have sought Independence ? Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados and Cyprus ? and that historically it has been the territories linked to a larger country that have ?successfully developed their international business sectors to the detriment of other independent countries?.

Other Bermuda business associations ? including the Association of Bermuda International Business Companies and the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers ? have in recent months warned that Bermuda walks a perilous path if it goes independent, particularly in light of the comfort companies feel in having a UK-based legal system.

While an independent Bermuda could carry on the British system of law, and continue access to the UK Privy Council as a final court of appeal, there are those who call for this to be abandoned.

Retired Attorney General Dame Lois Browne-Evans, who served as a constitutional adviser to the BIC, said the Privy Council could be dropped in favour of the young Caribbean Court of Justice.

ABIC and ABIR also expressed concern over whether the Bermuda dollar would be able to sustain its value in an independent economy, among others. In combination, BIBA, ABIC and ABIR represent the majority of the Island?s international businesses and service providers.