The business community in Bermuda is continuing to take the lead in informing the public about the after effects of the September 11 attacks by arranging two further forums.

Ernst & Young have set up a breakfast meeting on "Managing Through a Downturn" and Bermuda Investment Advisory Services Ltd has set up a series of lunch time forums to discuss the implications of the attacks on investments and world market conditions and has called them "War Counsel Investment Forum".

Two weeks ago Bermuda International Business Association set up a cross-business forum to address the concerns of the Island's residents following the attacks. The well-attended event was also well covered in the press.

Now the public's thirst for more information on all ramifications following the US attacks is continued to be filled by the business community in these further forums.

Ernst &Young's breakfast meeting is offering a series of solutions to keeping businesses successful during a difficult economic period.

And during the two-hour interactive session three main questions will be discussed: What is different about this slow-down? What did businesses learn from the last recession? What should companies do this time around?

The meeting will be held at the Hamilton Princess Hotel at 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, October 11, and will have as its speakers Ernst & Young partners John McKenna and Gil Tucker and the company's senior manager David Reid as well as Hollis & Co partner Wendell Hollis.

BIAS is hosting the series of monthly lunchtime meetings on Clients War Counsel at its offices in the Vallis Building in Reid Street, and the first will be held on Tuesday October 16 at 12.30 p.m.

The aim of the meeting is to "examine and discuss the on-going implications of the terrorist attacks in America and how the war on terrorism is affecting world market conditions and investment strategies".

BIAS said in a release: "Immediately after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington DC, the BIAS Investment Review Committee, a team of investment advisors led by experienced chartered financial analysts began meetings as much as three times a day to assess and re-assess the economic implications on client portfolios."

BIAS President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Pires, said: "Our corporate philosophy is to provide not only the expert financial advice but also, in as much as possible, comfort and give peace of mind to our clients. The objective of the upcoming War Counsel Investor Forums is to provide greater clarity to our clients during these difficult and uncertain times."More monthly meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, and Wednesday, December 12.