Bermuda's small business are set to become a powerful voice in the political arena following the formation of the Bermuda Small Business Association (BSBA).

For the Island's 2,000 small businesses, issues such as financing, health insurance, payroll tax, business vehicle licensing, and pensions are issues that can cripple a small business.

The new association aims to lobby Government as well as help its members to stop surviving and start thriving in the Island's challenging economic climate.

At the BSBA inaugural meeting held at the end of September and attended by representatives of 30 small businesses, the group discussed the importance of small business to Bermuda and their contribution to the Island's social and economic infrastructure.

Other topics included understanding capitalisation and financing and the structure of local financial institutions, hiring employees and employment laws.

Speaking with The Royal Gazette yesterday, founding members and half of the executive committee Keetha Lowe of Atlantic Upholstery & Interiors and Andre Hubbard of Fine Furniture Design & Restorations explained that the association's mission statement was "to elevate the awareness of small businesses' contribution to the socio-economic infrastructure of Bermuda."

Ms Lowe explained that the BSBA has been in the planning stage for five months but was not yet incorporated as a legal entity.

The objectives of the BSBA are comprehensive and varied and include, according to Ms Lowe, "collecting and disseminating accurate information pertaining to the issues affecting small businesses" as well as to "establish a forum for discussing issues impacting the welfare and stability of small businesses."

The BSBA also hopes to establish a mechanism through which small businesses can influence change within the government, corporate and financial sectors.

Perhaps the most important objective according to Mr. Hubbard was to "empower small businesses through continued education and enhance the awareness of fundamental rights."

Mr. Hubbard explained that "perception is paramount" and that when trying to understand the plight of small businesses, people needed to be empathetic with the struggle of running a small business.

He said that other organisations representing small business started with good ideas, but somewhere along the line, what they were trying to achieve is often lost.

Mr. Hubbard explained that executive of the BSA sought not to become high and mighty controllers, but rather to act as facilitators and bring about positive change.

He also hoped that the association would help people realise that the needs of small business and big business can be very different, even though many of the requirements, such as payroll tax contributions are identical.

Mr. Hubbard said the organisation hoped to meet once a month where small business specific issues would be discussed, as well as hosting guest speakers.

Both Ms Lowe and Mr. Hubbard said the association would be member driven and that success depended on how active members choose to be.